The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-08-20
No One to Prosecute MIR.
]. D. PurneII.
CAPIAS NOW FOR HER
Justice Reid Dismisses Case Against
Mr.. purneII and Issues Capias for
Prosecutrix Who Failed to
Appear---No 100 North
Street."
Street.

Mr.. r. d. Purnell, of Louisburg,
who, as told in News and Observer
special from Louisburg yesterday, was
sworn out by Mrs. Sarah Davis, of 100
North street, this city, charging him
with larceny, arrived in Raleigh yes
terday and went at once before
Squire K. G. Reid. the magistrate
who issued the warrant.
Although the hour of the trial had
been set the prosecutrix did not APP
pear, and, there being no evidence
and Mr.. Purnell having made a
statement to the effect that he had
never seen or heard of the woman be-
fore she wrote to him demanding
money, the case was dismissed and a
capias issued for Mrs Davis.
The case is one of the most peculiar
which has ever arisen in Raleigh. Mr..
Purnell is one of the most respected
and substantial business men of
Louisburg, and the report that he had
been arrested on Il charge of beat
ing" a boarding house keeper and of
robbing her trunk, naturally created
the most intense surprise and indig-
nation among all who knew his char
acter and regulations; and the fact
that he stated with the greatest posi-
tiveness, not only that he WAS not
guilty, but that he did not know and
had never even heard of his accuser
lent an air % extreme mystery to the
entire matter.
Mr.. Purnell was accompanied to the
city yesterday by a number of friends
10.
his high standing in Louisburg as
man of means, integrity and charac-
ter. and would also have put on the
stand a number of Raleigh people.
who would have testified to the same
effect The warrant Tor his arrest
came to Mr. Purnell like a bolt from
the blue and both he and his friends
were dumb-founded at the charge.
Magistrate Reid, who was seen yes
terday, stated that woman calling
herself Mrs. Sarah Davis, came to his
office several days ago and applied for
q warrant for r. ID. Purneil. of Louis
burg. stating that he had come to
her house, 100 North street, 20 board
and. after staying several days, had
departed without settling his bill. On
the day that he left. declared Mrs.
Davis. she discovered that some one
had gone into a drawer of her ma
chine and stolen Il sum of money. The
warrant was therefore made out for
r. ID. PurneIl for larceny. and sent to
Louisburg.
In a day or so, says Justice Reid, he
received a letter from the Sheriff a
Louisburg asking whether the man
wanted was white or black, and, after
sending q reply, Mr.. Purneil was ar
rested as stated yesterday.
Justice Reid also says that he did
nor hesitate to issue the warrant for
the reason that the woman appeare-
to be respectable. told a straight tale
and because he knew nothing of the
character of the man charged with
The crime. Mrs. Davis. says he, eX
hibited a letter from Mr. Purnell III
which he denied owing her any money
or having been at her house. but she
insisted that this was not true, ana
that he was the man. Hence there
wax, nothing for him to do except issue
the warrant.
The fact, however. that Mrs. Davis
did not appear to prosecute yesterday
is a circumstance of much popularity,
especiallv since she was unable to be
found at the address given. The Of
ficer to whom the capias was given for
Mrs Davis after the discharge of MIR.
Purnell. reported that he could not
find her and that there was no such