The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-09
TRIAL OF MURDER
CASE IN PROGRESS
State Endeavoring to Weave Net
of Evidence About Gurkin-.
and Cobb

Weldon, y. c., June s-slowly. but
surely, the State Is endcavorins to
weave a net Of circumstantial evidence
about Henry Gurkin and r. w. Cobb
ON trial in Halifax Superior Court. for
the murder or Thomas Shaw. on the
night Of May 3, from which is now ap-
pears IL Will be difficult for defendant
Cobb to escape, and the State counsel
are hrm In the belief that before sun
set Monday they will draw closely
around young Gurkin.
No case in Halifax Superior Court
since the trial of Powell, two years
ago has attracted such widespread in
terest and II Is the absorbing topic
throughout tho country
Thomas Shaw, the man who was
slain. was an easy going farmer and
country merchant BY industry and
strict attention to his own affairs he
accumulated several thousand dollars
1t was generaly known that he kent
his money In the house. On the night
OF the murder he had a bag OF money
tucked under his arm, containing $500
or $500.
Suspicion first fell upon Cobb. who
came TO Roanoke Rapids about two
years ago from Norfolk. Cobb and
Gurkin weer often together. and soon
after Cobb's arrest Gurkin was also
taken into custody.
Henry Gurkin is a good looking boy.
about eighteen years old. and Is a mem
Der of family prominent in Halifax
County for generations on his mothers
side OF the house. His father, the late
DR.. Gurkin. was physician for long
time at the State farms and was pop
ular and esteemed. The young son
now on trial for n capital offense. does
not In any way look 20 be boy with
the nerve TO commit murder He has
an attractive countenance and smiles
often at some occurrence in the court
room.
On the other hand whether stamped
by nature or depravity, Cobb does not
measure up quite so we'll.
He whispers often to his attorney
as some statement damaging to tho
defense falls from the lips OF the wit
ness.
Judge Henry P. Lane, of Reldsville,
the presiding judge, is man Of large
heart and mind His rulings are
prompt and effective.
It is generally believed that the State
will play it's best card tomorrow The
prosecution has established the fact
that on the night OF the murder a
bicycle was ridden out from Menhern.
house, and turned around and ridden
back This bicycle, the State claims,
has been identified and it will be n
silent. but powerful witness in its case
tomorrow. The State will then, ii Is
alleged, identify the man who rode the
wheel that night.
OF course, the attorney for the de-
Tense will have their inning after
the State rests its case, and they are
equally as confident that they can es-
tablish an alibi for both Gurkin and
Cobb, and Will introduce evidence TO
account for both men during that fatal
hour. For the defense are several
young women will testify. One pretty
and attractive young woman Is Cobbs
sweetheart who Will be the star wit
ness for the defense.
Miss Sallie Dickens. of Enfield, Is
the court stenographer.
1t now appears that the case will
drag through most Of the week as
each witness must stand three rigid
from the State and
then cross-examined by counsel for
Gurkin. then turned over 20 Cobb's
counsel for a final grllling before he
can leave the chair