Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-10-30
SUPERIOR COURT,
Important Case.

| OAIAi . udy ou eS1eI0a.Ss IIouu y ClOC
in the morning until o'clock in th
afternoon, without intermission fo
dinner, in the trial of the above cause
The above named defendants to
gether with a large number OF others
were indicted for an affray at Rock
Point, in the county of New Hanover
on the day of the August election.
The Court ordered that the trial o
the defendants should be divided, an,
these defendants were put upon thei
trial yesterday. The remainder, ex
cept those who have submitted, O.
made their escape, will be placed OF
trial tomorrow. The witnesses fol
the State, all of whom were colored
seemed to conflict with each other; bu
their testimony, unexplained and IN
refuted. would probably have brought
down the scale against the defendants
It was in substance as follows On
the day of the late August election 6
fight occurred between Mr.. John Bry.
ant and George Hill, colored, the lat
ter having given the former the
"ddnaned He". This occurrence took
place at some distance from the polls
that during the excitement which en-.
sued and grew out of this difficulty,
the defendant Wood made his appear
ance at some distance from the scene,
with a gun in his hands, which he
brought to his face and pointed at the
crowd which was assembled around the
combatants.
That the defendant Everett attempt
ed to get to the crowd with drawn
pistol in his hand.
That the defendant Bowden left the
polls, where he was acting as chal-
lenger, went to the crowd and partici-
cipated in the affray.
This is about the substance of the
testimony of the States witnesses, who
were only three in number.
For the defence, great number
were called and sworn.
DR.. Porter. in substance, stated
that on the day of the cleo
ion an af'ray took place at Rocky
Point between Mr.. John Bryant
and Geo. Hill, colored. The de-
fendant, Jesse Bowden, was engaged
at the polls in the capacity of a chal-
lenger, some distance from the place
of the fight: witness did not see him
until after the fight commenced, and
when he, the defendant, attempted to
keep the peace a crowd turned upon
him with clubs and sticks, one man
having a sledge hammer, and pressed
him backwards. threatening his life,
cursing, swearing and crying "kill
him. kill him!"
When witness had gotten defendant
Bowden into the house, through the
the crowd came into the
front part of the house, using the like
violent language, gestures and threats.
Witness considered that defendants
life was in danger. When he was re-
treating before the crowd he fell;
he was knocked down, or ac-
cilently tripped, witness could not
tell. Mr.. Bowden had to be guarded
from the mob until he left the grounds
for his home, He saw him do moth
ing except in the interests of peace and
Mr.. d. T. Durham testified to the
same effect. Bowdcn had been sitting
at the polls, discharging his duty as
in peaceable and quiet
manner, until after the row had COM
Within half minute after
Bowden came near the place where
Bryant and the negro Hill were fight
ing, witness saw Bowden backing and
himself from crowd that
was making upon him, which consisted
Of about one hundred and fifty ne
yroes armed with clubs, sticks, &c.
He saw Bowden fall; whether he fell
accidently or was knocked down, wit
ness could not tell. He considered
Bowden's life in great danger during
the disturbance, the crowd of negroes
crying "kill him kill him!"
One of the poll-holders stated that
Bowden was peacefully occupied as
at the polls, until after the
row had commenced.
Mr.. Bryant, who was also indicted,
but had previously submitted to the
Judgment of the Court, testified in
of the three last witness
es; and that when the negro Hill cal
led him damned liar, he struck him;
that the defendant Everett took no
part in the fight, out seemed to be
present in the interests of peace; as
sisted to rescue me from the mob took
me to Gamebrg's house, locked me in,
and remained with me until the dis
turbance was over. Everett did not
encourage the fight. After the gen.
tlemen had rescued me from the crowd,
and when we were endeavoring to get
into Gamberg's house I was intercept
ed and headed off several times by the
rioters.
Hockey testified that Bowden came
out of the house to assist in quelling the
disturbance. When he approached the
crowd some forty or fifty colored people
from the main body of the
crowd, and took after him, crying out
''there is Jesse Bowden, kill him
kill him !" While retreating before
the advancing crowd, Bowden fell.
One voice proclaimed, 81 knocked the
damned scoundrel down" Saw sever
al blows aimed at Bowden, but did not
see him strike any one until he was,
himself, knocked down. Saw the de-
fendant Everett take Mr.. Bryant out
of the crowd, but at no time saw him
participate in the fight, or in any man
ner encourage it.
Thos. A. Price corroborated the
testimony as to the conduct
of defendant Bowden. When the