Wade Bowman Admits to Improper Behavior but Says It Wasn't Forced, Feb. 5, 1926

Defense Witnesses Being Heard Today at Bowman Trial. . . Mother and Sister of Former Guard Officer Take Stand for Him During the Morning. . . Less Interest in Case Now. . . Court Room Was Not so Nearly Full Today as It Was When the Case Was First Begun

Newton, Feb. 5 (AP)—The trial of Wade V. Bowman in Catawba County Superior Court today proceeded under a lost interest atmosphere as additional witnesses for the defense began to take the stand. The court was not nearly so large during the morning session. Mrs. F.O Bock and Mrs. W.P. Bowman, sister and mother respectively of the defendant, took the stand and testified to events leading up to the entrance of the 12-year-old prosecutrix into the new house of Mr. Bowman in Hickory. Mrs. Bock swore that she saw the little girl enter the house and then leave in about 10 minutes and ride toward Hickory on her wheel. Both women said the Major came back to Mrs. Bock’s house where he and his wife lived at the time of the alleged attack, and sat won on the porch for about five minutes. They said he was sitting in the swing with his wife. Neither of the women heard any outcry or anything unsual.

Major Bowman testifies

Newton, Feb. 5 (AP)—Wade V. Bowman took the stand this morning in his own defense. Under direct examination by Defense attorney Feimster, he told the story leading up to the time the 12-year-old prosecutrix entered his then incomplete house in Hickory. He admitted putting his arm around the shoulders of the child and walking up the stairs. He said he sat down on a stack of shingles, and the girl came up to him. Bowman admitted unprintable indictments, but denied the elements of assault. He left the stand at 12:45 after testifying for more than 2 ½ hours. The defense rested at 12:50.

From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Friday, Feb. 5, 1926

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Young Girl Explains How Major Bowman Assaulted Her, Feb. 5, 1926

Maj. Bowman Expected to Testify Today. . .Former National Guard Officer on Trial for Alleged Attack on Young Girl

Newton, N.C., Feb. 4 (AP)—the state rested its case against Wade V. Bowman, former Major in the North Carolina National Guard, at 4:05 o’clock this afternoon after the 13-year-old prosecutrix, who alleged that the defendant attacker her on the night of July 28 in is then uncompleted house in Hickory, and taken the stand. The defense entered a motion of non-suit on the first two counts of the bill of indictment, the first of which could take the life of the prisoner, but Judge Webb overruled the motion. Court adjourned shortly after 6 o’clock after several of the defense witnesses had testified.

The defendant was sworn and it is believed that he will take the stand some time tomorrow morning. Among those testifying in his behalf was J.L. Murphy, City Attorney of Hickory. In case Bowman goes on the stand it will probably take more than half a day to complete the testimony.

The youth, prosecutrix, was in the witness box for more than two hours, and many times during her testimony the court had to stop until she regained composure. The child in testifying maintained her story consistently.

She said that on the night of July 28, between the hours of 7 and 8 o’clock, she passed by Bowman’s new house, and saw him standing on the side porch. He called to her, she said, and they went into the house together. The girl said that he escorted her to an upstairs room in the house and there assaulted her.

The prosecutrix was followed on the stand by her mother and Chief of Police Wilson of Hickory, who gave corroborative evidence. From the front page of The Goldsboro News, Friday morning, Feb. 5, 1926

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Former U.S. Deputy Marshal Held on Liquor Charges, Feb. 5, 1926

Former Officer Held on Whiskey Charge

Wilmington, N.C., Feb. 4 (AP)—J.K. Nicholson of Councils, United States Deputy Marshal during the regime of the late Colonel W.T. Dortch, and for 20 years a deputy sheriff of Bladen County, was arrested today by United States Deputy Marshal Harrelson and Prohibition Enforcement Agent Wilkins, in connection with alleged whiskey operations on a gigantic scale that date back as far as Christmas. Nicholson, well known in the eastern section of the state, waived examination when arraigned before United States commissioner Louis Goodman, and was bound over to Federal court under $500 bond, which was given.

