The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-09-03
The Board Concludes the Inves-
tigation of the Teachers.
AND ALL GO TO oBERLIN
No Speeches Made by Counsel
on Either Side.
oEeENcEs GOOD IMPRESSION
Which Seemed TO Have Been Improved
by the Committees Visit to the
Ground--An Early Verdict
Expected.


The court room was crowded yester-
day morning. The News and Observer
had yesterday made the public aware
of the trial, and all classes were pres
emit in court.
At twenty minutes after 10 O'Clock
Mavor Russ. as chairman of the Board,
called the court to order, and attorney
Argo. for the defens~, read the roll of
witnesses for the defense, who came
forward and were sworn. The wit
nesses sworn were not of the young,
wild looking crowd, which were sworn
for the prosecution on Tuesday, but
on the contrary, were men of high
standing, among them being Rev. Mr..
Curtis. Rev. II. III. w. Leak, A. w. Shat
fer and james Baker.
Jas. j. Baker was placed on the stand.
He is the father of Mrs. Hackney, and
is considered TO be man of high moral
standing in this city. He testified to
much which eontradicted the testi-
mony of McIlhenny. given on Tuesday.
Henry Christmas was placed on the
stand as the second witness of the
morning. He said he started out to
Oberlin on the date aforesaid, TO see
his sister, who is now dead.
He thought it too far TO go all around
woods, by the path by Ellis's store.
He waited for the car, but it passed be-
fore he could catch it. On this car
came Mrs Hamlin and Mrs. Hackney,
and after asking them their intended
destination, offered to walk through
the woods with them, and did so. When
they had gone a good way. Mrs. Hack
new. complained of her foot hurting her,
and Mrs. Hamlin said sit down and
she would get some leaves and study
botany They all sat down in the
woods. In ten minutes they heard
voices In few moments he saw two
bows stoop down in the bushes about
thirty yards distant; boys threw rocks
at them and ran. He had pistol with
him, and fired in the direction which
the boys ran. Then fusillade of rocks
came from another quarter, and he
fired in that direction. He tried to
see who the boys were, but could not,
and when he looked for thewomen they
were gone, Mrs. Hackney having left
her hat and other articles on the
ground. He took these articles and
gave them to Mrs. Hackney on the car
near DIR. Goodwin's residence, on Hills
boro street. He said there was no man
present besides himself.
Prosecutor Jones attempted to draw
from Christmas that they placed them
selves in bushes which would hide
them from the sight of passers-by, but
in vain. In answer to question as to
how he got across a foot-bridge he said
he walked across.
Mrs. James e. Hamlin was placed on
the stand, and testified to a very
straight story, telling her reasons for
making study of botany and astron-
omy during the summer, saying that
the teachers have been criticised for
not having done SO. Her story was told
without a single falter. She repeated
her every act that afternoon During
the entire time she occupied the wit
ness stand, she had the undivided at
tention of the board, the lawyers and
the crowds of spectators, all of whom
had their eyes riveted upon her, and
her ords did not fail to reach the ears
of Gerry listener
she was educated at Atlanta Univer-
sity, leaving there after her freshman
year. After she retired from the stand
and her every action thereon, on ac-
count of it's raightforwardness. gain
ed the sympathy of even those who
were formerly in sympathy with the
prosecution.
Mrs. r.. III. Hackney was the next
witness called for the defense. Her
story, as was Mrs. Hamlin's, was told
in a clear, concise manner, which gain
ed the attention of every one in the
court room.
Attorney Tom Deyereaux is evidently
one of the Russell school. When speak
ing of the eolored bows in 0berlin, he
said: did not you know that the rock
throwing 1saFages' were still in the
dc A hi 10
ed over the faces of the members of the
bar present in the court room.
Lawyer Ed. johnson was placed on
the stand, and Prosecuting Attorney
Devereaux objected to his testimony,
as Johnson was member of the coun-
ell. The Board would not uphold the
objection. and decided to hear john
sons evidence.
Mr.. j. r. Hicks was next placed upon
the stand for the defense There was
some haggling among counsel as to
whether he could be put on the stand
after the rule had been made to exclude
all witnesses. After argument and ex-
change of law points, Mr.. Burton, in
behalf of the Mayor, ruled that Mr..
Devereaux was correct in his position,
but they were not bound by rules,
and wanted to be enlightened. So
year ago. he had heard Joe Scarbor-
ough say that he would be willing TO
swear to lie, if he found it DO be to
his interest at any time so to do. Mr..
Busbee wanted to know the reputation
of the "0berlin gang" Mr.. Jones
objected TO the word gang" as applied
to the group from Oberlin. He prefer
red Oberlin crowd, or something OF
that sort. So then, let them be known
thenceforth as the "Oberlin Group
Mr.. Hicks gave a rafting bad account
of the Group" in the midst of re-
monstrances from Mr. Armistead
Jones, who exclaimed, amid much
amusement, "Well, if that don't beat
anything ] ever heard!"
Mr.. Jones gave a searching cross-ex-
animation in defense of the Group"
or Gang" and wanted to know from
he had heard all this. Mr. Hicks pro-
ceeded. amidst laughter, to name sew