Saturday, August 31, 2019

J.R. Sams, Polk County Agent, Letter to Farmers, Aug. 29, 1919

From the Polk County News and Tryon Bee, Tryon, N.C., Aug. 29, 1919

To the Farmers of Polk County

J.R. Sams, County Agent

My stay of 1 ½ years in your county has so endeared the grand little county from every standpoint to my heart that I feel away from home when I leave it for a few days. It is my duty to be here (Extension Service training, N.C. State University, Raleigh) for a few days and then will be back with the people I have learned to love so dearly. I am here to see if I can take back something new or better than I have been trying to give you; but it is hard to get away from the old truths of Agriculture. It is like the old Gospel of the Christian religion. The older the better. Now I want just a few words with you to ourselves.

I don’t want any outsiders to hear what I am going to say. I want us to get ahead of all the rest. Now here is our secret. The truth of the matter is that Polk county can be made the best place on the earth to live and we must pin back our ears and roll up our sleeves and make it so—and here is all we have to do to make it so. Listen! We have the same problems to work out that other people down in Alabama have, and that the people down here have, and the very first thing for us and for them is to stop land from washing off towards the ocean every rain that comes we can do that by getting busy right now and cover all gullies and bare places on the farm with brush and weeds while they are green—now is the time of year to do this—RIGHT NOW—and don’t forget nor neglect to do it. I have asked you before to do it; but I fear I’ll go back and find that all have not obeyed me. Then, when we stop all soil from washing away, the next thing is to build up our soil till it will make better crops. To do this we must grow legume crops, such as soy beans, cow peas, velvet beans, crimson clover, bur, red and sweet clover, vetch, etc., and grasses and sod crops to prevent the washing away of our soil.

Now this is not a hard thing to do. The hardest thing in the whole thing is to just make up your minds and be determined to begin it and to keep right on till the thing is accomplished. Then when all the land is saved from washing away and the soil is built up that fine clovers and grasses will grow everywhere, then the thing to do will be to fence off all the land that is steep and set to permanent pasture and put good cattle and sheep on it, and put that part of the farm that is level enough, by proper crop rotation not to wash, in corn, cotton and other cultivated crops, and see how much easier and better the living will come—and then your title will hold your land.

Now, whatever you do, don’t say a word about this little business we have on hand; just get busy. If you talk about it the secret might get out and the farmers over in Rutherford county or down in South Carolina might get busy and beat us—which we must not allow. Now every intelligent farmer in the county knows that these things ought to be done, and that which ought to be done can be done, and what can be done let every farmer in the county do his bit to aid in doing it.


Polk County Farm and Home, Aug. 29, 1919

From the Polk County News and Tryon Bee, Tryon, N.C., Aug. 29, 1919

Polk County Farm and Home Department

The time is fast approaching for our Community and County Fairs to be on hand. Let every one of these communities strive to see which can put up the best fair. Then let every one see who can excel in making the Polk County Fair a splendid success.

We want every lady in Polk County who has pure bred poultry of any breed to bring a cock or two, and two and three or four pullets to the fair at Columbus. First, bring them to your Community Fair. We want to see ourselves what we have, so that everybody there will know where they can get eggs for hatching purposes next year.

Also pigs, of whatever breed you have. No matter whether you have the best pigs in the county or not, just bring him along for comparison and find out whether you have the best or not. If not, go home and start at once to have the best one next year.

--Now if you want to see something go along, just keep your eye on the Hickory Grove community. They have opened their eyes wide to the importance of stopping their soil from washing away and of building permanent pastures and at the proper time importing some good bulls to grow some good cattle. Now just watch them.

--If anybody in Polk County has any doubts about grass and clover being an easy crop to grow, and the most profitable crop to grow on the farm, labor considered, just let him go over to brother S.H. Slaughter’s place, Saluda, N.C., and talk with Mr. Slaughter. He is only working on a small scale but he can both tell and show you how; so take a day off and go.

--Now let me ask every farmer who wants to get in the front line of farming to subscribe for your county paper. It is entirely non partisan, and the only medium in the county we can talk to the farmers through. I have no interest whatever in the paper and the management has never asked me to speak a word on his behalf, I do so simply because I see and feel the great need of some way of speaking to the farmers of the county and can see no other.

--Then last—let us remember that whatever Polk county is, her own citizens will make her. If she stands high in character, intelligence and wealth, it will be because her individual citizens are people of character, intelligence and wealth. We can procure these things only by honest and legitimate effort. Then let us all stand together for education, good roads, good farming, good morals, good law abiding citizenship, good neighbors, and good Christian homes where good loving Christian people live; and then Polk County will be going somewhere—and surely get there.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Four Men Held In Fayetteville for Robbing Post Office, Aug. 30, 1919

From the Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 30, 1919

Four Bound Over for Robbing Office

By the Associated Press

Fayetteville, N.C., Aug. 30—John C. Davis, M.A. Lawley, William Salisbury and Charles Herforth, arrested yesterday at the request of postal authorities, were arraigned before a United States commissioner here today and charged with having been complicated (? That’s what it says) in the robbery of the post office at Rowland and Wagram. Trial was set for September 8 and Davis and Lawley were released. The others were remanded to jail.


Lenoir College Expects Large Enrollment, Aug. 30, 1919

From the Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 30, 1919

Lenoir College Will Have Many Enrolled

When Lenoir College opens next Tuesday for the fall term, it probably will have the largest enrollment in its history. The indications for a large attendance are unusually good and reservations have been made for many students. Like all colleges, Lenoir was affected by the war, but it will share in a larger patronage after the war. The faculty has been increased and strengthened and the coming year will be a a good one. Every boy and girl should attend college, if possible.

Brevard Institute To Begin Next Thursday Morning, Aug. 29, 1919

From the Brevard News, Aug. 29, 1919

Brevard Institute Opens Thursday

The fall term of school at the Brevard Institute will begin next Thursday morning. A number of students have already arrived and most of the teachers will return from their vacations the first of next week. Officials of the institute state that an unusually large number of students have registered for the work of the session that opens next week.

The institute this year will have a new assistant professor, Prof. O.H. Orr, who was last year principal of the high school at Weddington, N.C. He comes to Brevard with highest recommendations from educational authorities in North and South Carolina where he taught after his preparation at Mars Hill College and the University of North Carolina. After his graduation he also attended summer schoola tt the state agricultural college and the state university.

There will also be a new teacher this year in the Science Department. This positin is to be filled by iss Gertrude Falls, a graduate of Greensboro College for Women. Miss Falls is a daughter of Rev. L.A. Falls, a former pastor of the Brevard Methodist Church.

No Primary Department at Brevard Institute

The management of the Brevard Institution has endeavored since early in the summer to learn the wishes and needs of the patrons of its Primary Department and finds that every indication shows that it will not be necessary to re-open its primary rooms this fall. It seems evident that the Brevard Graded and High Schools will open on time or very soon thereafter, with a most excellent corps of teachers, providing every means of doing a high grade of work for the pupils of our district. There is some call for the duplication of the work by the Institute, but it appears that the majority of the patrons prefer to use the advantages of the State School. It has therefore been decided that the Institute will not operate classes below the fifth grade this year. This is doubtless best, for it will make us take a more personal interest in our local school, which must, under any circumstances, train practically all of our children.
--C.H. Trowbridge
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Visitor Recalls Brevard As It Was 50 Years Ago, Aug. 29, 1919

From the Brevard News, Aug. 29, 1919

Visitor Recalls History of Brevard

Among the visitors taking special interest in the town and county is Mr. Brevard McDowell of Charlotte. Mr. McDowell states that he has always felt a keen personal interest in this town for the fact that it was named after a member of his mother’s family, Dr. Ephriam Brevard, of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, who wrote the resolutions of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which was signed almost a year before the writing of the famous document of 1776 at Philadelphia.
Other members of the Brevard family were leaders in the struggle for American freedom and the name has been closely identified with the growth of Mecklenburg County and Charlotte up to the present time.

