The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-17
A Strong CircumstantiaI Case
is Made Out.
OLLIE CROPSEY is HEARD
,he Tells the Story of the Mystery With PathOs
and PowaI-- wo More Witnesses
Will Testify for The
STATE
Especial to News and observer.)

Hertford, N. c., JAM 16.-With all the
States evidence in except that to be
given by two important witnesses, Dis
trict Attorney Ward, after court ad-
journed this evening seemed well satis-
fed with the strength of the case made
out by the State of North Carolina
against James Wilcox. 'We have made
all out of the case we could" he said:
Asked whether his case were any
stronger than at the first trial, MIR.
Ward said it certainly was not any
weaker.
About that time some farmer acquaint-
ed with the district attorney came up
and told him the State would do as
we'll as to have a drawn jury. THAT is
very consoing," said Mr.. Ward. Il
would rather have given $500 Monday
morning than gone through the act this
time. We have shown beyond doubt
he continued, g that crime has been
done. Who else had the opportunity?
Who else had the motive? Who else
could have done it except Jim Wilcox?"
Mr. Leary, a defense attorney, and
former district attorney, said he thought
at the first trial.
81 have heard practically every word
of evidence at both trials, and my con-
clusion is that the State has made
equally as good a case as at the Eliza
beth City trial and in much less time.
Judge Council tonight remarked upon
the progress made today. Much credit
for this, aside from what the lawyers
should have, comes from his prompt de-
cisons, and the excellent manner in
which Sheriff Winslow and deputies
have handled big crowds, the order be-
ing almost perfect The State laws, 100,
deserve thanks. Todays work in Nir-
ginia with the number of objections
that were made would take two or three
times as long.
AS it stands now the State has proven
that a crime was committed; that Jim
Wilcox was the only person who could
have had the motive and opportunity;
that his after conduct of Indifference
gave rise to suspicion, and that there is,
taking in part the prisoners word. about
twenty-five minutes of unaccounted- for
time.
Notwithsta nding the prosecution has
good case of circumstancial evidence, |
will predict right here that this jury
will never hang him. Mistrial is the
most likely outcome.
The two remaining witnesses to be
heard are Tom Hayman, the railway
man, for whom Wilcox worked, and
Roy Crawford, if he is here The latter
will be rendered by the prosecution who
will not ask him a question on direct
examination
Miss Ollie Cropsey Nelrs sister and
the star witness of the whole trial, tes-
tilted today. Gowned in a garb of sor-
row, whose sombre lines contrasted
prettily with her peach bloom complex
ion, blue eyes and fair hair, Ollie told
the story Of love and death in q graphic
way, dramatic at times, concise as to
detail and earnest and convincing always.
Her recital frequently was hindered by
soft sobbing, so strong was the emotion
engendered by talking of the dead sister
with whom she slept, and between whose
age and hers there was only eighteen
months difference.
Ollie told of the familys coming to
North Carolina five years ago, Jim's in
PRODUCTION, his attentions to Nell the
falling out in September the subsequent
not speak, his moroseuess on the fatal
night, his calling out Nell, his alleged
return of the parasol and picture, his
subsequent Indifference.
Miss Carrie L. Cropsey of New York.
corroborated much that Nell had said.
and told of the time when Jim had said.
when asked to help with the horse that
he was tired of acting as Laekey.
I nd Tp 4nJI ~
various measurements about Elizabeth
City, and gave a map showing some
town topography. This was to show
unaccounted- for time.
Some of the distances are: Cropsey
house to gate. 66 feet; gate to river.
145; gate to where Wilcox owens, $500
feet; Cropsey home to Wilcox home,
1900; Norfolk and Southern station to
Barns bar. 1900; Barnes Bar to where
Wilcox and Owens met, 3,179; Cropsey
house to point opposite pier, $50.
Police Chief Dawson spoke of the ar
rest. jim told him. the girls had laugh
ed in his face. and be remarked the
laugh would be on the other side. Leon
ard Owens and Gilebtr Bailey were in
troduced to prove time discrepancies. f.
V. Davenport said Jim turned pafe when
the river draggers pulled up something
in their sight. Sheriff j. c. Reed said
he accompanied Jim to the Cropsey
home Sunday following the disappear
ance, and when he brought it up. Wilcox
said he had told all he knew.
w. H. Cropsey, Nell's father. said she
was a good swimmer, read only Sunday
school literature was of happy dispo-
Continued on Page Five)