The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-01-23
Continues to Be Of unahatsd Interest to Peo-
pie Of North Carolina and Virginia.
SILL TRYING TO PROVE AN ALB
Many witnesses Put On for This Pur.
pose I'm Gchasr OF the He'll Boys
The Effect of tile Long Trial BE.
ginning 60 Show on Brantly-His
Wife Absent for the First Time.

1t was generally known that in the
Bonner murder trial this morning Uriah
Bell. one Of the defendants. would be
put on the stand, and quite as large
q crowd gathered to hear his statement
as did to hear Credle's story. At the
opening Of the court few witnesses
were put on the stand to prove the char
acter of some 'colored witnesses who
testified yesterday for the defense. and
one who testified several days ago In
! behalf of the State. Urtah Bell was
then called and promptly took the
stand. He was neatly dressed and
did not have much the appearance of
a criminal He was u little nervous at
first, but soon regained his self-control,
and made clear statements as to his
movements. AT most of the time Gre
dies story implicated him. His direct
examination closed at 1890. and In the
afternoon the cross examination was
completed. Mr.. Moore conducted the
direct examination. and MIR. Warren
the cross examination. His cross eX-
animation lasted nearly four hours,and
when Mr. Warren said, ut $50, he had
no more questions to ask him, counsel
for defense waived the privilege of re-
direct, examination, II the court would
give them the half hour in which to do
other work. 1t was agreed to, and the
court was adjourned. 1t was the gene
raj impression on the minds of strangers
who had known nothing of the case be-
fore, and who had heard no other evil
dence, that his statements were re-
! markably clear. MIR. Moore. of his coun-
sell, said, he had never heard clearer
statement or seen greater self-control
under suoh circumstances.
Yesterday morning when court OPEN
cd the prisoners were in their seats.
Uriah Bell was reading some kind Of
pamphlet after he was seated. Sher-
rill Bell talked and laughed a little
fc hr,,t In ,,-op Inv,
T his side, but he looked nervous. Both
the Bell boys looked somewhat rested.
Brantley's mother and wife were not
with him. for the first time together
since the trial opened. His father was
with him. Brantley looked tired still
ana whispered with his counsel little.
The aged father of the murdered
man was again In his seat. as well as
the son and brother of deceased.
When court was opened Mr.. Rodman,
OF counsel for the State. asked to re-
call w. A. Thompson. He was allowed
TO recall him for one question only:
Did Uriah Bell come into your store
Inursday night of the dance, in the
week prior to the week of Mr. Bonner's
murder?" ''e'
II think he did," said witness.
Diu not Mr.. Guilford purchase a
oncket or snuff from YOU and did not
oriah Bell come in ut the timer"
Ies; he and some one else came In
with their hats off, like they I'm COVE
rror the dance hall"
Sharie Sharrow was called and testi
tieu that he lived five and n half mI,as
from Aurora. He was In Aurora tta
nisnt OF the murder and saw the RnIl
material. 'o' seem very
Mr.. Warren of counsel for tb. stet.
on cross examination. asked:
Dlu you say to Byran Bonnar +h,t
.ne ID scoundrel, Uriah Bell. WINS
VIII you In i've minutes after he kill
again" 'e question
1t was stated again and he onsverea
IN the negative eleu
oohn Matthews was the next witness
IN saw Oriah Bell In DR.. Smithwick's
ONCE the night of the murder. bnt
t ti, nor tell whether he left about the
ed i'oiiiier was XIII
Sam. w. styson was the newt r;,nos,
w mas IN Aurora the night of the m,1rde,
q. ne went to Will Thompson's store y nj
% W.. orlah i3ell about S o'clock.
I'm iayior, colored, was the pext
M Mht.ness. He said he was i'm Viii
d imoanpsons store the night of the muir.
ue IAN ana saw Uriah Bell there.
wallace Guilford was the nav, wi,
paM He testified he overlook I1riah
: peii sunday night after the murder ne
VT %aa gong 10 Aurora. took him nm In
ms buggy and carried him to his brn,i,.
sr s. Hugh Bell. Uriah dil not ont s,,n-
pll. oh H.,i a little cake. He was with
enard,, seii ana one other that night
cs,,sS was e., clerking. They guarded It he.
s. use the key was taken from Mr. Ron
ners BODY and they feared some ono
IIsI go IN with 1t. He thought he snw
n uiaan Sen all the time about the hour
- III Credle said Uriah Bell beckoned
the Ln, " cross the street and gave him
board. ii ~ throw II over
Az. MI, warren cross examined him FIR
~ State, and was quite severe as be
"a az on al the witnesses he examined
yYrioh II your purpose to testify that
to Credle?" 'i'p 'iiat Key
IRepeat. please" said witness.
~ was repeated, and witness after
ieIHtating, answered yes.
/, s, III: moore OF counsel for Bell bows
t Ishea; Have you any other purpose
me witness answered, mo"
,,nr,nI ly Bonner. Jr., testified next. He
coins IRA Wallace Guilford about
corroborated Credle's evidence 10
IaW Credle with Daniel Paul nndar
tba hn, stoop Sunday night, about
NC en nonr Creole said he was there.
VOC Sross,examination this witnese
fnr ne e r rubbed by Mr.. Warren,
Urtah Bell at negro festiwa, % ~, seen see
he was drunk. 'iSai ana that
~; x. I. Bonner. the States witnass
mat presented a map Of Anror, IVES, mes 8
places. '1iees and fix
c. L.. Dixon. aIso a.,