The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-18
A STRANGE CASE
Trial of Mathews For At
tack On ArmfieId.
One Thinks 1t Would Be a Joke if
ArmfieId Should Die and
The $500 Bond Be For.
ieited.

tSDGC1dl 10 ANGWo anu tDSClNCl'J
Greensboro, N. c., June 1.-THE
attack last Saturday by Harry
Matthews on j. William Armfield, q
contractor and Republican politician
here was partially aired today in &
Justices court Squire Dave Collins
had an investigation of the assault
but the assaultee, Armfield, was too i'll
to be present. Matthews was repre-
scented by G. S. Bradshaw and the
Adams
Witnesses to the assault testified
that they saw Matthews strike Arm
field with his open hand without APP
parent provocation or time for a con-
troversy.
That they were on top of the Jeter
house. which Armfield was superin-
tending the construction of, and after
they saw the first lick, Armfield make
such a lamentation they clambered
down from their perch and were UNI
able to witness any further proceed
ings, Armfeld being badly beaten up
when they reached him and the fight
over There being evidence of
the physician that Armfield was con-
fined to his bed. seriously if not ia
tally hurt, and still bleeding from his
lungs.
Counsel for Matthews did not resist
the contention of Judge Adams that
Terious damage had been done, even
in the absence of proof of use Of
deadly weapon. Mr.. Matthews was
then bound over for his appearance
at Superior Court in the sum of 5000.
which he readily gave.
This is the most curious case ever
known N Erpnnchnrn n
policemen seem to be in the dark, and
never knew that Mr.. ArmfieId was
seriously hurt until they read it in
the papers last Tuesday, and even
then denied there was anything mucn
the matter. Mr.. Matthews went to
Richmond Saturday night after the
fracas that day, and they were conf
dent he would keep his word to re-
turn Tuesday, and he kept his word,
But Armfeld has been very sick all
the week. even unable to be at the
hearing this afternoon.
The peculiar nature of the testi-
mony before the justice today was
the absence of the most inn
portant witness next to the injured
man from the trial, for it is
said he was talking to a lady when he
was struck. and she was absent.
while men who did not see the whole
fight were the only witnesses. The
smalness of the bond, In view of the
possibility, even probability of Arm
fields death. enshrouds this case in
more and more of mystery. So lightly
is the matter regarded an interested
party this afternoon said ii would be "A
great Joke on the proceedings If
Armfeld should die and the $500 bond
should be forfeited"
strange thing in connection with
this case is that on the day following
the news of Armfield's serious condi-
ton in the out-of-town papers, the
local papers which had never even
mentioned the occurrence, came out
been a "scrimmage, but that Mr..
Armfeld was getting about apparently
well.
The next issue had correction
from Mr.. Armfield's friends or physi-
about, but was in a very precarious
condition.
The evidence before the Justice to-
day by the physician himself corrob7
Grated not only this statement, but the
news sent in this correspondence near
ly a week ago of his bad condition and
of the mystery surrounding the case.
Mr.. Tom Went is still running his
"corkage" business despite the passage
of an ordinance by the board of alder
men prohibiting license to be issued
to anybody who kept receptacles in
which others kept things to drink saw
oring of intoxicants. He applied for
license, planked down the cash. and
was refused. No warrant for his ar
rest has yet been issued