Before Judge Barnhill in Superior Court, Sept. 21, 1926

Court Session Began Here Monday. . . Judge M. V. Barnhill of Rocky Mount Is Superior Presiding

Judge M. V. Barnhill of Rocky Mount convened his first court in this county Monday at 10 o’clock. Judge Barnhill exchanged with Judge Henry A. Grady, who was scheduled to hold the fall terms of court in this district. Judge Barnhill is the resident judge and is up for re-election this year and of course was anxious to meet the people of his own district. Solicitor Donnel Gilliam is prosecuting the cases on the docket.

The judge’s charge to the grand jury was not only a presentation of the law as it applies to the duty of grand jurors but gave a fair slant on the need for people generally to keep within the law.

He explained that the procedure in the process of criminal law requires a secret hearing by a grand jury before a man can be brought into the court. This is for the purpose of avoiding malicious or frivolous prosecutions.

The importance of treating all classes with the same element of justice, regardless of their station in society or wealth or other conditions, high or low, was stressed.

The automobile law was also mentioned, because of its importance; especially the illegal driving by minors and others incompetent for whatever cause.

The grand jury is composed of J. W. Eubanks, foreman; Jas. D. Bowen, J. H. Everett, Sam T. Everett, J. H. Britt, Alonzo D. Griffin, H. L. Everett, Wheeler Rogers, H. L. Hopkins, W. J. Holliday, J. T. Bennett, J. Eason Lilley, J. W. Cherry, L. W. Mizelle, T. L. Roebuck, W. W. Roberson, C. B. Fagan, and R. W. Hardy, with H. D. Taylor as officer of the jury.

The case against J. M. Pugh, in which he is charged with the murder of Beeman Silverthorn, was continued to the December term of this court, and bond was fixed at $5,000.

Counsel plead for time to prepare its defense, which the State seemed to apprehend that it was playing for time upon the old theory that “Time is a healer of crime.”

The following cases, up to time of our going to press, were disposed of:

--Floyd Harrel, charged with resisting an officer, was found guilty. Prayer for judgment continued. The same defendant was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to the Edgecombe roads for 18 months.

--Isaac Ampie was sentenced to the roads for three months for carrying a concealed weapon.

--John Lee Hadley, who broke into the store of B. F. Perry last June, was sentenced to the State’s prison for a term amounting to not less than five years and not more than seven years.

--Ray Lilley plead guilty to the charge of the larceny of an automobile and was sent to the Edgecombe roads for 18 months.

--Albert Riley, charged with larceny, was sentenced to the roads for the term of three years.

--Paul Ballard, charged with larceny and cruelty to animals, was nol prossed in each case.

--Redmond Pittman was sent to the Edgecombe roads for 18 months for house breaking and larceny. Charlie Robbins, charged with house breaking and robbery, was also sentenced the roads for a term of 18 months.

--W. A. Ayers, charged with violation of the liquor laws, was sentenced to the roads for six months, to be paroled at the end of three months.

The grand jury will make its report to the court sometime during today.

Editor’s Note: Name of murdered man was spelled Beeman in this article and Beamon in his obituary on the same page of the newspaper. I don’t know which is correct.

From the front page of the Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., Sept. 21, 1926

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F.B. Silverthorne, 34, Died of Cuts Inflicted by James Pugh Sept. 12, 1926

Beamon Silverthorne Died Early Saturday

Frank Beamon Silverthorne, who was cut in an affray by James M. Pugh in Hamilton Sunday Night, September 12, died Saturday morning at 7:30.

The cuts were of such a nature that Dr. Long, the attending physician, held out little hope for his recovery from the beginning.

There were numerous cuts extending from the muscles of the back around under the arms, the cuts measuring from 9 to 11 inches in length and being so deep that the lung was visible. Other cuts extended across the back of the head and ran around across the face, the left ear being cut in two.

