Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-07-05

by one in rainy weather. and L remained
outside. We stayed out that night. Kirk
was applied to by the citizens to permit
the prisoners to go to the hotel. That was
refused. Then he was asked to let us oc-
cupy the church, and that was also re-
fused. MondaysARas still an Ilnpleasant
day. It was muddy and wet, but about
dark ON Monday night orders We're given
to march to Graham court house. We got
there after dark. We went that night m
The court house, and o eOn8pany of Kinks
regiment camped in there with us. We
stayed there till Thursday. In the mean
time, on Tuesday l think it was, about
twelve or one O'Clock, Captain Franklin
with a squad of men came up to the court
house for Turner, Gray, Weldon and
Wylie, and marched us OIL to Jail. Wylie
and myself were put into dungeon that
had been occupied by a crazy man for sew
eral months. All III .8FE#
By Mfr. Snlitll-Q. Do You know that
fact A. No, sir, L do not. l did not see
him in there, but it was warm in the room
and he had just got out. AS L got in L
could feel that he had been there, and
could smell that he had been there.
Q. State what you did see or smell if
anything was informed that he was in
there, and l inferred as much. We were
put into this dungeon.
By Mr.. Merrimon, Eresplming. 10.
Who? A. Wylie and myself. Whedon
and Gray were put into 4 different cage or
dungeon. l heard them, although didn't
see it, ironing Weeden. heard the clanll-
ing of the chains.
q. What was said? A. could not hear
distinctly what was said. / could only
hear the riveting of the chains, but | could
not hear what was said. They were not
in a position where | could hear plainly
| wrote a note to Mr.. Scott, 4 merchant,
asking him to send me couple of chairs,
a table, and pitcher and towels. had
divers conversations with the officer not
only to have the note taken to him, but [
told him where to go. When the articles
did not come the next day had further
conversation and asked the officer why
the pitcher and chairs were not brought
He said it was against orders and he would
not let them come. | remained there in
this cell until Wednesday,. In the moan
time we had got a box of matches from q
sergeant or corporal, and we bought some
candles, but these matches and candles
that we had got through the sergeant the
officer came and took away; but | hap
pened to have few of the matches left,
which l found to be of service in burning
a pine brush in the dungeon by way of pu-
rifying the air.
.. Was that loathsome place or other
wise ? A. Exceedingly so. They gave us
but two articles of furniture, two blue
buckets, one filed with stale water. |
wanted these buckets taken out and offered
to buy new ones, but they said these would
do. They would not give Wylie and my
self any water in place of that stale water
that was in one of them, and there was
not even a tin cup, and we had to drink
from the bucket, and there was nothing in
the room but those two blue buckets. On
Wednesday morning the soldiers came in
and ordered me to get ready to move to
my new quarters, and they carried me out
and put me in an iron cage ten steps from
the one l had been occupying, and kept
me there with a negro who had been SEN
fenced to be hung the next day.
By Mr.. Smith.-Q. Do you know that
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Were you present when the judg-
ment was pronounced ? A. was not pre-
sent.
Q. Do you know it except by hearSay
A. heard the negro state so myself.
q. He put you into cell with a con-
demned negro? A. Yes, sir, and there
remained until the next day, Thursday
They would not give me chairnOr stool
to sit on, and they fastened the windows
There was one sash to it with glass, and
the officer took special pains to push that
to every time he passed, and he did so re-
peatedly. appealed to him to keep II
open as the negro was reading his Bible
and told him he ought not to be refused
the privilege of reading the Bible when he
was about to be hung. His reply was that
he would soon be-using a blasphemous
oath-in place not to be mentioned, and
hen closed the window again.
q. What was the condition OF that cell
A. 1t was loathsolne and lousy.
.. How were you accommodated with
food while imprisoned in that Jail ? a. My
friends sent me everything that was good
it was conveyed in general in plate, but
it was thrown into a pile to me SO that il
was not as nice as it would have BEEN
My friends furnished me every thing
wanted in the way of something to eat.
Q. How long did you remain there A
| remained there until two or three O'Clock
of Thursday the 18th, when we were car
ried before Judge Brooks at Salisbury.
q. What was done with you there-was
any charge preferred against you ? A.
have forgotten whether Kirk charged me
with attempting to subvert the State gov
eminent, but believe Mr.. BOyden stated
that it was due to me to say when was
discharged, that there was not 4 particle OF
Evidence against me.
q. State whether at any time you made
any speech or wrote any article for your
paper i'll the interest of any organization
known as "The Kuklux Kian," "The
White Brotherhood" or any other secret
organization A. L never did on the
contrary | always denounced them, both
the Leagues and the Kukux Khan, in my
SnRqpbaS and in NV Manor