The specific charge is aiding and abetting in the sale and transportation of liquor.

From page 3 of The Goldsboro News, Friday morning, Feb. 5, 1926

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Americans Becoming Soft, Says Dr. Davidson, Feb. 5, 1926

Americans Becoming Soft, Says Physician. . . Dr. J.E.S. Davidson Presents Platform for Necessary Reform

Charlotte, Feb. 4—“Insanity increases as disrespect for the law jazzes along with prohibition,” is the summary of life among youth as expressed last night by Dr. J.E.S. Davidson, speaking before the Charlotte medical society.

Dr. Davidson’s heme concerned the question: “Is the present generation deteriorating intellectually?”

“It is,” declared the physician. As a solution Dr. Davidson offered tolerance, the placing of religion above sect or denomination, consideration of the race question in all sections of the country, he institution of universal language, eugenics, and the establishment of a public health department as a government office. “Industrial organization is taking the place of spiritualism. We were crusaders in the war—we are reactionaries in peace.

“In this day of music by radio, medical advice through newspaper syndication, and other such devices, we have been bathed, shaved and manicured until we are becoming a soft-self-coddled race and it is now a thrilling experience to take a daily dozen by the music of a record or to walk around the corner for an ice cream soda.

“Our information comes in a flood of printed matter and our students have become a crew of banolined bespeckled rooters for semi-professional football teams. Our education is developing a race of 99 44-100 pure soap Americans.

While many aspects of the speech were questioned by members of the society during the ensuing discussion, all agreed that the syndication of medical advice and prescriptions through the daily papers is an evil.

From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Friday, Feb. 5, 1926

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Dukeville Turns on the Lights, Feb. 5, 1926

Hundreds Employed at New Power Plant

Spencer, Feb. 4—Dukeville, the new town of the Southern Power Company near Spencer, now has electric light, the current having been turned on this week, being supplied by wires from the high power lines crossing the Yadkin River here. A transformer has been installed and lights are furnished for the new streets and roads in and adjacent to the new town as well as for the offices of the Southern Power Company, which have been established under the supervision of C.T. Warner as manager. The lights are also available for the large number of new residences and camp houses which have been erected or are in course of erection on the grounds. The new town was electrified in short order after the transformer arrived. It is stated that about 300 men are now employed on the plant and grounds, while others are being employed almost daily.

From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Friday, Feb. 5, 1926

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C.C. Furr Enters Hospital Following Mental Breakdown, Feb. 5, 1926

Oakboro Business Man Suffers Mental Collapse. . . C.C. Furr Enters Hospital at Morgantown for Treatment

Oakboro, Feb. 2—We have just received the sad news of the critical condition of C.C. Furr, who has been showing signs of insanity. Dr. Lentz is here today making preparations to take him to the asylum at Morganton. Mr. Furr is conscious of his troubles and is fully resigned to what measures the doctor of the family think best. Our sympathy is with him and family, and we’re hoping he can find relief.

From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Friday, Feb. 5, 1926

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Suicide Believed to be Miss Maggie Harper, 21, Feb. 5, 1926

Woman Believed to be From Charlotte Is Found Dead

Richmond, Va., Feb. 4—The body of a young woman believed to be Miss Maggie Harper, 21, of Charlotte, N.C., was found this afternoon in her room in a boarding house here. She had been dead for some time, and although the room was filled with gas from an open jet, coroner J.M. Whitfield said he could find no trace of gas poisoning.

The girl went to the house several days ago and later told other occupants that she had come to Richmond to escape marriage to a man whom she did not want to marry. The authorities also found the name “Mary Harper” on her belongings. The girl was fisited by the landlady at 7 o’clock this morning.

From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Friday, Feb. 5, 1926

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