Two Big Days in Recorder’s Court. . . Unusual Number of Cases Disposed of Tuesday and Wednesday
The Recorder’s Court spent two busy days here this week—Tuesday and Wednesday—and a number of offenders were dealt with. The following cases were disposed of during the two days:
--Hattie Adams, a negro, was tried on charges of immorality and was convicted. The court placed her on probation and ordered her to report to the county superintendent of public welfare each week until further orders of the court. Gladys McCullers, negro and co-defendant with Hattie, was found guilty and a similar sentence was passed on her.
--J.J. Thornton and Bessie Lynn, white men of Clayton township, got merry on the glorious fourth and a row ensued. A few fist blows accompanied by a few knife stabs constituted the extent of the affray. They both plead guilty and the court ordered that they pay a fine of $50 or spend 60 days on the roads.
--George Otho Johnson, Bud Parrish and Lawrence Parish charged with assaulting Telphair Lee on the night of May 25,1926, were given a preliminary hearing and probable cause was found and each defendant was bound over to the superior court under a $2,000 bond. The State was assisted in the prosecution by James Raynor of Benson. Col. E.S. Abell, L.L. Levinson and Hannibal Godwin represented the defendants.
--Milford Lynch, a white man of Boon Hill township, made re-appearance on an old case of wife-beating and failing to provide adequate support. He had not conformed to former court orders and was sentenced to jail to do 60 days on the county roads. From this judgment he took an appeal to the Superior Court. His bond was fixed at $200.
--Capt. Raynor, white, of Benson, was charged and convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. Prayer for judgment was continued upon payment of costs.
--Wiley Hudson, white, of Benson, was found guilty of possessing whiskey. Judgment was continued until the first of August.
--L.E. Boykin and Sallie Pilkington were found guilty of fornicating and adultery. Boykin was given a six-months road sentence that was suspended upon the condition that he pay the cost. Judgment suspended in the other case during the good behavior of the woman, and absence from the county for two years.
--Mollie Bailey was sent to jail for90 days on charges of immorality. She took an appeal. Bond was fixed at $200.
--Shep Broadwell and B.A. Hodges, both white, were convicted of drunkenness and possessing a small quantity of what it takes to make men drunk. Broadwell drew a fine of $15 and half the cost, and Hodges was required to pay the rest of the cost.
--Archie McLamb and H.A. Edwards were fined $25 each and the cost of the action was split between them. They were convicted of an assault.
--Jason Myatt was taxed with the cost of an action against him and was dismissed, the charge being driving while under the influence of liquor.
--Hunter Stephenson for possessing whiskey was sent to jail for 60 days to be discharged upon the payment of a cost and fine of $50. Stephenson is a white man and lives near Clayton.
--Will Davis, a negro, was fined $15 and costs for drunkenness and disorderly conduct.
--James Fisher and James Hicks, two negro boys claiming Oriental as their home, were convicted of larceny and given six months on the roads. They plead to the court that they were only 15 years old but the court made short meter of their case. They appeared with counsel.
--Annie Parrish, a white woman of Micro township, was acquitted on a charge of prostitution. The state took a nol pros with leave in the case of B.E. Lancaster, charged jointly with Annie Parrish.
--Prayer for judgment was continued in the case of Aaron Fitzgerald, who was convicted of an assault.
--R.J. Allen was convicted of passing a worthless check. The court, instead of sending him to the roads, told him to go home and go to work and support his dependent family, reporting back to the court occasionally as to how well he was doing it.
--J.G. Allen was convicted of the about the meanest crime in the book—wife-beating. The court sent him home instead of the county roads, told him to attend church and Sunday school and report back in October for further enlightenment.
--Lummus Rogers got his choice between 60 days and $50.The charge was disorderly conduct.
--Tom Fowler for toting a shooting iron was given his selection of 60 days or $50.
--Laura Harrington, Dan Harrington and Vestus Harrington, convicted of disorderly conduct and carrying a concealed weapon were dealt with as follows: Laura and Vestus to go to jail for 30 days to be discharged upon payment of cost. Dan to go to jail for 60 days or pay $50.
--J.C. Wilkins, Lynn Pollard and George Bradshaw had been drunk and disorderly and were convicted of this charge. Prayer for judgment was continued upon the payment of cost. Wilkins was found not guilty of carrying a concealed weapon.
--Forest Pittman, deputy sheriff, was convicted of reckless driving. Prayer for judgement was continued upon payment of cost.
From the front page of the Smithfield Herald, Friday morning, July 9, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073982/1926-07-09/ed-1/seq-1/