Mr. McDowell is not making his first visit to Transylvania. He was here 53 years ago and gives a vivid account of the appearance of the town of Brevard at that date. The town then consisted of three wooden buildings, the court house, one grocery store and one residence. The most prominent position on the square was occupied by the county whipping post. Mr. McDowell says that there were few indications 50 years ago that Brevard would become one of the most beautiful and thriving towns in the state. He is very much pleased with the town as he finds it today and states that he hopes to return before long and get acquainted with the people here.

Mr. McDowell was accompanied on his trip to the mountains by Rev. Dr. McGaha, pastor of one of the Presbyterian churches in Charlotte, and the gentlemen are guests of J.L. Bell.

Small Boy Injured by Car While Visiting Relatives in Gaffney, S.C., Aug. 29, 1919

From the Brevard News, Aug. 29, 1919

Small Boy Injured by Auto

Hady Jolly has returned from Gaffney, S.C., where he went to visit relatives. He was accompanied to South Carolina by his small son, Wm. Robert, who met with a serious accident last Friday. While crossing a street in Gaffney he was knocked down by an automobile. He fell with his head directly in front of a front wheel of the car and was dragged for some distance along the graveled street with his head against the wheel. He was badly bruised and lacerated. Most of the flesh was torn from his skull. 

The injured child was taken at once to a Gaffney hospital and at last reports hope was entertained for his recovery.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Ahoskie Editor Accuses Keeper of County Home, Gates Board of Commissioners of Barbarism, Aug. 29, 1919

From the editorial page of the Hertford County Herald, Ahoskie, N.C., Aug. 29, 1919, J. Roy Parker, Editor. The negro in question was considered irresponsible because he was mentally handicapped, unable to care for himself or work. 

For barbarism the keeper of the County Home of Gates County and the Board of County Commissioners of that same County hold records that would rival deeds performed by the most ruthless peoples of all ages. It has been recently brought to light that the keeper of the County Home cut off the legs of an irresponsible negro in that institution, performing the operation with a hack saw and butcher knife. 

The operation was made necessary by the negligence on the part of the keeper by failing to furnish covering enough to keep the negro from freezing in the winter of 1917. 

By his failure to furnish sufficient clothing the negro’s feet froze and withered. The County Commissioner then paid a bill presented by the keeper of the home, amounting to $5—a very cheap operation, taking into consideration that the negro lived and the operation was “successful.”

To read the original stories of this surgery, see: County Had Untrained Person Saw Off Legs of Man at Poor House To Save Money, Aug. 15, 1919 and To Save Money, Gates County Had Carpenter Saw Off Poor House Inmate's Legs, Aug. 8, 1919.



Corporal Charles N Watson Presented Citation for Bravery from French General Headquarters, Aug. 29, 1919

From the Hertford County Herald, Ahoskie, N.C., Aug. 29, 1919

Receives Citation for Bravery in Action

Corporal Charles N. Watson, son of Rev. and Mrs. S.N. Watson of Forest City, who has been in the army in France as a member of the 16th Regiment, First Division, for the past two years, has received an official citation for bravery from the French General Headquarters, Corporal Watson was selected to carry a message to the front line and altho badly wounded enroute, and in the face of heavy fire, he successfully accomplished his mission. The citation is in French and is from General Petain of the French armies. The first division of the American army, which was the first to land in France and the last to leave, is now leaving and according to reports the members of this famous organization will probably be home during the next four weeks.

Charles Watson gave his service to the United States Army while a citizen of Hertford County, being at that time a resident of the town of Winton, his father, Rev. Watson being pastor of the Winton Baptist Church.

Death of Albert Godwin Bazemore, 8 Years Old, August 22, 1919

From the Hertford County Herald, Ahoskie, N.C., Aug. 29, 1919

Albert Godwin Bazemore

On Friday afternoon, August 22, 1919, at 5:30 o’clock, just as the golden sun was lightening the western horizon with its many colored rays, and slowly sinking to its rest, the precious soul of Albert Godwin Bazemore, only son of Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Basemore, winged its flight to realms above and found its resting place in the arms of the blessed loving Savior. He was eight years and three months old, and form the day of his birth suffered with chronic spleen and liver disease. Little Albert was sick only seven days, being taken sick on Saturday, August 16, becoming unconscious and delirious on Tuesday and never recognizing his loving relations who so anxiously hovered around his bed, until he passed away the following Friday. Although he suffered intensely all the time, not one murmur was heard to pass his lips, and not by one word or outward sign did any know of the acute pain that he was enduring. His little body was racked with pain and constantly burning with fever, but he bore it all with unceasing fortitude. All that loving hands and hearts could do to prolong his life was done, but the Heavenly Father, in his infinite wisdom, saw fit to take him home to rest with Him in glory.

Everyone loved the little darling. He was so kind, gentle and loving toward everyone. Ever ready to help anyone and to champion the cause of his little friends. He was beloved by everyone that came in contact with him. He loved to attend Sunday School and church services and just as long as he was strong enough to go he went regularly. One of his favorite texts and one that he often repeated was “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall surely be destroyed.” He believed in his Lord and Savior and often asked questions concerning the Bible. During his illness he requested, that should he die, that the hymn “Death Be Only a Dream” be sung over his body. It was beautifully rendered by Miss Mary Barker of whom he was so fond.

The funeral was held from the residence of his father Saturday afternoon at 6 o’clock, conducted by Rev. J.J. Barker, assisted by Rev. Fred T. Collins. His favorite hymn “Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown” was sung, and amidst a large concourse of friends and relatives his remains were conveyed to the cemetery and there laid to rest. His grave and casket were covered with a profusion of beautiful floral offerings, among them being two lovely designs from his Sunday School teacher and class whom he loved so well.

Oh, it was so hard to give him up—the only baby son of the family. Everything is so dark and gloomy before us now. There is a vacant chair in our home, and aching void in our hearts, which never can be filled. To know Albert was to love him for he was so bright and intelligent, so eager to serve and to please everyone. He is gone from us forever and although our hearts will ever yearn for him, we know that he is sweetly resting, free from all earthly pain and suffering. We know that he is happy with his Savior, whom he loved as well to serve and we feel that although his fond parents and relatives are heartbroken by his untimely death, they should not grieve so deeply for they know that he is sweetly sleeping in blessed Jesus’ arms of love.

He leaves to mourn is loss his broken hearted parents, three sisters, Ethel and Marian Bazemore and Mrs. W.J. Smith of Norfolk, and one half brother, W.C. Bazemore of Coastesville, Pa., besides a large host of friends and relatives. We commend them all to the Heavenly Father who doeth all things well, for in Him and Him alone can they find solace and comfort in their hour of trouble. Only he who sees the sparrows when they fall can heal their wounded hearts and give them rest from every care.

We extend to them our deepest sympathy and remind them that he is not dead by sleepeth to awake and greet them on the joyous Resurrection Morn, when we shall know as we are known. May they realize that their loss is his eternal gain and that when they have finished their work here on earth, laid down their cross and received the crown of life eternal, that they will once more be united never to part.

W.T. Hollowman Wins Herald Subscription With Delicious 42-Pound Watermelon, Aug. 29, 1919

From the Hertford County Herald, Ahoskie, N.C., Aug. 29, 1919

A Large Watermelon

Mr. W.T. Hollowman of Route 4 has presented the editor of this paper with one of his prize watermelons, which weighed 42 pounds. The melon “was” a beauty, being unusually symmetrical in shape, and chock full of the most luscious of all fruits.

It has annually been the custom of the Herald to offer a free subscription to the largest watermelon raised in this section. However, inadvertently, through a lapse of memory, this announcement was overlooked. However that may be, it is useless to make the announcement as Mr. Holloman invariably takes the prize with his choice melons.

