Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-14
NELL CR0PSEY'S SLAYER
SLABS JAlLER IN CELL

BROOKLYN, Aug. 1S.-The police who
worked out the murder mystery involved
in the killing of Ella Maude Cropsey'
formerly Of Brooklyn, says special to
the Eagle from Elizabeth City, N. c., yes
terday received the best Of evidence that
James Wilcox, the girls former sweet
heart, now under sentence of death In
Elizabeth City jail, is capable of being
exceedingly vicious. His most recent act
of attempting to stab his jailer and sew
eral other attempted assaults by him on
visitors to the Jail which have now come
to light are considered by the police more
than confrmatory evidence that wilcox
was capable of the horrible crime for
which he is now under sentence.
Since his imprisonment B. A. Newbern,
the taller, has treated him with more than
usual indulgence. Everything that could
legally be done for him was done by this
rather lenient official Whether the result
of kindness or fancy, ii Is commonly re-
ported in the neighborhood of the jail that
James Wilcox has been living like lord,
and until yesterday he had no better
friend than Newborn.
About O'Clock Newbern. or as he is
called by the prisoners f'Bonney," received
a request from Wilcox for some matches.
With his usual good nature he FASTENED
to comply with this demand, and soon re-
turning reached, then through the bars
to the prisoner. Instead of taking them,
however, Wilcox took from his pocket an
open knife and made vicious lunge at
the jailer nearly cutting off one of the
latters fingers. Newbern fell to the floor
from the force of the blow, and when he
regained his feet asked the prisoner what
he meant by his act. He received only
murderous threats in reply.
When seen today the Jailer was highly
indignant at Wilcox's ingratitude and
could not express himself. forcibly enough
against him.
81 used to treat him like a friend" he
said, but now 1 want TO be the man to
pull the rope that hangs him"
He added that this is not the first time
that Wilcox has acted this way, but for
friendship of the man he had not let the
other circumstances be generally known.
1t does not improve mans chances, who
is under the death penalty with any pos
sibility Of pardon or appeal, to act in
such q manner, and Mr.. Newbern wanted
apparently to help him. as his conviction
had been entirely on circumstantial evil
donce.
On one occasion, he now relates, Robert
Mitchell, a prominent citizen OF Camden,
n. c., was attacked by Wilcox with
beer bottle. Some time later John Sykes,
also a native of that place, was similarly
assaulted Twice beside this he has tried
to harm visitors with his fists, and was
only deferred in the nick of time.
Ella Maude Cropsey, the former sweet
neaTI Oh WILCOX, was lAlG 10 year OAu
daughter of William Henry Cropsey. She
was born and educated in Seventy-secone
street. Leffert's Park, New Utrecht, and
lived there with her parents until 1897,
when Mr.. Cropsey went south to take
charge Of large plantation near Eliza
beth City, N. c. Here, she met James
Wilcox, the son of an ex-sherin of Pas
quotank county in the same state. His
courtship continued serenely until last
September, when they had a quarrel over
contemplated visit by Miss Cropsey to
her uncle, Judge Andrew @. Cropsey, OF
Chambers street Manhattan. Later they
appeared to be reconciled, however, and
were apparently good friends on the night
Of November 21st, when Miss Cropsey gave
a party to her friends at her home. VIII
cox was the last TO 60. leaving at IL
O'Clock - "
After his departure Miss Cropsey is
thought to Shave gone out on the stoop for
breath of air before retiring. Her fam
lily heard her scream and rushed out to
her aid. She was nowhere to be seer.
Bloodhounds were secured at Norfolk and
a posse started in pursuit as 1t was then
thought after her abductors, but the dogs
lost the scent where the Pasquatonk river
flows from the Dismal Swamp. Wilcox
was sought for an explanation, but he had
apparently been in the house and in bed
for two hours.
Various theories were evolved concern
ing the girls disappearance. There was
talk Of suicide, abduction and finally,
murder. The state, the county and her
father offered rewards for the detection
of the crime. A host of detectives worked
on the case. Suspicion fell on Wilcox, but
there was not enough evidence to hold
him. At length, on November 2lst, he was
arrested. On December 26th the girls
body was found in the Pasquatonk river
and the coroner Immediately held an in
quest. The verdict was that the girl had
suffered death from a blow on the head
and drowning. The body was then brought
to Brooklyn on December 31st and buried
IN Greenwood.
Wilcox, through some delay, was not in
dicted by the grand jury until March
18th of this year. the trial being begun on
the 14th of that month. In five days a
verdict OF guilty was given by the jury
in the case. His attorneys, however, have
in different ways, secured stays of the ex-
ecution until now. This last act of WI
cox seems to cut off all chance for fur
Their clemency and it is expected that
within a month the law will exact the
DanaItV for his crime.