The news & observer., 1905-12-15
THE ROAD TRAGEDY
Hicks and farrell on Trial
at WarrentOn.
The Story by Witnesses of The Cutting
of Gilbert Kings Throat by the
Negro Hicks Near Lit
tIetOn.
Especial to News and Observer)


Warrenton n. c., Dec. 14.-The
taking Of evidence in the case of Hicks
and FARRELL the two negroes on trial
here for the killing of Gilbert King in
the road near LittIeton on the night of
the 4th of November YVES completed
and argument begun by counsel yes.
terday. A brilliant array of legal tall
ent was embodied in the lawyers who
spoke Tor the commOnWea and fol
the prisoner ana the large audience
present was time and again thrilled
with bursts Of forensic eloquence.
Hon. Tasker Polk made the first ad-
dress for the State, and he was fol-
lowed by Solicitor Walter T.. Daniel
and H. f.. Kerr. also for the COM
monWealth. These in turn were fol-
lowed by Judge w. A. Montgomery
for Hicks and Charles u. Harris, of
Raleigh, for FARRELL. The arguments
of the two last named gentlemen were
especially fine.
At their conclusion Judge b. Z.
Long arose and delivered a most i'm
pressive charge to the jury. This was
finished at two o'clock this afternoon
and the case placed in the hands of
the twelve, who at once returned to
begin their deliberations.
Up to 1890 tonight no report has
come from these men in whose hands
rests the fate of tne accused, and Il
rumor has gone forth that it is a busy
jury 1t is probable that nothing will
be heard from the jury room before
morning.
Evidence iii the Case.
A number of witnesses were exam
ined in the case and the defendant
Hicks himself was placed on the
ct, wifi
B. A. Barnes, the young man who was
with King when the latter received
the terrible slash IN his throat which
proved 4 death stroke. Barnes told
the story of the tragedy of which he
was an eye witness in a simple, but
graphic, style. He related how
buggy containing the two negroes
drove up behind King and himself;
how the negroes yelled to them to let
them pass; how at a double road
Hicks and farrell turned to the right
and attempted TO pass; how King
frustrated this by driving across the
way; how the negroes began to curse
and swear now King alighted and
went 10 ms horses head and the ne
groes also halting cried out that they
wanted to pass; how King told them
that there was the road. pass. but that
he would ike II know what they were
fussing about.
On this. the witness said. Hicks and
farrell leaped from their buggy, one
of them declaring that they meant
to thrash the white men. Hicks
whipped out a knife and shook his
fist in witness face while farrell stood
close behind him. Witness told Hicks
he need draw no knife. as the negro
could rot frighten him. Hicks turned
from him and ripping out an oath adj
va m K inn
him a blow with his buggy whip.
Then IN flew the negro's armed hand,
and as the blade descended King sank
against him and then fell on his hands,
blood squirting from ghastly wound
in his throat
According to the witness. Hicks |
then stepped back and Jarrell called
to him (Barnes) to get off his morse
and he would eat him uD. Witness
refused King staggered to his feet |
and climbed into his buggy. he drove |
off saying he was going to doctor and |
called 70 Barnes TO follow him. This |
the witness did. leaving the negroes
standing in the road
Some distance ahead King came to |
a cross road and turned to the left, |
calling back 20 the witness TO follow |
as fast as he could. Barnes Kept De
hind him until he reached Dr. Whit !
aker's place. at Whlch point hlhg hdu I
pa sse1 frnm riew When the witness /
saw him again, two hours later. he |
wac doubled u IN the foot of the /
buggy. stone dead
Among other witnesses called was |
w 8 Tbrogmortan, who testified that /
inst before sundown of the day of the |
tragedy, Hicks and Jarrell tried TO |
aick n duarrel with hirp at wine |
housa in Littleton, when King sprang |