The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1896-02-20
DAVIS DISCHARGED.
THE AUDIENCE AppLAuDED
WHEN yERDIT WAS AN
NoUNcED.

NUUNlED.
Trial Lasted from II 70 6 O'clock
Made Short Talk.
The case of the State vs.. " W. Davis,
who was charged with setting fire to the
house of VIM. Fancette, colored, Tues
day morning, claimed the attention Of
Justices ]. S. Durham and d, {. Man.
gum nearly all day yesterday. The trial
was postponed from ego O'Clock until ii
O'Clock, so as to give time to summons
all of the witnesses, and lasted until a
few minutes past 6 O'Clock last evening
when Mr.. Davis stepped from the court
room a free man--every stain of the
fearful crime with which he was charged
having been erased from his name.
The state was represented by Messrs
F. A. Green and W. B. Guthrie, while
Mr.. R. B. Boone represented the defend.
ant.
After the charge was read, which ac-.
cused him of arson, the defendant en-
tered plea of not guilty.
Before entering into the case the
counsel ON both sides asked that the
witnesses be separated and sent from
the court room which was done.
The first witness called was VIM.
Faucette. who swore out the warrant for
Mr.. Davis arrest. He being duly sworn
testified as follows:
live about two and one half miles
from Durham; was at home Tuesday
morning between ? and O'Clock when
heard roaring; got up in two or .hree
minutes and found rear room on FIRE;
solid blaze from floor to ceiling one or
two yards square. Run around house
and threw water on outside while my
wife and children were at work inside;
succeeded in subduing the fire in about
an hour. There was no fire in the room
when l went to bed After FIRE was put
out / found a rock under corner OF
house with some fleetwood splinter rs
and tar on it. Isent after Mr. Houston
did not come, then sent after Mr.. Wo.
mack who came. We found tracks in
rye patch around house going to and
from house; traced these tracks from
about Eve feet Of my house 10 within ten
yards Mr.. Davis'-lost track in skirt oil
woods Went to Mr.. Davis about s
O'Clock: after speaking told him some
one had tried to burn my house, he
seemed surprised. Asked me if knew
anyone who was mad with me, ! told
him no one but you. Also told him
about finding tracks which led TO hi:
house when he said, Now William may
be YOU think / fred the house, did
not say anything. He asked me what
was going to do about IL when said in
vestigate il; he said IF you do that yor
will wish you hadn't for if you fail tc
make case they will sue you for Sian
der. Asked him if he would know hi.
track If he was to see it, he said yes
shown the track in pasture he said il
was his, made while looking after fence
fitted his foot to il. This was in line
with double track. Mr Davis went tC
house with me; shown track in rye
patch; said he did not 90 over in field
put his foot in one track which ftted
Never heard Of any threats Mr Davis
made against him. On cross examina
tor he said when he got ont side house
the FIRE was breaking out near the caves
no FIRE down low.
II was now I:4s O'Clock and eourt
took a recess until 3 O'Clock when Eau
eette was again called 10 the stand and
cross examined. There was no insur
aHce Oh the house he said.
james Womsek testified: Went Il
Fsuesae's early Tuesday morning. Wal
sent for; house considerably damaged
thought hrs started on outside: fount
rock under corner house; found track
in rye patch going TO and from ..th,
house; followed them through psstas,
to within about 50 yards Of SIR. Davis
house fFaueeite said be and Sir. Won
sek followed them 10 within 10 yards o.
housej On cross examination be sait
tracks crossed oat Of rye patch. wen
dOBn the fence short distance then Of
ssmali branch did not 10 through
cotton patch next 10 Mr, Davis tthi
was in conflict With Faucette again VIII,
testified that they both followed th,
tracks through cotton PATCH.
Page Pickett vas next sworn and ties
t,ged; / went to Fsucetts's Tues iay af
ternoon loosed a. house, think il val
fred al corner on oatsitIe: Ere vas madl
on small rock under corner Of hguse
some pitch Sss on tie rock as Il ran GU
Of lighiWoo4; hois burned iu foot ailou
two 'set squats; Tracks In rye patch
stepped over airr fence about three o
f"af ieet iram houa measured tFsck
a Psaeetis = s1H a2s!a a'rHt Is ard
ftom Mf Davis; msssursd sam~. n,
produced sick showisg length n.
slriLifh ~ IL. Il r... IL t--t-