The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-01-25
The Beginning Of the End In This AIlahsorb-
Ing Case Is Fast Approaching.
.BRAATly, OFFERED NO EVIDENCE At ALL
Sherriil Beli on the ssand-Snys He
az Never Spoke to Creole -AcknoWi'
sti5 edges Carrying Res"iver-De'
cIares Crcdlc's Testimony 10 Be
Lie-YIl Mt FACE on Witness stand.

s1S Washing ton, n. c., Jan. -loPeei''I,'
There was n larger crowd in inc cous.
e room at the openig OF the court Ill
morning than at any time since the 'ria'
a commenced.
VI It was given out by Brantly's counsel
( last night that he would not put OH
Z any evidence, and everybody was eager
: to see what turn matters wouio take
this mornig.
~ When Judge Hoke asked. viii the
defendent Brantly offer any evidence.
Mr.. Simmons counsel, said. we oHer no
evidence at all"
i Judge Hoke then asked II the state
( had further evidence to Offer. ana couh-
sci answered that they nau, Seuv -
i number of character witnesses were
offered by the State before TO prove
the character OF other of their witness
3 es, and all the States witnesses con-
corning which questions were asked
proved good characters.
On these questions of character the
! defense in REORGANIZATION asked al
most every witness for the character Of
{ the Bell boys, and Sheriff. Bells char
aGter was not questioned at all, but
several testified that for some time past
Uriah had been Wild
In the rebuttal evidence the State
4 put on two strong witnesses. The
y Bell boys testified that they did not
visit Brantly, and one reputable wit
4 ness testified that he had seen them
both in Brantly's sitting around the
fire smoking. Another witness testified
i that he s7ld Uriah Bell n pistol on the
Friday before the murder on Saturday
Z night, which was @ rebuttal of Uriah's
q test imony.
Counsel for the State asked him while
& on :examination IL he bought a pistol
that day, and he said not.
Practically the evidence IS all in now.
\ After afew short,examinattons toner
a row the arguments will begin. 1t now
n looks like argument will commence to-
d morrow afternoon. a verdict will hard
4 ly be had before Wednesday of next
week.
Yesterday morning there was a small
4 crowd at the opening of the court, the
people being hndered by the rain, but
( rs It was known that Sherrell Bell would
be put on the stand large crowd was
S,soon packed in the room TO hear his
Statements. AT this stage of the trial
Brantly's wife shows more fatigue than
any one interested In the trial.
Brantly seemed n little Indifferent as
he looked across nj the Jury and chew
Y ed gum. Uriah Bell looked fresh, doubt
less having rested better after having
4 been examined and having that strain
removed.
Sherrell Bell looked nervous still, but
I was neatly dressed In a new suit Of
1 clothes.
When Judge Hoke said Call the next
witness" Mr.. Beckwith. Of counsel for
defense. offered an almanac to show the
= time Of twilight Mt Charleston and
I Washington on n certain day, which
{ had been mentioned I'm tho trial
W The witness called was Deputy Sher-
iff Redditt He lives six miles from
Aurora and was the officer that arrest
ed the Bell boys.
Said Mr. Moore. OF counsel for defense.
y tntn fn f1,a n, ,,-J,a
u tham and whether anyone else was
with them"
4 "I asked Ben. Thompson to assist mo
In arresting them He hestatcd. hut at
\ last went with me. We found them be-
! hind Bonners store. but saw no one
y else with or near them
Y "Did you see Dave Watson?"
% .No."
"If he had been there could Won have
eeen him?"
ST think So"
IS. read the warrant to them and
ssUriah Bell looked UP and said. My God
you do not believe it?'"
II think Thompson and both sa,d
I'VE did not know what to believe"
Did You have Creole in Charge any
s,time?" any
ives: all the time
Did he make any statement about
&Uriah Bell?" "'o''
11n
had made one to Flowers"
1913 Witness said that Creole stated ~
4 MIN that he (Credle), Sherrell I3en ana
& Brantly were in the fence corner vail
ing for Mr.. Bonner. and that nfta,.
TBrantley had knocked Bonner dow
5tlah iseii ran up and helped Brantlv
sthrow him over the fence.
1sl He said Creole first stated to him III,
Z Brantiy shot Bonner twice but at once
corrected 1t and said only once ana
Gne SAID Brantly ran off and left hoth
ttne s Bell boys with Bonner.
MI Rodman conducted the cross az
sS,aeIiitiliIatlon. He asked. did Bran,Jp
want to see any one Monday night o.,
re said he wanted to see Uriah Rel -
lss.s Pa ne want to see any one Tuesday
morning, after his arrest ?"
4SssiYes; he wanted to see several ,a,.
snumber." "'ohs INC
sasDid Creole tell you that Brantlv sbo,
aEonneT more than once?"
made two statements. Fret =,
S Ssaid Brantly shot twice. but he M onn ,s
corrected II and said he shot only once !,
When the Bell boys were arrast od
ssdid urtah Bell say he was prepared fo,
the shock % ~ io'
!ss5g3siitssHe did"
Witness said that he and Lee Thomn
son had been working in unison unit
sIhes BELL boys were arrested.
FRI What did YOU tell Charlie DIXON ..
told him that Creole had confessed
go me and the Bell boys were imnli
Gated" ii'pi'
q you make any promise to Gre
S..'No."
s MI: Simmons asked II T3rantly did moi
want to see others besides IJriah Rel,
end witness said he did.