Judge A.M. Stack, of Monroe, presiding at the Superior court term now in session, says the Greensboro News is determined to rid Guilford county of criminals that come before him as yesterday, after passing a road sentence upon three white youths and one negro, he ordered that immediately after the expiration of their sentence that they shake the dust from their heels and make a hasty exit from this county. This order the judge stated, was given for the primary purpose of ridding this country of law breakers and of giving them an opportunity to start life anew in a locality unfamiliar to them.
Those ordered to say adieu to Guilford county after they have completed several months on the roads for errors committed by them are John Maden, John Whitaker and Sevier Maden, all white youths, and Lonnie Dunbar, a negro. All four pleaded guilty to charges of larceny. John Whitaker entering a plea of guilty to two charges which were opposite his name on the Superior court blotter.
For the theft of automobile parts valued at over $200, John Maden and John Whitaker were each sentenced to serve eight months in the giving of manual labor free to this county by working on the county roads. Because of their youth the hand of mercy was extended to the two prisoners. The former stated that it was his first offense while Whitaker remarked that he had served 12 months at a previous time. To the latter Judge Stack said: “John, it appears that the former sentence did not serve to teach you a lesson. I am going to try the other way now. I am going to be merciful in the handing out of sentence to you. I want to salvage the good that is in you. But if, after the serving of this sentence, you again are brought before me, I’ll give you the limit. Make it your determination to be a man, an asset to the community and society in general.”
Whitaker was also charged jointly with Seveier Maden for the larceny of goods valued at $12.50. the former was sentenced to eight months on this charge, a capias to be issued September 15, 1923, and if John is still in this county he will be required to carry out this sentence. Sevier Maden drew a four-months sentence. Having pleaded guilty to the larceny of three overcoats from the Southeastern Express company, Lonnie Dunbar, negro, was ordered to spend the next six months on the roads of Guilford County. Dunbar remarked that he had previously served six months on the road and asked as to why he again trod along the wrong path, the negro stated, “Judge, I just go with wrong associations.”
The judge replied: “I feel sorry for you. Larceny is the badge of slavery and Lonnie is a descendant of that latter class. As a result, larceny comes second hand to him.” The negro was then showed the hand of mercy and was told to get away the county immediately after the expiration of his sentence. The largest sentence handed out to a prisoner during this term of court was that dealt by Judge Stack yesterday afternoon to Harold Hodnette, who was sentenced to serve three years n the county roads, the jury having convicted him of a seduction charge. Prior to sentencing him Judge Stack remarked: “Harold, I have been practicing law for 30 years and this is the worst seduction charge that I have ever listened to. The jury did absolutely the right thing in convicting you. What puzzles me is why they stayed out so long. You are the author of two tragedies—you broke your wife’s heart and you broke the heart of this girl, Annie Laughlin, the prosecutor. Your wife is ill with tuberculosis and her heart is broken.”
After asking the prisoner if he had anything to say, Hodnette, aged 29 years, a resident of Danville, Va., and a street car conductor, wrong his hands and replied, “No, sir.” Then he was placed in the custody of the sheriff, prepared to start a term of three years on the county roads.
The seduction took place in March, the defendant having promised to marry Miss Laughlin despite the fact that he was already married. But to Miss Laughlin he kept his marriage a secret.
Howard Smith, negro, aged 21 years, was yesterday sentenced to 12 months on the county roads, a Superior court jury having convicted him of receiving a box of clothing, the property of the Southeastern Express company. The goods were valued at $129.50 and the theft was committed November 15, 1922.
Pleading guilty to receiving more than a quart of whiskey in 15 days, George Stanford was yesterday fined $250 and costs by Judge Stack. A Superior court jury convicted Vance Smith, white, of having whiskey for sale and he was sentenced to four months on the county roads. Smith, who was not represented by counsel, noted an appeal to the Supreme court. Bond was fixed at $500 and his appearance bond was placed at $50.
Prior to completing its work for this term of court, the Guiford county grand jury which presented a not true bill against Frank Helston for manslaughter returned two true bills against him, one charging him with driving an automobile while intoxicated and another for an assault with a deadly weapon in the nature of an automobile. The charges grew out of the automobile accident December 17 when Henry Clapp was killed.
Carl Talley, outlaw, will be arraigned in superior court sometime today on the charge of murdering Policeman W. Thomas McCuiston. He will, in all probability, be given a trial during the next week of Guilford county superior court.
From page 6 of The Monroe Journal, Jan. 16, 1923. Name spelled Seveier and Sevier in paper.
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