The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-12
W. h. o
Statement Of Commonwealth Attorney +.
L. GOOde.

have carefully examined the foregoing
article. written by Judge W. r.. Homes
OF M~ecklenburg. in reply TO certain SANDER
Gus accusations published by the Noriolk
Pilot and other papers in their issue of
January lsr against the authorities OF
Meckienburg. and md it to bee "a correct
account OF the dealings Of the authorities
of this county with Joe and Mary WI
son. from the time Of DR.. Riggans muir
der down 10 the present. as well ass -
correct account of our joint dealings
with ono Mr.. McKcoWn. of Lambert
Point. whom il seems has made himself
quite active in and about these cases.
So fully do the facts set out IN the
article referred to vindicate the action
of the authorities of Mecklcnburg coIn-
~ i'm regard to the alleged murderers
of Or. Riggan. and prove the falsity of
the charges which the papers tacting, L
suppose. upon information furnished them
bv some ignorant or disappointed and
consequently malicious person.. nave
made against us. that ! should let lee
matter rest upon judge Homes state
mcut alone. were Il not for the fact that
this McKeOWn. or some one Tor him. 4.1a
seen iii 10 make charges Of a. personal
nature against me. going beyond my
official connection with this case. ] refer
90 a statement made in the Pilot aud
several other papers 10 the effect that B
had written McKcown an insulting let
ter for reminding me to send for t-ose
prisoners. This statement is absolutely
false. and induces me 10 give "a brlei
account OF my dealings with Mckeo"n
i'm connection with this case. and of his
operations here boz regard 10 the case. On
October -. 1896. Nj. Bracey, OF Joyce
Vile. who is not one of the authorize
OF this county,. but one of the best o'
her many good citizens, received "a tele-
gram from Mckeowu. Of Lambert 8
Point. stating that Dee could catch the
party who murdered Dr. Rigsan, had
absolute proof. and wanted 10 know the
reward for their capture. To this te.e-
gram Mr.. Bracey replied. through Mr.
J. c.. Hagood. of Lacrosse.
If you have sufficient evidence 20 coa-
Wet. would advise you 10 hold party,
Will write you fully.
McKeown's communication 20 a..
Bracey was placed in my hands October
18th. one day earlier. COUNTY Jud2e
Homes had handed me "a letter from
Messrs. George d.. Parker * Son, OF
Berkeley. telling Of the arrest of the
Wilson's. stating hat they were counsel
for the prisoners, that the prisoners
feared lynching ii brought 10 Mecklen-
burg. and asking that proper steps be
taken for their safety. / az once SET
10 work TO find evidence against the
Wilson's. If any was 20 be- had here. but my
labors were without result. Meantime.
NcKeown's statement that he had posi-
tive evidence against the Wilson's was
..a I'm .y.ffIunnTF in the IffuIa
borhood OF the murder.
ON November am. McKeown arrived
here. having spent a day or so In the
ncighborhood OF the murder. and bring
ing me a letter OF Introduction from
NJ / G.. Hagood. Of Lacrosse. Ac-
Keovn stated that he had full evidence
against the Wilson's. and wanted them
brought here al once. I stated TO h'm
I'm the presence Of Judge Homes tAat
had nothing 10 do with bringing them
here until a grand jury had indicted
them. that II he could produce evidence
against them. / would send his witnesses
before the grand jury at the next term
of the County Court. but must be rc@-
sonablv certain that the evidence was
convic,ing. as the prisoners had once
been examined and discharged by proper
authority here; that the prisoners feared
lvnching il brought here, and that IL
military guard might bee necessary tor
their safety. That. in View OF these facts
and the expense which would result 20
the state. l wanted T. be very sure We
were right.
McKeoMu then produced as his stock
OF evidence two OF three afidaylts which
consisted or helrsay and which. had they
been direct. would not. in my opinion,
have justified u conviction Tor the
slightest offence. He seemed d~isappoint-
cd when advised that his aftidavits were
not sufficient. but asked me tell him
lust what wished to prove. This 1 de-
ellued 10 3D.. or the ground that IT was
improper for me 90 indicate testimony.
He left. promising 10 get better evidence.
and send H. To- me by the last OF the
week. McKeOwn did not return home
direct from here. but stopped over IN
the neighborhoOd Of the murder. and
talked with many persons who were In
tercsted in the conviction Of the wilson's.
In the few days the excitement In mt
r~elghhorhood was greatly increased by
accounts Of the proof Of the guilt OF the
Wilson's. which. u was said. MckeoNn
had In his pos. cssion. With whom these
reports originated. or from whom they
came. | do not undertake to say.
on the 10th of November | received
- - nNhta fega. Nd