New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-17
Twelve North Carolinans
Convinced Heiress Died
by Accident
Defendant Pale,
His Wife in Tears
Accused Protege of Mrs.
King Is Cheered by
the Crowd
lStof Correspondence

ne NcrQlCl was IcuocItu az AN'"" a. ''''
approximately fifteen hours after the
case had been given 20 the jury by
Judge L. b. Cline.
This little town was still asleep un-
der its mantle.of snow when. at $3.50 &.
M. tho twelve farmers and cotton mill
workers who constituted the jury sent
word TO Judge Cline asking his attend
ancc i'm court. The old courthouse bell
was rung 10 inform the townstok OF
the resumption Of the session, but only
a handful OF the accused mans TRENDS
and sympathiZerS occupied seats as
Judge Cline took the bench.
Means, pale and urkempt after
night of suspense. sat beside ms weep
ing wife. Julie. and his agitated father,
colonel ". G.. Means. Former Judge
Frank I. Osborne, chief Of the Means
counsel. and two Of his assistants were
the only others present on the deien-
dant's side Of the bar. Mrs. Maize
Melvin, sister Of the dead woman, re
NAMED with the accused mans brotn-
ers, sisters and mother IN the old
Means homestead, half mile from the
courthouse. Solicitor Hayden Clement
was alone on the prosecutions side.
Sobs Heard in Courtroom
Only the sobs Of the accused mans
wife broke the silence Of the chilly
courtroom as Judge Cline warned the
audience that contempt proceedings
would follow any attempt TO express APP
proval or dsapproval Of the verdict.
Means closed his eyes and sank down IN
his chair as the Sheriff was dispatched
TO summon the jury, but he braced HIM
self and smiled as the Jurymen ap-
reared and clattered into the box. The
smile broadened IS he rose 10 receive
the verdict
"Have YOU selected your foreman ,"
asked Judge Cline OF the jurors.
I'VE have" they chorused. Frank
Goodman be the speaker
And Goodman. distant cousin OF the
accused man. farmer, county commits
sioner and one OF the wealthest lana
owners Of Cabarrus. stood 10 and faced
the prisoner. while the clerk Of the
court Put the question which meant life
or death 70 Means.
"Not guilty quietly announced
Goodman. Means turned 10 his wife,
Colonel Means strobe toward his son, a
murmur ran through the courtroom, and
Judge Cline raped FOR order.
Means Walks Out With Wife
Have you any other charge against
the prisoner at the bar - asked Mr..
Osborne Of Solicitor Clement. and, or
receiving a negative repiy. moved thai
Means be d .scharged. The motion was
allowed. and Neanc supporting the lit
tie woman who has been his mainstay
during the long weeks Of his impris-
oument. led the way 10 the Court
House steps. where "a little crowd OF
townfolk had gathered 10 greet him.
As he replied 20 their congratulations,
The twelve discharged jurors emerged
from the Court House.
IL want 20 thank you men, eI-
claimed Means, and he rushed over to
them and shook their hands. Then.
escorted by a cheering mob, lie walked
up the main street OF Concord 10 his
home. where he denied himself TO
would be interviewers.
The trial Of CASTOR b. Means, which
began on September &c, was the long
est criminal proceedings Of the kind in
the history Of the North Carolina
courts. In all lightweight witnesses
examined. Twcuty-Onc more were
called. but were not put on the stand.
While tho cost Of the prosecution was
ease which ever came before the state
courts. little of the expense will be
horne by the state. The law. providing
Tor the payment Of the expenses Of
witnesses at the rate OF five cents a
mile from the county line TO the state
border. will be rigidly observed The
cost Of the elaborate defence, similar
ly. will be borne almost entirely by
Means
Mrs. King was killed al Blacswelder
Spring. a lonely spot in the country
near here. August 29 last when with
Means and party OF has friends she
mad stopped on an automobile drive TO
practise pistol shooting. Means and
tho woman were alone at the time. Cap
tain W. S. Bingham and Alton Means. a
brother Of CASTOR Means. having
walked down the road 10 shoot az rab-
bits
Chicago Coroner Makes Charge
A coroner's inquest accepted the
statement OF Castor Means that she
shot herself accidentally. Il was not
until the woman's body was taken "a
Chicago for burial that charges Of fou
play were made. There the cOroner's
physician declared that the wound in
the back Of the woman's head could not
have been self-inficted
The Investigation shifted 10 New
York. where Mrs. King had resided foi
several years and where Means haC
handled her business affairs. and &
search OF the apartments there Of Mrs
King and her sister and Mr.. and Mrs
Castor Means disclosed. according "a
New York officials, that Means had mis-.
appropriated the woman's money, and
also that he was connected with Ger
man agents.
Mrs. King Inherited Million
Mrs. King had inherited approx
matsly 81 600. 900 from her second hus-
band. the late James c. King. Of Chica-
20. and during the trial New York and
Chicago witnesses declared nearly all
% this sum had vanished" during the
time Means was connected with the
vorlAn's affairs. 10 also was asserted
Nesns was preparing 20 offer for pro-
hate an alleged second will Of James
4 King which would give an additional
$1,000 900 70 Mrs. King.
North Carolina officials reopened
The investigation and az a hearing here
last September Means was bound over
Ia the grand jury and later indicted
Al his trial the state cOntendod that
Means ha0 looted the woman's fortune
and killed her 20 escape an accounting.
Witnesses asserted Means had kept the
women o virtual prisoner IN the Chics-
90 Beach Hotel The defence denied
,tis and offered evidence 10 show that
Aiys. King approved Moanss spceula-
lions with her money.
Nrs. Kings mother Mrs. Anna L.