The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-08-09
HENRY GOODWIN IS
SENT ON TO COURT
Charged With Rape of Girl
Just Past Fourteen.
HEARD BY JUSTICE REED
The Case Occupied the Entire Day With Many
Witnesses---The Speeches We're Short
and Goodwin Was Committed

Henry ]. Goodwin, of Swift Creek
Township, charged with criminal assault
on Flossie Peasants, has been sent ON to
court for probable cause.
This was the result reached yesterday
after an entire day being spent Iii hearing
the case. Every point was closely con-
tested by the defense and prosecution and
there was argument during the testimony
of every witness.
Justice of the Peace r. G, Reid heard
the case in the county court house
Messrs. j. C. L. Harris. S. G.. Ryan and
Charles u. Harris appeared for the de-
fense, while the State was represented by
Acting Solicitor W. B. Jones and Mr.. B.
C. Beckwith.
Magistrate Reid excluded young boys
from the trial, but this did not lessen
the crowd greatly. Morbid curiosity drew
throng and these pressed close to the
railing to hear all of the sad story of
wrong and shame that was told.
1t was a tense moment when, the evi~
dence being in and the argument closed,
the time came for the decision of Magis-
trate Reid. He sat and pondered over the
matter, finally saying: This is an awful
affair" Then he paused again and the
stiffness was such that the slightest move
nent could be heard. At last he said:
II find probable cause to commit Goodwin
to jail tothe next term of court
Then the lawyers for the defense began
pleading for bail, saying they were pre-
pared to give $4,000 or more. They in
sisted that bail could be allowed by Mr..
w. b. Jones and Mr.. B. G. Beckwith as
earnestly urged that it could not be in
such a case. Magistrate Reid left Goodwin
in the hands of the officers that he might
consult other lawyers in the matter.
1t was about half past six o'clock when
this was done and at halls past eight MIR.
Reid announced that he would not allow
bail. but that the prisoner must 90 to jail.
After an earnest plea from the defense he
made the matter a temporary one till
Tuesday, when his final determination
viii be made, after hearing solne state
mtnts that the defense asks to be allowed
to make.
1t is urged that as Goodwin is commit
ted without bail that very soon a writ of
habeas corpus viii be taken out before
some judge and an effort made TO obtain
order for his release on bail till the
next term of court. He had kept out of
the reach of officers after the issuing of
the warrant for his arrest and only sur
rendered himself yesterday before the
opening OF the court.
Both parties in this terrible affair were
In court yesterday and the contrast be-
tween them was a marked one. Goodwin
fifty-five years old, with gray hair, q
mustache thickly sprinkled and a two
days growth of white beard on his face
L MI Il
small, slim and undeveloped, had on red
skirt falling just below her knees, white
waist with black ribbon belt and blacH
ribbon about her throat. Her hair was
light brown, her blue eyes were sad, hel
face pale and serious. She made a for
lorn picture as she sat in the witness box
and told her pitiful story, her hands work
ing nervously at a bit of handkerchief
which she twisted and untwisted.
The case of the prosecution is in briei
this: Henry Goodwin, aged SO, a married
man with children and grandchildren, q
church member and a school committee
man, lives in Swift Creek Township Ir
his employ was Flossie Peasants, fourteen
years old on the ninth of June undevel-
oped and immature. This girl he is
charged with enticing from her home
about eleven o'clock on the 10th of July
telling her he had some apples for her
and after getting her to the spot where
these were to have urged her with him
into the pine thicket on the hill side and
there with threats of choking her COMPEL.
ed her TO submit to him. That afterwards
she went at once to her parents and told
them of the outrage, and that they, after
seeing some magistrates, took out a war
rant against Goodwin, the suit being set
TO come before Magistrate Pearce, in
Swift Creek last Monday but by threats
the parents of the girl were induced tO
compromise the case and withdraw the
warrant. Goodwin paying the costs, $9.2O
The further prosecution OF the case came
when Solicitor Jones requested Mr.. l.. ID
castleberry to investigate it and report
This was done and in order to see
that Justice was given the parents and the
rirl Mr.. Castlebery, neighpor and
former employee, engaged counsel to as
sist the State.
Goodwin on the stand outlined the case
for the defense. He admitted beng with
the girl as stated. the only difference be-
inc that he declares no force was used
but that the meeting was agreement
IL proof of this Goodwin alleged that be-
ginning within few days after the CIR
was fourteen they had frequently met and
that the grid had not repeled his atten-
ton He insisted that her consent was
given and that no violence or threats
were used, also giving testimony through
himself, witnesses and cross examination
tending to show that the continuance oi
the case was because of enmlty towards
him. Evidence was introduced to show
hot fhn {Io,, ,off 10 mi ho6