The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-17

aSt During the lull. in which the people
ore Gathering. Prof. Nowitsky is enter
tanning the town with an account of his
rheumatism cures. while Brodie waits
undisturbed for the hour of when he
will be escorted by the military from his
cell to the court ROOM
Henderson, n. c., Aug. 1876 p. M
(Special-The court convened at O'Clock
with the grand jury in the box, The room
was packed, the left half being composed
wholly of negroes. Judge Brown regret
ted his necessary delay, but as there
were no Sunday trains from his nome 10
Weldon, and as he was officially engaged
Saturday, it was simply matter of must
that he failed to arrive until O'CLOCK
The Judges charge was very conserv-
alive and calm and had wholesome ef-
feet Noting the offense that had been Oc-
casiOn of the special term, he cOunseled
perfect confidence on the part of the peo-
pie in the courts and defined to the
Grand Jury the crime of rape. After this
| the Judge referred to the Moss bribery
case: also a bill for arson was called to
| the attention at the suggestion of Solicit
tor Bernard. The Grand Jury retired to
their room.
While the Grand Jury was out the pc
tit jury was called and in the lull there
seemed to be no tension or excitement,
but an apparent calm. The people had
evidently come to the conclusion that
they would turn the whole matter over
to the court. There had been some talk
before dinner that there was a strong
undertaking and that your correspondent
was mistaken in his estimate of the calm.
This was from prominent citizens of the
town and should be considered seriously
in sizing up the situation. Moreover, it
was suggested that should Miss Catlett
be put on the stand this afternoon her
story would so agitate the people that
there would be danger tonight of an out
break But the solicitor had thoughtfully
guarded this point, saying to your CORE
spondent that this was one thing which
would not be done. Solicitor Bernard said
also that both the Judge and himself had
specially directed that the prisoner
should not be brought here until this
morning on the midday train, and that
the bringing of him here Sunday was
against good judgment and against or
ders to the contrary.
| At 4:10 there was a tap at the Grand
| Jury room door and Foreman Bullock
advanced to the Judges desk and handed
in true bill against George Brodie. AS
| the Judge announced the action, there
was a beginning of applause, but it sud-
denly ceased. The Judge ordered George
Brodie to be brought into the court. The
Sheriff retired, going by the Armory,
where he was Joined by Capt. Jones, in
command of squad of twelve men. In
the meantime, the court room had become
more crowded and in the yard in front
and street there was a crowd also of
whites and negroes. Along the Sheriffs
route to the armory the walk ways and
fences and porticoS were fringed with
men, women and specially children. The
march was out Breckenridge street, on
which the Jail is situated. The streets
were more thickly lined along this part
and on the route back to the court house
|quite a crowd followed, negro women and
children peering into the prisoners face
as he passed along wedged in the middle
of the squad and on the arm of Woodlief,
who captured him, and the Sheriff's son,
the Sheriff leading the procession.
There was not a sign OF disorder Of any
kind, on the contrary your correspondent,
who accompanied the escorts both ways,
heard expressions among the negroes dis
paraging the crime of which Brodie is
charged. AS Brodie came out of the Jail
| into the daylight he was smiling, with his
hat tossed carelessly on the back Of his
head, pencil in his pocket, black,
shiny, educated "nigger" of the new re-
gime, with a devilish, tricky face and
fnn 1NH hr.,k 0I
pleasant, just with a sly, shrewd, quick
look about it. He seemed not to be look
ing for any trouble, and when he was ar
raigned, he held up his hand as if it had
been something inanimate.
Judge Brown, in the absence of coun-
sci, appointed Messrs. Bridgers and Har-
ris, of the Henderson bar, ito see that
no injustice was done the prisoner" At
ter a short consultation Mr.. Bridgers,
who was approached by Brodie's uncle,
announced that the uncle had said that
Col. Edwards, of Oxford, had been re-
tanned as counsel and would be in on the
z o'clock train. After the arraignment,
the Judge ordered a special venire of
fifty and adjourned court until tomorrow
morning at $50. The crowd dispersed in
the most orderly fashion, without confu-
sion or noise, leaving Brodie in the court
house comforting with his counsel.
Miss Catlett did not appear during the
proceedings except before the Grand
Jury.
The feeling is a safe one for the carry
ong out Of the law. The only element of
excitement lies in the determined state
ment on the part of everyone that the
negro shall not -scape the rope, convic-
ton or no conviction; but this, on the
whole may be an injustice to this COM
munity whose self-control affords a re-
markable spectacle, to the credit of the
well-known law-abiding spirit of the peo-
pie. w. e. CHRISTIAN.
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