The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-14

porters as the men who received the
mail from the box.
| Mr. j. A. Jones, member of the real
Zones and Powell firm, testified that
| this firm had been in existence in Raj
| eigh twenty years. The firm dealt in
coal, ice wood, feed and grain. His
| first intimation Of the other firm" was
by receiving letters addressed in inter-
ton to the other firm. He received
a letter signed by Joseph B. Powell,
the contents of which were that the
firm style would be changed en-
tirely, and stated that one of the firm
would soon be in Raleigh, and it
stated the objects of the firm" Mr..
Jones said Powell never owned in
tereSt in the real Jones and Powell es-
adjustment The rating of Jones a.
Powell by Bradstreet, he said, was
good.
Mr.. e. G. Horton. local merchant,
said he saw Powell He had received
a postal card from Powell in regard
to the renting of store near the cor
ner of Blount and Martin streets,
stating that he would be in Raleigh In
a few days. He wanted to know When
the store would be vacated
John Hicks, q colored porter on the
Seaboard, running from Raleigh TO
Portsmouth, said he had an under
standing with Powell, whereby ne
would get the mail from Raleigh for
Powell. and carry it to Norfolk for
Powell. who gave him a key to his box.
Powell gave him letters, which he was
required to mail in Raleigh. He had
surrendered the key to u. S. Commits
sioner John Nichols.
On cross examination Hicks said
that a Mr.. Stone once requested him
to get the mail from the same box.
James Robinson, colored railway
porter, running between Raleigh and
Portsmouth, said that he had mailed
matter for Powell. in Raleigh, and had
gotten mail for Powell from the Raj
eigh postoffice box.
Mr.. II. B. Bunch, freight conductor
on the Seaboard, was in January. 1904,
baggage master, and that he met Pow
ell then in Portsmouth, being intro
duced to him by Mr.. Stone. Powell
told him that he intended to open
business in Raleigh.
Important Witness.
j. C. Stone said he knew Powell, and
had collected for him in Norfolk. He
never saw and never knew the man
Jones'. in the firm" His own name,
said Stone was used in the firm style,
Jones and Powell Mercantile Com
pany," and when he asked Powell why
he used his (Stone's) name, Powell
replied that he used it simply to fill
out" He never even heard of Jones,
and never conversed with Powell about
it. Stone said he was working for
Powell, and that Powell dictated the
letters and when he did this, Stone
was always required to leave the room.
Sometimes he was sent to the train to
meet the porters with the mail. Pow
ell wanted him to accept position
with him in Raleigh, but Stone re-
fused to leave Norfolk, and Powell put
an advertisement in the paper, which
Brooks answered. Stone said that
since Powell had been released from
Jail, Powell had inundated him, had
him arrested and all apparently to
prevent him from testifying in this
case Here a large number of letters
were exhibited, the majority of which
Powell confessed to have written.
Mr.. r. E. Lumsden. tranfer clerk
at the depot, testified that previous
to January Is, 1904 he received and
stamped at the depot about mail time
postal cards severahtimes, bearing the
firm name of Jones and Powell. The
quantity of them moved him to dis
cover the firm name.
Mr.. Leo Parker, who is engaged
with j. NJ. Broughton & Co., stated
that the store was rented by the
firm" Mr.. Brooks having paid the
money The key was secured, but
next day Brooks was arrested, and the
store had not been occupied.
AT o'clock a recess was taken UNI
til o'clock.