The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-03
THE ROSEBORo ROBBERY
EXPRESS AGENT GRlER TELLS
HIS STORY OFT.
Makes a Full Confession duplicating
Two Other Prominent Persons
Preliminary Trial.


The Roseboro express robbery case
came up for q preliminary hearing
to-day. Express Agent Grier, who
made confession duplicating DIR.
Fleet J. Cooper and Redden Butler, had
the witness stand all day. He testi-
fled that the robbery was conspiracy
suggested by Butler, and agreed to by
himself and DIR. Cooper. According
to his evidence DIR. Cooper acted the
masked man and got the money. But
Ter was at Fayetteville that night in
order to be able to prove an alibi. Grier
had not finished giving in testimony
when the court took a recess this even
ing until tomorrow.
1t is thought the remainder of the
week will be consumed in the prelim-
mary examination. The court house
is packed with spectators who came
from all over the county to hear the
examination. Nothing in years has
created more profound sensation
here than this matter
Cooper is the coroner of this county
and Butler is Mayor of Roseboro, both
are of good families and widely con
nected. They say the story of Grier
is false, and propose to introduce evil
dence TO Offset it. An able array of
counsel represents both sides. Cooper
and Fowler, j. ID. Kerr and NJ. G. Rich
ardson appear for the State and Lee
and Butler, j. j.. Stewart and ii. +.
Faison for the defense.
The robbery, it will be remembered,
occurred on Friday night, Dec. 20,
when 5. w. Grier, railroad and express
agent at Roseboro, on the C.. L. & Y. V.
railroad, was robbed of $3.50. This
money Was consigned to the Durham
Fertilizer Co.. Durham, N. c., and was
delivered to the express company's
agent by Redden Butler, agent at Rose
boro for the Durham Fertilizer Co., be-
tween and o'clock that night.
At 10:30 Grier, according to his own
story, left the Office for his home. He
took the package containing the $3.50
with him and locked it up in the ex-
press company's safe which is kept in
his bed room. Grier and his wife had
retired, and were aroused between 1
and o'clock by some ones rapping at
the back door. Grier got up and ask
ed who was there
voice replied: George McLamb."
and added that Mr.. O. p. White was
worse and he wanted to send off tel
egram. Grier replied that he did not
recognize the voice of fMcBamb, and told
the man to go round to the frot door
and hand the telegram in through a
crack in the door. The man went
round and taking hold of the door
knob, turned 1T, opening the door,
which was not locked. He walked
in and presented pistol at Grier, tell
ing him and Mrs. Grier he would kill
them if they made any alarm, and de-
manded all the money in the house.
Grier replied that he had no money.
But you have" said the man. II want
that $3.50 which you got tonight, and
You must give it up" The burglar was
masked, and told Grier to be in hurry
or he would be shot through the win
dow by Confederates outside.
Grier pretended to be greatly fright
ened, expecting to be shot at any mo-
ment. The safe was near the door,
and not valuing his life in money, he
opened the safe and gave the package
of money to the burglar, who imme-
diately took his departure, enjoining
Mr.. and Mrs. Grier not to put their head
out of the house that night if they
seized his revolver as soon as the man
went out, and going to the back door,
fired twice at random. Mr.. Ed. Britt
who lives near by was aroused and
upon finding out the cause of the
alarm went and walked up number of
other people of the village.
Nothing could be done that night to-
ward apprehending the burglars Early
Saturday morning Grier notified the
express company's route agent, Mr..
]. J. Croswell, at Fayetteville, who
came down on the next train to inves
tigate the matter. superintendent
w. j. Croswell, of Wilmington, was tel
egraphed for, and came up to assist
in the investigation.
The key to the door by which the
burglar gained admission was broken,
and thumb-bolt was used in fasten-
ing the door inside. Mrs. Grier had
turned the humboldt before retiring,
but it did not fasten the door.
The above is Grier's story.