Striking with bench warrants signed yesterday afternoon by Judge E.H. Cranmer, county authorities acting under the direction of Solicitor W.F. Evans early last night launched an offensive against the bootlegging oligarchy and at midnight the ring leaders of what is described as a moonshine syndicate were in jail or at liberty under heavy bonds fixed by Judge Cranmer.
From New Light Township Niles O’Neal, regarded by the officers as the directing force in the “Hurrycane” had been brought in and placed under a bond of $3,000. From White Oak, Dock Commander, a great burly negro, declared to be the largest wholesale liquor dealer in this section of the State and a brother-in-law of the notorious Baldwin gang had been seized.
Twelve of the 20 warrants issued on the sworn testimony of two detectives who have been working under the direction of Solicitor Evans for the past month had been served at midnight and heavy bonds fixed by Judge Cranmer.
Warrants charged sale of whiskey but charges of possession will be will be added as the result of quantities of whiskey found by officers on the raid. Only one defendant, O’Neal, was represented by counsel. Brantley Womble appeared for him.
Searching parties were still out in every section of the county, and warrants were in the hands of Detectives Wyatt and Danielly for the arrest of 10 alleged bootleggers who retail on the streets of the city. The round up will be continued. Mr. Evans declared last night, with more warrants yet to issue until Wake county has been cleaned up. The prisoners will be presented to the Grand Jury tomorrow morning and trials will follow immediately.
Those Arrested
Those arrested last night were:
W.N. O’Neal, New Light, released on bond of $3,000 given by Dan Allen and Frank Allen.
Dock Commander, Apex, jailed under $3,000 bond.
Sallie Commander, Apex, released under $2,000 bond given by H.B. Baldwin, Mary Baldwin and S.H. Baldwin.
Buck Raines, Apex, jailed under $3,000 bond.
Mary Raines, Apex, released under $500 cash bond.
Rufus Davis, Swift Creek, released under bond of $3,000, given by Dan and Frank Allen, Mrs. R.F. Davis and W.F. Mooneyham.
Frank King, Raleigh, released under $3,000 bond given by J.T. Hobby and Daniel Allen.
Edwin (Bevo) King, Raleigh, released under $1,000 bond given by J.E. King and Daniel Allen.
Sherwood Scott, Raleigh, jailed in default $1,000 bond.
Ed Neal, Raleigh, jailed in default $500 bond.
Willie Cotton, Raleigh, jailed in default $500 bond.
Charlie Elam, Bland, jailed in default of $500 bond
Roy Honeycutt Warned
Sitting as a committing magistrate, Judge Cranmer in the Wake court room last night made it plain that the hands of the solicitor will be upheld in the administration of justice, and he gave fair warning that the visitation of the law will be quick and severe upon any person who attempts to thwart the work of the court or interfere with the witnesses.
Without hesitation the court summoned Roy Honeycutt, former deputy sheriff and justice of the peace, who one of the detectives asserted, had approached with improper remarks concerning his work.
Honeycutt was brought into court by one of the sheriff’s deputies and the detective, W.E. Nicholson, was sworn. On the stand, he stated that the former officer who now operates a pressing club had approached him in the lobby of the court house and had make remarks concerning the arrest of a negro who was in his employ.
“That’s damned common work.”
The story was continued on page 2 but the image was too faint to read.
From the front page of the Raleigh News & Observer, Sunday, February 4, 1923
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