The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-03

my. reported that the contesTee's coun-
sci also intended 10 file a protest he
said 10 all appearances, judging from
Mr.. Spears constant delvlng into the
race trouble and election matters, Mr..
Spears real object in this examination
was not so much TO contest NJ. Bel
lamy's seat as to get information upon
which TO base indictments 81 some or
the citizens OF Wilmington. Mr.. Spears
on each day OF the trial has had some
thing like this intimated 10 him.
As on the previous days, Mr.. Spears
with considerable feeling stoutly de-
MED such intention. ~resenting the
charge with the statement hat the
proceeding.
Mr.. Davis know il.
Mr.. Spears-And as the humble rep
resentative OF the government / would
not. Mr.. Spears said the press of the
city persisted in creating h impress
sion hat he is here TO get up informa-
ton to bring indictments.
B. How were the persons whose bodies
you viewed on the occasion mentioned
killed or from what character OF
wounds did they appear TO have died?
Counsel for contestee put in the
same objection n Notary Wallace
overruled and Notary Howell sustain
ed il.
Answer: There were gunshot wounds
in the bodies OF them all.
The witness testified that he was n
republican n was a There
was not to his knowledge in the city
of Wilmington any organization among
the colored people, males or female, as
a community or a part of a commu-
nifty, to resort to incendiarism or n
other character of criminal violence
against the persons or property of the
white people of the city of Wilmington.
Witness under cross examination
testified that on election day he cam
vassed for votes at the hose reel house,
and that he was there nearly all day
election day. He said no one attempt
ed by force or intimidation to prevent
him from casting his vote. Never saw
any attempt at intimidation. Witness
believed that the election was fair and
open at his precinct. The full repub-
lican vote was not polled..
The court at 1870 a. m. took a recess
till 3 p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At 3 p. m. the cour again met.
John CT. Norwood, colored, was sworn
as a witness for the contestant, and
under examination by Mr.. Spears, tes-
titled that he was 73 years Of age; that
he was a carpenter by trade and re-
sides in Wilmington; has resided here
all his life. Owns II or IA lots valued
at $4,000 AND IL houses in the city.
Mr.. Spears examined the witness as
follows:
Do you now or have you ever occu-
pied any official position in the city
government Of the city of Wilmington,
and if so, of what character?
Answer: l was appointed by the gov
ernor as an alderman from the Second
ward. That was the only office 1 had
except that I was appointed a school
committeeman about twenty ago.
When did your term of office as al
derman begin under h appointment
of the governor?
Answer: 1 really cannot remember
the date, sir, but at the regular time,
sir, for the alderman to lake their seat.
When did your office as alderman
under such appointment terminate, il
it has?
Answer: Terminated on the evening
Of the 18th of November.
How did your official term terminate?
Answer: l got a report from the city
clerk n treasurer to appear there at
4 O'Clock and when / went in 1 found
Mayor Wright and three other alder
men. I don't remember what the may
or told me what the meeting was called
for. Our routine business was pracs
tlced, then Mr.. Gore (alderman) got up
and rendered his resignation, and Mr..
Hewlett rendered his. There was an al
derman elected in place of each of the
two resigned. Then Mr.. Benson resign
ed and another person was elected in
his place. Then 1 resigned and some
one was elected in my place. 1 don't
know who. I got out as quick as I
could.
What are your politics?
Answer: Republican.
Do you know Of your own knowledge
whether there was an organization
upon the part Of the colored people Of
the city Of Wilmington as a commune
ty or part of the whole community of
the colored people of the city of Will
mington with the to commit
any act Of incendiarism or other act of
criminal violence to the person or
property Of the white people Of the city
Of Wilmington?
Answer: Never heard Of anything of
the kind until 1 heard Mr.. Springer
state on the stand as having been
told SO.
Were you in the city of Wilmington
on the 10th day of November, 1898?
Answer: /
Did you witness the mob ind riot
that occurred in the city of Wilmington
at OF ABOUT the place known as the
Manly printing office on that date &C.
curing?
Counsel for the contestee objected To
the question on the same grounds here
tofore mentioned. Notary Howell sus-
tanned and Notary Wallace overruled
objection.
The witness answered.: No. sir.
Cross examined by Junius Davis.
Esq, Of counsel for Mr.. Bellamy. the
contestee, the witness testified as fol-
lows:
Were you a pollholder on the day Of
election? .
Answer: 1 vas registrar in the First
precinct of the Second ward.
You assisted then to hold the cleo
ton as registrar, did you not?
Answer: Yes.
Did you vote on the day of the cleo
ton, / mean November Sth, 1898?
Answer: / voted the judiciary and
legislative ticket.
Did you vote the congressional
ticket?
Answer: Yes.
Dio you see any attempt to intimi-
date or prevent by violence any per
NJ