Milford chronicle., 1911-06-30

few slight errors from the way in whicl
he gave his direct examination. The cas-
continued Wednesday, and it VS. no
likely to be concluded before Wednesda,
afternoon IS the defense had several mor'
witnesses, and some time would be de
voted to the argument before the jury.
Olin Stockley, the victim Of the shoot
ing affray, was the young white man who
was acquitted at the February term o.
court of the charge of assault with intent
to commit murder on Thomas Williams
the latter part of last year by hitting him
in the forehead with a quart bottle while
at a festival being held at Hearn's Cross
Roads, a short distance from Lourel, At
that time Stockley was stabbed in several
/ places and for a time it was thought he
would die He was acquitted of the charge
at court.
/ At the session wednesday morning the
/ defense introduced Minos Hearn, a Laurel
constable. on the stand, TO prove that
Albert Hitch, theyoung white man whom
was testified to was nearby when Wheat
ley shot, said that John Collins, the ne
gro who was with them, was tie black
son of a - who shot Stocklsy; not
Wheatlev." " Constable Hearn stated that
Hitch told him that while he was bringing
Collins and Hitch, both Of whom had
been arrested for being drunk on the
streets the same evening that the riot took
place, to the George Jail. Mrs. Emily
Hitch was placed upon the stand for re
buttal and denied that Wheatley went to
her home that night where he said he was
attended to BY her, and she also denied
the statement made by Wheatley that she
had bathed his eve where he had been
shot. Albert Hitch contradicted the state
ment made by Wheatley that he went to
the Whalev livery stable and told Wheat
ley he had better get away as the whites
were after the negroes; also that he piloted
the negro about after the shooting. and
likewise refuted the statement of Wheat
lev about his Hitch $ wife administering
to his comfort s Both sides then closed
the case. Deputy-Attorney General Jones,
in offering his prayers TO the court, asked
that the jury be not instructed to return
a verdict of first degree murder, but sec
Ond degree as he has asCertained from
the evidence that it was not sufficient
enough toask for a return of verdict as
he had been indicted. The only charge
the defense asked was that of reasonable
doubt and not guilty.
Ii IS not likely that the case will be con-
cluded earlier than tonight, and the out
rome of this case is being watched with
great interest by large crowd of Laurel-
ties who are in attendance.
The verdict of the Wheatley and Walls
cases, the latter to start as soon as the
Wheatley trial is concluded, are of grave
Importance as it is argued that they viii
nave breat bearing on future cases of
his character, that is to say where they
.re the result of race riot.
For the first time in the history of the
,ounty have the members of the jury been
lllowed the privilege of removing their
oats and sitting in the jury box in that
manner during the trial, but they have
)een permitted to do so in this case be-
,ause of the swcltry condition of the room.
While the Court are continually making
lse of large palm leaf fans. onlookers are 4
,ept busy trying to keep cool by using
heir hats. Nearly every one who visits
he court is not in the room long before
hey have their handkerchief out wiping
No "Calling down has n
,=eu given any of the visitors to the court
h appear without coats.
LATER As We are going TO press word
$ received that the jury has declared
guilty in the second degree. II