The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-04
WILCOX REFUSED TO SPEAK.
An Unexplained Period the Night OF the
Girls Disappearance.
Especial Dispatch to The rimes.)

NORFOLK, VA, Dec. 3.-Charged by
w. H Cropsey with ahductins his daush-
ter, Ella on the night Of November 9th,
James Wilcox, the girls admirer was at
Elizabeth City. n. c., this morning ar
raigned before Mayor Wilson and ms
associates, Magistrates Parker, Gricc,
Spence, and Sawyer. Attorneys Hey
wood, Sawyer, Turner, and Williams,
who are employed by the Citizens Com
nttec. appeared for the prosecution;
Aydelette and Grandy for the defense.
About forty witnesses were present,
mainly for the prosecution. but few We're
examined. Olive Cropsey, the missing
girls sister, repeated the facts concerning
her sisters disappearance. which have
been printed. She was greatly affected
and several times broke down and cried
Cross-examined by Attorney Aydelette,
she repeated her testimony without
variance.
FATHER S TESTIMONY.
W. H Cropses-, Elias father, next tes-
titled corroborating the previous witness.
telling nothing new, save that he SAID
hi. was the last man who would accuse
the son of his friend, Wilcox. who mad
been kind to him, but that he believed ne
knows where his daughter is. and had'
uninstisated ry- the Citizens Committee.
caused Jim NVilco: to be arrested the
second time He did this. he said, because
Jim, when he appealed to him to tell ann
where Nellie was, seemed "cold. ana
answered that he had told all he was
going to tell.
Farnie Mitchell. coloreG, SWore that
Jim Wilcox called on her yesterday ap-
parently knowing that she would testify;
that She on the night Miss Cropsey dis
appeared, saw him at midnight entering
his fathers house, coming in direction
opposite from the Cropsey residence, and
limited that she could not tell this.
On cross examination she was confused
and uncertain as to what he said.
SCUFFLE IN THE PORCH.
; Alexander Brownley, colo-ed draylnan,
followed but told nothing important. Roy
Crawford, who Was calling upon MISS
Olive Cropsey on the night her sister dis
appeared testified that Wilcox. after
sitting in the room with Miss Ella Allett
and Olive Cropsey and Carrie, their young
woman cousin from New York and him
| self for nearly two hours without directly
| addressing Ella. called her out on the
veranda; that he afterward heard scuf-
| fle outside. but supposing it was merely
| Jim and Ella scufIling in play, paid no
| attention to the sound; that he left about
| 11:30 o'clock, saw no one outside the
house, and went directly home. The
| prosecution then rested.
| Wilcox's attorney, Aydelette, then
moved to dismiss for lack of evidence.
Asked to put Wilcox on the stand, he
agreed to do so, but subsequently. after
| conference with his client. said that Will
cox refused to testify. After argument.
| which. with the taking of testimony.
/ consumed four hours. Wilcox was held
for trial at the next term of court in
$1,000 bail.
FEELING INTENSIFIED.
Wilcox's refusal 10 testify has intensi-
] fed the general belief that he knows
what has become of the missing girl.
Diving apparatus was sent from Norfolk
to Elizabeth City this afternoon and
| divers will examine the bottom of the
| Pasquotanls River tomorrow searching
| for Miss Cropsey's body.
Norfolk detectives are securing this city
| tonight for the missing girl who may.
! they think. be concealed here
! Many ru!.iors of clues being followed
| here and at Elizabeth City are ahoat.
| tut the authorities will not reveal any
thing and probably know nothing sub
| stantial regarding the mystery
/ The excitement which fills Elizabeth
| City over the affair has spread TO Nor
| fax.