The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-11
N. f. ASTON SHOT AT uTTLET0N,
NOT EXPECTED TO RECOVER
SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
Regarding the Penitentiary Promised.
IN Joint Session-Much Friction Be-
tween the Two-The Former Wants
to Investigate Certain Matters-Boys
Compromise In the Railway Tax Case
Especial to The Messenger.l

Raleigh, N. c., January IN. r.
Aston, judge advocate general OF the
state guard, is expected to die from a
wound in n breast Just above the
heart, inflicted by a man named Rob
ertson, at Littleton. The bullet has
not been extracted.
Details of the shooting were learned
today from a kinsman of Aston
Aston and Robertson quarreled
some months ago. Recently Aston had
pneumonia got out a few days
ago. He and Robertson met in the
postoffice. Robertson collared him and
the postmaster separated them. They
went home got revolvers. met on the
street and began firing at close range.
Aston is a kinsnan of Associate jus
tice Cook, of the supreme court, and Is
a SON of DIR. Willis Aston, or Little
ton.
1t is learned that the Atlantic Coast
Line has sent letters to various other
railways to ascertain whether they
are favorable to the plan Of coming to
some sort of understanding. agreement
CIR compromise with The state in regard
to he matter of assessment and taxa
ton.
Many persons are arriving to attend
the legislature and grand lodge of Ma
sons. The hotels are rapidly filling
and the Genes in the lobby-of the
Marlborough are quite lively this after
noon and evening.
Four white boys under IA ear Of
age were before Judge Starbuck, in the
criminal court, here today for stealing.
Their counsel stated that it was the
hope and belief that a reformatory for
young criminals would speedily be eS-
tablished. The boys were sent to the
roads for two months. and If a refor-
matory is established will be sent to it.
There are thousands of friends of a
reformatory all over the state. They
had best bring great pressure to e
upon the legislature. as some members
talked with today were found to be OPP
posed to having a reformatory now.
Insurance Commissioner Young tells
me the Carolina Insurance Company,
of Wilmington, is the first to make its
annual report, M. S. Willard is secre-
tary. 1t reports assets SIT, 994, risks
written during the year 1858. 613, receipts
SIS, SIS, losses S7,033. The New York
Life is the first life company to report.
Andrew McNiebal has bought the
CarroHton hote1 here from o. j. Car
roll.
Arrangements We're made today for
the presence of the state guard at the
Inauguration of Aycock. The invita-
lions will go out tomorrow. The visit
ing guardSmen will be provided with
quarters and with hot coffee and a
wiches. 1t is estimated that about
1000 will attend. Railway rates of n
cent a mile have been secured for the
military.
At noon today not over half a dozen
legislators were here. Every incoming
afternoon train landed it's quota and
at 5 o'clock at least $50 of the 10 MEM
bers were present.
Senators Brown. Of Columbus, and
JUSTICE Of Rutherford. share the dis
tinction of the Father of the senate"
both serving their third successive
terms. Senator's Speight, of Edge
combe, and James, of Pitt, have been
returned the third time. but their first
term was in 1892. The third Samuel j.
Calvert is in the senate from North
ampton, the father and grandfather of
the present able senator having repre-
scented the county in their generation.
Two years ago the p~enitentiary was
investigated. 1t seems that this year
there is to be another investigation.
The directors met tonight to prepare a
report. 1t ppears that there is much
friction between h directors on one
side and Superintendent Day n the
executive board on the other. Some
strong language was used today by
directors, who said they had no voice
in the management and knew nothing
Of the status of its finances, though
monthly reports were promised year
before last. 1t appears hat the
friction Is so great there must needs be
sensational developments.
The meeting of the directors and ex-
ecutive board and Superintendent to-
night vas stormy. Chairman Davis, of
Beaufort, presided. Reports of the su-
p~erintendent. general manager and ex-
ecutive board were received. A com-
mittee was appointed to examine these
reports. The directors had no knowl-
edge Of any Of these matters, as they
| have not received a report in a ear
though they ordered them made
monthly and the superintendent and
executive board agreed to make them.
There will tomorrow be some plain
talk about this neglect. The directors
| met today and saw. they say, evident
| purpose on the part of the executive
board and superintendent to rush the
reports through without examination
and adjourn at once. The directors in
sisted on a careful examination and
tonight voted to take a recess until to-
| morrow. The vote was z to 5, two
| members Of the executive board voting
| nay, despite the appeals by LeGrand,
| Cotton, Young and Ballard Of the =
| rectorate.
A member Of the directorate gives
| me the above information.