John Hefner Caught With Liquor, Again, Dec. 29, 1920

John Hefner was arrested last night by Hickory police officers on the charge of transporting liquor and later released under a bond of $500, which was signed by Ode Russell of Granite Falls. Hefner and Emmett Mitchell came into the city on a wagon of fodder about 6 o’clock and as they turned the corner on Federal street, Chief Lentz, Sergeant Sigmon and Night Officer Pope accompanied them. Hefner advised the chief to read his search warrant, and this satisfied him. A 10-gallon keg with about eight gallons of liquor was found in the bottom of the wagon. When the search had started, Mitchell found he had business elsewhere, but Hefner retreated a few paces and then told the officers that he reckoned they would find the liquor. They fulfilled his expectations. In explanation, he said that he found the booze as he was coming to town with some provender for his stable. He was driving a team belonging to the Henkel stables and this was not seized. Hefner conceded that he was playing in hard luck. In Burke superior court two weeks ago John Hefner was placed under a $1,000 bond to guarantee his good behavior and violation of any of the state laws would cause him to forfeit the money, he was told. He has been indicted several times for selling liquor but conviction in the superior court, to which he appealed, has not been possible. The last time he was up, the state’s witness, Bob Cannon, was in the state of Washington where he had gone for his health, it was said. After Hefner was picked up the officers paid a call at Emmett’s home on the Brookford road. They were met at the door by the hostess, but the host departed by a rear door and was seen no more last night. Mrs. Mitchell was pouring oil on a smouldering fire with the officers arrived. The arrest of Hefner, coming as it did a few days after the conviction of Cecil and Dock Hefner for themurder of Glenn Lippard, created a mild sensation in Hickory. The father stayed with his boys throughout their trial. (From the front page of The Hickory Daily Record, Dec. 29, 1920)