The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-01

sufficient evidence here to hold the de-
| PENDANT. In regard to Mr.. Jones, think
he ought to be held over to court"
What for?" asked Mr.. Pou.
For receiving the bonds knowing them
to be stolen,'' replied Solicitor Jones.
| Mr. Pou then went on to argue that
Mr.. Jones was entirely blamcless in the
whole transaction, nay more that he was
even deserving of the thanks of Mr.. God
frey and the community. The bonds were
stolen in October, 1902, said MI. Pou, and
SO far as we know no public notice was
given of their being srolen for long
time. If Jones' declared Mr.. Pou, had
reason TO believe those bonds were sto-
len, with his knowledge OF business he
was simply throwing his money away
when he loaned it on that security. The
strongest evidence OF Jones innocence
was the very fact that he parted with
his money went on Mr.. Pou, for h
knew that payment could be stopped on
stolen bonds.
Instead OF hurting anybdy else, he has
hurt himself Instead OF defrauding Mr..
Godfrey he has saved the bonds for Mr..
Godfrey" concluded Mr.. Pou. IF he
had not loaned that money, those bonds
would have been lost forever, and now
instead OF receiving thanks for saving
the bonds, Mi. Godfrey brings him up
here in an attempt to send him to the
lpcnitentiary."
Solicitor Jones thereupon reminded the
court that Mr.. Godfrey had lost nearly
everything in that robbery, $1,000 in mon.
ey besides the bonds, and that moreover
it was Mr.. Godfreys highest duty to
bring to justice anyone suspected of com
plcity in the affair. The court assured
the Solicitor that this was not ques-
toned.
| Asked by the court as to what he re-
lied upon to hold Jones, the Solicitor SAID
he relied upon the circumstances attend
ing the delivery of the bonds to Jones,
done late at night, and too much Sc
eurity given.
Judge Brown stated that he would an
nounce his decision as to Jones after read
ing the evidence over again, some time
this morning.
THE EVIDENCE.
Mr. j. L. Godfrey, OF Jonesboro the
owner of the stolen bonds was the first
witness called. He testified as follows
1T was on the night of the 26th ii
November, 1902, that the bonds were
stolen. Those bonds were taken out OF
the safe, and also about $1,000 III cash
and some deeds. insurance policies and
sone jewelry. The bonds belonged to my
wife. There were two of the bonds. and
they were North Carolina State bonds,
81 900 each, per cent. Their numbers
were 1880 and 1870. They were coupon
Ibcnds. When l first heard OF the erob-
1 berry, I was in Baltimore. On my re-
turn from Baltimore, there was mes
Usage in Jonesboro for me from an at
torney in Raleigh to come to Raleigh at
once. / came here to Raleigh about the
1st of September and met Mr.. Harris,
and he told us that the bonds could be
had, he could deliver the bonds for
81 900. That his client had got hold OF
tnese bonds and had come by them hon
csily, but refused to give the name OF
his client, but said his client was out
that $1,000 and the man that he had
loaned the money to had got into trouble
ard had skipped the country, and he
wanted the money back. He said his
client. who was an all right man, mac
come by them honestly, that ne had
leaned $1,000 on them fer sixty CT ninety
Gays as collateral, and when he went at
the end Of that time to place his bonds,
his man had left and he found they were
stolen bonds. He came TO Mr. Harris,
land Mr.. Harris said it was all he could
do to keep him from burning them. He
prevailed on him not to do that, and his
client wanted his money back l told
Mr.. Harris l had lost everything l had,
That is, had been heavy loser, and
y Ia,
which looked like, if his client was all
right, l thought he ought to divide with
Inc. He said his instructions were to
get $1,000. that he prevailed with him
not to burn them. that he was very
wrought up, and then financially he said
he wanted his $1,000 back. Col. Harris
Isaid:~ Il will let you know We went
lack somewhere in the evening between
noon and night, and Col Harris said
that his client would not take $500
but that he wanted his $1,000. | did not
know what to do and my attorney die
not know what to advise me. We CANT
out and l commenced thinking about it
and we went back and asked Mr. Harris
il he was sure they were my bonds
He said he was. | asked him II the Janu
airy coupons were or them, and he said
re did not think they were, but he knew
the July coupons were on them. He said
he thought they were my bonds. HI
. ASKED me- what the numbers were / haC
the numbers, and he got up ard turned
around little and said yes, that The
numbers were all right J. did rot have
any money here. and l told him that
would give him check He said he
would not take check. but his client
: would have to have the money, and he
would have to have the currency. ! die
no. have any here and the banks wcr,
all closed. We went up to the Saving.
bank and Mr.. Harris went along will
me, and We thought we could manage
to get the money there that night w.