Next to the famous case against the self-styled preacher were the wholesale liquor cases against 15 negro men from Gawk, all of whom were charged with selling, transporting or illegally possessing liquor. All the cases were scheduled at the special term of recorder’s court held yesterday.
The 15 negroes were arrested by Federal officers on November 5th when they had assembled to deliver 150 gallons of whiskey. Attorneys for the defense had asked that a jury trial be allowed and each case tried separately.
The first case called was against Henry Ellison, charged with selling liquor. The first State’s witness was Mr. Gulley of Raleigh. Mr. Gulley testified that he knew Henry Ellison and talked to him on several occasions prior to October 31st. That he went with an agent from Virginia to Ellison, bought cigars from him and saw him sell whiskey to many people. He bought liquor first by the drink and they purchased a Coco-Cola bottle full for a dollar. Ellison had a half gallon in the store on November 5th. Ellison went with him to Gawk and showed him people to buy from.
Mr. Gulley, on cross-examination testified that he was not a Federal officer but was employed by an adjoining county and worked with the Federal officers. He called in the assistance of the government officers in this case.
Mr. London, a Federal prohibition agent from Roanoke, Va., who is now located at Rocky Mount, was the second witness. He stated that he went to Henry Ellison’s store, bought cheese and crackers, looked over the situation, and arranged to buy liquor. That he went back, bought a Coco-Cola bottle full and paid him a dollar for it. He stated that he did not drink. On cross-examination Mr. London said Ellison agreed to furnish a load of liquor at prices ranging from $5.50 to $8 a gallon, according to quality.
R.J. Horton, Federal prohibition agent from Chatham County, declared that he was in Gawk on November 4 and 5. On the night of November 4 he, in company with other agents, saw Ellison sell liquor to an old colored man and they also bought a dollar’s worth. He testified that on the morning of the 5th, they found a half gallon of liquor at Ellison’s place, captured it and destroyed it. Other agents testified to the same general facts.
Ellison did not offer any testimony, but through is attorneys put up the same old fight, introducing the injecting prejudice in the jury box. After all the testimony was in, the attorneys for both the State and defense addressed the jury. After which court adjourned until Friday morning at 9 o’clock, when the case will go to the jury, following the charge of the court.
From the front page of The Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., Nov. 20, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073995/1925-11-20/ed-1/seq-1/
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Gawk Negro Cases to be Tried in February
The case of State against Henry Ellison in Recorder’s Court last Tuesday, November 17th, charging him with violating liquor law, ended in a sentence of nine months on the roads for the defendant. However, he appealed to the superior court, and his case will come up in the December term.
The cases against the other 14 Gawk negroes have been postponed until the February term of recorder’s court.
From the front page of The Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., Nov. 24, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073995/1925-11-24/ed-1/seq-1/
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