Alcohol, Arson, Murder Cases on Trial in Burke County, Feb. 16, 1921

Morganton, Feb. 16—Burke county court is making steady headway in the disposal of a heavy criminal docket, the majority of the cases on which related directly or indirectly to the liquor problem. The state is obtaining conviction in so many of the cases that much will be accomplished by the court to help break up the traffic in this section. When court adjourned yesterday afternoon the case being tried was that of three Asheville men arrested at Bridgewater, charged with having more liquor than the law allows. Just prior to that two others from |Asheville, Carl McIntosh and Harley Carland, had plead guilty to the same offense. P.C. Cooke, an Asheville attorney, appeared for all the men, the defendants in the first mention case being J.B. Greenwood and two Whittemores.

A true bill was returned by the grand jury today against Baxter Hildebrand, who will be tried tomorrow and who, it is understood, will submit to manslaughter in connection with the Lippard murder. J.L. Murphy of Hickory is appearing as Hildebrand’s counsel.

From a venir of 75, summoned to appear Thursday morning, a jury will be selected to dry Dick and Mary Williams, who are charged with the murder of Pink Brittain. The trial will probably occupy several days.

Joe Mull, better known as “Joe Speck,” to distinguish him from a kinsman of the same name, was found guilty of arson, after a trial which occupied the greater part of yesterday afternoon. Sentence has not been passed. He was represented by W.A. Self and C.L.. Whitener of Hickory.

From the Hickory Daily Record, Feb. 16, 1921