The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-04
KITCHIN IS EXONERATED
ALL THE DEFENDANTS PROVED
AN ALIBl.
A CONSPIRACY TO GET TROOPS HERE
The Periurer and the Conspirators Should be
Punished. Steptoe Acknowledges that
He has been Holding Secret
Negro Meetings.

Great cry and no wool. Much-ado
about nothing The mountains have
been in labor and brought forth--not
even 4 mouse.
ANY one and all these ancient saws
find fit application in the trial yesterday
of Capt. W. III. Kitchin, Claude kitchin.
4 C. Lvermon. John Gray, Eugene L.
Whitehead and L. w. Fenner. all citi-
zens of Scotland Neck, Halifax county.
For these gentlemen, it will be remem-
bered. bench warrant was Tuesday
night issued by Judge Montgomery on
the sworn statement of Ben Steptoe, q
negro registrar from Roseneath precinct.
Halifax county, who charged them with
Saturday night breaking into his house
and compelling him to write out his re-
signation as registrar.
This warrant has never been served,
but all the defendants saw it in Wednt S
days News and Observer. though they
were then in different parts of the State,
and they came at once to Raleigh and
demanded an immediate investigation of
the matter.
Capt. Kitchin arrived here Wednes-
day night at 2 o'clock and the other
five defendants came yesterday after
noon at $40. They brought with them
large number of friends and witnesses,
and were met at the station by many
Raleigh people who gave them cordial
reception and escorted them to the Var
flnp. nr,-
panied them to the court room.
The party from Halifax was composed
of the defendants: Capt w. H. Kitchin.
Claude Kitchin, DIR. A. c. Livermon,
John Gray. +. Z. Whitehead and L.
T.. L.. Emery. DR.. W. o. Mcdowell B.
+. Gray, L. NJ. Pittman, 4. p. Shields.
J. Il. Bowers, John r. Futrell. w. Il.
Whitmore. $. NJ. MOrrisette G. L. Cur
rie. and Willis Cheek.
In addition to these there were some
seventy-five other persons present dur
ing the trial, which was held in the SUI
preme court room. from ) to 8 o'clock.
Though the interest was intense during
the whole of the proceedings there were
no unusual occurrences. save perhaps
one or two displays of temper on the
part of the court.
The complainants, Steptoe (col.). and
HOlton, were represented by Maj. J. w.
Graham, of Hillsboro, and Capt. Charles
4. Cook, of Warrenton. The defend
ants counsel was Messrs +. III. Busbec
and j. b. Batchelor. of Raleigh, and W.
A. Dunn. of Scotland Neck.
In the beginning of the trial Mr.. Bus
bee. for the defendants. stated that they
had information only through the public
prints that bench warrant had been
issued for them. No papers had been
served on them. he said. but as soon as
they heard of the prosecution instituted
against them they had hurried to Raj
eieh to demand an investigation of the
charges.
''Has not the warrant been served:"
asked Judge Montgomery.
1T has not" replied Mr.. Busbee.
Judge Montgomery called for Sheriff
Jones. of Wake county, and directed
Maj. Graham to draw Il bench warrant
for the defendants TO take the place Of
the one that had not been served. Major
Graham copied the warrant from We'd
pesday's News and Observer and Sheriff
Jones served it. all the defendants being
called forward together for that purpose
As they were returning to their seats
Sheriff Jones told them they must sit