The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-12

not contain tho promised evidence or
any part of Il. but stated there was
ample evidence to convict, and that II |
would inform him just what l wanted
he would send IL On. For reasons given
heretofore. / did not do this. but wrote
him substantially that what L wanted
was convicting evidence.
on tho 18th or 18th OF November l re-
ceived a letter from Mckoown. thank
ing mo for giving him the information
referred TO above, and saying: Il shau
at once arrange TO take depositi0ns'
which. / think, will fully satisfy you. but
It may take some time, as one or the
most important witnesses Is away.
Things seeming all satisfactory TO Nc
Keown. 1 waited his pleasure some days,
when Il communication came from him IN
regard 10 tho evidence, prisoners, ~c,
but containing no information. At the
same time a letter was handed me. writ
ten a day or two before. by lckeown 10
a gentleman I'm the ncighborhood of the
murder Uhis letter is i'm my possession.
and will be shown II desired. saying that
he had telegraphed Or. r. II. Sims that
II the expense account was not forth
coming the prisoners would be turned
loose. and, IN reply. ne stated that he
had heard there was not positive evil
dence against them. and for ms 10 do
as 1 thought best" and goes on TO say
THE evidence is positive. but your
commemorative Attorney IS the ono l
think who told him. and he does not
know what the evidence Is against them
Your Commonwealth Attorney does rot
seem IA any way Interested in the mat
ter
Tie only thing to do Is to take the
prisoners 10 N~ecklenburg county before
q magistrate" III they are sent on TO
the court. then II makes a case for the
commemorative Attorney. but not be-
FORE Il trust wholly to YOU. whatever
you say 20 do. / shall do" IF you say
10 turn the parties loose. I viii have II
did" con the other hand. IL you say
10 bring them 90 Mecklcnburg 10 any
justice Of the peace 70 try, 1 will do
that
As much amused as annoyed at the
gentlcman's uuderhand compliments 70
me, / wrote him that 1 must request him
to make no further attempt to explain
my position i'm regard 20 the Wilson eases.
n to keep his comments upon my
course TO himself. This is the insult Of
ferod him according TO the Pilot for
reminding me Of the prisoners. I'm the
same letter 1 wrote him that Colonel r..
G.. Marshall. of Portsmouth, would rep
resent me in these matters. and that he
could submit his evidence 10 i'm. |
never heard of or from McKeown again
until the January lst issue OF the Pilot
came 20 my land. He would have spoken
truly in the letter just quoted, had he
| said "the Commemorative Attorney Of
( Mccklcnburg knows no evidence against
these prisoners" lie has furnished me
none.
The letter Of r. H.. Sims. published
by the Pilot, bears date November 9TH.
just the day after Mckeown first called
the attention Of the authorities OF Neck
lenburg TO the arrest of the Wilson's. We
having promised this man a hearing AS
soon AS ne got his evidence I'm shape, and
he promising 20 Doe ready very soon. its a
little remarkable that he should have
been appealing 20 private parties in less
than t~wenty-four hOurs after leaving our
presence. apparently perfectly satisfied
with our position. 10 IS not my purpose,
however. 10 comment. Let the facts
speaks for themselves. Phil Mabrey. the
negro who was lynched for the Riggan
murder. made no dying statement" The
story told in the Pilot OF my having read
such 10 McKcOwn is false. I read Nc
KcOWu tho evidence given by Mabrey be-
fore a justice at q time when Mabrey
had no idea that DE was nearing his end.
This statement is evidence against no
one. II McKeoWn had positive proof
against these parties i'm his possession. he
has done himself great injustice. and the
Commonwealth great wrong. by keeping
it from the authorities Of necklenburg
until the Wilson's have been discharged.
For Judge Homes and myself. / desire
10 say that we have done our duty as We
saw IL. and see IT still. We have the aD-
prevail of the people of Mecklenburg and
of our own conscionccs. II the news
papers and general public think that the
discharge of our duty has been treason,
let them make the most of it.'
r.. CHAMBERS GOODE.