The news & observer., 1896-12-29

but assumed az the trial TINT resistance
was made and do SO now. 1t was ad-
mifted that nr Iiaskins told the truth
when he said; Il quote his exact Ian
suage) Il am physician. | saw Neill
skinner The next day after he was hurt.
lie was very much excited, swollen and
had fever and his lower jaw was cracked.
Also n hruise near his eye. lie was sore.
lie had convulsions that day and seemed
10 get along well till Thursday, when he
again had convulsions. His leg became
paralyzed, which was from some spinal
injury The permanent injury is in his
spine. attended him three months and
he could eat no solid feed. / never heard
anything against him before. think
his general condition resulted from mus
cular exertion."
Nobody at the trial dared to contradict
DR.. Haskins and | have his testimony
to speak as TO the injuries done without
comment, except to say that during the
whole trial it was not disputed that Neill
Skinner was seriously and permanently
injured, and indeed not it could have been.
The poor fellow was there on his crutches,
paralyzed leg and permanently injured
spine, all Of which, with his general shat
tered frame, were then--six months after
the injury-are now and will ever be a
living monument TO the brutality Of the
men who had him under arrest without a
warrant, upon a charge for which none
was ever afterwards obtained.
1t was suggested that his own exertion
in resisting arrest produced his injuries,
n suggestion too absurd almost to men
ton. The court said from the bench that
Al, hs.f4t
any case he had ever seen tried (and he
repeats it here), and stated that unless
reasonable compensation was made, the
punishment would be severe one. 1t
was not made No wonder! They knew
their Governor. The punishment, twelve
months in jail for Pratt, and six months
each for the other defendants, followed.
lis there a man in North Carolina who
win say this punishment was not deserv-
eif is there Il man in North Carolina
VINO will say that n policeman has a
right to take up a citizen without n war
rant, upon suggestion that he had violated
a town ordinance, and because he resists-
having no weapon, it is necessary for six
able-bodied men to assault him as to pro-
duce fits for four days afterwars-to frac-
ture his jaw bone, paralyZe his leg and
permanently injure his spine? The law
Of this State is very plain as TO the duty
and power of officers Of making arrests.
II will be n sad day for the citizens OF our
State when the law shall be so relaxed
as to excuse men for such conduct as this.
There seems to be in Edenton n sentiment
among a certain element-of course, not
the best, against the punishment of white
men. About two years before this a
white man was sentenced to Jail by Judge
Hoke, and, it is said, he was threatened
with mob violence for so doing. That
this same feeling existed at the time of
trial, / knew, and that ii was probable
would be assaulted, also knew. | had
duty to perform, however, and it was
done in the face Of such a sentiment and
in defiance OF the lawless element When
/ fail to have the courage to do this, my
resignation will be in the hands of the
Governor. r. w. TIMBERLAKE.
Louisburg, n. c., December 26.