The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-21

top outside of one of the brick-kilns re-
ceIving baked bricks from negro convict
on top and passing them down. to an
other negro IN stripes below.
Wilcox appeared smaller and cleaner
than most of the other conyicts. That
was the first thing that struck the re-
porter as he looked at him. Then he
seemed somewhat heavier built than had
Teen expected. One of the penitentiary
officials said Wilcox was pretty good
man physically, rather stocky He had
or Of course the regulation prison stripes
His hat was a light brown or tan-colored
wide-brimmed felt hat. quite new looking.
This the same official said had been given
Wilcox after his arrival here When he
came. he said. he had cap, and the
hat was given him as a better protection
from the sun.
He has brown hair. rather dark. and
brown eyes. Nearly weeks growth of
mCstache shows very perceptibly on his
upper lip. This is lighter than his hair.
and reddish in hue. He looks the picture
OF perfect health. round faced, good color
and generally vigorous and strengthening
There was not thing about him yes
to-day to indicate the violent abusive
cursing, threatening. surly, insolent pris-
oner described in the reports of his trans
portation from the jail at Elizabeth City
to Norfolk and thence to Raleigh He
appeared in splendid spirits, laughing and
talking to the two negroes with whom
he was working When he smiled. his
fine white teeth We're noticed.
The officials say that his conduct in
the penitentiary ever since his arrival
last Monday morning has been everything
that could be desired. He has been quiet
orderly. respectful. obedlent and cheer
ful.
IL Is said at the penitentiary also that
Sheriff Winslow stated when he was in
Raleigh with the prisoner that the re-
ports sent out to the newspapers concern
ing Wilcox's behavior and his remarks
were entirely incorrect. AS to his appear
ance when he arrived, his clothing was
certainly very ragged, but they say at
the pententiary that he had a coat and
a cap.
Wilcox will. it is stated, in all prob
ability be kept WITHIN the penitentiary
walls here, and not sent out to work on
the reads This is generally the custom
III the case of convicts who are much
IN the public eye. Utley and Bishop are
both working at the brick plant now. as
well as Wilcox. In all, there are about
one hundred convicts now within prison
walls here.
Az TO the pistol. the Elizabeth City
Tar Heel had the following:
when Sheriff Reid was taking Mr..
Williams into the Jail he met the jailer
coming out with a pistol in his hand
IL. cd hTVr hof fao
was doing with the weapon he replied
that he had Just bought it from Wilcox.
THE sheriff asked Jim what that meant
and how many more pistols he had in his
cell. Jim held UP his hand and said that
was the last thing he had, and told the
sheriff to come in his cell and he would
snow him where he had been keeping
IT. In the corner OF his cell was a crack
er Oox' over which paper was spread
ana on top of it small oil stove sat.
Inc Dox was open from about half way
do"n' appearing as If it was entirely
empty. naii was driven in the top
from which the revolver hung on the in
side.
Wilcox told the sheriff that he had
kept the weapon in there all the time
since his Arrest. He also told him he had
II on his person every time he had been
searched by Sheriffs Reid, Grandy and
Winslow. and that he had it all the time
during his first trial here and the trial
at Hartford. He said he had it fastened
to one OF his garters when he was search.
ed. Sheriff Reid doubts this and does No,
believe he has had the pistol all this time
He believes it has been given to him
within the past few days. Wilcox ais,
told the sheriff that soon after his ar
rest a certain man from Perquiman
county was admitted into the JAIL AM
that man gave him new pistol and tol,
him If he needed it to use it, but in abou