Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1902-03-27
WILCOX FOUND GUILTY.
JURY FINDS VERDICT OF
MURDER IN FIRST
DEGREE.


their verdict a restless crowd had
been gathering aboutthe court house.
There were knots of nervous men
hurrying here and there in the
moonlight. Judge Jones, who had
been to District-Attorney Wards
office, went straight towards the
building. MI. Ward started the
other way; but soon doubled. The
jury left their hotel, but did not take
the direct route. The harsh clang-
ing of the court house bell told the
people something was about to hap
pen. Several hundred people flowed
in. Judge Jones told the sheriff to
ask the jury if they had agreed. The
prisoner was there, hands folded,
composed, scanning the faces OF the
jurors. Clerk Jennings asked if they
had agreed. Derickson was named
as foreman. Wilcox stood up and
held up his right hand.
BRAVE.
No man in the building was more
brave than he. / was watching his
face four feet away as the foreman
said the words that meant death.
Not a muscle Of his face moved.
Other people in the room were ner-
vous. Some cried. Lawyer Ayd-
lett shed tears. It was a solemn
scene there in the yellow glare of an
oil light. The Judge said April 25th
was the time Wilcox should die, be-
tween 10 and 3 o'clock. Sheriff Will
cox looked sad, but was not demon
strative. The doomed man uttered
no word as he went and sat down
again.
The brave bearing borne through
out the ordeal did not forsake him at
the end, but he sat there like a pale
faced statue while lookers-on were
nervous and trembIed visibly. Dis
trict Attorney Ward said it was the
most remarkable nerve he had ever
seen or read of. The conviction is
a great victory for Ward.
THE DOOMED MAN.
Sheriff Grandy said Wilcox would
be confined in the same cell. The
prisoner was led away. He walked
with a firm step, straight in form,
his head erect. Many citizens said
the verdict was but a vindication of
justice; some expressed sympathy for
the young man. Counsel will ap-
peal to the highest courts.
There was a first night crush about
the single telegraph office. Papers
and individuals all over the country
had wired for the verdict. Judge
Jones made an impressive talk as he
sentenced Wilcox. Hesaid hewou1d
not express an opinion as to the
prisoners guilt, but that he had
sought during the whole procedure
to give him a fair trial. He said
some people had not seemed dis
posed to do so.
l. He alluded particularly to the
demonstration made when people
filed out of the courtroom as the
prisoners plea was being closed.
A DISGRACE.
He had heard the programme was
~prearranged, but he hoped that was
fnot so. 1t would be a disgrace tc
North Carolina if it were true. He
complimented the public as to its
bearing at all times except when the
unfair demonstration was made.
He referred to Pasquotapk people
as honorable, law-abiding citizens
If he knew the folks had gone out il
pursuance of ~pre-arranged agreement
he would have every one placed I'M
der arrest.
He said such actions, if intended
were a contempt of the laws of NORTH
Carolina.
THE JUDGE FAIR.
The Judge said in sentencing Viii
cox to die April 25th, or in his re
marks, de did not neal to WOUND
the feelings of the Wilcox family no.
of the Cropsey family.
The Judge has seemed absolutely
fair throughout. Asked about the
verdict late tonight, Lawyer An
drew G. Cropsey, of New York, sale
it would never be set aside. He de
clared with emotion there wa
enough evidence to hang the prisonel
ten times over, a strong chain of cir
cumStantial evidence that could no