The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-29
BARNUM JONES' MURDER TRIAL.
The Prosecution Unable to Make Out
a Case Against the Officers.

Case Against the Officers.
Though the money for paying the jury
Is already exhausted, it is probable that
the Federal Court will be in session all
next week-certainly part of the week
Besides the criminal docket, which has
not yet been completed, there is a large
number of civil cases to be tried at this
term.
/ The case of the greatest interest to
! come before the court yesterday was
! that of the State of North Carolina
against Deputy Marshal J. G.. Parish,
| Deputy Collector Jack Lesarge and 9th
ers for the killing Of Barnum Jones, the
notorious Bladen county outlaw, ON the
! 2nd of October 1896
| -Four witnesses were introduced by the
State in this case: Mrs. Jones, the wife
of the dead man, and his two daughters,
Birdie and Lula, and James Parker.
! They all admitted that the mOonshiner
was generally considered "a dangerous
man and had made threats against the
revenue officers. In behalf of the defence
There were also four witnesses: Deputy
Marshal Parish. Deputy Collector Les
arge, United States Commissioner Reg
lister and Mr.. Mckenzie Mr. Parish
testified that in the month Of August,
before the killing in October he went to
Banum Jones house. When Barnum
saw him coming he drew his rifle and
made him hold ~ his hands, and If was
only on the most solemn pledge that ne
meanb him no harm but simply came for
Il talk that he was allowed to put his
hands down. After this Barnum invited
him TO dinner and showed him every
courtesy, but kept his rifle by him all the
time. even eating dinner with it on his
| lap. Mr.. Parish said when he left Jones
| told him never to come fooling around
J there with a posse; if he did he or some
! body else would get killed. When he did
90 Barnum was true to his word, and
! banged away at them at once. Parish
was the first man he hit.
! After hearing this evidence Judge Pur-
nell stated that there were not sufficient
! facts upon which to try the defendants.
Solicitor Pou. representing the State
made the statement that there was no
case. A verdict of not guilty was there
upon ordered recorded.
The following other cases were yes
I terday disposed of:
Sam Hopkins, of Durham county, in
! dicted for illicit distilling. Verdict guilty
of working at an illicit distillery. ,Judg-
| ment 80 days Imprisonment in Durham
Jail.
Will Lipscomb. of Durham county,
| charged with illicit distilling. Verdict
guilty of working at an illicit distillery.
| Judgment thirty days Imprisonment in
Durham Jail.
Dock ROsser, Of Moore county, in
| dicted for illicit distilling. Verdict not
guilty.
Jeff Satterwhite, of Granville county,
charged of Illicit distiling Verdict guilty
Of carrying material to an illicit distillery.
| Judgment thirty days Imprisonment in
Granville Jail
| Robinson Spencer. of Moore county,
| charged with retailing without license.
Verdict not guilty.
Fred Arps, of RobesOn county, charged
with retailing. Verdict guilty. Judgment
| thirty days Imprisonment in Robson
jail and 800 fine.
s. b. Parker, of Harnett county, charg-
| ed with failing to obliterate stamps.
Verdict guilty. Judgment suspended on
! payment of costs.
c. d. Riddle and Theo. f. Headen, of
Chatham county, indicted for illicit dis
suspended on payment of costs.
| A libel case for two barrels Of whiskey
claimed by w. d. Bright, of Chatham
county, was also heard and the whiskey
| was adjudged to be Bright's property
and turned over to him.