The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-08
HIS DOUBLE LIFE.
Startling Disclosures in
the Judge Trial.
A Strummer of Guitars and MandoIins
When "The Moon is on the Leaf"
May be Degenerate.
Especial to News and obserycr.l

Especial to News and Obselyerl
Rocky Mount, N. c., April lin thu
preliminary trial before Mayor W. L
Thcrp of George Judge, alias Erncs.
Brooks and E. L. Rossmore, charged with
setting fire to the Masonic Tempt, and
other Buildings here, evidence Of start
ling ard damaging character was si5en
b. the detectives O. p. Lee and j. }.
Taylor, OF Richmond. Mr.. Thurman, a
plumber of Rocky, Mount. gave The Ge-
tectives valuable aid, as did other c.ti-
zens of this place, in forging a chain of
strong though circumstanrial evidence
against the accused.
The story begins with judges first ap-
pcarance III Rocky Mount, to which place
his record as a suspected frc-bug OF
Wilmington had followed him The Young
man, having secured employment at The
Rocky Mount Cotton Mills, seemed TO he
leading an exemplary life. however, at
tending Sunday school, playing the organ
ard conveying In a general way the IDEA
that he was a very moral man. Thus,
when he told people that he was innocent
OF the charges brought against him H.
Wilmington, his story was readily be-
loved.
Shortly, however, the characte, of his
pleasures IN Rocky Mount where he be-
gan TO come nightly from the Fails, un-
dcrwent u change He spent many hours
IN serenading, drinking hsavily and turn
Ing night into a period of low revelrv.
When suspicious were aroused as to his
hand in the fires that redeemed this city. |
hfst one and then another detective was |
employed. Then to- cut the story short, It !,
Etac
local plurnber, who had been associatine |
with Judge, assist in the detective work. |
'Ihul man played in'' with Judge and pre-
tended 10 be great friend. When Tay- |
Tor. the second detective arrived the lat
ter dressed up as a tough character and |
played the part. On Friday night Judge
attended Sparks circus. Thurman met
him later and introduced Taylor to Judge
in Proctors pool room. Taylor quickly
made fast friends with Judge.
These two finally found themselves sit
ting on a pile of lumber near the present
location OF the postoffice with Thurman
lying down supposedly drunk. nearby.
iaylor drew Judge into conversation re-
ating to the fire, by stating that he
i aylof) was safe cracker. Judge said,
Il thought so. | can help you and you
Fan help me-" This was all taking Mace
1t late hour in the morning of that
night. Finally Judge and TAYLOR left
Thurman and went. for walk. Tsvlor
;aid he liked excitement and he. Taylor
testified on the stand that Judge said {
Yes, so do |. Let's have some now " and
proposed to set fire to the Rocky Mount
Machine Works.
After a short, but strong summing I'm |
peech by Hon. B. H Bum Mayor Thor
ound probable cause in both Indictment.
md as the opera house fire constituted {
.ison, bound the prisoner over TO court {
Without bail and he Was taken to Tar {
,oro Jail.
In the preliminary trial the lawyers an
caring for the prosecution were, Bum g.
}nnn and Mr.. l.. V. Bassett Mr.. M. w
Wash appeared as attorney for the defend
mt.
Judge is thought to have a mania for
citing fires, craving for the excitement
Incident to a fire, to love to feel the .
thrilling sensation experienced by the {
re alarm. the cries, the scurrying OF
Get, the charging OF the fire horses and
he general excitement that prevails on
uch an occasion. As a proof of this. ,
lania the confession of his brother. who ,
in the penitentiary, Of turning in false :
larms, Is cited.
Judge does not present the aspect OF ,
hardened criminal. He has rather ]
oak face. He IS about feet inches /,