Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-12

ldlct anu unjust tndIEtS nldlt III Sdlu
article against Mecklenburg authorities.
AS the Dispatch has done US injustice in
publishing said articles. we ask 1t, as a
matter of justice to publish this reply, so
that the facts may be known.
w. Il. HOMES.
STATEMENT OF COMMONWEALTHS
ATTORNEY Il. c. GOODE.
I have carefully examined the foregoing
article written by Judge w +.
Homes. Of Mecklsnburg, in reply
to certain accusations against the
authorities of Mecklenburg. and find
il to be a correct account Of the
dealings of the authorities of this county
with Joe and Mary Wilson from the time
Of Or. Riggan's murder down to the pres
ent as well as correct account of our
Joint dealings with one Mr.. McKeown. 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 arti-
Gle referred TO vindicate the action Of the
authorities of Mecklenburg county in re-
gard TO the alleged murderers of DR. Rig
gan. and prove the falsity Of the charges
which the papers (acting. l suppose, upon
information furnished them by some igno-
against us. that / should let the matter
rest upon Judge Homes's statement alone,
were it not for the fact that this Nc
Keown. or some one for him, has seen fit
20 make charges of a personal nature
against me. going beyond my official con-
ncction with this case. l refer to a state
ment made in the Dispatch and several
other papers to the effect that ! had writ
ten McKeOwn a discourteous letter for
reminding me to send for these prisoners.
This statement Is absolutely false, and
induces me to give brief account Of my
dealings with McKeown in connection
with this case. and of his operations here
I'm regard to the same. On October p, 1886,
Mr. Bracey. of Joyceville. who is not one
OF the authorities of this county. but one
of the best of her many good citizens. re-
ceived a telegram from McKeown, of
Lambert Point, stating he could catch
the party who murdered DR.. Riggan, had
absolute proof, and wanted TO know the
reward for their capture. To this tele-
gram Mr.. Bracey replied though Mr.. j.
G.. Hagood of Lacrosse:
IF you have sufficient evidence to con-
vict, would advise you to hold party;
will write you fully"
McKeOWn's communication to Mr..
Bracey was placed in my hands october
handed me a letter from Messrs. George
ID. Parker &, Son, of Berkeley. telling of
the arrest of the Wilson's. stating that
they were counsel for the prisoners; that
the prisoners feared lynching if brought
10 Mecklenburg, and asking that proper
steps be taken for their safety. l az
once set to work TO find evidence against
the Wilson's, If there was any to be had
here. but my labors were without re-
suit. Meanwhile, McKeown's statement
that he had positive evidence against the
Wilson's was creating some excitement in
the neighborhood of the murder.
on November 4th McKeown arrived
here. having spent a day or so in the
neighbOThood of the murder, and bringing
me a letter Of introduction from Mi. j.
G. Haygood Of Lacrosse. McKeown
stated that he had full evidence against
the Wilson's, ana wanted them brought
here at once l stated to him in the
presence of Judge Homes that | had no
thing TO do with bringing them here until
q grand jury had indicted them; that
If 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 reasonably certain
that the eVidnece was convicting. as the
prisoners had once been examined and
discharged by proper authorities here
that the prisoners feared lynchng If
brought here, and that a military guard
might be necessary for their safety; that
in view of those facts, and the expense
which would result 10 the State, l want
ed to be very sure we were right.
McKeown then produced as his stock
Of evidence two or three aihdavits when
consisted Of hearsay, and which had they
been direct would not in my opinion
have justified a conviction for the slight
est offence. He seemed disappointed
when advised that his afiidavits were no;
sufficient. but asked me 10 tell him just
what ] wished to prove. This l declined
to do on the ground that 1t was improper
for me TO Indicate testimony. lie let,
promising TO get better evidence ana
send il to me by the last of the week
Mr.. McKeown did not return home III
rect from here, but stopped over In the
Of the murder and taikeu
with many persons who We're Interested
in the conviction of the Wilson's. In
few DAYS the excitement IN that heish-
borhood was greatly Increased py az
counts of the proof Of the gullt OF lne
Wilson's. which, il was said, McheoNn
had in his possession. Win "nom ms NJ.
reports originated, or from whoih 'ne'
came / DO not undertake 20 say
ON the 10th of November i received
letter from McKeown. This letter ala ho'
contain the promised evidence or any
mart of it. but stated there was amp amp
r,,i6ence 10 convict. and that II l wouid
inform him just what / wanted ne "ouru a
send Il on. For reasons given heretoIose
! did not do this, but wrote MN SUI
stantiaIly that what l wanted was co.."
victing evidence. >,,or
on the 18th or 18th Of November
a letter from Mckeown, thanh-
ing me for giving him the iniorn'a,io ',,
referred 20 above, and saying. sna.
al once arrange to take deposi'ions, VIZ 49,
tank will fully satisfy you, pus - d." ,,
'~r,,nt witnesses is away" Things SEEM
,ne an satisfactory TO McKeown. waited