The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-16
CONDEMNED TO HANG
JOHN EVANS TO PAY THE PEN
Atty OF HIS FIENDIsH CRIME1l


Convicted Of Criminal Assault on Miss Cole.
He IL Sentenced to Hang on the 26th Day
OF This Mvnth-After tho Sentsnee the
Prisoner 10 Quietly Conveyed to Raleigh.
The Military Camp Broken Up-The Clos
Ing Incid<n's Of the Trial
! Especial to The Messenger. -
Rockingham, N. c., November H.
The examination Of witnesses in the
rape case ended at 1890 o'clock p, m.
Witnesses on both sides were examfi1-
ed. The defence closed at about 1880
o'clock a. m. The state examined a
few witnesses whose evidence COM
pletely rebutted the alfbi evidence OF
the defence, and near / o'clock p. m.
court adjourned for dinner.
AT 2 o'clock p. m. court reassembled
and by agreement, of counsel on both
sides, no argument was made before
the jury. 1t was stipulated that the
judge should charge the jury. read his
notes of evidence, and give the case
to the jury.
lucid and to the point.
The jury retired to their room at $3.50
o'clock and at $3.50 o'clock brought in
verdict of guilty"
The sentence Of the court is that the
prisoner be hanged November 26th.
This verdict and sentence seem to
meet the appreciation of the people
generally, and no trouble is anticipated.
Immediately after the sentence the
prisoner was conducted to the Jail by
the military and the sheriff made quick
preparations for his transportation to
Raleigh by special train, leaving
Rockingham at o'clock tonight. This
was all done so quietly that it escaped
the observation Of the people.
A review Of the case gives the fol-
lowing information:
In the conduct of the case Judge
McIver has shown himself fully ade-
quate to the demands upon him. He
is a Judge learned in the law, possess
ing the courage of his convictions, and
every whit a patriot and a gentleman.
The solicitor, good and true, and skill
d. Shaw, the eminent Nestor Of the
Rockingham bar, supported by the able
and learned Guthrie, Morrison and
Neal, the energetic Kelly and the
bright young Settle Dockery, have
made fair, patient, careful and DELHI
crate fight, accomplishing q victory
which brings fresh laureis To their
brows, and more than this, women and
children lisp their names In accents
of praise and gratitude.
On the part Of the prosecution Messrs.
Cam Morrison, the towns attorney,
and T. C. Guthrie have been the most
active from the beginning, and too
much praise cannot be awarded to
them.
But while we bestow honors upon
the counsel for the prosecution let us
not pass in silence those kind hearted
men, who at the call Of the court great
ly and ably for the cause of humanity
defended the poor unfortunate crimi-
nal, brute as he is. Messrs. Dockery
& Dockery and Maxcy John acted well
their part, exhibiting a. degree of per-
severance and legal skill which would
have done honor to veteran attorneys
The examination Of witnesses in be.
half Of the defence was conducted al
most exclusively by Mr.. oliver Dock
cry, Jr In this, as in all that he die
in this case, he not only exhibited com
mendable zeal, but the skilled tact o
an attorney who had gained victories
on many fields.
The excellent mayor and our faithful
sheriff have done everything in thei
power to bring the guilty man to jus
tice, and should any person think eth
er Of them over Jealous, he should at
tribute it to desire to be faithful il
the discharge Of their duties. So man
of our worthy citizens have rendere
valuable, active services that it woul
take columns to give their names.
Of the jury we have already spoke
in the highest terms as to honor, eff
cheney and moral worth and we can sa
no more, because what has been pub
lished embodies all that could be said
Now that the investigation has bee
completed our people are satisfied t
await the results Of the Goth instant.
The military camp has been broke
up, the soldiers have left, the prisone
is gone and tomorrow will give us th
quiet, peaceful Sabbath of rest.
State Industries
Especial to The Messenger.)