The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-30
CASE LOOKS DARK
Little Evidence in Favor
of Will Adams.
Hearing Before Governor Glenn Yes
terday Morning. Character of Rob-
ert Bridgers Was Proved to
be Good.

= There appears to be little hope now
for VIII Adams, the negro in Wake
county Jail, convicted of numbering in
cold blood, Mary Bridgers, IL colored
woman, last year. 1t seemed at one
time that recent developments would
partly lift the certainty OIL the crime
from the soul of Adams, if not en-
tirely vindicate him, but those who eX-
rected q radical change in the condi-
ton of the case by the hearing be-
fore Governor Glenn yesterday We're
disappointed
After the hearing was concluded,
the Governor stated that he would
again review the evidence which was
submitted in court, and would an
nounce his final decision in the case
either Saturday or Monday.
There were nearly score OF Wit
nesses at the hearing, men white and
black, and many statements which
tended to give serious trouble to the
husband of the murdered woman were
not reiterated before the Governor.
Whether they were made originally by
sensation mongerS, or originated III
the malice of some towards BridgerS,
was not disclosed, but not one word
of any of the several witnesses exam
ined could lead sanyone to suppose,
the Governor said, that the crime '9as
committed by Bridgers.
Every witness on the stand, for fthe
State and for the prisoner, testified to
nothing that incriminated BridgerS,
and he established q character for
honesty integrity, industry, meekness,
and humility, that is worthy of emula-
ton.
These statements were to the effect
that Bridgers and his wife lived neith-
er the simple nor the peaceful life,
laying upon them the charge of haV-
ing existed in a state of the most dis
cordant infelicity, and axes, iron bars,
big stakes of wood and such were ia
niliar modes of communication De
tween them. All this was rumor, and
being traced to it's source, the origina-
tor of it was discovered. and he was
absent. 1t was said that the tale was
secondhand when he caught it, and
others present stated that the person
accused by this man of having uttered
the charge against BridgerS had de-
MED its authorship.
An interesting character was "Ol'
Man Bridgers" father of Robert nus
band of Mary, the deceased. Before
the hearing had proceeded very far,
the ''ol' man" asked if he could make
statement, but was denied the privi-
lege at that inopportune time. After
the witnesses had all been examined
Bridgers was permitted TO have his
say.
The col man" was familiar with
the household of his son, and said
that Rob was as gentle as pet sheep,
and if his wife ever got after HIM,
he kotched hold on de wind and
| flowed away. Eff his Wife AIRY tine
made go fer him, he'd jest make
fer de woods, Ell stay away telr de
COWS cum home. Rob wuz loVin
husban'. an do day wuz gittin' on
perty arter day wuz marrit Mary
kin er made Rob walk stiff, but day
got to iovin de t'other, and Rob
wudder let 'er beat de life outen him
afore he'd done nuthin' to her dat
wud hurt. My OF oman 'uz wild 'em
afore de KILN, but toll her thanked
Gawd dat she lef' dat house afore
Mary wuz killed, kase de good Wuk
might a KEEP on"
Governor Glenn stated that ne
would announce his final decision
either Saturday or Monday, and in the
meantime he will review the evidence.