Melvin Messer Gets 18 Years for Manslaughter Killing of His Wife, Feb. 12, 1926

Messer Gets 18 Years in Pen, Manslaughter. . . Haywood County Man Convicted in Connection with Slaying of His Wife

Waynesville, Feb. 11—Guilty of manslaughter was the verdict returned here Wednesday by the jury in the case of Melvin Messer, charged with the murder of his wife on January 17th. Immediately after the foreman of the jury had announced the verdict, Judge John M. Oglesby of Concord sentenced Messer to serve 18 years at hard labor at the State penitentiary. The jury had been out nearly 24 hours.

In sentencing Messer, Judge Oglesby stated that he would not give the defendant the full penalty allowed by law for manslaughter, but on account of the advanced age of the prisoner would sentence Jim to 18 years. The law fixes 25 years as a maximum.

Messer contended that his wife fell while in an intoxicated condition, returning from their son’s home late at night, striking her head against a sharp rock. The prosecution, however, attested that Mrs. Messer came to her death at the hands of her husband.

After the jury had been dismissed, Messer was taken back to Haywood County jail preparatory to the journey to Raleigh, to begin his sentence. His attorneys filed notice of appeal but later said they did not believe the appeal would be taken.

From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Feb. 12, 1926

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John Gray Jailed Feb. 13, 1926, for Murder of "Dad" Watkins

John Gray Is Charged with Watkins Slaying. . . Arrested at Request of Albemarle Officers Who Say Robbery Was Cause of Crime

Albemarle, N.C., Feb. 13 (AP)—John Gray of Dillon, S.C., today was lodged in the Stanly County jail here, charged with the murder of “Dad” Watkins, whose charred body was found last October.

Robbery was held by investigating authorities as the motive for the slaying.

Officers have not given any indication of evidence against Gray. He lived here at the time Watkins’ body was found, but later moved to South Carolina. He is about 40 years of age.

From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Feb. 13, 1926

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Lum Parham, D.L. Sharpe, John Allen, Sigmund Reid, Fred McCorkle Arrested in Narcotics Raids, Feb. 13, 1926

Narcotics Worth $10,000 Seized in Charlotte. . . Drugs Taken in Series of Raids Which Were Conducted in Five Homes—Five Arrests Made

Charlotte, Feb. 13 (AP)—Narcotics with an estimated value of $10,000 were seized here today by Federal officers on a series of raids.

The capture of the narcotics was effected by Federal agents S.A. Williams and W.T. McGuinn, accompanied by Memory C. Coin, deputy U.S. Marshal and nine city detectives.

The officers raided five homes and made an arrest at each home.

Lum Parham, one of those arrested, was described as being the “king pin” of the narcotic ring here. Others arrested were D.L. Sharpe, music teacher; John Allen, Sigmund Reid, and Fred McCorkle.

All were placed in jail in default of bond to await preliminary hearings next week.

From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Feb. 13, 1926

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Fire Destroys Homes of B.A. Eakins, Seth Parker, Feb. 13, 1926

Two Residences Are Burned at Spencer

Spencer, Feb. 12—Fire of unknown origin Thursday evening destroyed the homes of Conductor B.A. Eakins and Engineer Seth Parker, adjoining each other on Eighth Street in Spencer. The flames were fanned by a high wind and the firemen were powerless to save the buildings but did save a number of other dwellings in the vicinity. The loss is estimated at about $4,000 each including two automobiles, while Mr. Eakins is said to be the only one with insurance.

From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Feb. 13, 1926

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David Best Loses Crop to Fire, Feb. 12, 1926

Flames Destroy Contents of Barn. . . Aged Princeton Farmer Loses Feed and Several Bales Cotton

Princeton, Feb. 11—Mr. David Best had the misfortune to have his barn with all his crop of corn and feed burned last Saturday. There were several bales of cotton in the barn, all of which were destroyed. Mr. Best is one of the oldest farmers in this section, and only last year he lost nearly $2,000 by the failure of the bank. It is thought the barn was burned by the careless handling of matches by some children.

From the front page of The Smithfield Herald, Feb. 12, 1926

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After 9 Months in Hospital, Pauline Caster Is Finally Home, Feb. 13, 1926

9 Months in Hospital Following Accident

Salisbury, Feb. 12—Miss Pauline Caster of the county has recovered sufficiently from injuries to be removed to her home from the Salisbury Hospital, where she has been for the past nine months. Last May while on her way to get married, Miss Castor was severely injured and her sweetheart, Charles M. Lomax, was killed, when a train struck the automobile in which they were riding.

From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Feb. 13, 1926

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Harry Candler Earns Admission to West Point, Feb. 12, 1926

Harry Candler to Go to West Point

Selma, Feb. 11—Friends here and elsewhere are congratulating Harry Candler on his appointment to West Point. He stood the mental tests making 17 units where only 14 are required for entrance. Dr. E.C. Brooks, president of the State College, testifies to the high stand he has taken since entering college last fall.

Harry graduated from the Selma high school in June, 1925, with high honors, being the winner of the Frances Green orator’s medal as well.

Mr. Candler is the son of Mrs. Mamie T. Candler and the grandson of Mrs. Georgia Winston Tuck of Selma. He is prominently connected through the State.

From the front page of The Smithfield Herald, Feb. 12, 1926

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