Recorder P.S. Kornegay Saturday sentenced T.F. Lowe, white man of High Point, to a total of 39 months on the county roads for transporting and possession 26 gallons of whiskey, speeding and reckless driving, causing a serious wreck early Friday morning on the Fairmont road about 3 miles south of here. Notice of appeal was given and in default of bond of $2,000 he was remanded to jail.
A mule was being driven toward Fairmont by Mr. Arch Graham of Tolarsville when a large Dodge truck came swerving around the curve striking the mule about the head, wounding it so badly it had to be killed. The wagon was wrecked and Mr. Graham miraculously escaped injury. The truck was badly damaged, but Lowe was unhurt.
Officers were notified and Sheriff B.F. McMillan and Deputies Melton Ivey and J.H. Barrington went to the scene. Suspecting that whiskey had caused the accident an investigation was started. About 150 yards away from the highway in the woods the 26 gallons of whiskey were found. Lowe had not left the scene and was taken into custody. The whiskey was put up in cans and fruit jars.
Johnnie Chavis, Indian, who came upon the scene of the accident a few minutes after it happened helped Lowe carry the whiskey into the woods, so it was alleged, and he is out under $100 bond charged with aiding and abetting in the concealment of the liquor. He will be tried Wednesday.
An additional 12 gallons of whiskey were found Friday night by county officers who raided the home of Will Chavis, Indian, near the scene of the accident, and it was believed that the liquor found there is a part of the cargo being transported by Lowe. One 5-gallon can resemble the others found after the early morning wreck.
The remainder of the12 gallons was put up in wooden kegs, which has been charred for the purpose of aging the whiskey. The officers went to Chavis’ home and found a well-beaten but fresh path leading from his home to the corn field, and when about 150 yards away from the house found the whiskey. Chavis had made no statement regarding the raid and has been released under a $200 bond for his appearance here Wednesday before Recorder Kornegay.
Lowe was represented by counsel in court here and did not attempt to make any explanation or tell anything about the liquor. It was unofficially stated that he had said he secured the whiskey in Horry county, South Carolina, but that he was on his way to another county in North Carolina. He gave his age as 22 years. His wife and mother-in-law spent Saturday here in an effort to raise money for his bond. Immediately after the wreck Sheriff McMillan wired the State revenue department and secured information that the license corresponding to the number on the truck had been issued to T.F. Lowe, Greensboro, Route 1.
In passing judgment, Recorder Kornegay left it optional with the convicted man that he could pay $400 to the owner of the mule and get 12 months off his sentence. His appeal will cancel the option.
From the front page of The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., Monday, Sept. 14, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84026483/1925-09-14/ed-1/seq-1/
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