The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1902-01-02
HER BODY FOUND.

near the city Dy H5neIma4' NoA-
slant effort had been made for the re-
coyery OF the body but all to no pur-
pose, and at last 1t was accidentally
found by the fisherman for be was not
then in search for it.
Almost the entire State is familiar
with the case and it has attracted
much attention and has created wide
interest ell through the State and far
beyond State lines.
A special from Suffolk to the Raleigh
Post Dec. 81, said in part:
"The disappearance OF the yotpg
woman from her parents home Nc
vember Goth last was inexplicable and
thousand theories in explanation OF
the mystery were advanced. All failed
to explain 1t, however, aud the case
grew to be one of the most battling
mysteries. The intense interest felt at
Elizabeth City spread over neighbor-
ing States and finally over the whole
country.
"There were some, and among these
were many of the Cropseys' intlmates.
who stoutly maintained that Miss Crop
sey did not vanish Of her own yolition,
and had no cause to walk out of her
nome near midnight, hatless and half
shod, into silence and lnvisibillty as
she seemed to have done. These &C.
cured the organization of committee
of citizens who have persisted in the
search of the river in which they be-
lieved her body was. They melted her
father, Justice Cropsey, to cause the
arrest of James Wilcox, Miss Elias
admirer, who visited her On the night
she disappeared and who was with her
on the veranda of the Cropsey house
within the hour when her disappear
ance became known to the family.
"Wilcox, twice arrested and twice
clearly and closely questioned, adhered
to his original declaration that shortly
before Miss Cropsey was missed he left
her on the veranda crying because they
had quarrelled since he objected to her
going to New York to visit the family
OF her uncle. Evidence sufficient to
convict Wilcox Of the girls death was
not forthcoming and be was released
on bail in $4,000; but he was never
suffered to escape from the suryeii-
lance Of the town police, whose chief,
Dawson, was one of those who believed
that Miss Cropsey was murdered or alb.
Quoted. Justice Cropsey and his WIFE
Elias father and mother, repeatedly
implored Wilcox to tell where Ella
was, but Wilcox, who maintained a
stolid demeanor when solemnly accused
by the father, denied that be knew
more than he had told and appeared tc
be angered when pressed to tell more
"There have been hours when Will
cox's life was unsafe and threats tt
lynch him were uttered. Many waite6
for news that the mob had hanged
him. Finally he went to his father
farm, some seven miles from Elizabeth
City, his father saying that he was no
safe in the town. The feeling agains
lin IS still dangerously bitter"
Great excitement at once prevailed
on the finding Of the body. A coroner
inquest was held and following Is tn,
report :.
1--WE, the coroner's jury, having bee,
duly summoned and sworn by DR.. !
Fearing to inquire what caused th
death Of Ella NJ. Cropsey, do hereb.
report that from the investigation
made by three physicians Of Eliz,betI
City and from their findings, and ais
feom our present observation, that sal
Ella N. Cropsey came to her death b.
being stricken blow on the lett tempt
and by being drowned in the Pasquc
tank river. We have not as yet inves
tigated nor heard any testimony touch
ing as to who inflicted the blow an
did the drowning. We are lnforme
that one James Wilcox is charged wit
same and is now in custody. w
recommend that Investigation as to hi
or any one else's probable guilt be ha
by one or more magistrates in Elizs
beth City township and that said Wi
cox be held to wait said Investigation
"Signed-P. S. Ship, B. F. Spence
Maurice Wescott, Robert J. Mitchell
J. 3. Ferhee, J. H. Leroy" n
Besides the report OF the coroner
jury there was given out volumino,
report by the physicians, which shove
In every way that Nell Cropsey's hon'
!. and character had been maintain:
, until death.
q James Wilcox, the man again
: whom there was suspicion of foul pla
). was sent far into the country, 6
;. rested and carried to Elizabeth CT
and lodged in jail. By order of Go
) ernor Aycock the Naval Reserves we
, called ont and guarded the Jail I