The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-09-17
Leads all North Carolina Dailes i'm News and Ufrator

Cured He did not see Cosby there
He advised Baker prior to the hom1-
eide of threats by Bass This was af-
ter Bass gave Baker the first whip
ping in the street. He went to Bass
office after the first trouble to consult
about a patient. Bass was infuriated
In discussing the first fight with aBker
with a patient then in his office, Bass
said: 81 can whip Baker He took a
whipping like a dirty dog. / propose
to stand upon by manhood He said
Bass was fine specimen of manhood,
very strong, weighed about 200 pounds
while Baker was low fleshy and
100, being much inferior toI
Bass, physically. The witness said
Bass had strong, ungovernable tenn
per when aroused.
Examined by the State he said he
had been practicing about four years,
was on speaking terms with Bass only
professionally, and about two months
prior to Bass death; went to Bass
office the morning after the first
street fight to consult about a patient
He did not remember seeing Stoke in
Bass office; never heard Bass say to
a man in his office that he would
whip Baker again if he didn't stop
writing about him. Bass had made
an attack on every one connected
with the hospital and trouble about
the hospital had been brewing some
time. The first trouble between the
parties was in the fall or winter,
though witness couldn't recall the ex-
on Bakers head. saying he didn't
think Bass used any weapon in
striking Baker. Baker said he
wouldn't hurt Bass if he could help
it; never heard Baker say if Bass
again assaulted him he would kill
him. He saw Baker have a pistol in
the office. and heard him say he was
going to put it in his pocket to de-
fend himself.
All of the witnesses for the defense
and the prosecution proved good
characters. r. H. Gatlin said that
for a number of years he lived near
Bass in Kill Quick section of the
county. Bass had an ungovernable
temper when aroused; otherwise he
was an amicable man. Bass was
strong man physically. Witness
warned Baker about the violent
temper of Bass after the first diff
culty.
on examinatio by the State the
witness said he was not on speaking
terms with Bass for ten years While
he lived in the Kill Quick section.
General Gotten said he did not see
the difficulty the morning of the
tragedy; that Bass was a violent and
aggressive man when aroused, and
was tsrong physically.
Cross by the State he
said Bass was easily aroused; had
heard of his having a difficulty with
two others in the past fifteen years
He thought Bass was generally a
oeaceable man.
John L. Cherry. who lives ten miles
from Tarboro. said he had talk
with Bass. who said he could take
Bakers pistol from him and whip
him if no one interfered. Cherry
suggested to Bass the great danger if
unsuccessful, whereupon Bass replied
There would be two burials."
This conversation occurred between
the two difficulties.
Here the defense rested.
The State recalled DR.. Thigpen to
ask if the patient himself and Bass
consulted about was Alice Powell.
He said no.
Rev. e. w. Gamble, in response to
a question by the State. said he heard
DIR. Baker several times prior to the
homicide. say that if Bass struck him
again he would kill him.
In response to question by the de-
fense he said he declined to make
any statement in behalf of the de-
fense when asked to do so by coun-
sci. Counsel, for Baker said Bass
promised him several times he would
not kill Baker. but Bass said if Baker
wrote more notes about him he would
whip him; did not recall exact Ian
guage of the conversation with Rev.
r. w. Alexander, pastd& of the Pres
byterian church. Was in consultation
with Hon. b. II. Bum day of hoini-
eide. ha replied to the defendants
counsel that he would have nothing
to say until he went on the witness
stand that he would make no state
ment in behalf Of the defense.
Attorney James NJ. Norfleet said
Carstarphen told him he was so ex-
cited he didn't know what took place
on the morning of the tragedy.
Captain j. w. Forbes for the State
described the shooting along the same
line as others who preceded him.
On croSs-eXamination he said he
was in his office and looked out the
window when the shots were fired.
There being no further testimony
T. T. Thorne proceeded with the ar
gument for the prosecution. Four
hours We're agreed upon for each side,
there being eight speakers.
Judge Shaw DreSideS with dignity,
fairness and impartiality, and has
made a splendid impression. He is
an ideal judge, courteous, even temp
cred and learned.
There is always room at the top of