The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-20
AFATAL BLOW.
Rober, Moore Strikes Samuel James
With Dye Paddle.
JAMES DIES IN ABOUT ID HOURS

Robert Moore, a young man who has
been living in Scotland Neck Tor sew
eral wears. went to the knitting mills
and went into the dye room where a
young man. named Samuel James, son
Mr.. Henry james near Hobgood, was
at work \ difficulty OF words ensued
and Moore struck James a severe blow
across the head with dye paddle.
James fell TO the ground and never
spoke again. He died Tuesday morn
ing about 80 o'clock.
4 warrant was Issued against Moore
soon after the blow was struck and he
was brought before Mayor J A. Perry
for trial, Mr.. Claude Kltchin appearing
for the defense. There we're three wit
nesses examined.
THE EVIDENCE.
Claude Allsbrook, young man Who
works in the mills, testified that as he
was passing from the mill by the en-
CINE room stephen Ellis, colored
man who was working IN the dye room,
called him to come there and stop
Moore and James from fussing. WIT
ness saw Moore IN front of James walk
inc backwards James had a paddle
IN his hand but did not look Ike he
was going to strike with it. Witness
thought James was trying to get out OF
the room. He did not understand well,
but Thought James called Moore some
kind Of son Of Moore
reached around got a dye paddle about
four and halt feet long and struck
James. Witness was about 10 feet
| from them.
Mr.. Kitchin asked witness, Odd you
hear Moore say anything to james,
No" answered witness.
did Moore look scared"
Il did not notice. | did not think
they were gong to fight"
do you know what they we're quar-
reling about"
No do net know how it began"
could Moore have been scared and
YOU not notice it," asked Mr.. kitchin
Il did not notice. He did not seem
scared to me-
Witness said that James was within
1 the paddles reach when Moore struck
him. Moore made one step to strike
him.
Stephen Ellis, colored, was next ex-
amined.
He SAID Moore came into the dye
room by the engine room and James
| was looking at his (M0ore's) ear muffs
While looking at them aud handling
them James hands having dye on them
he got some OF It on the side of Moore s
face.
Mr.. Gay or Mr.. Bracy spoke to him
about the dye on his face and Moore
pulled glass from his pocket and look
ed at his face and said, That's all right
I'll get him" Witness said he did not
know whether Moore was mad or not
After that Moore came Into the dive
room. James was standing on a box
Witness went out into engine room anC
returned. When he came back Moore
was standing with potato rake drawn
back. Witness heard Moore say tc
James Good d-n you, I'll burst youl
head open with this rake il you bother
with me-"
James said to Moore, Bob, 90 on ou
OF here. | don't want any trouble witt
! YOU" Moore cursed and sad he wa:
not going anywhere until be got ready
James then asked witness to 90 after
Mr.. Smith and ask him to come and see
if he could not get Moore away. Moore
still had the rake drawn on James
James walked up to Moore and SAID
Hand me this rake" took hold Of it
snatched it and Moore let it so. Jane:
asked Moore again to go on out anC
Moore still said he would not 90 unit
he got ready, Moore then walked back
wards like he was going out and wher
he got to the door, instead Of going out
he turned and walked by the door abou,
five or six feet with his back towards
James. James came from the dive tut
and said. Bob. | asked you to 20 on
out Of here and you won't go. If YOU
won't go out II get some one who will
put you out" James laid his paddle
down beside a bench and started out
/ like he was going after Mr.. Smith. He
stepped side-wise from Moore towards
the door. Then witness called Mr.. Ais
brook. Just as Mr. Allsbrook got tC
the door Moore struck James with 3
dye paddle, knocked him down and
said, God d-n you, III kill you" He
struck only one blow. About that
time Mr.. Bracv came in and Moore said
II We killed him." or "I'Il XII him ,
and Mr.. Bracy said to Moore, you 81
on out Of here
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