Although Mr. Holloman has not requested us to do so, his subscription shall be marked up another year in return for being the champion melon grower of Ahoskie and vicinity.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Coroner's Jury Finds Walter Tyler Lynched by Persons Unknown, Aug. 28, 1919

From the Franklin Times, Louisburg, N.C., Aug. 28, 1919

Coroner’s Jury Completes Investigation of Lynching of Walter Tyler Last Week. . . Solicitor Norris Performs Duty Well. . . Jury Finds “That Walter Tyler Came to His Death From Hanging and Gun Shot Wounds at the Hand of Parties Unknown to Them”

The Coroner’s Jury, which was empaneled on Thursday of last week at the request of Solicitor Norris, which action a special Statute makes compulsory upon the part of the Solicitor, came to an end Wednesday afternoon when the jury returned a verdict “That Walter Tyler came to his death on Aug. 20, 1919, from hanging and gunshot wounds at the hands of parties unknown to the jury.” This was the culmination of three days setting and the examination of about 50 witnesses, which produced evidence to show that there was hardly any doubt as to Tyler’s guilt. Among the large number of witnesses examined was three colored witnesses whose evidence was notable. Joe and Sallie Harris gave valuable assistance in ferreting out the criminal in giving freely and voluntarily evidence they had in regard to the movements of Tyler and also rendered other assistance to the family and friends of Mr. Medlin that showed they wanted the law to take its course and the guilty party punished. Also the evidence of Shook Tyler, an uncle of the dead negro, who stated that during the conversation at Hagwood’s Store the evening Tyler was arrested he told Tyler that he had been talked to enough and if he had taken the advice of himself and his father he would not be where he was. He told him good-bye and was satisfied that from what he had heard the evidence that Tyler was guilty and should be punished. It was for that reason they did not want his body.

There was no evidence developed that tended to show any responsibility on anyone and the jury had no trouble coming to a verdict.

The evidence showed that Officer King in the discharge of his duty as he saw it to be best, started to Louisburg to place his prisoner in jail for safe keeping. He deputized sufficient force to accomplish the objective under the circumstances, but just as they were reaching their destination they encountered a car across the road and had to stop when they were held up by masked men at the point of pistols and guns with a demand of hands up, lights out, give us the d—m negro. The next thing the officer knew was when the guns fired and he was allowed to move off with lights cut off. He came on to Louisburg and made reports of what had happened and what he thought was the results. Later a crowd from town went to the scene and found that Tyler had been lynched and shot. The body was removed to New Hope church yard that night and rehanged where it was found the next afternoon by the Coroner and Solicitor, who immediately began the investigation, according to (??).

The officers stated they could not recognize any one on account of masks and darkness and there was no evidence as to threats at Hagwood’s store nor no one seen following the officers car.

Solicitor Norris performed his duties well in conducting a strict examination of all witnesses he could secure but no light could be thrown on the guilty parties.

Where there is a general regret that the law was not allowed to take its course it is pretty generally agreed by both white and black that Tyler got no more than he deserved. The attitude of the better class of negroes in the matter is to be commended, practically all of whom are free to say that a person committing such a heinous crime should not expect anything more than Tyler got.

The jury who assisted the Coroner and the Solicitor in the investigation was composed of Messrs. E.M. Wheeler, R.B. Roberts, Joe J. Young, O.C. Hill, P.J. Brown, and A.U. Ashley.
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Editorial Commends Investigation of Lynching, Aug. 28, 1919

From the News & Observer, as reprinted on the front page of the Franklin Times, Louisburg, N.C., Aug. 28, 1919

Franklin County Investigation

Solicitor Norris started with commendable promptness the investigation of the lynching which occurred in Franklin county last week. The quick work shows a due appreciation of the value of establishing the law and ending any sentiment that favors subversion of law by the irresponsible action of the mob.

One of the first things to compel the approval of the thinking people of the State will e the course of the two negroes, Joe and Sallie Harris, living on the Medlin farm where the crime was committed, who furnished evidence that helped materially to trace the criminal. Here was an example of holding law and humanity above any race prejudice, and if that one example could be followed by everybody a large proportion of the crime in this country would be quickly headed off. Shielding a criminal and assuming to defend him because of race conditions or where it is not racial relations but fraternity or other ties defies justice and obstructs law and encourages crime. It is to the credit of these two negroes that they were anxious to see the crime punished, and that they figured that it was a criminal who was sought and that his race or color had nothing to do with the desire for his apprehension.

A criminal is a criminal and as such the whole population should be on the side of the laws. If this fact can be impressed more widely, on white and black alike, and all be made to feel that the apprehension and punishment of any criminal is for the common good, we will have moved forward toward order and law decidedly.


Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Reassuring First Hand Report From Charlotte by S.H. Farabee, Aug. 27, 1919

From the Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 27, 1919

Hickory Guards on Duty in Charlotte Today. . . No Casualties on Charlotte Front. . . Sentiment in Charlotte Decidedly in Favor of Car Men

By S.H. Farabee

Charlotte, N.C., August 27—The Hickory home guards, augmented by men from the marines, “Old Hickory” and “Wild Cat” divisions, composing the reserve militia, spent their first night on the firing line without a casualty or the semblance of a disturbance, and most of the boys are piled up asleep today in the old auditorium building.

The trip to Charlotte was without incident. Hugh D’Anna’s car took the lead and found trouble the other side of Lincolnton, and was passed by K.C. Menzies’ machine, which then caught none of the dust. The cars parked just out of Charlotte and with the arrival of Capt. Abernethy and their other officers and the other machines, trailed into Charlotte behind a local pilot. The boys had supper, received their ammunition and instructions, and walked the cement.

Zell Setzer and Zeb Buchanan came in late, but Zeb was allowed to seek rest in a hotel early, to be followed by K.C. Menzies and John Cilley Sr., in spite of their protests, and this trio was said to be looking pert today. It was midnight before the men were assigned to duty, and it was 1:10 this morning before an unfortunate squad was relieved. The others went off about 7 o’clock. The mistake was on the part of the relieving company, which neglected to send a squad to release Geo. Watson’s men. Those who shared the morning hours with Sergt. Watson and missed a regular breakfast were Corp. Lafayette Miller and Privates Speas, Donald Menzies, Hugh D’Anna, A.L. Pope, and S.H. Farabee, all of whom have secret thoughts. Sgt. Benfield came to the rescue of the lost squad.

Now for the strike. Sentiment in Charlotte was decidedly in favor of the street car men and it is asserted that they would have won out had not a lot of rough necks in North Charlotte, without solicitation, gone on strike at the mills and devoted their efforts to winning the contest for the car men. Not all the citizens of North Charlotte are condemned by any means, but it is generally agreed that there ar a lot of gunmen in that section who would stoop to anything and it is this bunch of ruffians, as they are freely termed, that the trouble is due.

It was declared today that the North Charlotte gang has a big rock across the street car track, marked “Hindenburg Line,” and will defy the car company to operate cars to that section.

A number of cars were operating this morning and will continue to be run. No trouble is feared as long as the State Militia are on the scene, but it is predicted that more rough stuff will follow when they return home.

All the boys are well.

The Hickory company will remain until about Sunday.

Quiet Prevails in Charlotte, Aug. 27, 1919

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Aug. 27, 1919

Quiet Prevails in Charlotte. . . With 600 Soldiers and 200 Citizens Patrolling the Streets and Guarding the Barns of the Street Car Company. . . Cars Being Operated to a Limited Extent

Charlotte, N.C., Aug. 27—Reports reaching the City Hall today (???) quiet over the town with six companies of State troops and 200 armed citizens patrolling the streets and the property and barns of the Southern Public Utilities Co., as the result of the demands of the street car strikers, and the scenes of the riots at the barns of the Company last Tuesday when three men were killed and 13 were injured.

The death list was increased today when J.D. Aldred and Will Hammond, two of those seriously wounded in the Tuesday morning riot succumbed to their injuries near mid-night last night. One other man is seriously wounded and is not expected to live.

