The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-15
THE ''UT|CA LETTER"
Famous Missive Bearing on
the Wilcox Case.
Some facs Regarding it Given by Cores.
ponden.- ---aiss Cropsey's Visit 10 a
Clairvoyant.
(Staff Correspondence.)

Elizabeth City, N. c., Feb. III was
permitted this week a perusal of the
celebrated Utica Letter" 1t is UNIQUE.
1t should be photographed and repro
duced for the reading public. While no
expert in handwriting, | am OF the cpin-
ion, its author writes a different fist. 1t
is disguised hand evidently. 1t is writ
ten on plain whiee paper and with pencil.
significant fact is that it bears date
Utica, N. Y, January 25th, 1903" while
the envelope bears postal cancellation
Utica, n. Y, January 9th, 1908 D.
m When ir my hand the name of
sender was torn off. The name as indi-
Gated by the length of paper torn of,
must have been very short. Most prob
ably some character only was used 1t is
claimed the contribution emanates from
female clairvoirant. The sender in ex-
pressing desire to give further infor-
nation sought newspaper shelter. The
name of the guilty party used in the let
ter was spelt "CraWthered."
later contribution gives the given
name of Leroy" The purpose seems
to be to place suspicion of guilt on Lee
hoy Crawford, the young man who left
the Crospsey home thirty minutes, not
twenty. after. Jim Wilcox on the night
o. the tragedy. Here the famous letter
is generally regarded with indifference.
no stock is taken in it. The bright young
man who contributed the matter to the
New York Journal takes no stock in the
letter. He handled it for what there was
in it. The Journal wanted it when
Queried and paid $50 for it. 1t was of
fered the Associated Press for $50 but
declined Times-Dispatch, of Rich
nond offered $40 column for it if
turned over 20 their regular correspond
ont, authenticated and the character of
the special correspondent endorsed.
The Cropseys opinion as to the guilty
party is by no means changed by the
Utica Letter. Indeed, they are con-
firmed il the opinion that Jim Wilcox
murdered Nell and ought to be hanged
by the neck till he is dead. They, with
with others, hold that it is the effort of
a drowning man grabbing at the straw
That it but caters to ntiment of
doubt in the mind Of some due to the
mystery surrounding the affair, with the
hope that this sentiment will grow and
a new trial be granted.
Not very long after the enactment of
the tragedy Miss Ollie Cropsey visited
clairvoirant in the city in New York
To hide her mourning weeds she wrapped
her form in a light colored coat only
to be greeted with the statement ''You
cannot hide the aching heart underneath.
You are greyed, your sister has been
murdered A short stumpy fellow that
wears a cap is the murderer. His name
is Jim" | have only given in substance
this much of the meeting. The whole
affair was given in detail. Miss Ollie
was unknown to the clairvpirant. Scnti-
ment here has undergone nos change This
people believe in the Righteousness of the
verdict of the first trial. They are Will
ing to be content with the verdict in the
second trial. They would that the cur
tain be drawn and the sentence be i'm
posed.
The city is progressing. Evidence OF
life. energy and growth is on every hand.
Soon a new railroad will invade her do
main. Grading approaches the Albemarle
uetronolis-the Suffolk and Carolina into
Elizabeth City will ere many months be
a reality.
The "Old Reliable" grows in public fa-
vor here. It's representative is most cor
daily received. He has fallen p love
with this people
G. ]. RIVENBARK