The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-14
aTriala at Rockingham Resulted
!, in His Conviction. .s s"l
MUST BE HUNG NOV. 26
PRISONER WILL BE KEPT IN
e RALEIGH UNTIL THEN. ag
no ARGUMENT MADE BY COUNSEL

After the Evidence Was in the Case Wentiio
the Jury and, After Remaining Out
58l Three Hours, They Returned YER
go.u dict of Guilty. s#s
Rockingham, N. c., Nov. 13.-(Spe-
eial.)-John Evans was to-day founs
guilty Of rape. The jury brought in the
verdict at 6:25 o'clock, after being out
three hours. kas taa
Judge McIver at once passed sentence
upon him, and appointed Friday, Novem-
Der Goth, as the day of the execution.
Evans was taken from here to Hamlet
two hours later on a special train under
escort of the State Guard. He remained
at Hamlet until the Atlanta special came
along and he was taken to Raleigh,
reaching there at 2:16. Deputy Sher-
ifs d. NJ. Morrison and John p. Cam
eron had charge of the. prisoner.
He will remain there until the day of
the execution. 1t has cost the county
over $1,000 to secure his conviction.
This does not include the payment of
rewards.
By agreement of counsel the case went
to the jury without argument. The evil
dence was completed at 12:45 and court
took a recess until 2 O'Clock. g
There being no argument Of counsel.
the case went to the jury at 3:25 O'Clock
after short charge by the Judge, and
the review of all the evidence introduced
during the three days OF trial. At >
O'Clock court adjourned. and at 6:10 the
jury informed the sheriff that they had
agreed. fifteen minutes later the Judge
ca me into the court room and the jury
fled in and delivered their verdict.
1t was most gruesouse picture-th:s
passing OF the death sentence upon the
negro who has been ON trial for his life
these past three days. The court room
was empty. nobody being present ex-
cept tie Judge. the court officers. news
paper men and fhe lawyers in the case.
The one faring oil lamp lighted up
only haif the features of most az those
I'm the room and tbrew huge. distorted
shadows upon the walls-wails that have
heard so many tales Of woe, misery and
crime. but none more terrible or more
touching than that told there since this
trial has been In progress.
''Gentlemen. have you agreed upon a
verdict? asked the clerk.
1--WE have" replied one of the twelve,
as the lamp emitted a sputtering noise,
and the whites of the negro's wide-open
eyes flashed in a nervous, frightened,
questioning way from face to face. His
breath came in quick gasps.
'Who shall speak for you" proceed
ed the clerk.
'Capt. Everett" replied the voice.
Now the negro's eyes were fastened
upon the floor. Capt. Everett came for
ward a step. The shadows on the wall
danced like demons, and the stiffness
of the room was intense. 9
What say YOU, is the prisoner guilty
or not guilty" 81 ICONS Ha#A
The look that wounded dog casts
into it's masters face could not be more
questioning, more appealing, more de-
spairing than was that the prisoner
flashed into the spokesman's face as he
hesitated one long, awful moment, with
bis answer upon his lips. gfij IA afs
"Guilty." at last came the answer, in
q low voice. Ha9 Hs ta 5
The prisoners hands dropped Imply
across his lap, his chin sank upon his
breast for a moment. Nobody moved,
nobody spoke, but the lamp sputtered
and -ashed, and the distorted silhou-
! cites kept mp their deyil-dance upon the
white walls.
The jury resuming their seats, made
q strangely loud noise.
"May it please your Honor" SAID the
Solicitor. Il pray the judgment Of the
court upon this defendant"
'John Evans, stand up" commanded
the Judge, in a voice, firm but not
harsh.
Evans arose, looking across the dim
bar toward the Judge. First he put
his hands to the lapeis OF his coat. then
dropped them and clasped them before
1im Except his quick breathing and
rolling eyes there was nothin. to in
dicate that his crime-logGed mind com
pretended what the Judge was saying.
'John Evans. you nave been indicted
by jury of twelve good and lawful
men for the high crime Of rape upon the
per~on of one Miss Lilly Cole. Another
jury OF your own selection has patiently
heard the evidence and now adjudge yuu
guilty. 1t therefore becomes my duty,
as the mouthpiece OF the law. TO pro-
nounce sentence upon you.C 1t is tile
Judgment of the court that you. John
Evans. be again remanded to the Gus
I tody Of Sheriff John NJ. Smith. to be
confined in the county Jail and there
safely and securely kept until Friday.
s November 18th. 1897. when you shall
be taken out. between the hours of ,
. and q o'clock p. III. and hanged by the
Leck until dead. vaa Is hInt.ttr 500.
+ s"And may the Lord have mercy upon
your soul" 'A'i'. ~ .,,.s .4 ,,,,l "a
When the Judge ceased speakin; the