The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-01-09

DItllc. oAC
,f the county.
The first person reaching the scene
af+ar the alarm was given was MI.
Dennis Wright, and he found MIS-.
breathing her last, not able 10
tell the story.
Hundreds Of people were soon on
,h. Mace. Drs. s. S. Royster and T..
\ Hnuser held the autopsy. With
f. Schenk acting as special r
Sheriff wilkins and his
were soon On the scene.
The first clue to the murderers was
eiyen when it was stated that TACK
Ross = brother Of John Ross, had
had a dispute with Mr.. Dixon q lew
weeks before about a mortgage.
Arrests and Demeanor OF Prls-
Oners.
Hack Ross, being arrested, blood
uas found on his OVerallS, ana ne was
very excited and nervous when taken
into custody. He claimed that the
blood on his pants was from q musk
rat that he had trapped on the Mon
day before.
He wore a number ten shoe that
exactly fitted the fresh track between
the two houses.
John Ross told SO many conflicting
stories that he was carried to jail Win
Hack Ross by the sheriff.
| Cullen Null, a stepson OF John Ross
and Major Stroud were also taken 70
jail as material witnesses.
How Lynching Was Avoided.
Sensational developments were
learned on Friday. the day for when
the preliminary hea ring was set, When
the evidence Of the awful crime ana
John Ross duplicating his cousin, Will
Ross and his son Pig came to light.
The officers went for VIII and !
and found them heavily armed. Ihcn
the ouroner's jury made its report
tthat one or two out of the i've were
guilty. :,
At that m Judge Webb and
Solicitor Wilson entered the court
room. Judge Webb broke the silence
by the following words:
"Fellow citizens: l take it you have
gathered here today to hear the coro-
ner's jury report relative to the nor
riblc murder Of Mr.. and Mrs. john
Dixon. [ have always been proud that
was BORN in North Carolina and
Cleveland county. It is the duty OF all
good citizens if possible, to find out
the enc who committed the deed, but
it is never wise to take the law into
your own hands. Those who do will
have a pail following them through
life n disturbing them in thelr
sleep. In Rutherford county there was
a lynching. Men had to cave theil
wives and children. | hone that nc
: citizen in this county has thought
! about %lynching; it is q horrlbie ant
outrageous crime; we have V1gllan
S officers and clean men who will ST
e on the jury and give the men speed,
justice.
Il have a telegram in my hant
from Gov. w. w. Kitchin calling {
r special term Of court to try the mel
y we have arrested on January Sth
There is danger Of a mob getting a.
innocent man and destroying eVldenc
that may lead up to the guilty parties
Mr.. Anbrous Cline and wife tell m
that they hope there will be no VIC
T lence and they wan the law to TAX
n it's course.
s w have the right party, a cour
can be held in three weeks, so | be
n you as good. conscientious citizens nc
to stain the fair name Of Cleveland bu
n go home and wait"
q The Three Ross Negroes.
!, Mr.. John f.. Schenk took til
~ the stand to report as special corone
p and said that the jury was Statistic
10 that one or more out of the five al
guilty, and recommends that job
ar Ross, Hack Ross and VIII Ross be *
ct nlanded to Jail without bail.
Speeches were made by Sheri
Wilkins, Solicitor Wilson and Clyde !
E1Oey, VINO plea0eO with the mulLltut
st for the majesty of the law to be III
held.
Vengeance is Mine Saith the LAW
no The officials thought best to reno
,s- the prisoners to Charlotte hat tn
RI might be separated in order to E
no their possible full confession and Go
ernor kitchin duly called a speci
term Of court to " on Janua
ne Sth for the trial Of the Dixon mu
dereTS.
po White Man Arrested.
ne Sunday night, December 31st, t
cd Ross negroes were all put together
he Gastonia and the night watchm;
on evesdropped the conversation and tn
implicated a white man of Clevela1
,ut county by the name of GLADDEN., W
was placed in Jail Monday.
rs. O.. M. Gardner will represent "
alf Ross, O.. NJ. Gardner and Lem VIII,
ted more will represent GLADDEN.. The sts
a will appoint counsel for the other I
groeS.
the The Gastonia Military Company Y
ITO guar tho nriSnnarS fynr, CoctN,