Street cars were run out on limited schedules today. The authorities assured the officials of the Public Utilities Company that they had the satiation well in hand and that they would guarantee them protection and promptly quell any disturbance. The cars and the tracks of the company are being guarded to prevent further trouble and to provide for the prompt moving of the cars.

600 Men Under Arms in Charlotte

Six hundred men are under arms here to prevent a recurrence of the strike disorder of the past few days.

The death of J.L. Aldred of Charlotte last night brought the toll of lives lost in last night’s shooting at the car barns of the Southern Public Utilities Company to four. He was taken to a hospital mortally wounded soon after more than a dozen men had been shot in an exchange of fire between guards and the mob. It was authoritatively announced tonight that operation of street cars would be resumed tomorrow morning, having been suspended for a day following the outbreak last night.

Five Dead in Charlotte Riot, Aug. 27, 1919

From the Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 27, 1919

Five Persons Are Dead Result Charlotte Riot. . . Cars Running on Limited Schedule Today Under Heavy Guard. . . City Officials Say Situation Is Well in Hand. . . A Machine Gun Is in Readiness

By the Associated Press

Charlotte, August 27—Reports to the city hall today indicate a quiet night. Six companies of militia and 200 armed citizens are patrolling all sections of the city as a result of the street car strike. The street car barns, which was the scene of a riot early Tuesday morning in which three persons were killed and 13 wounded, was under a heavy guard last night. A machine gun mounted is in readiness to repel any attacks upon the guards. The death list was increased to five today when J.D. Aldred and will Hammond, wounded, expired between midnight and dawn. One other man is in critical condition. The street cars were being run on limited schedule at (:30 this morning. The city officials assured the Southern Public Utilities Co. they had the situation well in hand, and were prepared to promptly handle any disturbance. The guards and police patrolled all the sections where the cars were being operated.

Revised Casualty List

The dead:
Claude H. Hinson, William C. Pope, Caldwell Houston and J.D. Aldred.

The wounded:
V.A. Kincaid, Will Hammond (expected to die), Tom Head of Huntersville (expected to die), A.T. Baker (considered serious), Clem Wilson (slight face wound), H.N. Freeman (condition very serious) Everett Raymond, George Smith, Lewis Wilson, D.M. Miller, Walter Handle, Robie Stuart. The wounded men are all at hospitals.

Events in the strike situation moved rapidly yesterday morning following the affair at the car barns. Mayor McNinch’s call for citizen volunteers received an earnest and quick support and by 6 o’clock yesterday there were over 150 men sworn in and more applying every minute.

Troops Arrive

By 8 o’clock the first troops, those from Lexington, arrived under command of Lieutenant W.R. Crawford. They were followed in rapid order by the Statesville troops under Captain D.M. Ausley; Lincolnton troops under Captain Hair Page, and Winston-Salem troops under Captain J.A. Smith. Late last night the Hickory troops commanded by Captain L.F. Abernethy reached Charlotte and the Durham troops were expected about 1 o’clock or a little later.

County troops, citizens and policemen, the city officials found themselves with a force of about 500 men to preserve law and order. A cabinet, consisting of the mayor and commissioners, captains of all the reserve infantry forces and Captain W.M. Wilson, head of the citizen guards, was formed, and every move was planned in advance, being ordered by a written message. Part of the men were placed on post, part held in reserves, and a mobile flying reserve was formed, consisting of automobiles filled with soldiers and citizens, which ceaselessly circled the city. No attempt to operate street cars was made and the day passed off very quietly.

The only arrest made during the day was that of John Wilson, brother of Clem Wilson, the young man struck on the head on Monday night. Wilson was the man who was talking in an insulting manner to Chief Orr at the time the shot that started the fusillade was fired. The charge against him has not been determined.

Volunteers are coming to the city hall in great numbers and no serious difficulty in controlling the situation is anticipated when the street cars are started this morning.

….
Hysterical rumors to the effect that women and children had been shot, that practically all the wounded men in the hospitals had died; and others of like kept tension at a high pitch yesterday, but as fast as the rumors could be traced down, they were found to be inaccurate.

Squire J.W. Cobb was yesterday appointed coroner to take the place temporarily of Coroner Z.A. Hovis, who is confined to his home by illness. In his capacity of coroner, Square Cobb held a postmortem yesterday over the bodies of three men killed Tuesday morning and announced than an inquest woiuld be held Thursday afternoon.

Announcement was made yesterday that T.R. Drumm was the man set upon by the mob early Monday morning at Independence Square. Mr. Drumm was not seriously injured.


Old Folks Day at Massey School House in Johnston County, Aug. 27, 1919

From the Smithfield Herald as reprinted in the University of North Carolina News Letter, Chapel Hill, N.C., August 27, 1919

Old Folks Day at Massey’s

On the 25th of July, the old folks held their annual meeting at the Massey school house down in Johnston County. It was the day set apart by the old pupils of the school to renew old acquaintances and have a good time acting and playing the games of 50 years ago.

They met early in the morning with old fashioned tin buckets or baskets filled with green peas, apple dumplings, huckleberry tarts, and an abundance of fried ham and corn bread, with here and there one of the best melons that a boy ever did eat, and with several other common but mighty good things.

Now, remember, said the invitation, that everybody goes to school that day and if he forgets his dinner he will take part in the games only as every family takes its lunch out around on logs and under trees as they did 50 years ago. At 10 o’clock sharp we play an old game known as round town, using a cotton ball made from an old worn-out sock with a small piece of rubber in the center. The bat will be made out of some old barrel stave that once held the sap of the long leaf pine. After this game we will pay bull pen, roly-hole, marbles, run foot races, jump jim crow and skip the rope. This rope will be furnished by John Wiggs. We will use our old-fashioned brier with the thorns removed. All old fiddlers (and young ones too) are especially requested to bring their fiddles to make music, as there will be an old-fashioned Virginia reel conducted by Mrs. Lanes and others.

Last year we left out a large part of the program as the boys were in the trenches, and we couldn’t make merry while they were in so much danger. Mr. Jasper Wiggs promised to speak last year but was in France. He landed in New York a few days ago and is expected to be Patty on the spot. He is an old Turlington Graded School boy and one of the county’s best speakers. We don’t know what his subject will be. We will have short talks by all the old teachers who taught at this place, but they will be limited to 10 minutes. Some of these old teachers are 80 to 90 years old.

Remember, everyone is invited to come from all over the county and take part in the games, but nobody will win a prize, but those who are 45 or 50 years old. We give prizes to the best fiddler, dancer, rope jumper, foot racer, jumper, jimcrow jumper, and the biggest fool.

You see I have never won a prize and think I might come in on the last, said Mr. W.L. Creech who issued the invitation. Now watch out boys, I am limbering up every day, and expect to have a good time with those girls dancing, jumping, running and several other things. You see,  we leave off the handle and call everybody by the first name, Sal, Jack, Jim, Bill, Kate, Lucy, Van, and so on. Don’t forget the time, July 25.

Monday, August 26, 2019

500 Wilmington Residents Demand Municipal Store, Restrictions on Profits, Aug. 26, 1919

From The Western Sentinel, Winston-Salem, N.C., Aug. 26, 1919

Profiteering Denounced by Wilmington Citizens

Some 500 citizens of Wilmington at a mass meeting held in the court house there Thursday night endorsed resolutions demanding that an immediate appropriation be made from the funds of the city treasury, of a sufficient amount to open, stock and conduct a municipal store, to be located in the city market house, or some other suitable place, says the Star, which adds:

Another feather of the meeting was the adoption of a resolution asking the governor to call a special session of the general assembly to pass a bill limiting the percentage of profit that may be added to the gross cost of necessary articles of food, clothing, etc., and also the percentage of profit on the investment which may enter into the rental of any residence or business property.

The chairman of the meeting, W.L. Riddle, was also instructed to send a telegram to the governor of the state, Congressman H.L. Godwin, and the two United States Senators, and the attorney-general of the United States, asking that a representative of department of justice be sent here to investigate the charges of profiteering.