He was brought here to the undertaking shop of Mr. F. I. Edwards and prepared for burial. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon by Elder Grimes and burial was made at the Silverthorne residence in Poplar Point Township.

A large gathering was at both the funeral and burial.

Silverthorne was 34 years old. He leaves a window and five small children, also several brothers.

Editor’s Note: Name of murdered man was spelled Beeman in this article and Beamon in his obituary on the same page of the newspaper. I don’t know which is correct.

From the front page of the Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., Sept. 21, 1926

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Public's Lost Interest in Court Cases, Says Editor, Sept. 21, 1926

Court Week Losing Out

Court week has not only lost its sting, but has almost lost its common place of interest that it once held in the minds of the people. In the old days when the big lawyers and honorable gentlemen from afar assembled around the leading hotel or boarding house of the courthouse town, and the people from the whole county, even to the remote backwoods district, began to assemble Sunday evening or early Monday morning, the county capitals would look like show day on Broadway. Things are indeed different these days. The judge and solicitor come to town on an automobile unnoticed by many and attracting about the same attention as any other citizen.

The fellow who happens to be caught in the coils of the law, has more hopes of escape than he did in the days gone by. Even the old bench-warming professional talisman has disappeared, and the neighborhood county free lawyer has quit the court.

All these things seem to have made the court cold and dull so far as the interest of the public goes. It must be that the flood of riches and great opportunities that we enjoy today have drawn our minds from such small things as courts. It is quite possible that the great privileges we are enjoying have created a state of mind that might possibly be called a centerup for courts and law. We, at least, do not seem to reference the rights of others. The courts of justice are not looked upon with the same attitude as they once were. Take these changes, though slow they may have come about, and you see an entirely new court.

From the editorial page of the Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., Sept. 21, 1926, W. C. Manning, Editor

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Children's Day at Roanoke Fair, Sept. 21, 1926

Next Tuesday Is Children’s Day at Roanoke Fair Here. . . All Pupils and Teachers Free; Schools to Close. . . Starts Monday Night with Free Acts and Midway Opening

Everything is ready for the opening of the greatest fair ever staged by the Roanoke Fair Association next Monday night. The midway will be running full blast, for the train will arrive here early Sunday, and there will be ample time for the construction of all the rides and the opening of the many amusements. An elaborate display of fireworks has been ordered especially for this night, and all the free acts will be offered that night.

Tuesday has been designated as Children’s Day, and thousands are expected to be here that day. All the schools of the county will close for the event, and the children will come as the guests of the fair association. No admission fee will be charged, the gates being open to all teachers and children at 5:30 in the afternoon. Invitations have been broadcasted over seven counties, inviting the school children of each to visit the fair that day, and they will be admitted free. Present indications point to one of the largest gatherings of children in this section ever, and a day running over with a holiday spirit and real pleasure is expected.

Passes to all the teachers will be mailed this week, and since the children are children, they will enter free.

From the front page of the Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., Sept. 21, 1926

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Thomas Recovering from Injuries Sustained When His Car Struck Tobacco Truck, Sept. 21, 1926

D. Thomas Hurt in Auto Smash

D. Thomas, highway mechanic, was badly injured though not seriously last night when he ran his car into a truck belonging to the Washington Tobacco Company on the Washington-Williamston highway two miles out from here.

An ugly gash, requiring seven stitches, was made in his forehead, and a hurt arm and a bad knee went to make up the rest of his injuries.

A colored man, riding on the fender of the truck and right where the car hit the truck, was hurt but not seriously. Both the truck and car were damaged to the extent that they had to be towed in.

The cause of the wreck could not be learned at noon today; several random reasons were offered by those seeing the wreck later in the evening, but they were of a widely varying nature.

From the front page of the Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., Sept. 21, 1926

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Wear Forget-Me-Nots Sept. 25, 1926, to Remember Sacrifices Our Boys Made in Argonne

Forget Me Not Day Next Saturday, Sept. 25

Wearing a forget-me-not on Saturday is a symbol that the wearer has not forgotten the sacrifices made over there that the world might be safe for democracy and that we appreciate the services they willingly gave.

