Fennell Says Shot that Killed John Graham Was Accidental, Aug. 26, 1926

One Dead, 3 Hurt at Negro Brawl. . . Conflicting Stories Told of Sunday Affair at Harrell’s Store Home

John Graham, colored, of Harrell’s Store is dead and a negress, Annie Bryant will have her arm amputated as a result of a shot gun in the hands of Mark Fennell, also colored, Sunday afternoon.

Sunday night Fennell was arrested by officers and placed in the county jail here without bond, charged with the murder of Graham, who lived only a few hours after he had been taken to the Bullock Hospital in Wilmington. The major portion of the load entered his body just above the thighs at close range, according to reports from officers here.

Two other colored members of the group were also hit by a few stray shot, but their injuries are not reported as being serious.

According to the general statement among the colored people who were in attendance at Graham’s funeral Tuesday afternoon, the shooting was accidental. It has been reported that Fennell was in an adjoining room and was handling a single-barreled shot gun which was loaded.

Some reports have also been received here to the effect that Fennell threw open the door to the room and intentionally fired upon the group and immediately made his escape into the nearby woods, only to be captured by officers late Sunday evening.

According to Sheriff Jernigan who has talked to the prisoner, Fennell said that it was purely accidental and that he was in an adjoining room with the gun in his hands when it fired off the charge, going through the open door space into the group sitting closely together in the next room.

The preliminary hearing has been set for Thursday afternoon.

From the front page of the Sampson Independent, Clinton, N.C., Thursday, August 26, 1926

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R.B. Johnson in Serious Condition, Shot by Sikes, Aug. 25, 1926

R. B. Jackson Shot During Quarrel. . . Former Restaurant Proprietor Here in Serious Condition Following White Lake Shooting

With a bullet hole in the lower part of his stomach and the intestines punctured in three places, R. B. Jackson, who formerly operated the American Café of Clinton but who now operates a confectionary stand at Melvin’s Beach, White Lake, was rushed to the Pittman Hospital in Fayetteville Thursday afternoon in a serious if not fatal condition. During a quarrel between he and a Mr. Sikes, who operates a boat on the beach there, Sikes shot him with a large calibre pistol at close range, according to reports received in Clinton late Tuesday afternoon.

According to information received in Clinton following the shooting, there had been bad feeling between Jackson and Sikes since the fifth of July as a result of Sikes reporting Jackson for gambling. At a later date, according to reports, Jackson tipped off a revenue officer to the fact that Sikes had whiskey in his possession.

The malice had existed between the two men for some time with no evidenced sings of mishaps until Tuesday at noon when Sikes anchored his boat near the shore on the Melvin side of the beach and came upon land with the intention of eating lunch. As he neared the stand operated by Jackson, the latter hailed him and asked why he lied on him during the gambling case. In reply Sikes is reported as saying he did not lie on him. Following this reply Jackson advanced on him at which time Sikes warned him to come no closer. Failing to comply with this request resulted in Jackson being shot in the pit of the stomach, falling on his face.

One of Jackson’s friends, hearing the report, ran out and discovered what had taken place and advanced upon Sikes, who warned him if he came any nearer to him, he would receive the duplicate. With this statement, the friend withdrew and assisted in Jackson’s conveyance to the hospital. Just who the friend was has not been ascertained at this time but many are of the opinion that the person was his business partner, Ernest Jordan of Clinton.

Citizens of Clinton who were visiting the Pittman Hospital in Fayetteville Tuesday night reported that Jackson was taken into the operation room at 3:30 Tuesday afternoon and carried out into his ward at 5:30, having lain on the operating table two hours.

P. M. Jackson, father of the wounded man, who was at the hospital, reported to citizens from here that if his son survived the tragedy, he would be confined there for many weeks yet. The doctors there who are attending the wounded man refrained from making any statements concerning his condition.

From the front page of the Sampson Independent, Clinton, N.C., Thursday, August 26, 1926

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Rory Matthews On Way to Prison to Serve 30-Year Sentence, Aug. 26, 1926

Rory Matthews Abandons Appeal to Higher Court.. . Accepts Sentence of 30 Years Pronounced by Judge Sinclair Following Conviction at June Term

Rory Matthews, who is now confined in jail here where he has been s ince his conviction at the special June term of Superior Court, has abandoned his appeal to the Supreme Court and will within the next few days be carried to Raleigh and begin his 30-year sentence in State Prison. Matthews abandoned the appeal, which he gave notice of taking at the June term, by allowing the time in which he was allowed to perfect it to elapse. The time limit expired on August 10th. His attorneys state that he is resigned to his fate now that he has been allowed to stay in Lillington through the summer.

Matthews was first convicted of first degree murder last September following his trial for the murder of Daniel J. McLeod on July 30, 1925. An appeal was then taken and because Judge W. A. Devin had sent a message to the trial jury out of session and in the absence of the defendant, the Supreme Cout gave Matthews a new trial. At the re-hearing at the June special term of Superior Court this year, Matthews drew a verdict of second degree murder. Judge Sinclair sentenced him to 30 years at hard labor in State Prison. Matthews is now nearing 50 years of age, and the sentence means life imprisonment. It may be that he will gain a parton afre he has served a number of years.