Manager of A. & P. Tea Co. Because Company Was Hoarding Sugar, Aug. 26, 1919

From The Western Sentinel, Winston-Salem, N.C., Aug. 26, 1919

Greensboro Man Is Under Arrest. . . J.L. Michael, Manager of A. & P. Tea Co., Charged With Hoarding Sugar

Greensboro, Aug. 23—Acting under instructions of District Attorney W.C. Hammer, a federal warrant was today served on J.L. Michael, manager of the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, charging the company with hoarding sugar in violation of the federal law. The case has been set for trial before United States Commissioner H.D. Collins Thursday afternoon.

Twenty-five thousand pounds of sugar were found stored by this concern last week.

Michael was this afternoon placed under bond of $500 for his appearance.

NAACP Organizer Flogged, Thrown Out of Texas for Inciting Austin Negroes, Aug. 26, 1919

From The Western Sentinel, Winston-Salem, N.C., Aug. 26, 1919

Organizer Flogged in State of Texas

Raleigh, Aug. 25—There was much interest here in the Associated Press dispatch from Texas telling of the flogging administered to J.R. Shillady, the white man, secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which has local associations in many Southern as well as northern states, the chastisement and expulsion of this man from Texas having been a police judge, a constable and another who acted on the ground that Shillady was inciting the Austin negroes to make trouble with the white people.

The question of the probable numbers of local associations and members among the negroes of North Carolina is being especially considered. Raleigh has a local association, it is known, the head of it being a well known negro undertaker. It was this organization that was sponsor for the negro municipal ticket in the last election, which, to the great credit of the Raleigh negro voters, received remarkably little support in proportion to the normal strength of the negro vote.

The sentiment here is that the relations of the races in Raleigh and all thru the state are most agreeable and satisfactory and, as indicated to be the case in Texas, no activities among the negroes such as contemplated in the operation of Shillady type of agitators are wanted. That left alone, the “race problems” will not make the least disturbance or friction in Raleigh or the state, leaders of both races having most excellent understanding and co-operating well.

Strike-Breakers Operating Charlotte Cars; Trouble Feared, Aug. 26, 1919

From The Western Sentinel, Winston-Salem, N.C., Aug. 26, 1919

Charlotte Cars Being Operated; Trouble Feared. . . Strikers Sympathizers Make Threats and Entire Police Department on Duty

Charlotte, Aug. 25—O.H. Drum, assistant superintendent of the transportation department of the street car system here, was attacked by strike sympathizers today and injured about the head. His assailants were promptly jailed.

Other demonstrations were attempted when cars were run out on three city lines, following a tie-up of two weeks by strikers. Numerous threats have been made by sympathizers on strike-breakers brought here to man the cars and trouble is anticipated. The entire police force has been called out today and firemen with hose are in position on the main street to disperse mobs.

Z.V. Taylor, president of the Southern Public Utilities Company, publicly stated that his company will not recognize the Amalgamated Union of Street Car Operators, but will operate cars on the Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Greenville systems and called upon the government to protect their property.

The city officials and a committee appointed from the trade organization here recommended that the Utilities Company accept the strikers’ demands and settle the troubles.Calls were coming in up to 1 o’clock today from various sections of the city and policemen were being sent out with riot guns. Out of the two dozen calls made, there had developed no more troubles more serious than the blocking of cars and threats of personal violence. Early troubles in the downtown section gave way to the firm attitude maintained by members of the police force and the arrest of the man attacking Superintendent Drum; of the street car operating force, and the warning issued to others who appeared boisterous, tended to restore order in a general way. By noon the unruly elements began to scatter out along the routes of the cars. It is said strikers are not involved in the troubles but are co-operating with the city officials to restore order.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Was Wrong Man Hung? Should Woman Who Served 40 Years Be Pardoned? Aug. 25, 1919

From the Hickory Daily Record, Monday, Aug. 25, 1919

Wycoff Woman Gives Wrong Version

North Carolina folks who read the Raleigh story in the Greensboro News this morning purporting to explain away a murder in Catawba county 40 years ago and place the odium on a dead man naturally inferred that a great miscarriage of justice occurred. To Mr. J.W. Blackwelder, who heard the preliminary hearing and attended the court trial at Taylorsville and the story related in the letter of “Aunt Sarah Wycoff was as transparent as glass and he took no stock in her yarn. The right man was convicted and hanged, Mr. Blackwelder said.

At the end of this article the Record is reproducing the story sent out by Mr. W.T. Bost, who had no other information than that furnished by the letter of the old woman who has been in the pen for 40 years.

The facts, as recalled by Mr. Blackwelder, are these:

Wesley Wycoff, the man murdered, was a harmless citizen, except for a habit of getting drunk a good fellow. “Aunt” Sarah was a woman without character in the Sherrill Ford neighborhood. It was to get the husband out of the way that the killing was arranged and the woman was implicated.

Bob McCorkle, a negro, who carried a sawed off shotgun night and day, was convicted of the killing. An old negro man hear the shot about 11 o’clock one night and remarked to his wife, “That was Bob McCorkle’s gun.” The weapon made a louder noise than any other in the community and the old negro had learned to recognize. With this as a clue, the officers went to the McCorkle home, investigated his gun and from his powder pouch removed part of an old newspaper. This, when placed to the gun wadding found at Wycoff’s home, was a perfect fit, and the whole paper could be read. That was the plainest circumstantial evidence.

The case was removed to Alexander county and the old negro who heard the shot stuck to his statement that it was Bob McCorkle’s gun, though he could not say who shot it. McCorkle was convicted and hanged. The old negro was a man of fine character and there was nobody to say a word against him.

When he went to the gallows, McCorkle took off his boots and gave them to one of his children, but he did not make a confession. He said he had been betrayed like Judas by 30 pieces of silver.

There was a feeling in the community, Mr. Blackwelder said, that some white man had conspired with McCorkle and the Wycoff woman to kill Wesley Wycoff, and little or no effort was made to run down the white man. The negro who fired the fatal shot was hanged.

Jake Wycoff, whom the old woman indicated as killing his father, was a quiet, unassuming man and worked for Mr. Blackwelder three years. He would drink liquor, but he had no motive for killing anybody and was harmless.

There is the story that was sent out from Raleigh purporting to show how the innocent had suffered:

The Raleigh Story

Aunt Sarah Wycoff, 40 years without a mark against her record of service in the state prison for her part in the murder of her husband, Wesley Wycoff, for which Bob McCorkle, black, has been hanged, has ceased, by a letter that betrays her innocence to be a prisoner of hope and remains one of choice.

Aunt Sarah was late getting the letter, her daughter-in-law recently wrote her telling how a neighbor, in terror of his deathbed, confessed the crime for which McCorkle died, and which would have cost her life but for her sex. The Mrs. Wycoff who is the widow of the last member of Aunt Sarah’s family, writes without great enlightenment to the oldest prisoner in the state’s service. Aunt Sarah has turned her 40 years and next week will be 78.

The wizened old woman came to the state in 1879, after two trials and two convictions. More than half her incarceration has been spent on a little cot on the highest floor in the state prison. She has not walked in 23 years. Rheumatism has drawn her trim fingers double and deprived her of all locomotion, save the power to crawl and push herself with an invalid’s chair. But in 23 years and flat on her back she has not uttered a word of offense to her friends in prison and now if the governor will pardon her those attendants will insist that she die there.

Actual Slayer Confesses Crime

Aunt Sarah gave your correspondent an interview Friday. She didn’t mean to be giving interviews—she doesn’t even know what one means. She was reading her Bible, which is printed in 12 point type, and varying this with the scrawled letter which has come from her solitary relative, daughter-in-law. Nothing harder has been undertaken since the original tackler of the Egyptian hieroglyphics than the reading of junior Mrs. Wycoff’s letter. The dutiful widow merely wished Aunt Sarah to know that she has suffered in silence and mystery and the actual slayer of the old man, Wesley Wycoff, has confessed to the crime. Who he was, the daughter-in-law does not know.

