The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-07

II. Walter Myatt of his connection with
the Haywood case, during which he
was accused of taSnpering with
juryman:
Raleigh. n. c.. June 4th. 1904.
Reply to Affidavits of George Mitchi-
ner and Heiiig.
l wish to make a statement in re-
ply to the affidavits of Mitchiner and
Helig and tell just what j did say
about the Haywood case, and what I
denied before Judge PEBBLES when he
and one L. M. Argo, OF Wake county,
attorney for Haywood, had me arrest
ed for contempt of court the first day
of the Haywood trial. About two
o'clock on said day, | was passing the
Tucker building. near Forts store on
Martin street. and came up with
George Mitchiner and John r. Rand.
l spoke to them, the first remark was
here are two of the ugliest men in
Wake county, Mitchiner said when
you get here it will be three. L re-
piled that is about right, then L Sald
TO Mitchiner: l passed your farm this
morning and was sorry to see you
had made such poor crop as your cot
ton is nearly all picked out and your
corn poor. l told him if he would
give him some seed to plant with in
structions how to plant and maybe
he would do better. His reply was,
alright, he would come and bring ms
two horse wagon as he wanted some
of my seed anyway. | then turned 10
John Rand and asked him If he was
n Juror He said no. l then asked
Rand what he thought of the Hay
wood case. He said he thought Hay
wood did exactly right in shooting
Skinner. as he had knocked him
down and ought to have shot him. L
said | did not think so. l thought 1t
was murder straight out as he shot
Skinner going from him. L SAID |
did not believe Skinner had knocked
him down, as it was not the way OF
q man to run when he had the ad-
vantage of the other fellow. One ia
talk did not last more than five min
utes | did not argue the case at all
or talk in an excited manner or make
gestures or attract a crowd as Helllg
said. / saw no one near me put MI.
Fort | did not see Helllg AT the
time or know there was such n man.
I did not say Haywood ought to be
hanged or name any punishment or IN
innate he ought to be hung. trial or
no trial. as Heilig swears. l did not
sneak to said Mitchiner about HAY
wood, my remarks We're addressed TO
Rand in Mitchiner's presence only.
How Mitchiner and Heilig could make
such afidavits' and swear to them is
strange to mo.
From what one r. NJ. Argo, of Wake
county, attorney for Haywood says,
HeiIig reported to him my talk and
he reported it to the Judge, then the
Judge issued writ ut once fol. me
for contempt of court for trying to
influence the jurors in the Haywood
case. The sheriff found me about four
o'clock and served the writ. | went
with him before the judge, who asked
me if / was Mr.. Wyatt. ! told him
YES. He said to me, it is reported
YOU have made yourself busy in talk
ing TO the jurors. / denied 1T most
positiyely and said if | had spoken to
n Juror except my brother-in-law. |
did not know it. The judge SAID II |
had not he would excuse me. but
wanted to warn me to be careful how
talked. | asked him If l could
sneak. He granted it. l said it was
very humiliating to me to be arrested
aud brought before him and wanted
to knnW who Informed against me-
Mr.. Pou said no one in particular,
that il was rumored ! was talking. l
said to Mr.. Pou: You have known
me lang enough to know that / would
not try TO influence a Juror. Then the
fudge said: Il excused Mr.. Myatt,
but il he wants to investigate IT l Will
do it." one, T. M. Argo, said Mr..
Heilie was not afraid to, come and
testify. and the judge sald: Sehd
for Heilig," as l was leaving the bar.