Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-17
THE AURORA MURDER
CREOLE. ONE OF THE GANG. TELLS
THE WHOLE STORY.
One of the FouIest Crimes Ever
Committed In North Cnroiinn-Sooi'
Deliberate, and Diaboiic"i T'"'
Intense Interest IN Court.

WASHINGTON. n. C.. January 10
CSpecial.)-Before court was opened yes
terday morning in the Bonner muruer
trial. the dcfendants-Bell boys an"
Brantley-were seated in their places
Creole, the man who has confessed the
crime and turned States evidence, was
also in the courtroom. 1t was ex-
pected that he would be put on the stahd
and a large crowd had gathered early
Brantleys wife and father and mother
were again by his side His father ana
mother are somewhat aged. Brantiey
and wife conversed together during 'he
arranging of seats and the general con-
fusion incident upon the opening of the
court. His wife looked cheerful, ana
Brantley smiled several times during the
The Bell boys also smiled
as some Of their friends spoke with
them. The aged father OF the murdered
man was in his seat, by the side OF the
states counsel. Brantley held a con-
yersation with his counsel. Mr.. +. ;.
Ymmons. which ceased as the Judge
oened court.
CREOLE TESTIFlES.
Tere was quite little connection in
the courtroom when II was announcer
by Sste's counsel that Creole would go
on thtstand. He was cworn and seated
in iron of the jury. All eyes were in
tently azing upon this witness, who
was aboS to confess TO one OF the foulest
murders hat have ever blackened the
fair name Of North Carolina.
Creole sid he was about 26 years
old, and US born in Hyde county
in 1919. la lived at Aurora four
years. He pAceeded to give a detailed
statement OF III organization Of the band.
or his initiatio. into II by the Bel
boys and BrantAy. Brantley saw him
one day In the woods and proposed to
him to Join the hind That night he
went home with lrantley. to Aurora.
where he saw the Be- boys. at Brantley's
house. Brantley h.d told him that
they could get money more easily than
by working for 1t. Il the proposition
to Join The band Branthv asked Creole
n he minded killing a nan. and Creole
said he did not wish 10 XIII anybody.
Brantley and the Bell boys net al Brant-
ley's house. Brantley had old his wife
that Mr.. Gray. upstairs. WISHES to see
her She went up and left Bnntley and
Creole Together. and then the Bell boys
came Thus they completed heir ar
rangement. Branuey and the Lall boys
told Creole hey needed him 10 Complete
the band AID that he need no fear
being found cut. as the Bell boys stood
pretty well in the community. and they
had already successfully robbed s,me
houses.
Creole describd how they tried to st
chance an sveral persons. but wer
always interrupted, so that their plans
failed Uriah Bell WAS captain Of the
band. and Creole Sheriff. Rel. and
Brantley We're TO obey the orders Of the
leader When the oath was administered
TO Creole they Woe ali on their knees,
and to disclose anything meant death.
KILLING or BONNER.
Coolly and calmly t'e witness then de-
scribed the killing Of Bonner. Brantley
Sherrell Bel. and himelf were 10 wait
for Bonner. and Urlah Bon was 10 give
them notice when Bonner started home by
whistling Urah soon visited and the
others met Bonner near his house. Oh
the street. and did the won. Creole and
Sherrell Bell each had pistoh and Brant-
ley had set Of knucks GRAVITY ad-
vanced ahead Of Sherrell Bell md Credle.
Knocked Bonner down with he knucks.
and the other two stepped up to help.
while Ur!ah Bell stood up the STREET some
distance from them. They threw Conner
over the fence. After he was throw, over
the fence Bonner spoke TO them. and
said. Men, please do not Kill me- and
I will give YOU everything I have"
Crsdle said: Lets not kill him" Brat
lev, said shoot him" Creole said h
could not do it, Brantley said: civ.
me the pistol. I'll shoot him" Credl'
gave Brantley the pistol and he (Brant
lew shot Bonner in the forehead. and theI
Brantley and witness ran. When they ha,
gone about fifty yards they heard another
shot. and thought that Sherrell Bell haC
shot him again.
TOLD MRS. BRANTLEY.
Witness and Brantley went TO Hrantley'.
house and told Mrs. Brantley. who gave
witness bowl Of water to wash tn,
blood from his hands. and she raised III,
window and poured the water out. Wit
ness burned a silk handkerchief. viii
which ne had wiped the blood from h!:
hands. Brantley took an empty shell
from the pistol, and threw il i'm the fire
and reloaded the empty chamber anc
gave the pistol 10 his wife and told hei
to put Il away. He also gave Mrs. Brant
ley the knucks, and she put them under
the Washstand.
WITNESS MtIA ~ hfNf hhA 'Ati i4vt FA''l
any until nearly day. Tie went next day
10 Mr.. Flowers's. about three miles in
the country. and returned that night
Creole and Brantiey both went and saw
the dead body next morning after the
killing. and. walking down to the creek
together Brantley said that the ball wenl
into the forehead. where he meant Il
TO go.
when witness came back to Aurora
Sunday afternoon Uriah Bell gave him a
kew. which Sherren Bell took from Bon
ner's pocket. and told witness TO throw
IL in the creek Witness went down tn,
creek in a boat. and when he landed near
Flowers's home he hid the key IN the
fence-corner, and afterwards told Rrant
lev where it was. Brantley and wife
went to Fiowers's also Sunday night
They were in witnesses room there wher
he cot there. and witness slept i'm "A rock
ing-chair Witness was working FOL
Flowers. Next day he and Brantley were
arrested. and he sent for Flowers. made
a confession, and later was brought &c
Washington Jail
The witness was turned over 10 counse
for defence, who were examining hin
when court adjourned.
There were several ladies In the court
room TO hear Credle's testimony. The
interest Is still deepening.
PROTEST TO GENERAL BOOTH.