The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-12
GIVEN THIRTY DAYS NOR
CLAIMED THAT NEW EVIDENCE
Is FOUND.
PETITIONS FROM LUMBERTON
AND RED SPRINGS
The Attorney For Ross Says the Negro is limo
cent But He Win Not Ask for Pardon.
The New Evidence, He Says, Is of
a Confidential Nature.

Gov. Russell gives Reuben Ross, the
negro under sentence of death at Lumber
ton for rape, another respite for thirty
days.
But he has sent no troops down this
time to prevent a lynching.
This is the third time His ENcellency
has respited Reuben:
The first respite was from December
9TH to January 9TH. This was to allow
Reuben to prepare for death.
AT last accounts Reuben reported but
little progress in this direction.
The second respite was from January
9th to January It'll. This was to allow
time to make some Investigations as to
Reuben's guilt.
The investigation was made. With
troops nm the streets of Lumberton, Col.
u. z. Smith made a canvass of the town.
Only two people that he saw expressed
doubt of Reuben's guilt. People of all
classes We're interviewed and their names
taken down.
Now comes third respite-thirty days,
or until February 9th. This, like the
other respite, is given for the purpose of
allowing further investigation as TO Real
ben's guilt.
1t was secured by his attorney, Mr..
John II. Cook, of Maxton, who has been
working on the case ever since the negro,s
conviction.
Two new petitions were presented by
Mr. Cook. One of them was from Red
Springs and was as follows:
"We pray for further respite of Reuben
Ross rending further evidence obtained.
We pledge ourselves to obtain that evil
dence at once if grant this petition. and
the evidence comes from near scene of
alleged crime (Signed) w. u. Pearsall,
Mayor Of Red Springs; r. f. Devane,
r. w. Livermore George III. Hall, A. L.
McCalluln, T. Il. Mcmillan, Hamilton Nc
MILAN, Philip Il. Bragg, J. A. Mckay
The other is from Lumberton and Is
signed by the following citizens: n. "A.
McClain, lawyer; w. w. Carlyle, q
business man; J. II. MCNEIL, merchant;
r. NJ. Norment, the postmaster; III. NJ.
McAllister. a merchant.
Mr.. Cook claims that he is now
in the possession of much new evidence
tending to show the Innocence of the ne
gro. who, he says, is crazy.
"Well. you will then ask a pardon for
him. will you not?" l inquired.
''No,' he. answered, 'only for a conn
mutation to life Imprisonment"
'If he is innocent he ought to be re-
leased: if guilty he should be hung"
"We have evidence to show that the ne
gro was ON intimate relations with Mrs.
Ingram, but that he was not guilty OF
the crime charged"
'IBut the people of Lumberton who
heard the trial say he's guilty"
There's been a wonderful change in
public sentiment even I'M LUmberton in
the last few days, as our petition from
Lumberton shows"
"What is your new eyidenceW
'It is confidential and of such charac-
ter that we don't care to make mention
of it just now"
Mr.. Cook said that Mr.. r. l.. Nc
Leod came with him as far as Aberdeen,
but did not come here to see the Govern
or, as was reported he did. He added
that Mr. Mcleod was one of the men for
whom Mrs. Ingrams husband worked
and he thought the negro innocent.
The News and Observer last night