People of Harnett county and of the State generally are familiar with the story of the homicide. Matthews and McLeod had engaged in lawsuits for some time, the question at issue being boundary lines between their land tracts which joined each other. A railroad which McLeod wanted to open from his land leading out to the public highway figured largely in the dispute, and it was on this little piece of road which Mcleod and a number of his hired helpers were working that furnished the scene for the killing. Matthews shot McLeod with a breechloading shotgun, the shots taking effect in his breast and killing him almost instantly. Matthews quietly surrendered to the officers when they went to arrest him. They found him sitting on his front porch eating watermelon and brought him to jail here, where he has been ever since, except for a short period when he was carried to State Prison pending his appeal to the Supreme Court following his first trial and conviction of murder in the first degree. The prisoner has kept in fine spirits all the while, and numbers of visitors, who either go in the jail to see him or else stand on the outside and talk to him through the window, have seemed to furnish him much cheer. Although he is looking well now, those who have observed him closely are of the opinion that his confinement is beginning to wear upon him.

The case of Rory Matthews has been of widespread interest, not only among people of his native county but throughout the state. The final chapter will be written in the story when commitment papers are filed for his entry into State prison to serve the 30-year term. He is not without sympathizers, and it is altogether likely that a petition will be circulated for his parole or pardon before he has served a great portion of his term.

From the front page of the Harnett County News, Lillington, N.C., Aug. 26, 1926

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Jail Break Foiled, Deputy Saved by Trustee Prisoners, Aug. 26, 1926

Attempt Jail Delivery. . . Prisoners Jump Jailer in Attempt to Gain Liberty. . . Deputy Daughtry Forced to Defend Self Against Negroes. . . Forced Back with Gun. . . Second Break for Liberty Finds Deputy Armed and Results in Confinement of Prisoners

For the first time since twenty-some years ago when W. H. Turner was jail keeper for this county, prisoners attacked jail keeper W. R. Daughtry last Thursday afternoon and he was forced to cast the keys out the window to keep the prisoners from escaping.

According to Daughtry he was placing a prisoner who had recently been sentenced in the cell. As he opened the door to allow the prisoner to walk in, Lee Brown, who has been sentenced to serve a road term for giving worthless checks, attacked him and tried in vain to obtain the keys with which to gain his freedom.

Daughtry had only the key in his hand to protect himself from assault. He hit Brown about the head several times, the last lick knocking him down in the cell door. While he was attempting to close the cell door two other colored prisoners attacked him. Daughtry ran to the window of the jail and tossed the key to a person outside.

Returned to Cell

Daughtry said that other prisoners who were in the cell told the latter two assaulters to return to the cell as the man had thrown the keys outside, and they did return toward the cell but did not enter at that time, according to the officer.

Officer Daughtry then told the person on the outside to open the door for him to get out. This was done and he left temporarily, with the prisoners at liberty to come and go from their cell, only to return a few minutes later at which time he had his pistol for protection.

When the officer approached the jail door on his return, he heard the prisoners say “here he comes now.” When he opened the entrance door to the corridor the latter two prisoners made a dash for freedom and came face to face with the gun in the hands of the officer. They readily cast up their hands and were marched back to their respective cells, which were locked behind them.

During the initial affray with Brown, also colored, Daughtry reeved several scratches on his left arm while Brown was battered considerably with the heavy key which Daughtry carried.

Daughtry is confident that there would have been no commotion at all if he had carried his gun before entering the jail, but as he failed to have it they took advantage of his disarmament.

Former Jailer Beaten

This is thought to have been the first assault by prisoners in the jail here since Jailer W. H. Turner was severely beaten approximately 25 years ago. His case was somewhat similar to Daughtry’s, as he was in the act of entring the cell in which there were several prisoners confined, he told them to enter their cells and lock their doors, which was customary with jailers then and now.

All prisoners entered their cells and locked the doors with the exception of the prisoners in the first cell next to the entrance, who only pulled their door slightly together so that when the jailer threw the bar it did not effect their lock.

As Mr. Turner entered, they attacked him severely and managed to disarm him and were beginning to torture him unmercifully when two trusties who were standing in other departments of the jail came to the jailer’s rescue and saved him from what several citizens have termed probable death. These trustees who came to his rescue saved him from the attacking prisoners and managed to regain possession of the jailer’s gun and placed the prisoners back in their cell.

From the front page of the Sampson Independent, Clinton, N.C., Thursday, August 26, 1926

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Sent to State Prison: Mrs. Lula Lucas and Levi Lee, Aug. 26, 1926

Taken to Prison

Mrs. Lula Lucas, who was sentenced to serve 12 months in the state prison on charges of bigamy during the recent term of court, and Levi Lee, colored, who was sentenced to serve from 3 to 5 years on charges of murder, left the county jail here Monday afternoon in the custody of Sheriff A. A. Jernigan for Raleigh, where they began their respective terms.

