The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-01-27
IN THE SECOND
DEGREE IS THE VERDICT
Wilcox is Sentenced to the States Prison 70
Thirty Years,

still firmly believe in WILCOX .aaar-
and that the case would be Tough.
again before the Supreme Cour.
first papers needed in the appeal a.-
have been made out and Will ut
thirty days be served upon u,
Attorney Ward. In case the appeal
waived Wilcox would not be returned
the Jail at Elizabeth City. but would
taken directly from here to Tn. ~.
Prison.
observation-disclosures Ward, who ae
and adroitly has directed the prosa.s
in two trials. when asked tonight u
the verdict said he would hay. ,#
satisfied with it. though he believed rs
cox guilty of first degree murlar
two jurors. who probably Were O..
scicntious in their convictions. pro.aa
the death verdict. There is one a.
that gives Mr.. Ward pleasure and .aat
if the prisoner ever should ho If.s
blameIess he Will have the sattstaor.
of knowing the wrong can be rlEat.t
Wilcox is in the penitentiary and 3D.
he, Ward, will never have on his las
the blood of an innocent man wa
though it were in the discha,ge Of rs
sworn duty.
Thomas +. Wilcox. former sheriff a
Pasquotank and Jim's father. strong na.
that he is, and highly regarded ty eaas.
body, temporarily gave way TO bis t...-
il gs this afternoon when talking with
Mr.. Ward. in the l~attsr's room HF
Wilcox said he believed jim #t. ,n.
tirely innocent 4 would MOI raa a#
If he had the chance. He though FL.
now woul take a train to Eliaabs.a .""
alone and deliver himself to Sheriff Ha#
Upon his arrival. Though crushed aa.
disappointed at the jury's verdict. s#.
iff Wilcox on the streets maintain a
pleasant and cheerful bearing, Er,sEa
acquaintance with tho same ccf'
that has been his wont. Mr.. W0..
told Mr.. Ward he would try hard f
a new trial, but If tho. worst came M
would take it the best b.
could. Jim's father, mother. and
tcrs have earned the respect of the ea.
tire community and for them much syn,
pathy is expressed.
Though it had been said Jim won.
rather be hanged than 20 TO Stat.
Prison. hat is a mistake. Sheriff VIM
low tonight told him there might b.
pardon end that there were many ohaa.
in his favor. and the prisoner said h.
guessed it was better so. Wilcox did H.
eat any supper tonight, Tailor william
a courteous gentleman, closed the T.#.
doors On him about nine o'clock. N#..n.
soon was enjoying d pleasant, hoal.af..
rest.
MISS Ollie Cropscy WHOM she heard 1E.
verdict, said she thought Wilcox Shout.
suffer the death penalty for the murI
of poor Nell, who vas her bed-felloW. h#.
she expressed sympathy for his farm.
especially Jim's pretty sisters.
Word from Elizabeth City tonight
people there thought the pea#'"
should have been more severe. Ha
Kisses CroDsey. Misses Wilcox, J.#-
and all the LAWYERS and M
nesses in the case left town this Gwen.
irg. Jim's sisters tool the verdict r.0
osophically.
The general impression around her.
that no trial Will be granted. Judgc Co..
Gil IS of the same opinion. ON his
to the station tonight h mot Sh.r.
Wilcox and expressed for him his s-
l,athy.
On his way back TO Jail this afteraa..
the prisoner spoke to a friend pIeasaa.
aid said, well, they gave me d lI"
thirty years"
Nov that two trials have been .a..
clude1, Wilcox is sentenced 10 8 .
term in prison as a result Of a s.rr.
case OF circumstantial evidence mad.
thirty-one circumstances conncctel .-
by link and almost everybody here ..
IlcVes him guilty, there is yet about l1
case an element of nnystcry wt
perhaps will never be solved.
One of the hardest TO explain roa
Of the prosecution was how Wilc0, mi
a bright night could kill Nell Crops
near her home with two persons in g."
rarlor without anything being heard
II en- carry her body into the river
meet Leonard Owens a few minute .a-
ana EXHIBIT no unusual appear2nce.
Both trials were skillfully and
fully handled and it is doubtful II t
next decade furnishes in this stat
MURDER case that is anything like its
2llel. Everybody unites in sayin- ..
there was never a fairer trial than ga.
Gust over. The official acts oil
Judge and other court officers as "..
as the behavior of the citizens are .
You'd criticism.