The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-28
DREAMT THAT HIS
MOTHER WAS DEAD
And Awoke to Find His Dream
Was True.
DID HIS FATHER KILL HER?
THE CORONER'S JURY SAID
THAT HE DID.
THE INQUEST OVER LUCINDA ALLEN
Testimony Of Alex Aliens 10 year Old Boy
David. Evidence so Far Against Allen
is Only Circumstantial. No
Motive has been Shown.
Motive has been Shown.

''When ! woke in the night / saw
my father standing at the fireplace, and
he said my mother was dead"
What caused you to wake?"
81 was dreaming that she
was dead and he called me and told me
she was dead / didn't answer the first
time he called me, or the second. lie
called me several times and | asked
him, What. and he said she's dead-my
mother. "-Extract from the testimony
of little 13-year-old David Allen yester-
day at the coroner's inquest over his
mothers body.
In the midst of Il court room thronged
with people, principally negroes, at the
inquest held yesterday over the body of
Lucinda Allen, appeared her son, David
Allen. bright-eyed, coal black young
ster of IL, to testify against his father,
Alex Allen.
He made a pitiful picture as he climb
ed into the witness chair. He wore a
mans coat that almost touched the floor
as he walked, and WORKOUT pair of
shoes several sizes too large. He show
ed no nervousness, but was quick and
bright with his answers He told in a
clear, straightforward manner what he
knew of the happenings Of the night his
mother died. There was no materia
deviation in his statement from what
be had previously said to the reporters
How old are your" was the first ques-
ton DR.. McCullers, the coroner, asked
as David took his place in the witness
stand.
Thirteen years old.
DO you go TO Sunday SCHOOL,"
net often
did you ever go to any schools"
Not much"
DO you know what an oath means"
No, sir.''
DO you know right from wrong"
Yes, sir"
DO you know who the dead woman
is:'
..She is my mother
We'll. tell us all you know of her
death. :
Il had been asleep and when | woke
mp my father, Alex Allen. was standing
by the fireplace His back was to me.
He called me and said my mother was
dead. He told me not 10 get up, and
] stayed in bed Next morning / wanted
TO see her and he wouldn't let me see
her much. | was dreaming she was
dead when he called me. He called me
several times before | answered. Then
he went for the neighbors. Agnes Will
lams and Eliza Smith were the first to
come.
My mother and | had been to Raleigh
that day with an ox-cart to bring the
xlo oh
She complained that her head hurt her,
because the cart had jolted her.
went to bed about s o'clock, and left her
and Alex sitting up. / don't know how
long they stayed up or what they did
| went to sleep. They had no words
that night and / heard no noise of any
kind--no quarreling or crying. / saw
no blood about the house next morning
but did see the pillow slip found in tho
kitchen. out OF which round piece had
been cut. Randolph Blackwell found it.
The rest of the story of the night was
told by the next two witnesses, Agnes
Williams and Eliza Smith Agnes
said Alex Allen came to her house about
] o'clock Friday night, told her his wife
was dead and asked if she would &c
and help shroud her.
Il went win EilZa smith, WHO Hsce
nearby. When we got there | cailce
David. because they had a dog. He sale
the dog was tied. We did nothing til
Alex and Helen Sinlms and Mary Strick
land came. Then we went in where tht
body was. for the first time 1t was
lying on the right side. The light wa:
very dim. there being no globe on the
light. We saw no blood till we washed
her. While we were dressing her some
blood came out Of her nose and ears.
saw nothing wrong about her hands. II
was about day when we finished.
Il didn't see the body again until Sun