Handsome New Brick Schoolhouse Dynamited Over Redistricting Dispute, Aug. 28, 1923

Johnson County’s Crime

It is remarkable how some people will permit their prejudices and passions to overcome their judgment and cause them to commit acts that would almost bring blushes of shame to hardened criminals. The latest example of that is found in the dynamiting of a handsome school building in rural Johnson county. There had been a consolidation of school districts, and there was the usual dispute over the location of the new school building. The school authorities selected a site which in their opinion would best meet the needs of the consolidated schools, and proceeded with the erection of a $40,000 brick building. A few nights ago parties as yet unidentified exploded three charges of dynamite in the building, so wrecking the structure as to make it necessary to almost completely rebuild it if it is to be used.

No doubt the perpetrators of that outrage against the cause of education, against the taxpayers and against the law are men of average good standing in their community, and otherwise considered law-abiding and honest citizens. Yet, they permitted their feelings to so dominate them that they became criminals of a low order. Their act has hurt the cause of education and directly violated the good name of their community and of society. The crime is one that would have done credit to the anarchistic and depraved mind of bolshevik Europe. It was such acts by German soldiers, though engaged in war where many things are permissible, that would not be thought of in peace times, which caused the civilized world to protest. The violators of the rules of civilization in red Russia would not have done worse. Yet, here in America, in North Carolina where the purest stock of Americanism and Anglo-Saxon manhood is supposed to be found, we find men destroying school property merely to satisfy a grudge. We hope that the officers of Johnson county will be able to get their hands on the men guilty of that outrage against society and civilization, and that the court will give them the limit in punishment.

The lead editorial from page 4 of the Durham Morning Herald, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 1923. The newspaper said the crime occurred in Johnson County. It did not. There is no Johnson County in North Carolina. It happened in Johnston County.