The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-11-29

Mitchell IntImated That He Would
Pay Their I3ills-NIrs. Dyer on the
stand-witnesses Testify to tho Good
Character of Both Parties
D. II. Mitchell's trial for the killing
Of N. C. Dyer, on October 6, was con-
tinued in the Hastings Court yesterday
morning. Court was called to order
few minutes before 10 o'clock and the
first witness introduced was Hon. VIM.
G. Evans, who stated that he was on
the coroner's jury in the case of N. c.
Dyer. He saw tho cut In his neck. Hs
examined the store and saw the blood
on the floor but did not see any on the
counter or the show case. He saw
blood on a newspaper on the counter
and saw the account book but did not
see any blood on it.
E. L. Cameron was introduced. He
stated that he knew both parties and
Mitchell and Dyer were about the same
size. The witness was member of the
coroner's jury and visited Mitchell's
store after the tragedy. He saw some
blood on the floor near the counter and
some on the counter.
William Paitsell was examined, but
did not know anything that was of i'm
portance and was soon dismissed.
SHOWED HOW HE PULLED OUT HIS KNIFE.
The next witness was William c.
Paitsell, who saw Mr.. Dyer just before
he died. Several days previous to the
killing Mr.. Mitchell was showing how
quick he could pull his knife out of bis
pocket open. after placing it in shut.
j. w. Webster stated that he visited
the store that morning about o'clock
anu saw tho blood on the floor. The
blood lead from tho counter towards
the door.
The next witness was Harry A. Col.
man, reporter, who saw the prisoner
in the Jail Oh the day the crime was
committed. Mr.. Colman then detailed
Mitchell's statement, which was pub
lished at that time. The prisoner,
said Mr.. Colman, showed him slight
bruise on tho forehead and on the neck,
which no claimed was made by DYER
striking him.
g. W. Wade stated that week or so
before the tragedy Mr.. Chain and him.
self stopped in the store, and heard a
conversation about knife. There was
something said about hard times and
about collections. Mr.. Mitchell put his
hand in his pocket, and drew his knife
out open very quick. The inference
was that he would use his knife on
parties who did not pay their accounts.
he recognized the knife as the same
one.
INTIMATED THAT HE WOULD USE A KNIFE.
James Chain was recalled and stated
that he won't into the store with Mr..
Stone, and the question of hard times
was brought up and Mitchell drew an
open knife out of his pocket and in
tim ated that would be what he would
use on parties who did not pay him.
He thought Mitchell was testing at the
time.
doc" Hampton, colored. was placed
on the stand. The witness was coming
down Franklin street the morning Of
October about o'clock. 81 first saw
Mr.. Dyer" he said, ''come out of the
store bleeding, and in minute Mr..
Mitchell came to the door and 1 asked
him, What is the matter with that
MANI He said: He struck me and I
cut him." That was all the witness
knew about the case.
R. L. Dooley testified that he saw
Dyer in Mitchell's store door Just after
he had been cut. The witness lived
opposite the store and saw Dyer coming
out of the door and saw Mitchell stop
in the door. He did not see the blow
given
MRS. DYER ON THE STAND.
Mrs. Noel G. Dyer, the widow of the
deceased, was brought into court and
testified that Mr.. Dyer left home about
fifteen minutes before o'clock that
morning He was in hurry to get to
his work at the Norfolk and Western
Offices that morning. Mrs. Dyer was
dressed in mourning and was greatly
agitated. No questions were asked her
by the counsel for the defense.
At this point Mr.. Hardaway, the
commemorative attorney, announced
that the prosecu ton would rest the
case for the present.
Colonel Penn, for the defense, asked
that they be given until after recess
for consultation. The court refused to
do this, but did grant them some time.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Court was called to order at 3:45 and
c. w. Mills was the first witness called
in the Mitchell case. He testified as
follows: II was in the city Of Roanoke
on October 6, and was at the store OF
Mitchell, Windel g. Co. on that day.
did not see any blood on the counter
over which the parties we're fighting,
but saw little on the show case.
There was also stream of blood which
indicated that after Mr. Dyer had been
stabbed that he had gone Immediately