The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-04
STILL TAKING DISPOSITIONS
Five More witnesses Examined Yes>
terday I'm b DOekery.BeIlamy Com
test-Mr. John H. Turrentfne Ex.
plains Himself

~A0A ~ s.S OWA~
test-Mr. John II. Iurrenune Ex.
plains Himself
Pursuant to adjournment wednes-
day, the court of Justice ]. ]. Fowler
and Notary Public T. z. Wallace, who
are presiding during the taking Of the
dispositions in the Dockery-Bellamy
election contest case, met yesterday
morning at IL O'Clock.
Lawyer ]. f. Musslewhite, of Eliza
BEETHOVEN, assisted Assistant District
Attorney Oscar j. Spears, Colonel
Dockery's counsel.
Before the examination Of any Of the
witnesses for the day, Mr. John r.
Turrentine appeared in court and asked
to make a statement in explanation
and correction of certain testimony
given in by him on Wednesday. His
request being allowed by Notaries Fow-
Ter n Wallace, and without objection
OF counsel OF contestant, he proceeded
10 make the following explanation:
Mr.. Sjears asked me yesterday the
following question:
Q.-Mr. Turrentine, / wish to ask you
his question:: Do you not know of
your own knowledge or by common
rumor of the leaders of the democratic
party With whom you talked previous
TO the late election occurring Novem-
Der s, 1898, that for the sake of peace.
and to avoid bloodshed in the city of
Wilmington and county of New Han
over, that 1T was agreed by leaders Of
the republican party, including in their
number the governor of the state of
North Carolina, to the effect that the
republican party in the county Of New
4 u y MA ryo~0 - ~
legislative tickets opposing the demo-
cratic ticket, naming candidates for the
election to occur the Sth day of Novem-
Der, 1898?
To hat question 1 will answer that
l knew as far as rumor, not of my own
knowledge, that there was an agree
ment made by which the republican
party would not put out an opposition
ticket in the county or legislative cleo
ton, but as far as to prevent blood
shed is concerned, l knew or heard
nothing of the agreement being made
on that account.
Cross examination:
Q.-Mr. Turrentine, when and by
whom was your attention called to the
answer given yesterday to the question
just recited?
Answer-While reading the evidence
as given in by myself 1 noticed it. At
the same time my attention was called
to it by Mr.. Peschau while we were
reading it together and before / signed
it., but 1 had asked one of the court
or commissioners if I could come be-
fore them this morning and explain
my answer.
Question-TO which member of the
court did you make this appeal, and
what answer did you receive from
him?
1AAswer-Mr. John j. Fowler, and his
answer vas that he thought there
would be no objection to 1t.
Question-Then with this knowledge
of the full purport of the question and
the exact answer given by you to the
same you fix o u signature to the
dispositions?
Answer-From the fact that it was a
part answer to this question, / lid, as
the majority of Mr.. Spears questions
were so long and confounding that it
would be impossible to answer same
i~ntelligently without an explanation.
Mr.. T. jeff Smith was the first wit
ness sworn. He was examined by the
Hon. Frank Mcneil, of counsel for
Mr.. Bellamy, and stated that on elec-
ton day, November 8, 1898, he was a
registrar in the Second division of the
Fourth ward. The election was con-
Quoted very fairly and peacably. There
vas nc intimidation at all.
On crOSS-examination by Colonel
Dockery's counsel, the following ques-
ltions were put and answered.:
Question-Do you know Of you own
knowledge or by rumor from the DEM
ocrats with whom you talked previous
to the election of November s, 1898,
that for the sake of peace and to avoid
riot and murder that there was an
cratic leaders and the republican lead
ers by which there were to be no re-
publican ticket in the county of New
Hanover for members of the legisla-
ture?
I AnsWer-l will tell you the rumor
that 1 heard: That a deal had been
made with Governor Russell hat if
the democratic party would take down
the two men that were up n put UP
two others, that they would not put UP
a ticket. Mr.. Peschau and Mr.. Carr,
the democratic nominees for the legis-
1ature, were to be taken down and Mr.
Rountree and Mr.. Willard were put in
their stead.
Question-Was not this agreemen,
observed in good faith on the part OF
the republicans, and is it not a fac
that the republican party had no coun.
ty ticket in New Hanover county?
Answer-There was. no republican
county ticket that I know of.
Question-Do o know Of any seri'
Gus political trouble existing IN tn
city of Wilmington on or about thu
election?
Answer-I do not know of any.
Question-Do you not know OF you
own knowledge hat serious pol1tlca
and race trouble were feared and ex
pected on or about the election?
Answer will tell you what l d.
know, sir: That this town was in
terrible condition.; that the ladies wer'
afraid to go on the streets at night OF
account of the bad conduct OF the ne
gro element.
Question-Do you know the fact tina
there was a rapid-fire gun or guns, to
gether with a good supply of ammuni
ton for the same and in the hands o
the democrats of the city Of Wllmln
ton, with the declared purpose TO d
used in the event of it being necessar
to serve their purpose in secur1n
democratic success in New Hanove
county, and especially in the city G
Wilmington?
Answer do not know that to DE tn
case. I never saw the gun myself
never have seen it.