Testimony in Trial of Chain Gang Boss Accused of Killing two Negroes Continues, July 21, 1926

Cranford Defense Seeks to Off-Set Teeter Testimony. . . Mr. and Mrs. Dave Teeter Said Carl Meadows Was Treated Cruell by the Prison Boss. . . Former Guard Denies All. . . For First Time During the Trial There Were Few Vacant Seats in the Court Room Today

Albemarle, July 21 (AP)—Testimony was offered today in the trial of Nevin C. Cranford, former Stanly County convict boss, to show that Carl Meadows, negro, was ill for some time before he died, and was not required to perform strenuous labor.

This refutes testimony of the State in which Mr. and Mrs. Dave Teeter told the jury that meadows came to their home, broken in body and spirit, and died a few hours after they took him into their home.

J.L. Stoker of Thomasville, automobile mechanic, and former guard under Cranford, was the witness to testify of Meadows’ extended illness today.

He said that Cranford had made arrangement to send Meadows to his “people” in Wadesboro, and gave a guard money to buy the prisoner his railroad ticket.

For the first time since the trial began, there were few vacant seats when the trial got underway at 9:30 p.m.

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Wednesday, July 21, 1926

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1926-07-21/ed-1/seq-1/