The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-29
The Feeling Against Him is
Strong.
BUT THE EXCITEMENT IS NOW ABATlNG
The Naval Reserves Still Surround the
Jail, However, and Among Groups
Assembled on the Street Corners One
Hears Remarks That Indicate Deep
and Bitter Feeling Against Wilcox.

Elizabeth City, N c., Dec. 2S-Ihe
theory of the death of Nell Cropsey 10
that she was rendered unconscious ny
hlow which was not sufficient to cause
death but that on being thrown into the
wafer there was not sufficient animation
to cause further respiration, otnerWlse
there would have been water IN the
lungs. Doctors in town will not renoer
an opinion for publication on this theory.
The coroner's jury, aided by the doctors
who held the autopsy, find that sne was
stricken a blow on the left temple ana
drowned in the river
Especial to the News and Observer
Elizabeth City, N. c., Dec. 2S.-There
were no disturbances last night in town
after the Naval Reserves arrived ana
soon all was quiet. This morning the
coroner's jury convened and rendered
verdict.
DR.. l. Fearing, coroner, was seen today
and stated:
1.-THE jury met last night in secret
session and the substance of the verdict
was drafted But it was thoroughly
understood and agreed and each one
pledged not to give it out on account
of the threatening crowds assembling
Some one, however, broke faith and
gave out a garbled report. The report
in some particulars was incorrect and
certainly incomplete. The following is
the doctors report and the coroner
verdict as passed on and given to the
clerk of court today:
CORoNER'S JURY REPORT.
1--WE, the coroner's jury, having been
duly summoned and sworn by DR.. l.
Fearing to inquire what caused the
death of Ella M Cropsey, do hereby
report that, from the investigation
made by three physicians of Elizabeth
City and from their findings, and also
from our present observation, that said
Ella NJ. Cropsey came to her death by
being stricken a blow on the left temple
and by being drowned in the Pasquotank
river. We have not as yet investigated
nor heard any testimony touching as to
who inflicted the blow and did the
drowning. We are informed that one
James Wilcox is charged with same
and is now in custody. We recommend
that investigation as to his or any one
else's probable guilt be had by one or
more magistrates in Elizabeth City
township and that salad Wilcox be held
to wait said Investigation.
Sigend-P. S. Shipp, b. F. Spence,
Maurice Wescott, Robert j. Mitchell, j.
b. Ferbee, j. H. Leroy.
PHYSICIANS REPORT.
The physicians report is very volumi-
nous and minute. The substance is that
there were no marks of violence except
a blow on the temple, which did not
cause conclusion of the brain, but the
lungs contained no water. All organs
of the body were perfect and the de-
ceased was a virgin.
Strong feeling is aroused on all sides
against Wilcox. He has been placed in
Jail and strong guard of Naval Re-
serves surround the Jail. However,
there are no evidences of a probable
lynching.
Considerable sympathy is expressed
for the family of Wilcox. He has a
father, splendid mother and two sweet
sisters, among the most popular girls
in town. Mr.. Wilcox, the father, was
seen today. He was at home in bed
sick with high fever brought about by
continued anxiety The whole family
are grief stricken.
He said: II do not believe my son
has any other statement to make other
than he has already made. l believe
that he is innocent and time will prove
it. There is nothing against him but
suspicion brought about by strange
coincidence of circumstantial evidence
If you wish to, interview him and he
will talk; it is all right
The sheriff, by order of Wilcox and
his counsel refused to admit one to see
the prisoner, but Mr.. E. F. Aydlett,
one of the counsel, in behalf of your
correspondent saw Wilcox with a view
to getting a statement from him.
WILCOX'S STATEMENT
Mr. Wilcox's statement through Mr.
Aydlett is as follows: Say to the
News and Observer that / have no fur
Their statement to make than I have al
ready made, that covers the whole
ground. l did not kill Miss Nell Crop
sey nor throw her into the river, nor was