Jehu Davis Politely Argues With Judge Laurence Jones, July 25, 1921

Makes Speech to Judge Jones. . . Jehu Argues in His Behalf to Convince Recorder of His Well-meaning

Spectators looked on in amazement and attorneys at law turned green with envy when Jehu Davis, negro, delivered a speech before Judge Laurence Jones in municipal court Monday in behalf of himself and at the expense of his fellow-defendants.

Jehu is exceptionally well known by court officials. As a matter of fact, Judge Jones knows him better than any of the other defendants who appear in his court, as Jehu makes it a habit of calling on the “jedge” once a week.

Jehu and some of his pals were in court Monday to answer charges of being drunk and disorderly while aboard a fast moving automobile. The judge found them all guilty and leveled his eyes at Hugh Wilson in inaugurating the task of imposing sentences. Hugh, who was the driver of the car, got 90 days on the roads.

When Jehu heard the 90 day sentence he went up in the air.

“Now jedge,” said he, “I’m speaking only for myself but I’ll declare you oughtn’t give me any such sentence as dat. Especially when I told you de whole truth about de offair. We bought a half gallon of liquor and got drunk and dat was all dere wus to it.”

The judge reminded Jehu that he was in court at least once a week and that his honor was exceedingly tired of seeing his dingy face.

“Well jedge, you knows good and well that every time I come up here its against my will. You ought to know I don’t come up just cause you trouble; they always bring me.”

The judge agreed on this point and promised Jehu a year on the roads the next time he was in court. That was not encouraging information to Jehu.

“Youse got all the power, suh,” the negro replied.

But Jehn had misjudged the situation. He did not figure that the man who drove a car while drunk would be liable to a heavier sentence than the men who merely rides as a passenger in one when drunk. Consequently, he spoke in his own behalf.

The judge fined Jehu and two other passengers in the automobile $25 and the costs. Jehu thought that was too high a fine, but he offered no protest.

From The Charlotte News, Monday, July 25, 1921