The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-07
LABOR DAY AT THE CAPITAL
Observed Only in Form "A Legal Exc
cutfOn-Republican State ComInittee
MeetS-Compulsory Education Grow
ing in Favor \ Noted Murder Case
Again Brought to Public Attention
Messenger Bureau,
Raleigh, n. c., September 8.

Raleigh, n. c., September 3.
Today, as labor day, was observed
here in the most p~erfunctory way.
The banks, the federal building and the
capitol We're closed. There was no pa
rade or demonstration. Asheville and
Charlotte We're the places at which
there was special observance of the
day.
/ There was a legal execution TO-DAY at
Salisbury, the victim of the galIows be-
ing William Edwards, a ngro who as
sassinated Policeman Kearns at Con-
o T one night last ear. Kearns had
gone to his home about midnight, for
a few minutes n as he was leaving
Edwards, in ambush, shot him down.
very near his gate. The case went to
the supreme court. Edwards was for
a long time kept in Jail at Lexington
to prevent a lynching, and last Satur-
day was taken to Salisbury. Though
n crime, as stated, was at Concord,
the trial was had at Salisbury.
The First Presbyterian church here
is to be dedicated this month. 1t is
now completed, save the memorial WIN
dow to the late Rev. DR.. William Nc
Pheeters, which is being made by Tiff
fanny, at New York.
The republican state committee met
at Greensboro this evening. Some re-
publicans ave always insisted that
their party's headquarters ought to be
at Raleigh, but Chairman Holton ia
vored Greensboro, as he does not fancy
Raleigh, deeming it too far east, and
out of the republican sphere of infu-
ence." The republicans will get all the
money they can from the national COM
mlttee. In this way they secured $780,
600 for their North Carolina campaign
in 1896. 1t is limited that some of this
was left over, but this is very doubt
full.
One of the largest halls in the new
annex to the state museum is to be
devoted to North Carolina history. es-
pecially during the colonial, revolu-
tionary and civil war periods. The
hall thus assigned is on the second
floor, Immediately in rear of the SUI
preme court building
The movement in favor of compul-
sorry education in North Carolina is
growing rapidly. All the leading
teachers in the state say the time is
ripe for it.
The farmers say the recent rains
have benefited the top crop of cotton.
Many of the bolls We're made so dry
and worthless by the long drought and
heat that they could be crushed il the
fingers like a pod full of dust.
The temperature here during August
averaged over 50 degrees, or 5h de-
grees in excess daily of n ever before
recorded at this station.
Commissioner Patterson was unable
to accompany the visiting commission
erS OF agriculture on the trip to Ashe-
vile and Biltmore farm, and Secretary
Bruner, of the board of agriculture.
went in his stead. Today was devoted
to Biltmore.
Farmers and sportsmen report that
there are plenty Of cartridges. Some
feared that the heavy aims in June
had injured the prospect for these birds.
Inquiries are being made here as to
the whereabouts Of Robert Lesson
Porter and this brings to mind a ro-
nance in real life. Twenty-four years
ago a white farmer, Scott Partin, muir
dered his wife and baby, cut the bodies
TO pieces and buried them in a marsh
near a spring, Partfn was outlawed
and wen now his crime is talked of
About ten years ago a man was tailed
here. whose resemblance to Partin was
so great hat people were ready TO
swear he was Partin. The man said
he was Robert Lesson Porter: that he
was of Irish birth and that he had
served in the United States army. Both
these statements were true. and II was
a further fact that he was a member
Of a family Of very high rank. His
relatives in fact made particular in.
quirieS regarding him through the de-
partment of state. His mind was NOT
bright.
The electric plant at the p%enitentiay
was completed today and will be tested
Wednesday.
Three thousand persons have since
last Friday viewed the embalmed BODY
of Tom Jones, the negro murderer. who
was hanged here.
General William r. Cox, of Edge
combe, is here.