The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-11-10

was anything that should bind men
together it should be under such ciT-
cumstances. Several times during his
speech the remarks Of Mr. Skinner
were very beautiful and were listened
to in the most attentive manner, not
only by the members of the jury, but
by every one 10 the court room.
He hooted at the idea that Scott
could have killed all the men and his
theory was that all were guilty and that
Scott told the truth with the exception
of leaving himself out. He pointed
out the fact that when Scott was pu;
on the stand TIA he was told that he
need not tell anything that would in
criminate himself and he argued tina.
Scott ayailed himself of this and elimi
mated himself from the fearful tragedy.
Colonel Skinner thought it unreasona-
BILE that Scott should have been SO
long killing the five men and Adams
and Sawyer find no way in all this time
to stop him. He spoke Of the many
handy weapons such as implements TO
be found in the engine room.
There is no doubt but that the speech
of Colonel Skinner had much weight
with the jury for it showed them that
of the two accounts of the horrible
tragedy that ScOtt's was far more
plausible than The one related by Ad-
ans and Sawyer.
Judge PurneIl made the law very
plain in his charge to the jury and cit
ed the essential points in the evidence.
At the request of the attorney for the
defendants, he mad written his charge.
Ii was lao wne the case was Civ
en- to the jury and they reached their
verdict about 3 o'clock. At 1873, court
having been convened for the afte:,
noon session, they entered the jury box
but owing to the absence of Mr.. Pes
chau their verdict was not made known
until 4:10. Several messengers were
sent ont by the marshall and at tour
O'Clock they entered the court TO).n
and stated that they had been unable
to find the attorney. Judge PurneI
said that Mr.. Peschau had certainly, to
say the least OF it, treated the court
with great discoIrtesy. A few minutes
after 4 o'clock A1r. Peschau entered the
court oom and explained that he had
been drawing up the exceptions.
The prisoners were ordered to stand
up and the clerk asked the jurors il
they had reached a verdict, to which
duCIy LuCy lCplICu III LuC dfttll-
ative. Juror w. w. Larkins, acting as
foreman, announced the verdict. PEI
feet silence reigned as he spoke the
words,"W find both guilty of murder "
The crowd waited expectantly, expect
ing to hear a recommendation for mer-
cy, bu- none came, the doom of ;he
prisoners was sealed. death must be
their fate.
Mr.. Peschau arose and asked for an
arrest Of judgment and filed his excep-
tons On which an effort will be made
to get a new trial. The matter is to
be heard this morning and the prison
ers will also he sentenced today. A
strong effort will be made by Mr.. Pes
chau to get a. appeal to the United
States supreme court.
The trial of Scott was then begun
and the remainder of the evening con
sumed in the selection of a jury out
when court adjourned for the day only
n juror had been chosen, Mr.. Henry
Clay Wall of Rockingham. He IS a
regular juror for the term. Mr..
Wall was TOLD not to speak
of the case with anyone or to
read he newspapers. There is nc
doubt about all Of today being consum-
ed with the trial and it is more than
probable that it will not be concluded
before Thursday. Scott will be de-
Tended by Mr.. William J. Bellamy, who
was appointed by the court.
Other Gases Disposed of.
Thomas Franklin. Of Richmond
county, plead guilty to removing and
cOncealing and was sentenced / a
term Of three months in Jail and to
pay a fine of $20G and costs and an ad-
ditional fine of twice the tax on the
mount of whiskey removed which was
$50 gallons.
The case against T. J. Gore. of New
Hanover county, charged with failure
to oDil:erate stamps, was continued
pending a compromise.
X. Il. Raynor. charged with Illicit
distilling, appeared in court, a capias
having been issued for him. Raynor
is the defendant who J. F. MuSselwhite,
the disharred attorney from Hope Mills
claimed stole certain court papers from
him while he was drunk The defen-
dant stated yesterday that he had new
er seen the papers.
The district attorney explained that
he had no papers on which to send the
case before the grand jury and asked
that it be continued. He furthermore
stated that Judge Sutton, of Fayet+e-
vile, who was J1aynor's attorney. had
said that the defendant had skipped
and that was the reason a caD1as was
issued for him. Judge Purnell wanted
to know how Judge Sutton was acting
in the double capacity of United States
commissioner and also representing
Raynor. He said he wanted it distinct
ly understood that officers of that court
could not appear for defendants.
Raynor was given 10 days in which
to give 8 justified bond of $500.