Carl Palmer Given 3 1/2 Years on the Roads After Stealing T.W. Kellam's Car From Front of Guilford Courthouse, June 26, 1922

Palmer sent to Guilford Roads for Auto Theft

Carl Palmer, who plead guilty to the theft of an automobile belonging to T.W. Kellam of Winston-Salem Monday afternoon from in front of the Guilford courthouse, was on Friday sentenced by Judge B.F. Long to serve 3 ½ years on the public roads of Guilford County.

In pronouncing sentence Judge Long entered on the court records the following statement: “The court states at time of imposing sentence that it would have, on account of the aggravation of stealing a car from in front of the courthouse while court was in session, made the sentence six years, but it appears that the defendant has re-imbursed Mr. Kellam for all expenses incurred in getting his car back and the court takes this into consideration in passing sentence.”

Palmer was caught last Tuesday afternoon at Yadkin after an exciting dash around the county that led almost twice across Davidson by a devious route. He had abandoned the car on a by road from the Central Highway, a short distance this side of the toll bridge. Fletcher Carrick, former deputy of this county, claims to have made the actual arrest, but the prisoner and car were taken to Winston-Salem by Thomasville and Forsyth county officers, who received the $200 reward offered. Further efforts have been made on behalf of Carrick and a suit to recover half the reward has been talked of here.

From the front page of the Lexington Dispatch, June 26, 1922.