The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1916-09-08
AGED PRISONER WANTS JUSTICE.
Would Have Court Hear The Facts Of
Killing Done Forty-four
Years Ago.
"a Republic

The Williamson, CW. va.,) Republic
can says:
| Andrew Wise is to return to Bum
combe-co., North Carolina and stand
trial for the alleged killing of ]. c.
Rogers there forty years ago. AL
though he has lived almost the allotted
span Wise desires to satisfy any pun
isfIment that may be meted out to
| him by the law of the land His five
children, useful and respected citizens,
entertain the same feeling.
| There was some talk Wednesday that
Wise might resist extradition, 1t being
stated that there was no indictment
against him in the North Carolina CO.
1t is not likely that this course will be
pursued.
| 1t was understood that an officer from
Buncombe-co. is enroute to William
son to take charge of the aged prison
| er.
This case Is another illustration OF
the so-called long arm of the law 1t
has now been forty-four yeors since
the alleged victim. j. c. Rogers, was
slain, probably the longest time on rec
ord between the alleged commission of
capital crime and the bringing Of the
oOSuoCo W tlidi. hC CdoC 10 di OubAuB
great interest over the entire country.
From North Carolina it is learned
that on the night of the killing, prob
ably about this season of the year, 1872.
Wise and Rogers with others were at
cane mill where molasses were being
made. This mill was located about
midway between the homes of Wise
and Rogers.
Some time during the night, it is
alleged by the North Carolina authori-
| ties, Rogers became enraged because
somebody kicked his dog. Accusing
Wise, Rogers rushed at him, being arm
ed with a heavy wooden bucket.
There were two other men present,
| 1t Is alleged. In the fight that followed
Rogers was struck or cut about the
temple with knife and some time Ia
ter died from the woupd. One Of the
other men, Lewis Miles, died many
years ago and the other by the name
of Donohue disappeared and never was
heard from again.
While Wise refuses to discuss his
case it is stated that he did not know
he was wanted for the alleged crime
until arrested. 1t is stated that he vis-
| tied North Carolina during the year
1915 and that for many years his rel
atives kept up correspondence with
relatives nj Buncombe-
Something of the career of Wise will
be of interest to our readers as he was
for forty-years resident of the Big
Sandy valley. When he came to the
valley shortly after the killing Of Rog-
ers he first located in Pikeville where
he remained three years.
Next Wise went OF the mouth Of the
Big Sandy where Catlettsburg now
stands, remaining there only few
months. He took employment on the
farm of Ex- Senator John Y. York,
father of DR.. William York and Attor--
ney A. Blaine York, of this city. This;
farm was located In the vicinity Of the
Falls of Tug River and there Wise met
and married Elizabeth Lackey. He re-
manned around the farm until 1892.
In 1892 Wise moved to Mingo- co.,
spending most of the years since then
either in Williamson or Nolan He was
often in the employe of the railroad
company as section man and other
wise and was a good steady worker.
He is the father of seven children, five
OF whom are living.
1t was stated at the time of his ar
rest that Wises former wife, whom he
divorced eight years ago, caused his
arrest but the children state that this
is not true. The mother has been liv-
Ing with the son who is farmer in
Monroe co. and did not know anything
until after the arrest was made. 1t
seems that Stephen Rogers, son of j.
C.. Rogers. was the instigator of the
proceedings.
Wise bears the very best of reputa-
tions here. He was always sober and
quiet and number of merchants have
spoken highly OF his integrity. His
children are also very highly respect
ed. The living children are:
Curtis Wise, born in Wayne co., now
a resident of East Williamson. Cur
tbs has lived here a number Of years
and is a trusted employee Of the rail-
road company.
John Wise lives in Columbus and is
employed as storekeeper by the Penn
sylvania railroad company. He is 22
years OF age and single
George Wise, is 35 years of age and
owns a farm in Monroe CO., where he I
Is highly respected by his neighbors.
Mrs. Ellen Smith lives on Pond creek
and another daughter. Mrs Geo. Simp-
kins, lives at Nolan
All the children have been In will
hanson to help their aged father In
his time OF need and the family have
friends who will render any
assistance possible