“I am left alone with no one to live with me,” she says, telling Mrs. Wycoff for the first time of her son’s death. “Jacob is dead and gone and the children married off. He had six children—three boys and three girls. They are well as common. Bob Marlow as here. You know her. She said she knowed you. That man is dead that killed Mr. Wycoff. He told on his deathbed that he killed him hisself—that you nor Bob McCorkle never done it. He did it hisself and you and Bob was inosunt. I am glad to no and I wanted you to know the people had found out how it was done.”

Mrs. Wycoff’s Story

Mrs. Wycoff is as ignorant of the trial and what brought her to prison as if she had lived in another guise and by some mentenpsychosis (? Mental psychosis?) or other process had been transplanted from a star, the moon, or the sea into North Carolina life. She does recall that she had a husband; that she was accused of murdering him, was tried twice, twice convicted and sent to prison.

“We were first tried in Catawba county—that’s where they said he killed my Bob and that I knowed about it,” she said. “And then we was tried in Alexander. It happened the same there as in Catawba. I don’t know who the judge was and I don’t know why they tried me. They said I knowed sumpin’ about it. They never said I done it, but said I knowed about it.” She could not recall whether lawyers and the court talked about accessories before and after the fact. All that she could recall was that it “happened the same,” meaning that she was twice convicted.

Why there were two trials does not appear from anything that she recalls. The Supreme court records to not seem to have the case and it is barely possible that one of them was tired in one county and the other in an adjoining jurisdiction. It is not impossible that the judge who tried the case set aside the verdict. Evidently there was no appeal. Anyway, Bob McCorkle was hanged and Mrs. Wycoff came to prison to spend her life.

“Governor Russell would have pardoned me 20 years ago,” she said, “but there was no place for me to go. Other governors have said they would pardon me, but I haven’t got no folks to take me. I guess I will keep on staying here.”

“I would like to see aunt Sarah get her pardon,” her attendant said, “but we have learned to love her so that we want her to stay here if she gets out. She has never broken a rule and all the prisoners like her so much.”

Aunt Sarah seems to have “satisfied the law,” whatever that means, and Bob McCorkle did his part 40 years ago. It isn’t strange that the law has such difficulty satisfying Aunt Sarah.

John Fredell Killed by Long John Lail, Aug. 25, 1919

From the Hickory Daily Record, Monday, Aug. 25, 1919

Bad Murder in Burke County Saturday

Details of the killing of John Fredell at his home in the South Mountains Saturday afternoon by “Long John” Lail were not in possession of the local officers today, including Deputy Sheriff W.L. Eckard of Burke County, who was in Hickory this morning.

It seems that Lail, who was said to be drinking, passed Fridell’s home Saturday morning and threatened to shoot the Fredell children and again passed the house late in the afternoon and shot Fredell five times. Mrs. Fredell and the children saw the killing. Lail said he was going to kill his own mother.

It was not learned today whether Lail had been arrested. The funeral over the remains of Fredell was held at John’s church, Burke County, yesterday.

-=-

From the editorial page of the Hickory Daily Record, Monday, Aug. 25, 1919

Can’t It Be Stopped?

The South Mountains in Burke county, officers say, are notorious for the manufacture of liquor and for other forms of immorality. It was in this section Saturday that an apparently cold-blooded murder was committed by a drunken man.

Men and women to go the South Mountains from Hickory, Lincolnton, Gastonia and other places, it is said, and the Central highway is the scene of many offenses against good morals.

If half the things reported in that section are true, the state would do well to exert special efforts to rid the place of lawlessness. Something surely should be done.

A witness in Burke superior court some time ago declared that nearly everybody in the mountains maid liquor and he felt that he had as much right as anybody else to make the stuff. This shows how lightly the prohibition law is regarded.

The state should do something about South Mountains.


Mrs. Loyal, Mrs. Shelley Killed When Car Fllips; Driver Jailed for Speeding, DWI, Aug. 25, 1919

From the Hickory Daily Record, Monday, Aug. 25, 1919

Two Women Killed in Auto Accident

Greensboro, Aug. 25—Mrs. Mamie C. Loyal, aged 44, and Mrs. Dave Shelley, Aged 70, are dead. Shube Anthony, an elderly farmer, is a prisoner in the county jail, charged with murder and with driving an automobile while intoxicated, while Mrs. Loyal’s husband, Jesse A. Loyal, and Anthony’s 13-year-old son are painfully injured as a result of an automobile accident which occurred on the Greensboro High Point Boulevard yesterday afternoon t 4:15.

The Ford car which Shube Anthony was driving turned over, spilling all of the occupants and causing the instant death of Mrs. Loyal, who together with the other members of the party except her husband, and together with the other member, young Anthony, pinned underneath the machine. The accident occurred at a point five miles from Greensboro and about 50 yards from the home of W.L. Golden. All of the occupants of the ill-fated auto were residents of Sumner township.

A few minutes before the fatal accident Constable Sam Patterson noted the number of the Anthony car, intending to prefer charges against Shube Anthony for speeding. Proceeding in the direction of High Point, Anthony attempted to pass another automobile, which was traveling in the same direction. He lost control of the machine, which catapulted with great force, according to available information, hurling the occupants unceremoniously to the ground.

Persons living in the vicinity heard the screams of members of the automobile party and hastened to their assistance. The car was quickly lifted and the former occupants extricated. Mrs. Loyal had been killed instantly, it was discovered, her face being terribly disfigured, while she was found lying in a pool of blood. One of her shoulders was broken and her head was badly lacerated.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Cedar Rock Voters Approve New Brick School, Aug. 23, 1919

From The Franklin Times, Louisburg, N.C., Aug. 23, 1919

Build New School House. . . Cedar Rock District Votes Bonds. . . Out of 82 Registered, 53 Voted for the Brick Structure

Cedar Rock School District took the lead in Franklin County in bonding itself to build a new and more commodious school building when on last Saturday the citizens of the district went out to the polls and voted a bond issue of $7,500 as their part for the construction of a more modern school. The law is new in its use in Franklin County and Cedar Rock school district is the first rural district to avail themselves of its benefits.

The registration books totaled 82 qualified voter out of which 53 were for the bond issue, with a vote of 5 against the issue. As the law requires a majority vote of the registration, it shows that the issue was carried by a necessary majority.

The citizens of Cedar Rock School District are progressive and usually get on the right side of every question, and in the result of the election on Saturday they have just cause to feel proud. We are sure that with this spirit continuing they will have a school and building excelled by none in the county.

Charges Settled in Mayor's Court, Wilson, N.C., Aug. 23, 1919

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Aug. 23, 1919

Mayor’s Court

John Lafferty was up for having more liquor than the law allows in his possession. He was sentenced to the roads for six months, with a suspension of judgment provided he reports to the Chief of Police every Monday morning and proves that he has been working five days in the week and with further provision that he stays away from Jungle town.

Robert Davis, a hobo, was told to get out of town or get a job.

George Lamm was up for running an auto without lights. His case was continued until Monday.

Hattie Artis and Rosa Oats became involved in a fight at the Imperial factory and paid $9.25 each.

Jonah Wilson slapped his wife, whom he told the court was pestering him, and promised not to do so again.

Otis Jefferson and Vanted Waters, two 18-year-old boys, so said they were from Pinetown, were told to go home.

Albert Hoover was charged $29.25 for speeding an auto.

George Farmer was also charged $29.25 for speeding an auto.

Oscar Best was charged $19.25 for resisting an officer, and $54.25 for carrying concealed weapons.


Should Wilson Provide a Landing Field? Aug. 23, 1919

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Aug. 23, 1919. The last name was spelled Fleury and Fleurry in the article. I don't know which one is correct.

Wants to Come to Wilson

Mr. R.R. Fleury of Newport News, with five Curtis airplanes equipped with the O.X. Curtis motor which he says corresponds to the Continental Type of Motor, was here and wants to bring his machines to Wilson provided he can secure a suitable landing place. His is an entirely commercial proposition. He charges parties who desire to fly or be transported from one place to the other as price as consideration.

