Baxter Shemwell, notorious and desperate citizen of Davidson County, who for almost two years, has defied the authorities there to put into effect a sentence of 30 months, imposed on him, has run counter to one man who seems not to be intimidated by his past record. That man is A.C. Avery of Morganton, who recently made a rather surprising race for corporation commissioner.
It seems that Avery appeared as an attorney in a civil action against Shemwell and the latter had addressed a letter to him threatening him with violence if he “meddles” in his affairs in future. To this warning Mr. Avery replied, “Please get one certain and absolute fact in your head: that your past reputation and your present bluster does not intimidate me in the least! Don’t waste your time trying to work off your bluff and bluster on me.”
The case of Shemwell is a disgrace to Davidson County and to the State. The idea of a man being convicted by the courts, having his conviction affirmed by the highest court in the State, and then roaming at large in outspoken defiance of the law for two years, is shameful. If the authorities in Davidson are afraid of Shemwell, or if they are indifferent or not capable of handling him, is not there some way that assistance can be rendered? Has the time come in North Carolina when one man can shake his fist at the whole State and get (away with it)?
From the editorial page of The Kinston Free Press, H. Galt Braxton, editor and manager, July 12, 1922
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