The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-05
Messenger Bureau,
Raleigh, n. c.. November 3.

koF Assault on Miss Cole
Messenger Bureau,
Raleigh, n. c., November 3
Today Governor Russell commuted
to life Imprisonment Lunnon Haynes,
who was convicted of the murder OF
John Lee, at the fall term. 1897. OF
Columbus superior court and sentenced
to be hanged September "a, 1897, and
who was repr.eved until November 5th
The following reasons are given: This
Communication is made at the earnest So
licitation of Solicitor Seawell who pros
ecuted and who certifies that the
doomed boy has no conception Of the
Nervousness of his crime, being little
removed from an idiot. He was un-
questionably the willing tool of his ac-
cessory and entirely subservient to his
will and of the trial judge (McIver)
who certifies that AS the mouth piece
of the law, passed the death sentence;
but do not think he ought to be hung:
and as far as 1 have been able TO learn,
this is the prevailing sentiment of the
best people in and around Whiteville.
that the prayer of the petitioners be
granted; by DR.. j. +. Harrell, super
intedent Of health of Columbus county;
by the county commissioners, clerk of
the court and other officers, by Repre-
sentative Schulken, by about all the
pastors and several hundred other
good citizens of said county, all of
whom are of the opinion that the
prisoner is hardly responsible for his
own acts; and that in this case he was
mere instrument in the hands Of other
unprncipled men, for whose horrible
crime this man ought not to suffer the
penalty of DEATH"
In the supreme court today there was
argument in peculiarly interesting
case. When the Bank of New Hanover
at Wilmington failed it's branch at
Wadesboro was entirely solvent. The
question at issue is whether the assests
of the branch shall be paid first to the
| creditors Of that bank or be distributed
| among the general creditors OF the
Bank of New Hanover. ROuntree and
| Martin argued the case today for the
receivers of the Bank of New Hanover
| and Bennett and Lockhart for the cred
| itors of the branch at Wadesboro.
At the time of the failure OF the
Bank Of New Hanover a receiver was
appointed. The state treasurer brought
suit, saying that only he could move
| to appoint a receiver for state bank.
The judge before whom this question
1 was argued decided that the treasurer
/ was 1ight in his views, and then APP
| pointed the same gentleman as receiv-
er. The question is whether the right
| OF the treasurer in this respect fe not
as absolute as that OF the United states
| comptroller of the currency.
Auditor Aver has not done any edi-
torial work on Senator Buffers paper
since last July. The Senator is doing
all the editorial work in person. Audi
tor Aver intimated today that when the
senator returned to washington ne
might again do the work.
State Librarian Cobb has completed
the preparation of list OF the public
libraries in the state There are forty
five Of them, with a total OF 100000 vol
umes There is also a private library
| of 60, 600 volumes, in Mitchell county
which is open to the public.
The Presbyterian synod Of this state
Is in session at Salisbury. Rev. DR.. J
B. Shearer, preident OF Davidson col
lege, presiding as moderator. Tomor-
row the synod goes to the Barium
Springs orphanage, to dedicate a new
building.
Il Three convicts from Columbus and
four from Franklin are the last arrivals
| at the penitentiary.
The attendance at the negro state
, fair today was good. The exhibit.
win many compliments. Yesterday
! speech was made by Attorney Genera
Walser.
The crop Of acorns, nuts and cnest
nuts is this year a very large one.
The killing Of a student in Georgis
in a foot ball game develops the fac
| that there is a powerful anu-tOot pal
L IN
Following the example Of James w
e | Tufts. of Boston, in his beautifu
e model village, Pinshurst, George van
| derbilt is erecting a model village q
. | Biltmore.
: Cotton is coming into market mucl
e | more freely.
C Judge Robinson, Of the superio
= | court insists that the legislature Is tn
h ] only fury" which can try Otho VIII
( sons railway commission title matter
e The judge does not at all relish IN
!. | criticisms of the press upon his decli
:. nation to allow jury to try this case
|, There has been frost enough, thoug
: light, to wilt and slightly blacken tn
: top leaves Of the cotton plants.
e The statement that as genera
e thing three-fourths OF the cotton Gro
s in this state is picked, appears 10
e about the correct one.
The revenue collections in this dis
: trict during October were the larges
o during the incumbency OF Collecto
n Simmons-$131,0 900.
Next week at Rockingham Jon
Il Evans, the negro in Jail here, is to b
$ tried on the charge Of attempting
y assault Miss Lily Cole October 23rt
II Sheriff Smith is here. He says II
IS generally believed that Evans Is IN
n guilty man, but that there Is not IN
e excitement about the matter that ther
+ was. He says it does not look lik
there will be any trouble. AS there
= some doubt as TO guilt. 1T is, OF cours
d a special time for the exercise OF cor
J. servatism. Sheriff Jones, OF this cour
e ty, is informed that feeling In Rich
e mond county is high against Evans.