The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-06-23

top outside of one of the brick kilns re-
celvlng baked bricks from a 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 contyicts. 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 a pretty good
man physically, rather stocky. He had
on of course the regulation prison stripes.
His hat was a light brown or tan-colored
wlde-brimmed felt hat. quite new looking.
This the same official said had been given
Wilcox after his arrival here. When he
came. he said. be had a cap, and the
hat was given him as a better protection
from the sun.
He has brown hair. rather dark. and
brown eyes. Nearly a weeks growth of
mIstache 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 a thing about him yes
terday to Indicate the violent. abusive.
cUrsing, threatening. surly, insolent pris-
oioI dtGS IbNd III JIG ltpol u OIL IL GIdilS-
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 Were noticed.
The officials say that his conduct in
the penltentiary ever since his arrival
last Monday morning has been everything
that could be desired. He has been quiet.
orderly. respectful. obedlent and cheer
full.
1t 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 penltentlary that he had a coat and
a cap.
Wilcox will. it is stated, in all prob
ability be kept wlInln the penitentiary
walls here, and not sent out to work on
the roads. This IS generally the custom
IN the case OF convlcts who are much
In the public eye. Utley and Bishop are
both working at the brick plant now, as
we'll as Wilcox. In all, there are about
one hundred convicts now within prison
walls here.
AS to the pistol. the Elizabeth City
Tor Heel had the following:
"When Sheriff Reid was taking Mr.
Williams into the jail he met the jailel
coming out with a pistol in his hand
and when the sheriff asked him what nc
was dong with the weapon he replied
that he had just bought it from Wilcox.
1.-THE sheriff asked Jim what that meant
and how many more pistols he had in his
cell. Jim held up his hand and said tina:
was the last thing he had, and told TIE
sheriff to come in his cell and he wouI6
show him where he had been keeping
it. In the corner of his cell was a crack
er box, over which a paper was spread
and on top of it a small oil stove sat
The box was open from about half way
own. appearing as if it was ~entirel,
empty. A nail was driven in the ton
from which the revolver hung on the in
side.
Wilcox told the sheriff that he hat
kept the weapon in there all the TIM
since his arrest. He also told him he la,
it on his person every time he had beer
searched by Sherlffs Reid, Grandy am
Winslow. and that he had it all the TIM
during his first trial here and the tria
at HEREFORD. He said he had it ~fastene,
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 hin
within the past few days. Wilcox ais
told the sheriff that soon after his al
rest a certain man from Perquiman
county was admitted into the Jail, an,
that man gave him a new pistol and toll
him if he needed it to use it, but in abou