The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-19
WILCOX WILL SOON
KNOW HIS FATE
Nell cropsey's Father on the
Stand Causes the FIRST
Demonstration.
Especial Dispatch to The Times,

Especial Dispatch to The Times.)
ELIZABETH CITY, N. c.. March 49,
Wilcox .,liI soon know his fate. The trial
is nearing its end. Rapid progress was
made to-day. The State rested its case,
the defense declined to introduce any
evidence and argument began. The trial
Will likely conclude THURSDAY.
The feature of to-day's session was the
effect produced by the testimony Of JUS
ticc Cropsey, Nell's father Though
Judge C.upsSy had controlled his teel-
il.Ss all along. he became worked up I'M
u,r cross e-,.aIninaIiun, ana when 1olo
how Indifferent Wilcox had been, Crop
sey's voice was slightly raised, and when
he concluded there was a rumble OF APP
plause through the great crowd, the hrst
demonstration Of the trial. Judge Jones
larped and threatened to clear the court
room.
Z. v. Davenport said he saw Wilcox
While the dragging was going on; he
seemed to turn pale when the dragging
party hooked something.
Seventeen year-old Harley MeadS slept
with Wilcox, but did not awake, even
when Wilcox was taken away by officers.
Harry GIeenleaf gave measurements tend
;r;- to show unaccounted for time on
V ilcoxs part Caleb T. Parker told OF
lis movements on the fatal night, claim
Ing to have seen man and woman
rear the Cropsey gate. but did not rec
cgnize either He said they We're the
Same height
Deputy Sheriff Reid. when he told Will
cox he could have seen Nell from the
rad. said lin replied: Il could have
seen her, and had l known all this trou-
bic was coming l would have called her
sister before | left" Judge Cropsey said
Nell was of a lively disposition, a reader
eli good books and good swimmer
Thomas Hayman t stiiied as to Jim
strength.
ellie and I.ettie Cropsey denied Harley
Meads testimony by saying the trousers
H.. wore to-day We're not the same he hau
o.: on the Goth of November
Mr.. McN1ullen opened for the defense,
Mr.. Turner followed for the State, ana
cir Leary was speaking for the defehsc
wien court adjourned. Because they III
reduced no evidence the defense will
have the closing, the order being as foi-
hys. Mr.. Sawyer, Mr.. Bond, Mr.. Ward
anG Mr.. Aylett.
MIR. MCMILLAN urged reason rather than
r:.ssion. Turner said Nell had a murderer
f.. a pail bearer. river for co1fin anu
its bottom for grave. Leary tnoush' II
WAS suicide.
.-udce Jones, just before argument be-
ran congratulated the crowd on its eA-
ctedins,y good order and commandea q
Continuance of the decorous conditlon.
"A. warned spectators against any Demon
s,ration, and said he would me ior coii-
tempt any man caught applaudlns.
MIR. Mcmillan said in part: our oe-
c:sion, gentlemen, is important nor only
IA the defendant and to the laws OF JUS
ticc. hut the eyes OF Pasquotank county
ara Of the world are watching you.
lone YOU will be guided by reason, not
h, prejudice My heart goes out to the
Cropsey family in deep and abio1iis syn
natlv: every mans does we h'o" 'iie
anguish of it, no
q, :dence 10 show a crime had been conf
~ :tted much less to connect NiicoA WIN
! :, ~ said the State relied upon three
t,,incs: Jim's being last seen WITH Ne.i;
the meaning of his after-conduct, anu
doctors testimony. Inc DEFENSE
| ,,.;+ted the first: denied the others. Nc
| ,,,ror, relieved Jim and Nell loved each
| I,1,ar and concluded: I'm the name o.
a.or,,l iusticc. I ask for Nerdicl oi
TrTner h gan: "This is an extraordinary
case a fair young girl. budding INTO "o-
manhood, has been taken away. not os
Almighty God. her mother oeholls over
her and attended by sisters, out snatcheo
off by an assassin's hand agree VIZ
Nv Mcmillan that the eyes OF the CIV
;,;zad World are upon this jury. The
aead body of Nell Cropsey calls tor Elii-
6ication 1t is a burning shame, ois-
Grace TO North Carolina, that a woman
should be Knocked in the head ike ooe
and here murderer so unhanged
Here I,ettie Cropsev wept softly
nil, nreeent twentv-twr points aCainst the
suicide theory, and defy the defense &c
| deny them If we don't convince you
gentlemen of the jury. that Nell CropseS
was killed and that Jim Wilcox did It
then turn him loose" He reasoned there
was no motive for suicide. but both
motive and opportunity for murder. anc
that Nell was dubbed on the porch
| drareed to Pasauotank River and thrown
| in from the Ia tn house. He said the UNI
4 brella and picture had been brought thai
| night as a decoy. and that Wi'cox's plan:
! were decided upon beforehand. He SPOKE
| of the sacr'ti-e and sympathy, the tender
! OF money and ability to solve the CROP
sew mystey. but said Wilcox had made M
| offer of assistance and had shown no slg1
| OF sorrow.
He conclnded BY telling the jurors to d.
/ their duty and tel th,ir5 wives and daurh
ts-- blow for their protection had bee!
] st,aick.
Former District Attornev Lear. said th'
| evidence was not strong enou-h to con
/ Wet dog. went into a discussion o
1 the phvsician's testimony. a"d said: Ar
| yyn, going to take awov this mans lif,
mon the guesses of these doctors?
| think not Leary's speech will be re
| sumed tomorrow.
Jamp.d and W,s Killed.
Especial Dispatch to The Times>
i BLuEFIELD. ". VA, March 1S-Joh,
80 T : -