The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-09-05
FEARED A LYkCHING
Would be Rapist From Nash
Brought TO Raleigh.
He Was Permitted 10 Submit for Burglary
0her Trials ard Convictions in Nash
Superior Court.


the home of Mrs. Hedgepeth at Nashville,
and the story OF whose pluck was told
in these columns, was brought to the
penitentiary yesterday by Deputy Sheriff
N. c. Warren The Nashville Graphic
thus tells the story of the trial and the
fear of lynching
John Coppedge. the negro who entered
the house of Mrs Martha Hedgepeth,
and who was fooled in his hellish pur
pose by the pluck of the little woman,
an account OF which was published in
the Graphic several weeks ago, win serve
the remainder of his life in the States
prison at hard labor Through his as
signed counsel, Messrs. Jas. p. Bum and
w. NJ. Person the State accepted a sub
mission to a verdict OF burglary in the
second degree. In pronouncing the life
sentence Judge Ferguson commended the
people of Nash for their Iaw-abidins
spirit, their good citizenship and sturdy
manhood, which had been evidenced by
the fact that Coppedge was here for
trial, and that no unlawful violence had
been done him. 1t shows the true char
acter and wisdom of the people, who
were willing to let the law take its
course, and not, by any rash or violent
outburst OF Indignation, cause them to
besmlrch the fair name of the county
and her good citizenship.
"Coppedge stood motionless with a help
less stare on his face as the sentence
WAS beng pronounced, and when inter
viewed by Graphic reporter late last
night he resignedly expressed his appre-
cation of the mercy of the court. He
protested his innocence of having entered
the residences OF Mr.. s. H. Griffin and
others short time prior to the com
mission of the act for which he will serve
life sentence.
Just before court adjourned for the
day County Attorney b. H. Bum an
nounced that Sheriff Warren had in
formed him that there was talk of lynch
lnS Coppedge last night and that he HAD
instructed the sheriff to summon all the
aid possible in protecting the prisoner.
Judge Ferguson then addressed the as
scmbage stating that he would indeed
| be surprised to hear that the good peo-
pie of Nash county would seek to de
stroy their good name by any act of vio-
! ence toward the prisoner He did not be.
heve they would do such a thing and eau,
toned them against any unbecoming dem
oTstration.
ITO guard against any such purpose
! Sheriff Warren detailed about twenty
| five guards who were on duty at the
jail all night. Very few people believed
the conditions warranted any such ac-
tion, as there is little danger of harm
coming to the prisoner even though he
should be left with but a single guard
| The people will let the law take it's
course, and while the crime committed
was IN our midst the people VIII respect
! the court and its findings.
Coppedge was taken to Raleigh today
/ by Deputy Sheriff N. c. Warren, quite a
crowd gathering at the jail door to get a
glimpse OF the prisoner"
Other important cases were tried dur
! ms the present term of Nash court The
Graphic gives the story of some of them
a. follows:
Henry wilkins, who has been living
/ III adultery with Sal Johnson, was found
guilty by the jury. The facts
surrounding this case have incensed The
people of the community Just north OF
this place on account OF Wilkins being
a negro and the woman with whom he
/ cohabitcd being white.
''9ne case which has excited keenest
| interest on the part of the spectators
and especially those residing in the Hi
! Eardston and Red Oak sections was that
Of State VS.. VIII Doles and Annie Hunt.
! charged with living in adultery, the lat
/ ter who is Dolcs wife's sister The evI-
/ dence was most conclusive and Astounding
with details of an obscene nature which
established the guilt of both, but showing
/ Doles TO be responsible for the girl S
downfall and a fit subject for the peniten-
htiary. Some of the details in the evil
dence caused a hung jury for about TWEEN
ty hours. Yesterday morning the jury
filed into court and informed His Honor
that they had not yet arrived at decis-
ion, whereupon the needed instruction
was given and after being out few
minutes they returned a verdict of guilty.
Doles was sentenced, to the roads of vii
son for twelve months. His counsel gave
notice of an appeal. The appearance
bond was fixed at $500.
Through his attorneys w II. Law
renee plead guilty of the charge of big
amy and invoked the mercy of the court
| In sentencing him to prison for seven
years Judge Ferguson said he regarded
the offense as a very great crime for a
man TO win the affections Of woman,
marry her, and for her TO awaken to the
fact that She had been duped and was
living in adultery, it was a serious mat
ter to her, one which would affect her
life forever afterwards. Everything posi-
BILE should be done by the court and
the public to eradicate the stain placed
upon her fair name by the decever
Much interest was manifested in the
case against Robert Oliver who, in com
rany with another young white man
named Robert Womack got on a spree
at. Rocky Mount. On their way home to
the Rocky Mount Mills, a difficulty arose
III which Womack attempted to use his