The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1907-06-11

charge OF the Prisoner an Officer
Serves q Warrant on Him for the
Murder OF Engineer Strange in Raj
eigi,-Hc VIII Be Broush, Here in
Custody This Morning.
BY EDWARD Il. CONN.
Henderson, n. c.. June a
hearing that did not last three hours
Dr. d. S. Rowland, of Raleigh. who
was charged with the murder of his
eleven-year-old son, David Austin
Rowland, was released from custody
by order of the sitting magistrates at
the request of Mr.. A. =. Zollicoffer.
acting for the solicitor for his dis
trfct who is attending court at Tar
boro.
The hearing had been in progress
nearly three hours when DIR. w. A.
Withers, of Raleigh, the expert chem
list who had made a chemical analy-
sis of the child's viscera or stomach
1ntestines and other organic parts was
called to the witness stand. There had
been given absolutely no intimation
of his testimony would be. and
as the hearing had been thorough
and exhaustive it WaJ believed that
his testimony would be sensational.
Not even the defendants counsel knew
anything of the nature of DR.. Withers'
report and there was intense feeling
but deathly stiffness in the court
room, packed to the walls by people
from every part of the county, while
he testified.
The brow of the prisoners face
was contracted, his eyes We're swollen
and red. the lines in his face and
forehead cler1y defined and deeD an
xiety was depicted upon his counte-
nance. To the direct question as to
whether or not poison had been found
In the dead child's stomach DIR. With
ers stated that none had been found.
The face of DR.. Rowland relaxed then
convulsed and he broke into tears
weeping as a child.
Mr.. Zollicoer then arose and spoke
as follows:
1t has been the theory down here
that the child was poisoned by strych-
nine administered in confectioneries
bought by DR.. Rowland and there
We're many other circumstances sus-
picious in their character, he having
applied about the first OF April for
insurance on the boys life from two
companies and his e~ndeavoring to sell
and finally selling a lot of land for
4I,ZUu ptlOllSiIS " tIlt GIiI1d 1t Ntl
next day after the child was buried
and rumors that the child had eaten
cherries which had been given him
by his father and of which he had
complained of as being bitter.
'These facts caused the relatives
Of the child to feel that there should
be an investigation r~elative to the
cause of the child's death. They called
on Solicitor c. c. Daniels at the late
term Of Vance Court and laid the
roo+r hafnro him ThfTplJnnn 4 war
rant was secured and a post mortem
examination Of the body was ordered.
The stomach was taken to Raleigh
to Prof. Withers for analysis. After
stomach and other organs by one Of
the most efficient in the
State of North Carolina, using those
instruments and tests which are now
used by experienced chemists and the
latest and most reliable, he reports
to the court that he found no poison
OF any kline which would produce
death.
"This being true and relying upon
that report. acting for and in behalf
of the solicitor of the state with
whom haze consulted in regard to
this matter and following the wishes
of those who retained me | do not
ask that the defendant should ho held
longer upon this charge, but that he
he released from custody
htft1S'u anu
The magistrates then ordered his re-
Tease and never beore did a scene
more pathetic and heart rendlng oc-
cur in this court ROOM. DIR. Rowland S
relatives and friends by the score many
CRYING aloud gathered around him
cIasping his hand with both their
own some embracing him ana al
speaking kindly words. When they
had p-trly finished, and OFFICER OF tne
law ST pned onward and read q war
5 - I,,rtioa Of the Peace
.-,.arh il Raleigh charging Or. ROW
land with the murder of the late En-
gineer Strange whose widow Dr. lto"-
land married. DR.. Rowland was a.
rested and will be carried TO halelsh
tomorrow morning. DR.. RoWtands son
died AT theh home of his aunt near klt-
troIl on the third of May. Inc CIR
cumstances attending the dealh aIous-
ed the suspicion of the boy 5 felduNe9
and on the goth of May ne Was a.
ros+o5 in raleigh charged with the
murder of his son ana was plou9hI
to Henderson.
p,eIininaries of the Hearing.
The hearing began in the county
Court house at $3.50 o'clock. the couil
roNn vas cr0wded with witnesses and
curious spectators. Three Justlces .
the Deacc conducted the hedIihS
County treasurer w. r. Gary, MI. }.
T. Jones and Mr.. Frank WoItilatn
The Justice who issued the M"ilalt
Or. Rowland's arrest, Col. IAonias l.
Jones. is a Confederate veteran. l
contractcd illness at the reunion al.
Richmond which prevented him from
hearing the case. The att@rness II
Dr.. Rowland are Nessrs- War.el
Watson and T. n. Holding, of Raleigh
End NJ. T. T. Hicks. of Henderson,
The prosecuting attorney is Hon; IA
c. zo!1icoffer. acting SoIcltot' VI
conducted the prosecution IN the 'p-
Rence Of Solicitor Z. Z. Ddil1ia a,s
the prisoner sat hetWeen Attorneys