The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-08-19
BRODIE MUST HANG.
so SAY THE JURY OF TWELVE GOOD
MEN AND TRUE.

so SAY THE JURY OF TWELVE COOL
MEN AND TRUE.
A Speedy Trial, Prompt Conviction
and Quick Sentence-The Negro Re-.
pist to Expiate His Fiendish Crime
on the 0allows-Execution to Take
Place Wednesday, First Day o.
September.
The majesty of the law has been
vindicated-its power to punish crime
fully established.
And on the first day of September
when the negro rapist George Brodie
shall have been hanged by the neck
until he is dead, outraged justice will
be satisfied-as far as the law is con.
cerned.
The crime for which Brodie must
forfeit his life was committed July
29th, near the town of kittrell. He
was arrested the next day and COM
mitted to Jail after preliminary trial.
The details of the crime have already
been printed in this paper.
Gov. Russell ordered a special term
of court to try tho criminal. The law
was allowed to take its course. In the
mean time Brodie was taken to Raleigh
for safe keeping. This step was
deemed wise as safeguard against his
being released as much as to prevent
lynching. He was brought back Sun
day in charge of Sheriff Jones, of Wake,
under escort of a detail Of eight men OF
the Governors Guards, of Raleigh.
They were met at the station here by
Sheriff Smith ard the Vance Guards
under command Of Capt. Jones. The
prisoner was conveyed at once to the
Jail and the military company did
guard duty that night and Monday
night.
Court convened at 2 O'Clock Monday,
the inability Of Judge Brown and
Solicitor Bernard to reach Henderson
earlier being the cause of the delay.
The grand jury was drawn, IL. A.
Bullock foreman) and the Judge pro-
ceeded to deliver the usual charge. 1t
was brief his remarks being confined
chiefly to the most important cases to
be brought before them-the crimes of
rape, arson and bribery.
The grand jury retired and after
examining a number Of witnesses in the
case returned ''a true bill'' against
George Brodie. The prisoner was then
brought into court and arraigned fol-
trial. Judge Brown ordered Sheriff
Smith to summon a special venire Of
so freeholders, to appear at $3.50
O'Clock Tuesday morning, from which
to select jury to try the case.
Being informed by Brodie that he
had no counsel, his Honor asked
Messrs. A. j. Harris and j. H.
Bridgers, of the Henderson bar, to
represent him, which they did. At
this juncture an uncle Of the prisoner
stated that he had employed Col.
Edwards, of Oxford, but as that gentle.
man never came it is doubted if he had
consented to appear in the case.
Tuesday morning the selection of a
jury was the first thing taken up. The
regular panel was gone over aud eleven
men had been accepted and taken a
seat in the jury box before the list
was exhausted. These were: r. w.
Kearney, z. n. Edwards. Henry w.
Daniel, w. G. Mitchell, Junius Roys'
ter, (colored) Rufus r. Daniel, Sam
Foster, (colored) w. II. Cheek, l.. r.
Croker, n. II. Chavasse, John w
Purdy, (colored) in the order of their
selection. But one more man was
lacking. The special venire was taken
up. There were number of peremp.
tory challenges on both sides while
others were excused for cause. Finally
the name of D. H. Reavis was drawn
from the hat. He was accepted and
took his seat with the other eleven
jurors.
The work of selecting the jury was
more easily and speedily accomplished
than had been expected. The tria
was then proceeded with. Miss Mamie
Catlett, the unfortunate young woman
who was assaulted by the black brute
was the first witness put on the stand
She gave a plain straightforward &C.
count of the occurrence, using as deli
cate and chaste language as it was pos
sible to do under the circumstances, ant
identified her assailant beyond any
question of doubt. Her sister Mrs
Willis Clafton, at whose house she was
staying at the time, was also examin
ed. DR.. d. S. Rowland, who visited
Miss Catlett professionally the mex
day. was examined as an expert ant
testified as to her condition. The next
witness was w. E. Hight, who helped
to arrest Brodie and who assisted ii
bringing him to Jail after the trial a
| kittrell.
Here the State rested its case. Their
were several other witnesses, ma
jority of them being negroes, some o
whom had testified at the magistrates
trial and others who had been secured
since. But it was not necessary t
waste time in bringing out further evi
dence.
Defendants counsel held brie
| consultation. After a short talk will
their client the names of two witness
es were called. Conference with thes
showed to the minds of counsel tina
nothing could be gained by their evi
dence. Brodie declined to 60 upon tn
stand and testify in his own behalf.
The case was made up, the evidence
closed on both sides. With ''guilty
written in every word and sentenc
that had been uttered against him
and not one scintilla Of evidence in hi
behalf, further prosecution of the cas-
would have seemed heartless-a hollo,
mockery. No one desired to speal
against the miserable wretch. Besid
Solicitor Bernard, A. G. Zollicoffer, I
T. Hicks, Capt. w. 3. Shaw and j. Y
Eaton, (colored) appeared for prosecu
ton. Neither Mr.. Bridgers nor Mr.
Harris had anything to say. Their
was nothing they could say, in fact. L
the examinations they had conducte
the case we'll and did their duty b
their client. But they had nothing to &
upon. Both the law aud the facts wer
against them.
Judge Browns charge to the jur
was brief and to the point. He cite
| i 4 81, int