The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-21
BONNER MURDER TRIAL.
testimony INTRODUCED IN BE-
HALF OF THE BELLS.
An Attempt to Prove an AIibi for Uriah
Bell and Attack CredIe's
Confession

Confession.
Washington, n. c., Jan. 20.-(Spe-
ial.)-The State announced this morn
ing that it would rest, and counsel for
defendants Bell entered into their de
fence.
Mrs. Hugh b. Bell, the wife of the
brother of the defendants Bell, stated
that Uriah and Sheriff. had a room in
her house which they occupied occa-
sionally; that on Thursday night week
before the murder. Uriah came there
dressed, put on his slippers and left
about 1880 o'clock. After the dance
he came back and stayed all night.
On cross-eXaminaton the witness
stated that it was as near by Brant-
leys to the dance hallasany other way
Witness said she stated that on the
night of the murder she heard a tap
on the window and that her husband
got up put on his clothes went out and
came back very late, and said he had
been at work in the stables. She was
recalled later and said that on the
night OF the murder Uriah Bell came
there about o'clock and got whip
saying that it was Fred. Alfred's.
Mrs. Ida Thompson wife Of J.. T.
Thompson, stated that she went to
the ball about s O'Clock on Thursday
night week before the murder and
that Uriah Bell was there until about
] O'Clock (Credle stated this was the
first night that all met at Brantley's
just after supper.) Witness said she
was related to j. +. Bonner and wanted
to see the murderers convicted, but she
didn't believe the Bell boys were III it.
Misses Sidney Crawford, Carrie
! Harvey, and Mrs. T.. G. Guilford stated
substantially the same as Mrs. Thomp-
son as 10 Uriah Bell being at the
dance
J.. r. Thompson testified the same
facts as to Bell being at the dance,
except he stated that Bell changed his
slippers at his store. Mrs. III. B.
Bell stated that he put on the slippers
at her house and left his shoes.)
lie said he paid Uriah Bell $40
Tuesday before the murder; that
the night Of the murder Bell came
into his store about 7 o'clock with a
buggy whip, and carried it out again
right soon He stated that he went
with g. j. Bonner TO measure the
tracks, but SO many had been over
there that he could not tell them from
other tracks. Said he was present
when Creole was eX9mined, and that
Fowler told Credie there was man
in the fence who saw them and he
might as well tell it. He said that
Just as soon as he heard the Bells were
implicated by Credle, he looked for
tfrjah Bell and told him where he saw
him. Il went and talked with brother
W. A. Thompson. and from what he
said I was convinced that the Bells
were not in it, This was before /
saw the Bells
He stated that ne had taken great
interest in the defence of the Bells. lie
contradicted Fowler as TO the place
the book was found
w. a. Thompson stated that he
went to the Hundnell store the
night Of the murder; that j. Il. Bon
ner was i'm there; that he did not know
whether Bonner left before he did or
not; that he went to his own store
and Uriah was in there; that soon he
saw Bonner pass; that IN some min
utes he and Bell went out at the same
time; that he went to Cherry's for an
egg crate, came back and went over
to DR. Smithwicl<'s Office and Bell was
in there. The time between leaving
his store to his going to DIR. Smith
wick's Office was about five minutes.
Bonner had time to go home and go
to bed, if he did not stop, before Bell
left his store. lie stated he had talk
with Bonner on his way home; said
Bell was in Smithwick's office some
time He stated that man could
walk around the square in five min
utes; he contradicted his brother l.. T.
Thompson as to the conversation about
the Bells before their arrest.