The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-31

The Dispositions of seven Witnesses
Taken Yesterday I'm the Contested
election ~Case-Other witnesses 10 be
Examined Today

EA6IAhAC0 ~
The taking of dispositions in behalf
of the Hon.. Jno. D.. Bellamy in the case
of Colonel Oliver II. Dockery, the re-
publican contestee, who is contesting
Mr.. Bellamy's seat in the Forty-sixth
congress as a member Of the house of
representatives from this district, was
begun yesterday morning at IL O'Clock
in the United States court room. John
]. Fowler, Esq, justice of the peace,
sat b. Mr.. Bellamy's choice, and on
motion of Colonel Dockery's attorney,
Mr.. T. E. Wallace, notary public, pre-
sided with Justice Fowler.
The attorneys in attendance in Mr..
Bellamy's behalf were the Hon. Frank
Mcneil, Colonel Thos. w. strange,
Geo. L. Peschau, Esq, and W. B. Nc
Koy, Esq. Assistant United States At
torney Oscar j. Spears represented
Colonel Dockery. Miss Estell Shrier was
stenographer for Mr.. Bellamy and
Miss Lizzie Struthers for Colonel Dock
cry.
Mr.. Sam Blossom, of Castle Haynes,
Cape Tea township, was the first wit
ness called for Mr.. Bellamy, and was
examined by Mr.. Peschau. Witness said
he was 62 years Of age and had been
a resident of Cape Fear township for
26 or II years.; was present at the vot-
ing precinct for Cape Fear township at
the election November s, 1898. The
election was quiet and peaceable. The
election was as fair and open as any
election held there for twenty-five
years.
On cross examination, Mr.. Blossom
said he was born in the Madeira islands
and a been a citizen of the United
States 40 or 40 years. Took out natural
ization papers in New Hanover coun-
ty. Voted for Mr.. Bellamy and the
full democratic ticket; voted the demo-
cratic ticket all his life; saw no Win
chester rifles during the months of
September, October and November,
1898. Had white and negro employees,
but did not discharge any because
they voted. All employees that were
with him then are in his employ now.
The full vote Of all the parties was
cast, except three or four votes on
: both sides.
Mr.. Giles w. Westbrook, Of Harnett
township, was called as a witness for
. Mr.. Bellamy and was examined by
Mr.. Mcneil. Wa a registrar and was
at the polls all day or the day of the
election. There were six judges of
election, two for the democratic, two
for the republican and two for the
populist parties. The election was
peaceable and quiet, free and fair and
there was no intimidation whatever.
Witness voted the democratic ticket.
The full vote Of all parties was regis
tered and cast. Knew Of no intimida-
ton. Did not belong to a White Gov
eminent Union in the township, but
| fhink thora woo ono EnnnTnu ohnIf
forty negroes, republicans. Did not no.
tify any if they voted the republican
. ticket they would be discharged. Have
been a member of the general assem-
bly, and is now a member of the school
committee.
/ Mr.. r. w. Bordeaux, of Cape Fear
township, witness for Mr.. Bellamy, was
examined by Mr.. Peschau. Witness
was a registrar and voted the demo
cratic ticket at the election. He testi-
fled to about the same facts as to the
; conduct Of the election as Mr.. Blossom.
! The election was quiet, with the full
strength of the registered vote. Had
republicans in his employ and have
the same men now.
Mr.. John A. Biddle, of Federal Point
: township, was examined by Mr.. Pes
chau as a witness for Mr.. Bellamy. HI
is a democrat, and testified that the
election in his township was perfectly
fair. He was one of the registrars.
Hon. Frank Mcneil examined Mr..
June G. Love, a witness for Mr.. Bel
] 1amy. Witness was a registrar in the
first division of the Second ward dur
ing the election. The election was con
Quoted fairly and squarely. There was
no disturbance or disorder whatever
There was not a challenge that day.
! Witness voted the democratic ticket.
Mr.. D. J. Fergus, of Masonboro town
shin n uyifpnco fnr M Pn11o~u uroc
examined by Mr.. McKoy. He was one
of the registrars at the election. The
election was conducted as orderly as il
could be. There was a full registra-
ton and vote. Witness voted the dem.
Ocratic ticket n was a member Of a
White Government Union. There was
no intimidation or violence at the polls
Mr.. Charles H. Keen, witness for Mr.
Bellamy, was examined by Mr.. Nc
Nell. He was a registrar in the fourth
division of the First ward during the
election. There was no intimidation a
all. Everything was fair and square,.
All the witnesses were asked if they
knew of their own Knowledge or by
rumor that for the sake of peace and
to avoid blood shed in the city of Will
mington and New Hanover county,, il
was agreed by the leaders of the re-
publican party, including the governor
of the state, hat the republican party
in New Hanover county were to have
no ticket opposing the democratic
ticket. None CT them knew anything
Of the arrangement.
The court held a session until l p
m. and adjourned till $3.50 p. m, an6
then r~ecorvened.
An adjournment was taken till L
o'clock this morning.
Pursuant to adjournment on Tuesday
evening, the court of Justice J.. J. Fow-
Ter and Notary Public 7. E. Wallace
sitting in the United States court room
to take dispositions in the election con-
test case of Dockery against Bellamy
met yesterday morning at II o'clock.
Mr.. M~usslewhite, of EliZabethtown
assisted Mr.. Spears as counsel for Col.
onel Dockery.
Mr.. c. F. Craig was the first witness
He vas examined by the Hon. Frank
McNeill, Of Mr.. Bellany's counsel. and
testified on direct examination as fol.
lows, in substance: Witness resides in
! TT-;1ro;,rf0, aD5 or -Ia 11ao%;o- - ~