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Wednesday, February 10, 2021

W.P. Ingram Reported to the Chain Gang, But Will He Get Special Treatment? Feb. 10, 1921

Mr. W.P. Ingram this (Thursday) afternoon left Rockingham at 2 o’clock in a car in which were a cot, bed-clothes, tent, etc., to report to the chain gang between Hamlet and Laurinburg, for the purpose of beginning his sentence of 12 months.

He was convicted July 26th term of Superior Court of selling gin, and sentenced by Judge Adams to 12 months on the roads. He appealed to the Supreme Court. One of his lawyers, Fred W. Bynum, argued the case before that high tribunal last November, but the Supreme Court found no error and refused to grant a new trial. On Jan. 10th he was placed in the custody of the Sheriff to begin his sentence, but that afternoon the Sheriff received a telegram from Governor Bickett reprieving him for 30 days. The 30 days expired today, Feb. 10Th, and so this morning Sheriff McDonald went to see Mr. Ingram at his store on the corner of Depot street, with a commitment for him to begin his sentence, but was requested by Mr. Ingram that he be allowed until this afternoon before going into custody. This the Sheriff agreed to. And so this afternoon Ingram went to the chain gang camp in his own car, and carried a small tent, cot and bedding.

Cell or Tent, Which?

The Post-Dispatch man inquired of Supt. Baldwin today as to how many prisoners he had on the gang now, and the reply was “46”, 35 are colored and 9 white. Mr. Ingram makes the 10th white man, and the 47th member of the gang. Supt. Baldwn says the white cage has capacity for 12 men, whereas only 9 are in it. Ingram would make the 10th occupant; asked whether Ingram would be allowed the special privilege of using a separate tent of his own, and not bunk with other prisoners, Mr. Baldwin replied that “he didn’t cross bridges till he came to them,” or words to that effect.

On Tuesday of this week Ingram with his attorney, H.S. Boggan, went ot Raleigh to see Governor Morrison. The daily papers the next day carried a news story to the effect that the Governor had refused to pardon the man.

From the front page of the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Feb. 10, 1921

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