The semi-weekly messenger., 1902-01-03
IN EXPLANATION OF THE MURDER OF
NELLIE CROPSeY.
THE APPEARANCE OF THE BODY
At Time Found Explained by Her
Family-CharEed that it was An
chored I'm River and Cut Loose to
Prevent Discovery at bottom of
River by Electric Search Light-An
The Girl Dead Only Three Days
When Found.

The Elizabeth City correspondent Of
the Raleigh News and Observer, tele-
graphing that paper on Tuesday says:
II is also thought that body was
anchored but cut loose in the night
before 1t was discovered. A reputable
gentleman showed me this evening the
copy Of an anonymous letter received
by Mrs. Cropsey on the night before
Nells body arose which said: Your
daughter will appear in front of your
house tomorrow" An electrician had
arrived with an apparatus for search
ing the bottom of the river and it is be-
lieved that the guilty parties cut the
body loose at this juncture to uphold
the suicide theory.
Why they should write the letter no
ore can imagine unless it was to make
them look for the body on the surface
rather than search the bottom. The
proper authorities are in possession Of
other facts that can not now be given
to the public. it is understood. Some
sensations are likely to be sprung be-
fore this affair is over. However, it Is
not believed that Wilcox will have any
thing to say tomorrow. The New York
World has had a man here for some
days, but he will leave tomorrow.
Lawyer Andrew G.. CrOpsey, says a
reporter of the Virginian-Pilot. who IN
teryieWed him on his arrival in Norfolk
with the remains of his niece, is a
large, fine looking man. rugged in ap-
pearance, and in his eyes could be seen
traces of deep sorrow mingled with
grim determination to strain every
nerve in the prosecution of James VIII
cox. whom he firmly believes guilty OF
the murder.
Little Nell did not drown herself"
he said. when her body was found the
knees were drawn up just as thew col
lapsed beneath her weight when the
blow on her temple killed her Drown
ed people are not found like that, and
drowned women do not float face down.
wards.
THE clothes she wore are now going
to he thoroughly examined.
Wilcox has a chain of clrcumStan-
tial evidence woven around him AL
ready which / think is strong enough
to convict him and there is more yet to
be told.
'I will be at the trial az one Of the
prosecuting attorneys and L Will push
the case against him.
MY brother is nearly distracted. Ap
S7Obo
walked the floor. His wife is in pitia-
BILE condition.
"Do YOU think the body was in the
river since the goth of November? one
of the reporters asked him.
That is hard to say" he replied
Some do. some don't. while others
think it was buried in the mud one or
the doctors stated that life had been
extinct only three davs when 1t was
found.
wilcox has had a close shave.
mob of two or three hundred mem from
Camden county started to come to
Elizabeth City after him. but my broth
er's request kept them away"
CBy Associated PressO
Elizabeth City. y. c.. January l.
James Wilcox. who is held IL connec'
ton with the murder of Miss Cropsey
probably will not have a preliminary
trial Wilcox is being held pending tho
presentation by the grand jury for tn"
March term of the superior court
-, ic