Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-01-04
THE NELLY CROPsEY MYSTERY.
Develops Some Clean
of Probable Light.


Investigation Develops Some Cleans
of Probable Light.
A special of January 1, from Eliza
beth City, N. c., to the Raleigh News
and Observer, gives some additional
light on the Nelly Cropsey mystery. 1t
reads:
I have just been informed by Solici-
tor C. w. Ward that at Wilcox's own
request the preliminary trial will not
take place this week He Is now held
in custody by recommendation Of the
coroner's jury and at his own request,
pending She presentation by the grand
jury. The trial takes place at the
March term Of court.
The feeling that he Is guilty Is still
strong. But the theory that there are
two men implicated is rapidly gaining
ground. A detective, sent by the New
York Journal, has been here working
up the case and from yesterdays Jour-
nal it is seen that he holds to the two
man theory. There are many things
that lead one to believe that he Is cor
rect. .. =
On the fatal night Wilcox called at
the Cropsey home, but did not speak to
Miss Nellie, talking. however, to other
members Of the family. He kept con-
tinually pulling out his watch in ner-
vous way, saying that he promised his
mother to be home at II o'clock. Al
Ills he rose abruptly and went out
After getting into the, hall he re-opened
the door and said: miss Nellie,
would like to speak to you a minute
Nell went out, as has been related
just as she was, with slipper on one
foot. That was the last ever seen OF
the fated girl until the river gave ur
it's dead.
Now the theory Is that the cause OF
his continually looking at his watch
and the nervousness shown was that he
was to meet some one outside at the
appointed time. Then there is the evil
dence of Mr.. C. Parker that Wilcox and
another man were seen talking at the
gate at an early hour-in- the night. AL
so there is the evidence of Captain
Owens and his mate, on board the
barge, of a skiff WITH two people in II
crossing the river shortly after II
o'clock and glioing along under the
shadows Of the bank
Again there is the evidence Of the
bloodhound that Miss. Nellie was car
ried from the gate. to the summer
house. Wilcox is "a small man and
Miss Nellie weighed over 100 pounds.
Everytime the dragging Of the river
would begin near where the girl is now
supposed to have been sunk there
would come reportS THAT she was ir
this place or that, nov supposed to be
Usually tie. work OF a skilled accom-
plice. The boat which must have been
used to transport the girl to the middle
of the river was moved some distance
down and it needed help to bring 1t ul
and replace it so that the work could
be speedily done for Wilcox to get or
his journey in good time.
It is also thought that the body was
anchored down, but cut loose in the
night before 1t was discovered. A rep
utable gentleman showed me this even.
ing the copy Of an anonymous letter
received by Mrs. Cropsey on the night
before Nell's body arose which said:
your daughter will appear in front OF
your house tomorrow" An electrician
had arrived with an apparatus fol
searching the bottom Of the river and
it is believed that the guilty parties cut
the body loose at this juncture to up
hold the suicide theory.
Why they should write the letter nc
one can imagine unless 1t 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 cannot now be given
to the public, 1t is understood. Some
sensations are likely to be sprung be-
fore this affair is over with. However
1t Is not believed that Wilcox will have
anything to say tomorrow. The New
York World has had man here for
some days, but he will leave tomor-
row.