The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-22
Under the Fire of Cross Examination Their
Strength Withers.

oUengtn WitnefS'
Halifax, n. c., Sept Especial -
The first of SummerelIs witnesses yes
terday was Robert Ransom, who has q
farm near the Northampton farm. He
had known Srunmerell SOME 30 years,
he said, and he Thought his character
good. Prior to this time he has never
heard him charged with cruelty.
''He makes his men work but | don t
think he treats them cruelty"
rs his general reputation not that Of
a cruel MANI"
''No, | don't think so"
On cross examinat ton the witness said
he knew by sight most of the guards and
overseerS en- the farm. Some of them,
he thought exceedingly competent and
of some he had not so high an opinion.
He did not care to call names. But
taken all in all he considered the en-
ployes on the farm about as capable and
efficient as could be obtained, consider
ing the unhealthy location and the saba
ries paid.
THE COLDEST DAY.
He passed the farm, he said ON the
day the convicts are said to have been
frost bitten. 1t was the coolest day OF
the winter. The convicts were at work.
did you have yorlr hands at work 2"
''Only getting woodland at that they
wouldn't work regularly"
ANY work at all going on with free
labor?"
Nothing except getting wood and
feeding stock. This was the coolest day
during the cold spell Don't remember
1t was the day the big snow COM
menced."
Wasn't it too cold to work?''
Il didn't think So
You were not having any done, were
your"
mo, because / couldn't get anybody
to work. There was no work being done
in the county at the time"
DIDN'T SEE FROST BITTEN MEN.
''Were any of the convicts from Cas-
tie Hayne at work that day?'
Don't know whether there were any
in the squad at work or not"
did you see these convicts when they
were brought to Northampton farm?'
Eyes. / crossed the ferry with them.
They looked poor and emaciated ]
don't know whether any of them We're
or not. / was at Garys-
burg also when they were sent to Raj
eigh, but / didn't see them"
NOTE SHAVING.
A professional note-shaver, w. A. WI
cox was the next witness. He reckon
ed Dave S. Russolfs character was
bad Asked why he said he had bought
his time for 500. Then he found he
had sold $40 worth of it to a man named.
Lilies.
Il took I'D Lilies claim and sent 70.
Russell for the So"
did he pay it,"
.'He sent it next day by DR.. Furgc-
son.
And that is why you say his character
is had?"
Eyes. When man sells his time to
two men | think that bad"
''Have you ever talked with Russell
about it?'
"No. But / wrote him sharp letter"
did he reply protnptlyy'
''I1e sent the money at once"
What is his reputation for TRUTH"
Don't know"
Does he drink"
Don't know
Ibid you ever know any one to buy
his time and lose anything by itT
mo"
TOOK OFF 5 PIER CENT.
do you make business of going
around discounting an employees time !:
II do"
"Is that customary
at is here"
'FHow long has it been custom!"
"A long time"
''How much discount do You take?
olive per cent. usually"
When did you discount Russel's
timer"
ssAfter the Legislature passed bill
to pay off the indebtedness of the peni-
tentiary.v
did you ever discount time under
Leazarg'
NO. Don't remember that it was
done.'
SUMMERELL'S STRAP.
At this point Srimmerell, on request Of
bis attorney, brought in the strap he hal
been using to punish conyicts. Also one
said to have been used by Capt. Rhem.
These have already been described IN
these columns They were identified by
the next witness, w. a. Safer, one of
overseers.