Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-17
4 SOBB|NG WITNESS,
OLLIE CRoPsEY TELLS OF PooR
sELL AND s;JINf vILCox.,,

AELL AND fsJ4M "lLCOA.75'--
| FDRTFORD. n. c., Jan. 16.-(Special.)
With the eyes Of a crowded courtroom
| upcH her graceful figure. Ollie Cropsey
tool the stand this morning, and with
voite choking with emotion. gave a
graphic recital of the events leading up
to r.rd attendant upon the disappearance
of aer pretty sister.
Yer testimony consumed most all of
tie morning session. In it was related
the prisoners love for her youthful sis
ter. She Sobbingly told of the attentions
Wilcox paid her and of the gifts he gave
her. She told OF her disfavor of him and
how she frequently tried to end his at
tentions. that had become distasteful.
The quarrels they had prior to her tragic
death were told She said that Nell re-
fused to accompany him to the door ATTIC.
a quarrel late in October. 1901.
THE LAST TIME THEY SAW HER.
Interest increased as she approached a
series Of events transpiring on TT. trag-
ic night. She said that on the night OF
Nov 20. 1901. Jim came as usual. No word
passed between him and Nell. He stayed
until II o'clock, and upon departing asked
her to the door. She reluctantly obeyed
him. Tears weIled in Ollie's deep blue
eyes, and her lips trembled, as she said:
This was the last time we saw her
alive
Her relation of Jim's Indifference caus-
ed him much uneasiness. He looked her
square in the eye for while. but as
he story approached the night OF
! Nells disappearance, picked up. law
book and sat as if deeply interested in
its pages.
Miss Carrie Cropsey. of Marmet, N. T.,
next took the stand. Her testimony diff
fers little from that of Ollie's.
The defense is confident of securing ac-
ouittal for James Wilcox. Their main
hope is in the Jury.
one of Wiicoxs attorneys said this
morning:
I'VE may or may not put James Wilcox
on the stand. 1t may not be necessary.
We are now debating the advisability of
doing So
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session OF the Wilcox
trial was consumed in taking testimony
OF eleven other witnesses for the State.
Their testimony added several strong links
to the chain of circumstanclal evidence,
connecting James Wilcox with the murder
O. Ella Naude Cropsev.
The substance of the testimony was
that thirty minutes of the defendant $
time was unaccounted for; that 1t was
easily possible for him to commit the deed
and dispose of the body within that time,
The distance from Cropseys yard to the
river is only oil feet. Nell CropseE was a
little girl: James Wilcox powerful man
He could easily traverse the distance
with her unconscious form. Several boats
were at his immediate dienoso'
HIS STRANGE INDIFFERENCE.
The testimony also touched upon WAL
cox's Indifferent attitude as displayed up
on all occas ons. His refusal to offer as
sistance or consolation to the family were
related at length.
In the cross examination the attorneys
for the defence showed that Wilcox did
not act as one guilty of such crime, as
for several weeks after. Ella Cropseyss
temperance the opportunity to leave
the country was his, but he would not
avail himself of 1t.
The prisoners sisters arrived this even
ing. They greeted him W.T.. kisses. he
aIpeared overioyed at sight of them ana
smiled brightly. They may be put on
the stand
Wilcox and his attorneys held lengthy
conference in the Jail this afternoon Y
NAV mean that he will be put on the stand
to testify.
II is noticeable that the Wilcox's sisters
have the same firm. Indifferent bearing OF
their brother. AS they sat in the court
room to-day. few recognized them as re-
latiyes of the man whose life Is 1eop-
ardy.