Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-02-24

examined several witnesses that day
sat for several hours. Adjourned
until next day. I had everybody
summoned who was suggested, or
of whom could think, who could possi-
bly, give any information. I told any one
to suggest any person who could possibly
give me the least clue to the Murderer,
and would have him summoned. The
jury sat from day to day, until Thursday,
when they rendered verdict, and then
adjourned. The citizens generally render
ed me every assistance. The day before
the last sitting. was told by Mrs. Ste
vens that she had requested Mr.. Bell, of
Greensboro, lawyer to assist me. I told
her was very glad to have assistance. Mr..
b. then examined the testimony I had
taken down-and had taken all down
carefully-and said he was satisfied with
my conducG of the case, SO informed Mrs.
Stevens who expressed her satisfaction and
he then withdrew. Every witness that
examined was brought to Raleigh-but
one more besides. He, never heard of
until they came TO Raleigh. My Office
is about fifty yards of the court house.
The morning that Kirk came. I was en-
gagged with client. in my Office. It was
the day General Leach and Scott, con-
gressional candidates. were to speak. 1
saw troops fling by-did not 60 out-had
heard they were coming. Soon after,
Yates came TO my gate, asked if Mr.. Hill
lived there. I told him yes, and that
was the man. He asked me to come out
to him. he wanted to see me. After got
out. he said that was his prisoner. I
told him all right. / then walked with
him to the Court House. AS entered the
Court House I met Kirk. told him
was sick, and asked to be permitted to
stay in my office-would give him any
bond he might require, and report daily if
he wished. Kirk hesitated, and then said
go in the Court House. When I got in
one of the rooms found Mr.. Kerr, DR..
Roam, DR.. Yancy and others. Had not
been there long before 1 heard great
noise mp stamping, following and
cnrslng, and In a few moments they brought
Mr.. Bowe into the room. They seemed to
be svery much incenSed with MIR. B.
abusing him terribly. Yates, who was a
Baptist preacher, shaking a pistol in his
face. and calling him id rascal. Ere
quent cries were made to shoot him-kill
him, &c. The door was crowded with SOL
diers with fixed bayonets, and guns cock
ed and pointed at MIR. Bowe. Kirk came
|. in and shook his pistol in Mr.. Bowe's face,
and cursed him. Then turned round and
pushed Yates and the soldier''away from the
door. In little while we we're all sent up
stairs in the court room. Kirk frequently
told US of his exploits during the war
Said he was on the federal side, and that
he whipped large number of Oonfeder
ates once with ten men. He also spoke OF
having orders to kill the prisoners, butch
er the women and children, and burn the
town if he was attacked. On one occasion
he came up into the room, was much ex
cited, and said that he had just heard
Klux from Danville, and If he was, would
do as I have just related. said if you
were the brave and good soldier
you boast Of having been during war.
you would send out scout and
learn the truth of the rumor. He cursed
and abused the prisoners-particularl
Weldon. One of the soldiers was drums
and fourishing his pistol about, and Wee
don remarked to him, if he did not mind
he would shoot some one. He replied
d-n you will shoot you, and immediate
ly fired, the ball striking the stone win.
dow-sill, directly on range with Weldon.
The officers were there, but did not see
much command from any one-no discip-
line maintained at all. I saw one of the
officers drilling his men one day barefoot
ed and carrying his boot in his hand
They were constantly swearing and ours
ing, and singing obscene and vulgar songs
Good many of the command were young
boys.
On election day Kirk told the prisoners
they could go out and vote if they wished
to. Did go, but marched between file
of soldiers with their bayonets fixed.
About half hour before the prisoners
left Yanceyville I received note from
Mrs. Stevens rendering me her buggy tc
bring me to Company Shops, as 1 had
none of my own. We got to the Shops
were put in box cars and carried to Ora
ham and marched through the mud to the
court house. Several prisoners, Messrs
Turner, Wiley, Gray and Weldon, were
violence. Capt. Franklin came mp into
the court house and said to Mr.. A. G
Moore, who was lying on the floor, ''you
said was horse thief, d-n you, I vii
kill you," OF the same time drawing hii
pistol. caught hold of him and said,
surely you wont shoot an unarmed prison
er. Moore jumped up and being near
Franklin, he (F.) struck him on the head.
L was brought to Raleigh and discharged,
no evidence being brought against me.
HaVe extensive acquaintance in the
county, and know that good feeling gen
orally prevailed among all classes.
The cross-examination by Mr.. Boyden
elected no new facts.
In reply to a question by Mr.. Graham.
Mr.. Hill said there was considerable feeling
against Stevens because he had told the
negroes to burn barns, &c.
John Kerr, sworn on behalf of managers,
testified
Questioned by MFR. Merrimon.
I live lin Yanceyville, am lawyer by
profession. On the 18th of July last
saw large number of ermed men come
into town. led by Kirk. had not gone
4rom my home, was standing in my front
door. Saw the men enter the Court
House square with flag flying. then
thought l would go to the Court House,
and started ont, but turned back, went into
my chamber. and commenced reading
In few moments a man, who 1 learned
afterwards was Yates, came into my room,
and told me was his prisoner. asked
upon what authority He said by order
of the President and Gov ernor Holden.-
AS we got out into the passage another
man came in. and evinced disposition
to evil. Yates checked him. We then
walked up to the Court House, and there
| found other prisoners. Soon after getting
in the room stepped to the window, and
several soldiers commenced cursing me.
and pointing their guns at me; ordered
me away from the window or they wouid
shoot I staDne1 hack and aoon heard q