He represents the A.E.F., flying corporation and contends that the planes that he uses do not cut up the ground as much as the regular army planes, which their tail skids which are used in stopping.
The purpose of Mr. Fleury is to locate his machines at some point in eastern North Carolina and work out from here until December, when he will take his planes to their grounds at Kissimmee, Florida, where the company owns grounds and has a field all its own.

Included in the list of aviators is Mr. M.A. Bishop of this city, who quite naturally desires to come to Wilson. All the men have seen service in France. The matter of course will have to be decided quickly since Mr. Fleury must some arrangements to locate his planes, and unless Wilson makes arrangements for him he will have to go elsewhere. The advantages to Wilson as an advertisement are obvious as well as the announcement from Mr. Fleury that he has with him an aerial photographer who receives a salary of $100 per week. Mr. Fleury announces that he will take pictures of the city and present them to the Chamber of Commerce. He was with Secretary Barlow today, who is very anxious to have him come to Wilson and is using every endeavor to help him secure a place.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Burlington Woman Regrets Giving 2-Year-Old a Gun, Aug. 23, 1919

From the Statesville Landmark as reprinted in the Hickory Daily Record, Saturday evening, August 23, 1919

Lesson for Parents

The dangers of childhood which can neither be foreseen nor guarded against are numerous, but just why anybody should give a child a pistol as a plaything, even when the weapon is believed to be empty, is past finding out. The Burlington lady who thought she had extracted all the cartridges from a pistol before she handed it to a 2-year-old child, will regret the act to her dying hour. One cartridge was overlooked and that proved fatal. 

A few days ago, in one of the counties of this state, a baby was left in its carriage in the yard. The wind started the carriage down an incline, it rolled into a creek and the baby was drowned. Always the thought that additional precaution was neglected will cause a pang. 

Children allowed to run in the streets where automobiles pass are in constant danger. Sometimes a life is crushed out or a serious injury inflicted, and in the bitterness of their sorrow parents will remember that they are not blameless. The trouble and sorrow that often result from thoughtlessness, that might be avoided by a little more care, are incalculable.

Will Hughes Acquitted in Murder of Fred Lane, August, 1919

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Aug. 23, 1919

LaGrange Man Is Found Not Guilty

Kinston, Aug. 22—Will Hughes, LaGrange white man, was acquitted in the murder of Fred Lane, colored, in Mosey Hall township last year, in Superior Court here today. Lane was killed shortly after being seen in a buggy with Hughes and a negress.
-

Glenn Young and Belgian Police Dog Capture Eight Army Deserters and Moonshiners in Wilds of Boone Hill Township, August 1919

From the News and Observer, as reprinted in The Franklin Times, Louisburg, N.C., Aug. 23, 1919

Glenn Young Gets Eight Deserters. . . Special Officer Arrests Notorious Gang in Johnston County. . . Banded Together, Making Whiskey

S. Glenn Young and his Belgian police dog are in town and so are eight of the most notorious blockaders and desperadoes of Johnston county. The last will go with the first this morning to Camp Jackson and there answer a charge of desertion from the United States Army in time of war.

Special Officer Young, who is operating from the District Attorney’s office, caught the eight Saturday night on “The Islands,” the No-Man’s Land of Johnston county, and brought them to Raleigh yesterday. Last night they were released by him on their honor and this morning he expects every man to show up for the trip to Jackson.

The eight arrested are: Walter Sassar, Milford Lynch, Jonathan Woodward, Walter Leggins, Benjamin Doughterty, Rayford Brown, Harvey Thornton, and Andrew Eason.

The double quartet was surprised Saturday night, Young catching four at one time, relieving them of their guns and turning them over to his police dog while he went for the others. Five guns, a pistol and four automatic rifles, were taken from the eight deserters.

Several attempts have been made to catch the eight deserters, who had banded together in the wilds of Boone Hill township and were defying all agencies of the law. Not only did they propose to resist arrest on the charge of desertion but, in order to pass the time away, they engaged in manufacturing blockade whiskey.

It was probably the whiskey business that led to their arrest. Local officers, according to reports in the United States Marshal’s office, knew that the eight, with other deserters, were in the county, but were unable, seemingly, to locate them. Young was advised that Alex Cox, a negro under indictment for blockading, knew where they were hiding and would give the information to an officer in the hope of obtaining clemency. The officer conferred with Alex and went after the deserters. He got them, as everyone on Martin street knew yesterday afternoon.

The eight just arrested by Young give him a record of 618 captured in the last 14 months, the majority of them in North Carolina. Just a few days ago, he caught another Mitchell county deserter, Mose Miller, who is in jail waiting to be carried to Camp Jackson.

And Young gets them single handed unless his Belgian dog is counted. The dog will guard any 12 and hold them while his master goes off looking for more. In fact, the dog serves as a temporary jail when the deserters are caught too far to carry in a night.

Of the eight Johnston county men, seven were camp deserters. Andrew Eason deserted from Company C, 119th Infantry, before it left Goldsboro for Camp Sevier.

Walter Tyler Lynched For Assault of Mrs. W.L. Medlin, August, 1919

From The Franklin Times, Louisburg, N.C., Aug. 23, 1919

Walter Tyler Is Lynched On Public Highway Near Louisburg For Criminally Assaulting Mrs. W.L. Medlin. .. . Broke In Home While Husband Was Away at Tobacco Barn. . . Admits Guilt. . . Officers Held UP By Crowd and Forced to Give Up Prisoner

For criminally assaulting Mrs. W.L. Medlin at her home near New Hope Church on Tuesday night, Walter Tyler was lynched three miles west of Louisburg near Mr. Phi Thomlinson’s after having admitted his built on Wednesday night about 9 o’clock. 

From the information received in Louisburg Wednesday and Thursday it seems that Mrs. Medlin had just returned from the hospital, where she had undergone an operation, and that her husband was at the tobacco barn about 200 or 300 yards from the house. Tyler evidently knowing these facts went to the home about midnight and effected an entrance without causing any alarm and when Mrs. Medlin knew anything he was at the bed and threatened her life unless she kept quiet and gave way to his desires, whereupon he accomplished his purpose,. As soon as she could do so, Mrs. Medlin gave the alarm and a search began for the negro who had made his escape. The rough treatment which the brute gave and the shock of the fright, caused Mrs. Medlin to be in a serious physical condition Wednesday and was placed under the care of the physician.

Blood hounds and officers tool up the search early Wednesday with the assistance of many of the neighbors and friends who were badly wrought up over the matter, the feeling in the community having worked up to a very high pitch and several arrests were made, but there was sufficient coolness to investigate every clue and it was found that none answered the description until Tyler was found in a tobacco field by some citizens who immediately took him in charge and carried him to the point near the home and identified him by foot prints. A warrant was secured and arrest made at Haywood’s Store by Constable P.J. King, who, seeing that it was not safe to keep the prisoner there for a preliminary hearing as the feeling against him was taking form, deputized Messrs. Lee Baker, Robt. Wheless and Williams Wheless and started with him to Louisburg, driving a Grant six at top speed. Constable King tells us that he succeeded in remaining ahead of the crowd until he reached the intersection of the Youngsville and Franklin roads at Mr. A.J. Frazier’s when a car shot by him. Not recognizing this to be a car in which danger for the prisoner existed, he continued on his way to Louisburg to place his prisoner in jail. About half a mile from that point in a little bottom near the home of Mr. Phi Thomlinson’s they came upon a car across the road and not being able to get by they had to come to a stop when several men with hats pulled over their eyes and faces either blacked or masked with drawn guns demanded the negro. At this time about 50 men well armed seemed to have come up and there was no alternative. The officer was placed under guard as was the other deputies and the negro taken to one side and questioned, when he admitted his crime. He was then taken across the railroad, where he was swung up to a pine sapling and riddled with bullets. Later on during the night the body was taken down and carried to New Hope Church, in sight of the scene of the crime, and swung up again.

