The sun., 1901-12-30
WySS CROPSEI'S FUNERAL.
Great OuipourinS OF the People Wilcox
Defended In a Pulpit.

ELIzABETH CITY, y. c.. Dec. 2s.-The
funera' Of Ella NJ. Cropsey, whose body
was found in the rivcr on Friday, was held
to-day. There were two pointed pulpit
u,terances this morning on the case from
two of the best-known clergymen in town
They took different positions.
Il don't hesitate to say that believe the
prisoner CWioox) is innocent" declared
the Rev. Mr.. Lewellyn Of Christ Episcopal
Church. Il want TO caution you, NV
hearers, against forming and expressing
opinions condemninR fellow man unless
you have read the 140th Psalm. | will say
that ! condemn some things In his past
life and had he been a member of my church
I should probably have censured him from
the pulpit, but now | believe he is innocent
of the dark charge which hovers over him
Though the young lady is dead and It Is
very sad her character was vindicated and
i think now your sympathy should go out
TO the defendants family In their great
sorrow'
In referring 10 tho closing Of the saloons
on the evening of the body's discovery,
as a precautionary move In view Of the
excitement and threatened violence against
Wilcox, the Rev. D. II. Tuttle said In the
Methodist pulpit:
The dry goods stores were NOT closed
the grocery stores the lewelry shops and
other places were not shut up, but at this
time, in pursuance Of official request, the
liquor saloons were closed and they were
closed as protection to supposed Grim.
inal, when on other days they rcmain
open and corrupt the innocent
In storm of intermittent wind and
driving rain. and In the presence Of the
largest company of people which ever
assembled at a church In this city, the
funeral services were held this afternoon
in the Methodist Church. Among tho
mourners we're Judge and Mrs. Cropsey
, three daughters and son and LAWYER
Andrew G.. Cropsey Of New York The
remains are lying in the Methodist Church
annex over night, and will start for Brook
lyn for interment tomorrow morning
Pastor nlttle was assisted in the services
by the Rev. Mr.. Ferrebee and Duke. both
Baptists.
Mr. Tuttle read from the records the
questions and answers on the occasion Of
Miss Cropseys joining the church on Oct
IS of this year. =;
The soldier company which has been
guarding Wilcox in Jail since Friday even
ing was discharged at O'Clock this morn
ing but Sheriff Grandy says it is only tenn
porarily, for the reserves are subject to
his orders. Lynching is not feared
NORFOLK. Va. Dec. PA rumor Is
current here that James Wilcox. charged
MIth 'hs uuruSI Oi NihS Eild ,iopSey ~
Elizabeth City, y. O.. was secretly removed
from the Elizabeth City jail last night
and guarded by three men was brought
overland TO Norfolk and lodged in Norfolk
county jail, The jail authorities pronounce
the rumor that he is in jail here untrue.
The correspondent found tonight at
Davis's livery stable the men, who, rumor
states brought Wilcox here. Ono Of them
said they spirited Wilcox out of Elizabeth
City, left there last night at II O'Clock. and
in a blackboard brought Wilcox here, ar
irving here this morning. He said Wilcox
has begun to fear that he may be lynctcd
and on the journey 80 expressed himself.