Monday, November 19, 2018

Russell High Not Guilty Say Officers, Nov. 21, 1918

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 1918

Russell High Not Guilty. . . This the Opinion of Officers Investigating the Attempt at Lynching at Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem, Nov. 21—Local officers yesterday afternoon announced that after a thorough investigation they are fully convinced that Russell High, the negro who was rushed to the State’s prison Monday afternoon and for whom a mob sought here Sunday afternoon and night believing him to be the one who assaulted and robbed Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Childress, and also short Sheriff Flynt, is not guilty of the crimes committed. Sheriff Flynt, who was shot in the hand while endeavoring to arrest a negro after the assault and robbery Saturday night, continues to improve.

Descriptions of the negro wanted have been sent to all of the principal cities and towns in this and other adjacent States. Solicitor Graves is still here and will continue his investigation of parties implicated in disturbance here Sunday afternoon.

Five more arrests were made yesterday, J.L. Mabe and Chris Chappel, two white men taken in charge, are accused of attempting to break into the city prison and do violence to a prisoner. Bynum Vest, after his arrest, delivered to the officers a large supply of cartridges and other articles which he admits having taken from the store of Dalton Bros. on Sunday night. Levi Hairston, colored, the fifth man, is charged with the larceny of knives, bracelets and other valuables from the Southern Loan office.

Solicitor Graves announces that as soon as the investigation is concluded, all of the defendants, now numbering 15 or more, will be given preliminary hearings though under the State law the regular trial of these held for the higher court must be transferred to another county.


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