The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-04
ON TRIAL FOR MURDER
The Jailer is Called to the Dying Mans
Side by Two Other Prisoners,
and Even in Deaths Throes
Terry Struggles to Re-
tain Possession of
the Knife.
Especial to News and observer.)

=
Wilmington, N. c., Feb. 3.-S. Hill
Terry, charged with the murder of his
son-in-law, George Tate Bland, at the lat
ter's home in this city last October, put
all abrupt ending to his trial in progress
in the Superior court here this afternoon
shortly after one o'clock by committing
suicide in his cell in the county Jail.
The weapon used was an old case knife
which had evidently been sent him with
his breakfast from home this morning.
The blade was dull and capped and ply
sicians who reached him soon after the
tragedy say that he must have slashed
his throat several times. Death ensued
in fifteen minutes after the deed and
a few minutes after the surgeon reached
him.
An ugly wound three inches long and
two inches deep was found on the right
side of the throat, the external jugular
vein and carotid artery having been en-
tirely severed.
The attention of the jailer was called
to the suicide by two white prisoners
confined in an. adjoining cell. They heard
a gasping sound toward Terry's cell and
p66TlnR III through the DdIS, Saw sIie L-su
lying on his cot in the throes of death.
An alarm was given and Jailer Capps.
rushing to the scene, had struggle to
wrest the knife from the dying grasp of
the prisoner.
Terry was sixtytwo years OF age and
owned considerable property. He wss
door-keeper of the State Senate in 1861.
Eleven of the twelve jurors to sit i'll
i,-do rDOu his 7, ,s1 hpon select oil
in the Superior cous when his rash decd
put an end to the proceedings. His conn
sci were very confident of a verdict OF
murder in the second degree, but Terry
had told them time and again he rrc-
fcrred death to a term in the peniten-
t:ary Terry leaves a wife and two grown
children, one to wife of his victim and
another, W. r. Terry, an employc of the
S. A. L. at Raleigh.
AS the remains of the dead man were
removed from his cell this afternoon after
a coroner's inquest had been held and the
jrry had rendered a formal verdict that
the deceased came to his death by knife
wounds inflicted by his own hand, let
ter was found under his cot which had
been written for him by fellow prisoner
some four weeks ago, ostensiDly not TO
be made public until after suicide or until
he had been executed by law
In the letter he gives history OF his
life at length and justifies his action in
killing his son-in-law by saying that
Bland fired on him first He says that
he never bore any malice toward Bland
and had always tried to help him along
in life. He bade farewell to his wife in
affectionate terms, extolling her virtues
and expressing regret that to her has
fallen such an unhappy lot.
Terry's son said his father had been
very despondent for several days and Yes
terday in court asked him to send him a
small knife with which to rare his fin
ger nails. Later he complained OF rneuc,-
atism and asked that ten cents worth oi
opium be sent him. Neither of the re
quests were complied with, though youne
Terry had no idea that his father con
templated suicide
He also remarked to his son yesterday
during the same conversation of melar
choly nature that I'm white and they'll
never hang me or send me to the peniten-
tiary for a long term of years"
The funeral will be conducted tomor-
row afternoon from the late residence and
the remains will be inferred in Oakda,e
cemetery.