From the front page of the Sampson Independent, Clinton, N.C., Thursday, August 26, 1926

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In Superior Court This Week, Aug. 26, 1926

Criminal Docket Takes Up Court Time. . . Road Sentences Continue to be Given Offenders by Judge. . . Civil Cases Next Term. . . October Court Will Find Actions up for Hearing—Judge Devin to Return for Latter Courts

The two week’s term of Superior Court was brought to a close here Friday evening after all criminal cases which had not been continued had been disposed of. The two week’s term was entirely devoted to the criminal docket with but a few minutes being devoted to three divorce cases, which were uncontested.

Attendance this term was above the average as many persons were in the court room, especially at the beginning when Judge W. A. Devin of Oxford, who presided, charged the grand jury with their duties during their inspections and investigations.

Judge Devin will preside over the future fall and winter sessions here, it was announced Monday.

The following are the criminal cases disposed of during the term recently adjourned, including those cases which have been continued until the October term:

--Richard Corbett found guilty of larceny and hired out by the county commissioners to pay the cost of the action.

--Ed Jackson guilt of assault. Judgement weas suspended upon payment of cost and the case continued until October term. He was placed under a $100 bond for his appearance at that time.

--Dorth Ward was fined $25 and cost for having whiskey in his possession.

--P. Stevens, who was charged with having whiskey in his possession and who plead guilty to these charges, drew a fine of $25 and cost.

--Rasher Lockamy, charged with larceny of meat, was sentenced to serve 12 months on the county roads but at the expiration of 60 days he was to be paroled upon good behavior.

--G. B. Bell, charged with giving worthless checks, continued to October term.

--Lee Brown drew a sentence of 8 months in jail when he plead guilty to giving worthless checks.

--Noah Register, charged with assault with deadly weapon, case continue for next term.

--Judgment was suspended upon payment of cost in the case against Leonard Anderson, who was charged with assault with deadly weapon.

--J. R. McLamb, who was found guilty of manufacturing whiskey, drew 6 months’ sentence on the county roads and was ordered to pay the cost of the action.

--Lee Brown, worthless checks, judgment suspended upon payment of cost.

--Hall Bunting, charged with possession of liquor, drew a sentence of 2 months on county roads.

--Willie Shavers, who was charged with larceny, drew a sentence of 12 months on the county roads but at the expiration of 4 months is to be parole upon good behavior.

--James Boone, charged with abandonment, judgment was suspended upon payment of cost including $10 jail fee.

--Myrtle Sessoms was found guilty of assaulting Mrs. Romie Brock. Judgement was suspended upon payment of cost to be paid during October term of criminal court.

--Henry Smith was found guilty of abandoning his children and was ordered to pay $75 for their support and the cost of the action.

--The case against Cleve Faison for having whiskey in his possession was continued to October term.

--L. M. Lee, charged with assault with deadly weapon, was placed under $200 bond for his appearance at the October term of criminal court.

--J. O. Williams, charged with giving worthless checks. Case continued to October term.

--Charlie Hollingsworth charged with manufacturing whiskey. Case continued to October term.

--The case against Matthew J. Parker, who was charged with store breaking, was continued for the next term.

--The case against Marshall Bass, who was charged with the manufacturing of whiskey, was continued for the term.

--Henry Melvin, charged with the sale of liquor. Case continued for the term.

--The case of Isham Hobbs charged with larceny, continued for the term.

--W. B. Norton, who was charged with breaking prison. Case continued to October.

--Bob Adams, charged with having whiskey in his possession. Case continued for term.

--Henry Howell, charged with theft and housebreaking, drew a sentence of 12 months on the county roads.

--Elliott Morrisey charged with operating car while intoxicated. Case continue.

--Hall Bunting drew a sentence of 6 months on the county roads of Sampson county when he was found guilty of larceny of soda.

--Gus Williams drew a sentence of 18 months on the roads of Sampson county when he was found guilty of larceny of soda.

--Twelve months on the county roads was the sentence announced in the case against Sampson Bethne when he was found guilty of stealing an automobile.

--Alex Underwood drew a sentence of 6 months on the county roads when he was found guilty of larceny.

--S. P. Beaman was ordered not guilty after the state offered its testimonies against him charging larceny.

--Walter Bunting was ordered not guilty by court following the offering of the state’s evidence charging him with stealing.

--The following divorce cases were heard following the disposal of the criminal docket Friday afternoon prior to the adjournment of court for the term, and divorces were granted by the court:

Clara Barefoot vs. Ray Barefoot

Maggie Weeks vs. Will Weeks

Paul D. Boone vs. Fannie Hoobs Boone

From the front page of the Sampson Independent, Clinton, N.C., Thursday, August 26, 1926

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H. Y. Cook New Rabon County Agent, Aug. 27, 1926

New Agent in Rabun

H. Y. Cook of near Atlanta has been employed as county agent for Rabun County, Georgia. He and County Agent Arrendale of this county are making plans for cooperation of their two offices, and, as far as possible, of the counties of the two counties, which adjoin, Mr. Arrendale said this week.

From the front page of The Franklin Press, Friday, Aug. 27, 1926

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