Richard Rising, in Jail for Killing J.K. Bell, Says Fatal Shot Accidentally Fired by George King, April 3, 1926

Wilmington Police Searching for Alleged Murderer. . . Negro Now Charged with Having Fired Shot Killing Bell. . . George King Being Sought by Wilmington Police on Charge of Having Shot and Killed J.K. Bell Dry Raider—Man Now Held in New Hanover Jail Declares That Fatal Shot Was fired Accidentally by Colored Man

Wilmington, April 2 (AP)—Today brought no new developments in the Bell murder case, George King, negro alleged by Richard Rising, now in jail, to have accidentally fired the shot resulting in the death of the volunteer raider, was still at liberty tonight, although the sheriff’s force is working with redoubled efforts to effect his arrest.

Rising, who admits his presence at the still when Bell was slain, says the raider’s appearance on the scene, gun in hand, and his command to “hands up,” so frightened the shot gun, that he tripped and fell, the gun discharging the charge which tore its way into his brain.

He says they then moved the still and abandoned Bell in the swamp He lay in his own blood 24 hours before found, and lived 18 hours after being carried to the hospital.

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Search for Negro

Wilmington, April 2—Search for George King, negro, wanted by the authorities in connection with the death of J.W. Bell, volunteer enforcement officer, was today being continued by Sheriff Jackson, his deputies and police officers, but they saw little hope of effecting an immediate arrest, it being said that unquestionably King had been given ample warning, and has probably made his temporary escape.

King has been sought since Wednesday afternoon late, after Sheriff Jackson had placed Richard Rising, white, a sheet metal worker, under arrest. Rising, in a partial confession, is said to have implicated King, who, the white man says, was helping him in the operation of the whiskey still found near the spot where Bell was shot.

Rising was Wednesday afternoon placed in jail, and the authorities then went in search of King. They were unable to locate him, and although the sheriff and deputies spent the entire night Wednesday at the home of King, he did not return. The continued their search yesterday and last night, without results. King was said to have been seen at various points, but each report on being followed up by the officers proved to be fruitless.

Rising is said to have told the authorities that he and the negro were at their still together, and had started out of the woods when they were met by Bell. The negro, Rising said, stumbled and fell, and the shot gun being accidentally discharged the load of shot striking Bell. Little faith, it was said, was placed in this version of the shooting as given by Rising. The county authorities express the belief that Rising is the person who fired the shot, and it is said that they would have sufficient evidence to hold him when the coroner’s jury begins its further inquisition.

The initial work of the jury was that of yesterday afternoon when Dr. Elliott, assistant county health officer, made a report of the autopsy.

From the front page of The Goldsboro News, Saturday morning, April 3, 1926

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93064755/1926-04-03/ed-1/seq-1/