The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-11
EVANS NOW ON TRIAL
Maxton Guards Also Ordered
to Rockingham.
SPECIAL VENIRE OF 800
LARGE CROWDS FROM THE
COUNTRY ARE EXPECTED
TOMORROW.
TROOPS QUaRTERED IN sHERIfF'S HOUSE
No Trouble Was Encountered in Carrying the
Prisoner to Rockingham Some Com
plain Because They Think Two Com
Danies More Than Maceec,rv
panies More Than Necessary.

Rockingham, n. c., Nov. 1O.-(SpeciaD
Court convened this morning at 8
O'Clock, Judge McIver presiding. John
Evans was Immediately arranged under
charge of committing the rape Oh Miss
Lilly Cole. He entered the plea of mot
guilty" and the trial was set for to-
morrow morning at 8 O'clock. A special
venire of 300 has been drawn to select
the jury, from owing the fact the crime
has been so much discussed throughout
the county that it is deemed that this
number Is necessary. 1t is very proba-
BILE that nearly all Of tomorrow will be
consumed IN selecting the jury.
Evans VIII be represented by Messrs.
ClaudIus D0ckery and Oliver Docksry.
Jr. They were assigned him as counsel
by the Judge. AIessrs. Cameron Morr;-
son, L. c. Guthrie, Jas. Il. Le(irand.
John ID. Shaw and son, w. I'll. Neal.
Settle Dockery and w. NJ. Kelly will as.
siSt Solicitor SeWall in prosecution.
Clrcumstantial evidence against the pris-
oner is said to be very strong and his
conviction seems almost certain.
The Governors Guards, TWENTY-FIVE
strong, under command of Capt. Craw-
ford, have been on guard all day at the
Jail. Tonight at eight o'clock they
were reinforced by the arrival of Max
ton Guards, th.rty-eight strong, under
command of Capt. Jones. Both compa.
nies will remain until ordered away bv
the Governor. They are chartered in
Sheriff Smiths house. he having moved
his family to the hotel The presence
of the Maxton Guards was deemed nee
essary on account of strong feeling IL
gainSt the prisoner and the big crowd
that viii he here t0-morrow.S Special venira
of three hundred having been summon
ed, nearly the whole male population
of the county will be here tomorrow.
People are anxious for trial and in no
humor for delays. but declare that they
are willing for him to have a fair hear
ing and prove, if he can, his innocence.
! They object to the military, though, on
ground that more soldiers have been or
dered here by the Governor than naces-
sary and it is entailing great expense
/ upon the county.
| Lieutenant u. z. Smith went to Raj
eigh on the Vestibule tonight, having
been called there by telegram announc-
ing dangerous illness of his wife.
! President Alderman. of the University.
lectured tonight before the Library
! Lyceum at Laurinbuhg.
| Sam Jones lectures there Nov. 10.
Maj. Hayes ordered the Maxtor
Guards to Rockingham in response to
the following telegram from Capt A. J
Crawford: Sheriff Smith will need
Maxton company tonight and until case
is settled. Wire them to come on eve.
ming train in full strength of company
Maj. Hayes then wired Maxton
Guards, 43 strong to go Immediately to
Rockingham and also wired Sheriff
Smith at Rockingham to know if they
were absolutely necessary. Sheriff
Smiths reply was received in thirty
minutes. 1t read: "Please send them
think they are necessary"
The Maxton company reached, Rock.
ingham at p. m. There are now Ga
soldiers in the town.