The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-19
His Counsel Declare the State Has
Brought Out All Evidence
Necessary.
TIE WITNESS PARKER FAILS AS A STAR
He Does Not Give the Sensational Testimony
Expected. Judge Cropssy Arouses
Emotioe When He Tells
His Story.
Especial to News and Observer }

Especial to News and Observer
Elizabeth City, N. c., March IS.
North Carolina has rested it's case
his pretty sweetheart. Ella Maud Cropsey,
missing from last November 20 to De-
cember 27. when her body was pulled from
the juniper-dyed water in Pasquotank
river. That declaration was made at the
close of this mornings session by Dis
trict Attorney Ward.
Mr.. Ward, before making the state
ment reported the names of witnesses
called whom. he told to stay.
Judge Jones said since the issue was
so important he would allow each side
to confer until 2;SO o'clock, when he
would convene court again.
The State put on two witnesses after
recess. The defense did not introduce
any evidence, but the argument was
gone into immediately
This mornings feature was the applause
which greeted the conclusion of Judge
Cropseys evidence. He was NelTs father
AS his deep feeling controlled during all
his examination about the details of the
tragedy which Snatched away his most
beautiful daughter, began to assert itself
by emotional and slightly raised tones.
there was rapt attention on the part of
spectators who packed every portion of
the large place of justice to it's standing
capacity. When he finally told about Will
coXs seeming indifference in his great
trouble, his lack of sympathy, his failure
10 lend aid or consolation, there was a
sUbdued rumble of mingled sympathy and
Indignation.
Judge Jones raped sharply for order
and threatened to clear the court room.
THE COURT THRONGED.
There was dense crowd when court
first opened today The prisoner and his
sisters were in their seats promptly. The
Misses Cropsey did not appear until late.
Then the court ordered seats vacated and
they sat behind the prosecuting lawyers.
Attorney Cropsey, of New York sat near
them and took notes.
h. V. Davenport said during the search
for Nell's body, he saw Jim Wilcox and
young man by the name of Lowery op-
poste the brick yard. Witness said when
the dragging party hooked something in
Harley Meades, who said he was Il
years old, boarded at the Wilcox home
and slept with Jim Wilcox. was sworn
Witness said they slept in a back room
upstairs, that they retired between and
10 o'clock and did not know anything from
then until morning, not when they came
and took Wilcox from the bed
Being recalled by the defense Meades
said he saw Jims clothes hanging up in
The usual place next morning, behind
the door.
Harry T. Greenleaf said he had meas
ured several distances since court ad-
journed last night as follows:
From Norfolk and Southern dock to
Barnes bar, 1,9Q0 feet from bar to point
near Ives, 3,179 feet. Witness said it
was $500 feet from the Ives point to the
Cropsey gate. This tends to prove unac-
counted for time.
LITTLE LIGHT FROM PARKER.
Caleb T. Parker was called He said
on the night of last November 20. he was
at Frog Island He started towards Eliz-
abeth City. He rode about five milse to
Neades' store and stopped. 1t was about
Z or o'clock. Witness stayed at Meades'
about an hour. He next stopped at Mack
Fletcher's place. He saw Mr. Fletcher,
John Cartwright and others. He stayed
there an hour or more and said when he
was asked the time, it was about 10 o'clock.
He stayed a few minutes more and then
proceeded to town.
Witness said he met some people,
man and a woman. both about the same
height, near the Cropsey gate. He did
not recognize either the man or the wo-
man.
On cross examination by Mr.. Aydlett,
Parker said he had been knowing Jim
wilcox some years. He also met other
persons that night, for the road along
there is much travelled He did not see
the mans face, nor the woman's.
CHARLIE REID TESTIFIES.
Charlie Reid, said he was deputy sheriff
Mr.. Tox Wilcox sent for him Saturday
night after the disappearance. He saw
Jim and went on out of the house and
began talking TO Jim about the case and
told him if he knew anything he should