The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-24
NEWSPAPERS WILDE
RESPONSIBLE
Says E. F. AydIette, If Will
cox is Mobbed.
But He Has No Fear of Any Attempt al Violence.
Wilcox Remains Unmoved and
Stubborn.

Especial to the News and Observer
Elizabeth City. NJ c., Aug. 23.-The
time approaches for the final verdict in
the famous Wilcox case. The Supreme
Court judges of. North Carolina meet in
Raleigh next week and that august body
will decree whether or not the prioner
will receive a new trial. Should they
sustain the verdict of the lower court
James z. Wilcox has but one other
avenue of escape from the gallows: that
is a Communication of his sentence by
Governor Aycock Should new trial be
granted it is hardly possible that an
unprejudiced jury could be drawn in this
county Public sentiment is in no way
favorable to Wilcox.
From Maine to Florida the verdict is
awaited in eagerness. The famous trial
was watched by millions. The same
millions wait, none the less eagerly, to
hear the last and final decree of the
eouI ts There is one man who appears
Indifferent to it all-he is Jim" Wilcox,
the prisoner.
He is stubborn and the more he is
bounded the more vicious grows his dis
position and the more Indifferent he be-
comes to his fate.
Should mob attack the jail tonight
to lynch him it is to be believed that
he would show no signs of fear or emo
ton; but march with answering steps
to I is unlawful execution.
rs mob violence feared?" is a ques-
toned which here arises. Your cores
pondent called upon Wilcox's attorney,
Hon. e. Il. Aydlette and during the inter-
view he asked the above question. Mr..
Aydlette replied that ne entertained no
fear in this direction, but intimated that
the illiterate people from surrounding
eounies might make such attempts and
that to be unprepared for possible
formation of an Infatuated mob would
be extreme folly Continuing Mr.. Ayd-
lette said: IF Wilcox is wrenched from
the authorities by a mob, the newspapers
will be responsible for the lynching. The
press is a moulder of public sentiment.
1t is the press that has spoken naught
but disparagingly of my client and reused
sentiment to such a pitch that rash acts
upon the part of a people would be but
the fruit of prejudice, planted in their
hearts by printers ink"
WILCOX TALKS LITTLE.
James E. Wilcox continues to control
his tongue as he has always done. At
never in the presence of a reporter.
never in the present of a reporter.
F, Your correspondent called upon him
for an interview, but nothing would he
say in reply to any query upon subjects
other than reports of his viciousness, as
recently circulated in various news
mediums OF his attack upon the jailer
he stoutly denied having cut the jailer
maliciously. Said he: ''It was all in
fun
Wilcox does not deny his hostility to
strangers, in the least, and as for news
paper reporters, he detests them. He says
that he has been continually bounded
by strangers; SO much So in fact. that
oft times he had been tempted to make
some one feel bad;" especially when
the party was one whom he knew to have
been connected with the late organiza-
ton of mob to attack the Jail.
Wilcox also dislikes the clergy. Differ
ent divines of this city have called upon
him; but received little or no encour-
agement.
ONE MAN BELIEVES HIM INNOCENT
Excepting his immediate family, there
is probably but one man in this city who
believes Wilcox innocent. That person
is E. Guy Hall.
Hall stated to the reporter that he
should always believe Wilcox innocent
Says he: Wilcox, like myself, is vic
tim of circumstances.