The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-02

entrance or at the nOFJHeFH part Oh II
He said he was standing. He didn'5t say
who was with him. That was at the
table. That was the first part of the con
versation, / don't remember the balance
of the conversation. / think it was
during the same meal though. I am not
sure whether I left the table before Mr.
Simpson did, or not.
w. NJ. RUSS.
Direct-examination: 81 had converse
ton with Mr. Simpson in my office and
he told me that he was standing over at
the Marlborough House; that he was at
tracted by a shot and he looked in that
direction and saw Mr. Skinner come down
towards the court house building to the
tree which the billboard was against and
pass out through there just above that
tree and go into the street, then take
diagonally across up the street.
There are two trees there, small tree
about Az inches in diameter and a larger
tree that is about or 10 inches, and from
the statement Mr.. Simpson made to me
inferred that Mr.. Skinner went out be-
tween those two trees. close to the tree
where the boards were.
@. How far is that tree with the boards
on from this pavement that comes out east
and west How many steps do you sup
pose?" A. 81 should say it was four feet
to the first tree and probably ten feet to
the second tree, but that is mere supposi-
ton"
Cross-examination: II don't know
whether there was anybody present be-
sides Mr.. Simpson and myself or not, but
there are generally a lot Of people in the
court house when court is going on, but
didn't charge my memory with it.
couldn't give you the day when this con-
vercation occurred. 1t was during the
March term of the court, ! did not know
that he had already given a statement to
counsel"
@. "Mr Haywood come in your office
just short time before this homicide?''
A. Eyes, sir"
Q. ''He came to your desk?" A. 81
don't remember his coming to the desk.
He was leaning with both hands on the
Q. Qnterrupting witness) rs there a
window right behind you?" A. Yes, sir,
and one in this direction Indicating ,
@. "A person who comes around to that
window could see anybody at the middle
entrance of the postoffice?' A. Il don't
think he could see anyone go in the door
think he could see anyone going up the
steps"
@. "And he could see anyone coming
down the steps?" A. II think probably
if he could see them go UP he certainly
could see them coming down"
@. And in moment or two after he
went out, you heard this shot?' A. Yes
sir. very short while.
@. you have expressed yourself that
you did not know that he could have got
ten that far?'' A. ''At the time l did, yes,
SIR"
A. ]. ROGERS, COLORED.
Mr.. Pou: This is the witness, if Your
Honors please whose character we proved
by Mr.. w. j. Clements"
Direct examination: Il live in Raleigh;
am in the Revenue Office On the after
noon of the 21st Of February l was on
the second floor of the postoffice building
on the second floor Of that building over
there l was standing about eight feet
at a table from the third window of the
southeast corner of the building on Fay
etteville street side, and | heard a pistol
shot. / Immediately started towards the
window and before reached the window
I heard a second shot. When a got to the
window I saw man in the street, with
his back towards the postoffice going
across the street eatward He was about
half way between the curbing and the
street car track Afterwards | learned it
was Mr. Skinner. He went on across the
street and crossed the east rail, and when
he crossed the east rail he turned, facing
the postoffce and circled He had his left
side somewhere between his waist and his
arm pit and he sank down. / then inn
medately came down stairs on the side
walk. ] got to the edge OF the curbing
and Ned Barnes, a colored man, was driv-
ing a one-horse hack and he was sitting in
his carriage. He is the one that drives
for the hospital. | asked him was he
standing there and did he see the shooting
and he said yes. and / asked who did the
shooting and who was shot and he said
Mr.. Skinner was shot and Mr.. rnest Hay
wood shot him. asked him what for, mad
he said he saw them standing on the side
walk in conversation and he saw Mr.
Skinner strike Mr. Haywood and start
across the street and Mr. Haywood shot
him, and he thought that the ball would
hit him."
Cross examination: Q. You say he
said he saw Mr.. Skinner strike him and
then start across the street?" A, Yes,
sir"
Q. And Mr.. Haywood shot him as he
was going across the street," A. Yes,
SIR"
Q. "You say you we're eight feet from
the Window" A. Eyes sir"
Q. How quickly did you go to the win
dow" A. II Immediately started Just
as soon as | heard the fire
Q. And the second shot was fred be
fore you got to the window" A. Yes sir. :"
@ when you got to the window you
saw Mr.. Skinner about midway between