Crime Stories from Hickory Daily Record, May 24, 1919

From the Hickory Daily Record, May 24, 1919

Men Elude Officers

Hickory officers yesterday afternoon gave chase to the two young white men who are accused of entering the home of Mr. Charles Watson at Connelly Springs and stealing $250 in money, but the boys evaded them. Chief Lentz and the other officers were still on the lookout today for the men.

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Houck Captured After Long Chase

Asheville bloodhounds in charge of Officer Dillingham yesterday afternoon ran to cover and arrest Linney Houck, a white man, who is being held in Lenoir jail on the charge of being a member of the gang that endeavored yesterday morning to blow the post office safe there and make off in a stolen automobile. The dogs struck the trail at Lenoir and followed it to Gamewell, seven miles distant, Houck’s home. He was placed under arrest.

Houck is said to be a bad character and he was charged three years ago with trying to rob the payroll of a Lenoir furniture factory.

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Tom Gwin’s Trial at Newton Monday (headline spells his name Gwin; story spells it Gwyn)

Tom Gwyn, a negro, will be tried at a special term of Catawba county superior court at Newton Monday on the charge of committing a criminal assault on as young white girl several weeks ago on her return to her home in the western part of the county from the Hickory high school. A special venire has already been summoned and the grand jury probably will have returned a true bill before the defendant is brought into court.

His conviction of the crime is regarded as sue and the evidence is so conclusive that the trial should not require more than a few hours.

Feeling in the county has died down considerably and there is no longer any danger from a mob, but the court will be amply protected.

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Negro Held for Charlotte Murder

Charlotte, N.C., May 24—Earnest Hunter, a negro, was being held here today in connection with the hold up and murder of H.L. Montgomery, department manager in an automobile establishment last night, in a fashionable suburb of the city.

Montgomery with his fiancée, after attending a dance, were on their way to the home of the young woman.

Miss Owens, in a semi-hysterical state, hailed Word H. Wood, president of the American Trust company, who drove along in his car a few minutes later. The girl, perhaps not more than 17 years of age, red with the blood of her fiancé, was brought immediately to police headquarters, where she told in disconnected sentences an incomplete story of the crime.

According to Miss Owens’ explanation, she and Mr. Montgomery were returning from a dance in Charlotte to her home on Scott avenue. As they approached the bridge over Sugar Creek, Miss Owens said a negro rose from the side of the road and halted them, demanding of Mr. Montgomery that he give up his valuables and she her wrist watch, as her story was repeated to the police. Miss Owens was unable to definitely describe the horrible scene that followed when Mr. Montgomery objected. The negro fired twice at Mr. Montgomery, both bullets discharged at close range, taking effect in the head. Death was instantaneous, it was thought by physicians who examined the body, which was brought to Hovis’ undertaking establishment.