The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-08
CAPITAL CASES IN COURT
Convicted of Infantfcide Trial for
Murder Disbursements of Dispen-
sary-News Bulletin.


Fayetteville, N. c., January 8.
Yesterday afternoon Judge Moore,
now holding Cumberland county GRIM
inal court, sentenced to 20 years in the
penitentiary Melissa Clegg, a negro
girl of Black river township, who, by
her own confession, took the life of her
infant by throwing it n a well. The
poor wretch is so d~eplorably degraded
and ignorant hat despite the fact Of
her crime being a capital affair, the
modified sentence is approved.
The trial of John Burns, who killed
Watson Cameron(both negroes) on
Christmas was taken up today. Burns,
though badly wounded by Cameron's
father, was able to appear in court
yesterday, and plead to the indictment.
The next case will be that of Louis
Council, negro, of Flea Hill township,
for criminal assault. After h prelim-
inaries in the Burns case were entered
upon it was found necessary to post
pone the case.
More than 81, 300 cash was received
yesterday by the county Of Cumberland
and the town of Fayetteville, proceeds
to which they are entitled by law from
~dispensary for the past month shows
the following figures: Stock on hand
January 1, SIS, sos; sales for the month,
$6,607; net profits, $1,274.
The monthly meeting Of h Cumber-
land County Teachers Association will
be held on Saturday next, 9Th instant,
with addresses on Methods of Teach
ing English by Professors Wise. of
Stedman, and Currie, of Raeford.
Yesterday, from the First Baptist
church of this city, of which she was
for many a a beloved member. the
funeral services took place yer the re-
mains of Mrs. Sarah Gill, wife of Mr..
Thomas Gill, aged "a years.
Mr.. and Mrs. H. G.. Hall, now of Shell
by, N. c., former esteemed residents of
this city, celebrated the 50th a%nniver-
sary of their welded life On Tuesday,
Mr.. and Mrs. Heman r. Hall going up
to attend h family reunion
: The new rear ball in the Williams
opera house was largely attended and
greatly enjoyed, Remsburg orchestra
furnishing the music. and Mr.. John c.
Thomson and Miss Bessie Halle, OF
Jacksonville, Fla, leading the figures
of the dance. After the german Miss
Katie Hawley entertained a party OF
friends at supper al the family resi-
dence.
Miss Eliza Williams gave a very
pleasant Doth century party to a large
umbe Of guests at the family resi-
dence On Gillespie street, where the
prize in the contest OF games was won
by Mr.. j. p. Harrison.
The younger folks celebrated new
year by a most delightful gathering at
the residence Of Mr.. and Mrs. E. III.
Jennings on Gillespie street.
Mrs. T. A. Smoot, of Greensboro,
wife of the new pastor Of Hay Street
Methodist church, arrived yesterday
with her son, and may be assured OF a
full share in the hearty welcome which
has already been extended TO her hus
band.
Ex-Judge Sutton, now residing at Mt
Airy, is attending criminal court here
Mr.. Dwight Ashley, Of New Jersey,
n Of the of the Fayetteville
silk mill, is here On business.
An electric light plant has been plac-
ed in the Fayetteville knitting mills, the
increasing business of which demands
night as we'll as day work.