After the crowd dispersed Constable King and his assistants were turned loose and they came on to Louisburg, where he reported the circumstances to the Coroner and the Sheriff. The Coroner notified the Solicitor, who visited the scene of the crime yesterday afternoon for an investigation.

Mrs. Medlin was the daughter of Mr. John Edwards and she and her husband are among Harris township best and most highly respected citizens.

The negro was raised in Wake County and was more or less a stranger to the neighborhood, was about 22 years old, and bears a pretty ugly reputation.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Adolphus Hopkins Shoots HIs Employer, M.L. Walker, Aug. 22, 1919

From Roanoke Rapids Herald, Aug. 22, 1919

Mr. M.L. Walker Shot by A. Hopkins. . . Hopkins Fired Five Times, Three Taking Effect, Two Going Wild. . . Mr. Walker’s Condition Encouraging. . . Hopkins Held Without Bail

Monday at noon about one minute after a quarrel with M.L. Walker, Adolphus Hopkins, a man in Mr. Walker’s employ, let go an oath, stating he was going to get his gun and kill Walker. He went to his room and secured his pistol and went immediately to Walker’s place of business on Second Street, between Hamilton and Roanoke Avenues, where he met Mr. Walker coming out of his door. Hopkins immediately opened fire, emptying his gun, three shots hitting Mr. Walker and two going wild. After emptying his gun, Hopkins walked down the street to the Avenue with the gun in his hand, where he was met by Messrs. Ben Hastings and Collins Fitts, who placed him under arrest and took him to the Mayor’s office where he was given a hearing before Recorder Clark. After examining several eye witnesses, Mr. Clark ordered Hopkins held without bail.

Mr. Walker never fell after being shot, bystanders placed him in an auto and rushed him to the hospital Dr. Long examined the wounded man and found that only one wound appeared to be of a serious nature, that penetrating one of his lungs. Dr. Long stated at the trial that Mr. Walker’s chances of recovery were about fifty-fifty.

Many eye witnesses were dumbfounded by the cold-blooded manner in which the shooting was done, none of whom had ever witnessed such an act before. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. Walker, who came to our town last fall and opened up a tin shop. He attended strictly to his business and was meeting with success. Mr. Hopkins came to our town last November to work for Mr. Walker. So far as we have been able to learn, the quarrel Monday was the first trouble between the men.


Governor Pardons John and George Mahue of Montgomery County, Aug. 22, 1919

From Roanoke Rapids Herald, Aug. 22, 1919

Governor Issues Pardons

“If I were to permit these prisoners to serve longer on the chain gang, I could not sleep at night,” said Governor T.W. Bickett, granting a full pardon to John and George Mahue of Montgomery county, convicted in July of assault and sentenced to 12 months on the roads of Stanly county. The two were c convicted upon the uncorroborated testimony of a bloodhound, which the Supreme Court has held, is not sufficient to convict a man.

Grocery Store's Flour Platform Hid 165 Pints of Blockade Whiskey, Aug. 22, 1919

From Roanoke Rapids Herald, Aug. 22, 1919

Grocery Camouflaged

A nicely constructed platform for the storage of flour in Lignell W. Hood’s grocery store did not mean anything unusual to customers but an investigation by revenue officers revealed that it was used as a hiding place for whiskey. A search of the interior of the platform rewarded the officers with a find of 165 pints of blockade whiskey.

The proprietor had nothing to say regarding this untoward occurrence.

City Will Run Gas and Electric Plants Itself if Necessary, Says Charlotte Mayor, Aug. 22, 1919

From Roanoke Rapids Herald, Aug. 22, 1919

Charlotte Mayor McNinch Thinks Attempt to Put City in Darkness and Without Gas an Outrage. . . Will Protect the Innocent. . . If Necessary Will Commandeer Plants and Operate Them During Emergency Under Police Protection

Charlotte—Mayor F.R. McNinch is very much exercised over the recent attempt of operatives or others to shut down the electric and gas plants of the city, and has issued the following statement:

“The attempt to put this city in darkness and without gas is an outrage against an innocent and helpless public that can not be countenanced, and we propose to protect that public against such high-handed invasion of its rights by every means at our command. If any men or set of men challenge the forces of law and order, let them take notice that they do so at their personal peril.

“The public is assured that we will exert every power to the limit to protect the light and gas supply, as we realize how vital they are to the life of the community. If it can not be done otherwise, I will commandeer these plants and operate them during the emergency under police protection—or military protection, if necessary."

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Surprise Wedding Unites Allen Thompson, Bronna Coble, Aug. 21, 1919

From The Gleaner, Graham, N.C., Aug. 21, 1919

Married in New York

Last week we mentioned that Mr. Allen B. Thompson had gone to New York to meet a friend coming from overseas and might spring a surprise on some of his friends. She landed, we mean Miss Bronna Coble, Saturday morning, after spending a year overseas in war work. That evening about six they went to “the little church around the corner” where the Rector spoke the words that made the twain one. They have lots of friends here and elsewhere who wish for them the greatest measure of happiness and success.

Mr. Thompson is in business here and with one or two short intervals has made his home in Graham for the past eight years or more. Miss Coble has made her home here about the same length of time. They are excellent and deservedly popular young people.

Cases Settled in Alamance Superior Court, Aug. 21, 1919

From The Gleaner, Graham, N.C., Aug. 21, 1919

Superior Court Notes

August Term of Alamance Superior Court convened Monday for the trial of criminal cases with Judge W.P. Stacy presiding and Solicitor S.M. Gattis prosecuting for the State.

Capt. Geo. A. Mebane was appointed foreman of the Grand Jury.

Among the business disposed of was the following:

Joe Stewart—removing crops. Verdict guilty and judgment suspended upon payment of costs.

Dan Williams and L.P. Gerringer—manufacturing liquor. Williams plead guilty and verdict guilty as to Gerringer. As to former, prayer for judgment continued upon payment of costs; latter failed to return after conviction to abide judgement of court and called out.

Clara Graves and George Walker—false swearing to obtain marriage license. Plea of nolo contendere and judgement suspended on payment of costs.

Lewis Garrett—concealed weapon. Plead guilty; fined $50 and costs.

Jim Torian—selling liquor. Verdict guilty; 4 months on roads and pays costs.

Dolph Bridges—receiving liquor. Plead guilty; judgement 12 months in jail and execution at instance of Solicitor.

Elbert Summers—profane language in public place. Plead guilty; judgement suspended on payment of costs.

C.D. Roach—concealed weapon. Plead guilty; $50 fine and costs.

A. Link Lee—disposing of mortgaged property. Plead guilty; judgement suspended on payment of costs.

Morris Roach—assault with deadly weapon. Plead guilty; fined $200 and costs.

Gladdis Gun—larceny. Plead guilty; pays costs.

Tommy Martin, Pearl L. Jones and C.W. Hunt—liquor in excess of quart in possession. Plead guilty; prayer for judgement continued to November Term upon payment of costs; and each to report to Sheriff every Monday morning till next term of court; not to deal in liquor in any way and report as to sail of liquor coming to his knowledge.

Hardy Saunders—assault with deadly weapon. Guilty; fined $10 and costs.

Clarence Gray—concealed weapon. Plea of nolo contendere; prayer for judgment continued on payment of costs. In other case for assault with deadly weapon, fined $10 and costs.

GT.W. McThompson and W.H. Teer—deadly weapon. Plead guilty; each fined $5 and Thompson pays costs.

Ralph Stuart, Morris Roach and Kirk Teague—affray. Plead guilty; prayer for judgement continued upon payment of costs.

Otis Vincent—affray. Plead guilty; prayer for judgement continued on payment of costs.

Ralph Stewart—assault. Plead guilty of simple assault. Judgement suspended on payment of costs.

Late yesterday afternoon—about sunset—the work of the court was completed. The grand and petit jurors were discharged during the afternoon.