Next Saturday, September 25, is Argonne Day, and that is why Governor McLean set it aside as Forget-Me-Not Day, when the citizens of the State will be given an opportunity to contribute to the relief to the disabled ex-service men and their families who receive no aid nor compensation from the government.

The Woman’s Club will have charge of the sale of forget-me-nots. Mr. C. B. Clark is chairman of the committee. She will have her leaders named in a later issue of this paper.

From the front page of the Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., Sept. 21, 1926

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Mrs. Peel Shares Williamston Society and Personal Notes, Sept. 21, 1926

Society & Personals

By Mrs. Elbert S. Peel, Editor

Miss Pee Wee Jackson returned to her home in Plymouth after visiting Miss Laura Norton here.

Messrs. Marvin Britton, Ira Harrison and Bruse Whitley motored to Washington Sunday.

Mr. Nunn Everett of Spring Green was a visitor here yesterday.

The schools of the county were well represented here last Saturday when over 100 young ladies and gentlemen attended the first teachers’ meeting of the 1926-27 session of Martin’s schools.

Messrs. H. T. Roberton and W. B. Daniel motored to Plymouth Sunday afternoon.

Bob Biggs and Wilson Lamb went to Wilson Sunday.

Dr. Edgar Long and Joe Everett were visitors here yesterday.

Mr. and Mrs. Early, Mrs. F. W. Hoyt and Mrs. F. U. Barnes motored to Farmville Sunday.

Mr. John G. Dawson of Kinston was a visitor here Sunday.

Mrs. H. M. Stubbs is in Kinston at the bedside of her brother, Jack Harris, who is critically ill with typhoid fever.

Mrs. W. T. Hunter spent Sunday in Greenville.

Mrs. Harry Barnhill and son, Edwin of Richmond, are visiting relatives in the county.

Stanley Sessoms and Leaman Barnhill spent Sunday in Wilson.

Messrs. F. J. Roebuck and Herbert Hopkins of Spring Green were visitors here yesterday.

Mrs. Hubert Warren and Mr. Warren, father of H. T. Warren of Durham, spent the week end here with Hubert at the home of Mr. and Mrs. K. B. Crawford.

Milton Moye spent Sunday with his parents in Farmville.

Mrs. Maggie Jordan Davis of Jamesville visited Miss Emily Whitley last week.

Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Dunn and children visited relatives in Dunn over the week end.

G. W. Hardison has returned from New York and Baltimore where ehe has been on a business trip for the past six weeks.

Miss Carrie Lee Peel and Joe Everett spent the week end with friends in Norfolk.

W. G. Lamb returned Saturday from Baltimore where he was with his firm, Daniel Miller.

Messrs. John Hassell and Joe Everett returned Friday night from a trip to Baltimore and Washington.

Mrs. Herman Hornthal of Norfolk and Miss Martha Hornthal of Plymouth visited Mrs. J. S. Rhodes and Mrs. W. Be. Watts, Sunday.

H. M. Poe spent the week end with his family in Rocky Mount.

Elder Sylvester Hassell attended the yearly meeting at Conetoe Saturday and Sunday. Mrs. Mollie Peele, Mrs. G. W. Hardison and Miss Katherine and J. L. Hassell motored to Conetoe Sunday to the services and returned with Mr. Hassell.

Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Everett and children have moved from their home in the country to the home in New Town formerly occupied by Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Anderson.

Paul Godwin left last week for Arden where he will attend Christ school this year.

Mrs. J. S. Rhodes will go to Norfolk tomorrow to visit her sister, Mrs. Frank C. Lewis.

Mr. W. K. Parker returned Saturday from Florida where he has been in a government observation hospital. He will stay here for a few days before going to a hospital at Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he has been transferred.

From page 3 of the Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., Sept. 21, 1926

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