The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-02
PRICE TWO CENTS
A NOTABLE MURDER TRIAL
A SOUTHERN RAILWAY BoND JOE
BER IN PERIL or MS LIFE.

George w. swepson Arraisncd for the u--.
der Of n Prominent Democratic Peiittcf.1
OF North CaroIina-A Notorious Career.
RALEIGH, N. O., Feb. 28.-Thc trial cf
George W. Swepson for the recent murdsp a
Adolphus @. Moore OF Alamancc county excitus
the deepest interest In this State. At the -
quest which Immediately followed the assnszn-
nation, testimony OF such an unsatisfactory
character was adducod that Mr.. swepson h.n
to be released on $4,000 bail. The Grand Jury.
however, last Thursday brought In an indics.
ment against him for murder In the first degrcA.
He was expected to be srraisned for trial the
next day, and the town was crowded with felix's
from tho country. The array OF counsel for ana
against tho prisoner was remarkable. For ths
prosecution appeared Gen. Gimer. Hon. O. A.
Scott, Major Graham, son Of Ex-Governor Ora
ham, MIR. Strong of the nrm OF Bragg Strong,
Mr.. billiard, Solicitor studwick. and two or thrs.
Others, making about the strongest array cd
counsel ever assembled for the prosecution OF |.
criminal case In this State. For tho defsno,,
Judge Rufiin, Messrs. Fuller. boyd. baron ana
Parker appeared, all lawyers Of distinction.
The same day a writ Of habeas corpus was
Issued by Judge Settle OF the Supreme Court,
ordering Swepsons conveyance to Raieigh.
where to-day counsel arc engaged In arguing Q
motion, to remove the trial from Al amsncs -
the ad1olbing county Of Orange. Tho defoncR
claim that II Is impossible 20 obtain fair trisi
In the county where tho tragedy occurred, -
hostile Is the feeling az iinst the accused. fhs
prosecution assert that they are prepared 10
prOvo that Capt. Moore was deliberately shot by
tho accused, who concealed himself behind .
door in his own house. The defence claim that
Moore had uttered threats against Swepson,
and that the latter was in mortal dread o. re-
ceivn9 serious Injury. Moore had accused him
OF circulating slanderous postal card. in whioA
the latter charged that Moore had seduced .
vowed vengeance. Tho murder OF Flsk bv
stokes created no more excitement In New
York than was produced In this State By the
Had the accused been another than Georss
moving the trial to another county. Bus !,
great is public Indignation against the Bou4
King King for his many detsstable financial Jobs thsa
little sympathy is EXPRESSED for him. His none
tary transactions may not unlikely turn out -
have some connection with the murder. CapA
Moore was leader OF tho opposition to the Re
publican party In this State since the war, and,
with his ffiends resident 10 about the strongest
Democratic county, made a relentless war upop
tho thieyes who burdencd the State with ID
and robbed and plundered its treasury dunnH
the memorable period of Holden's rule in iss1
and 1909. Swepson was head aud front OF tbs
Ring which appropriated some S20000,0OO or -
In bonds TO build railroads, hut IN reality turns4
rapacious rascals. He was also the chief ms-
nipulator In numerous other railroad Jobs, -
which millions were nlched. Not only did the
State OF North Carolina suffer by the loss Of heF
millions and by the depreciation OF her credia,
poor iaSorers and their families suffered sy
Swepson's rnscality. A panic was created in
NORTH carolina worse than the panic In Ney
York OF 1873. Many were bankrupted, and many
others endured the greatest hardship..
Had Swepson or his coOperator Lttleneld, the
carpet-bnggers, or Holden appeared in some a
| the Western counties OF the State at that time
the Indignant populace would undoubtedly
have made them disRorge OF bave hanged thsxh
| to the nesrest tree. After tho excitement wsg
| somewhat subdued ayear or SO later. the BonA
| King did venture into this city. lie was ~
rested and heid 20 ball but never tried. nor dto
he ever make restitution. lie plea cd povertR
| although II was everywhere believed that y
was the owner OF two or more State banlraI
several hotels, Thousands Of acres OF land, and
| large amount In bonds and railroad stock. I'm
| wife Ia Immensely rich. 1t Is but natural thn6
| the people OF the State should have littls sym-
| patty for this man. But hs Is even now one o1
tue most influential men In the State, ank
| prominently identified with tho railroad intsp-
| ests ofNorth Carolina and Virginia. Hts friends
| are wealthy, and the trial will doubtless bs
protractsd aud bitterly contested.