The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-04
STEPTOE'S FAIRY
STORY PUNCTURED
Continued from first page.)


knew of his conduct and if there was
any trouble during the election, before
it or after it, we would hold him and the
other leaders responsible; that it was in
his power and theirs to preserve the
peace, so far as the negro race was
concerned; that the white leaders would
do everything in their power to keen the
peace, so far as the white people were
concerned. | told him the white people
had appointed wise, cool and discreet
committee TO see that the white people
did preserve the peace. l mentioned as
members of this committee two of the
best people in the county-Mr Ben
Strickland and Mr.. Station. This com
mlttee, l told him. had been instructed
TO keep the white and colored men apart
| explained to him that if this wasn't
done trouble might arise.
While | was talking to Steptoe he
admitted that some very bad resolutions
against the white people and their prop
erty had been passed. but that he voted
against them. He said he didn't want
to have anything to do with the election.
and he would now resign and get out
OF it If he could, but that his people
would prosecute him if he did.
Il told him we didn't care whether
he resigned or not. all we wanted to do
was to prevent race trouble. If he want
cd TO resign, though | told him it was
only necessary to write to Mr.. Gary
that he didn't want to serve"
Did you attempt to force him to re-
sign?'
Il did not
Where were you Saturday night?'
AT home. Between 8 and 10 O'Clock
| went to the drug store and. got medi-
cine for a headache. | saw DIR. Nc
Dowell. Eugene Whitehead and Mr. Pitt
man and others. On my way back home
| overlook Mr.. Morrisette and he went
home with me, and stayed until about
midnight"
Major Graham on cross-examination:
do you know where Steptoe lives?"
Kitchin: Il do not
Have you seen the Washington Post
of to-day
Il have
Did you give out the interview there
printed?''
NO / never said l went to 'Steptoe's
house, as quoted. | said to his school
house, possibly"
when did you talk with the Post
correspondent?
Tuesday night at Laurinburg.'
did you tell Steptoe that the white
people had determined to carry the
county,
NO. l told him they would carry
Roseneath township.
Did Steptoe ever resign where you
were?''
mo, know nothing of his resigna-
ton
Judge Montgomery: Did You incite
anybody to go to Steptoe's house,!
Kitchin: mo. / know nothing OF it.
Have you so conducted yourself as to
prevent negroes from having far. open
political meetings."
No"
IF the colored man preserves the
peace and attempts to vote in the coming
election, have you determined to fry TO
prevent it,"
No"
Have you heard the clerk of court
say that Steptoe's resignation is in his
hands?''
mo; Maj. Emery told me the clerk
said he knew nothing of it till he saw It
in the paper"
Thomas w. Fenner, another of the
defendants, denied that he went to Step.
toes He was registrar at Scotland
Neck and attended to his duties as such
and then went home.
John Gray, another defendant, was at
the oyster supper at Bowers and Gray's
office. He denied going to the negro's
house or going out of the town that
night at all.
Eugene T. Whitehead. druggist, was in !
his store Saturday night till IL o'clock.
He neither went to Steptoe's house or to
any other place outside of Scotland
Neck.
DIR. A. G. Livermon gave an account |
of his whereabouts from supper up TO
AZ O'Clock when he went to his room
and went to bed. The witness said he
knew nothing of Steptoe, where he lived
or what he was.
Mr. Busbee: "We have other wit
nesses, Your Honor, but we'll not put
them on. We now ask Your, Honor to
discharge these defendants
Judge Montgomery: II shall have it
to do. There is not enough evidence
against them for me to do otherwise"
And straightway the Fusioinists, led
by Bluejean Holton, went out looking
like n man who has drawn prize pack
age filled with sawdust.