The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-06-04

when / first reached there CnaO
would be done, as it was common Galk
that the grand jury had not nesltated
70 cav thew intended to ignore anything
T bro11pbt before them; so, OF course, l
was prepared for this conduct. After
I came out, Iwent to the SOLICITOR told
him a5out the report, and how l had
haen treated. He said he would go to
the .Tudge and report their conduct. l
vent myself. demanded justice, and
that thu Judge look into their conduct.
7 also asked the Judge to sign another
writ and let it come before the people.
| and prove how the grand jury had
ignored me. The Judge would nc
give a decided answer until Friday of
the last week of court, still he knew
what was going on. / was there at the
murder trial, which was set for Monday
of the second week. l was not I'D in
the court room, but was near enough
to get the ropes on some. The case was
called and - al good men as could be
had in that county were placed in the
jury box to hear the evidence and de
eide the case. All witnesses were OK
amined by Tuesday evening and every
man who heard the case that I heard
say anything, and they were many
said he was guilty, and the jury could
do nothing else but convict him. The
Mayor of Rocky Mount employed two
lawyers to help the Solicitor $50 1 was
told.) The murder having been COM
mltted in Rocky Mount, where both
white and colored were greatly en-
ragged owe the deed. Lawyers spoke
all Wednesday, court broke late in the
evening, all left the court house except
ing the jury. About dark the court
HOUSE, bell tapped to let all know the
jury had decided. In a few minutes
the streets were filled, every one eager
to hear the decision. / was almost in |
front Of the court house, and could see !
all going on. In a short time the news
was told and the jury discharged and
came over to their supper where 1 was,
and I think I heard that the Judge. or
one, c1mplimented them on their
patience and the gentlemanIy way they
all acted. The poor negro was taken
back to Jail to think or dream over his
fate. The town was soon quiet, all
went to their homes excepting a few
gamblers, and they were very quiet
up on high"
On Thursday morning 1 went down
to see the Solicitor, again to demand
that he go to the Judge. He appeared
very much worried, which 1 was quite
surprised at, he having made such a
splendid speech the day before. I
wanted to know the cause, and he told
me that the big six" had been work
ing on the Judge, trying to get the YER
dict dismissed. W. had it from good
authority that J. E Wood, +. A. Wood
ard, ex Judge Attic, Commissioner O.
NJ. Cook and Tharn, Mayor Of Rocky
Mount (who employed the lawyer to
fight the case had been up most of the
night, out in the Commisser's room and
had the Judge out there, for what would
soon be told, all went in court. | C, uld
not see the Judge, as he had refused to
talk to me- that morning, 80 | wrote
him a note Wednesday,. bat got nc re
ply. All this was on Thursday, SO at !
dinner time I went up to the hotel
again, thinking I might get a reply.
The Judge came out by me, not even
seeing me. ] went direct to C0nnoy's
off sc Il went in 10 see the Solicitor, and
while we were talking Conner and
Battle both came in to see him, but not
together, [ presume the Judge was
left in Connor's Office waiting for their
return. The Solicitor remarked that
he had been trying TO get the Judge TO
pass sentence on the negro all the morn
ing, but he had refused, and that he
could not understand such conduct.
All went IN court again after dinner.
Thursday, and in a Snort time the
crowd began to come out all mad ard
complaining, aud sooner than IL takes
to write this, the verdict was dismjs :ed
and a new set of jurors were put in the
chairs, and about the last got in and
wor d ring what next, the Judge called
out: Have you decided9" Ona i1rnr