Lena Long, Archie McNeill Married June 22, 1925

Announcement

Announcement is made of the marriage of Miss Lena Gertrude Long and Mr. Archie Wade McNeill, who were married in Halifax, Va., on June 22, 1925. Miss Long is one of Roxboro’s most attractive young ladies, while the groom is a splendid young man, connected with the Central Service Station. They are now on a visit to Mr. McNeill’s father, Mr. A.S. McNeill of Lumberton.

From the front page of The Roxboro Courier, Wednesday evening, Aug. 26, 1925

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073208/1925-08-26/ed-1/seq-1/

W.B. Cole's "Great Wealth Should Be Powerless to Buy Favor" Aug. 25, 1925

W.B. Cole—Assassin

Albemarle Press

Nothing else appearing than has appeared in the regular news channels, the Rockingham tragedy marks its chief principal as an assassin.

Furthermore, if a life-time acquaintance of the man who says that “Bill” Cole always carried a pistol in is his pocket is correct, then Mr. Cole is just the sort of man one would select for the scene of Saturday.

Wealthy man that he is, surrounding himself with all that can make prison life comfortable, he is first of all a father. The untold part of the story may have in its marrow an essence which would shake the paternal heart of the strongest man to a point of utmost passionate expression. Until this untold part is brought to light, the prisoner is all of assassin, coward, or demon of an insane moment. We shall await the story. Both sides are avowing to protect the honor of the girl in the case, whose character up to this time has been assailed by none. Her honor should be as precious to a father as his own life, and one can hardly think of this phase of mitigation coming into the case.

Letters of threats live after the principals are gone. It is stated that both sides have them in evidence. To this end, both men were unwise and foolish. No prejudice should have its weight against Cole. His great wealth should be powerless to buy a favor. Law in this case should stand peculiarly for an expression of true justice.

Fromage 3 of The Concord Daily Tribune, Tuesday, August 25, 1925.

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1925-08-25/ed-1/seq-3/

William Dilger Indignant at Arrest for Ill-Treatment of 4-Year-Old 'Daughter,' Aug. 25, 1925

Charge Man Mistreated Child While in City. . . Stranger Held Here Charged with Ill Treatment of Girl He Says Is His Daughter

A white man giving his name as William Dilger was arrested by police officers here Monday night and lodged in jail on a warrant charging assault on a female, the arrest following a complaint that the man was mistreating a 4-year-old girl whom he claimed was his daughter.

Dilger came to Concord sometime Monday and secured permission to use the Y.M.C.A. swimming pool for a swimming exhibition by the girl. He advertised the exhibition by placing the child on the hood of a car, giving her a string to hold in one hand for support, while with the other hand she held to the car.

During the exhibition the child was required to swim for quite a while, local officers were told, and then Dilger told her to dive from the high diving board, despite the girl’s protests that she was too tired and was afraid to make the dive. He insisted, however, and at this point some women spectators took a hand. They called a secretary of the Y, who stopped the exhibition and later had Dilger arrested. Several of the women agreed to appear in court as witnesses against the man.

The little girl was taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs. B.W. Means, where she was cared for during the night and day. She is a pretty blonde but shows the results of hard treatment.

Dilger told police officers that he is a show man and that his wife is with a show in Florida. He has been going about the country with the child, apparently living on proceeds taken in at various exhibitions given by her. He insisted that he is the father of the child, although there is no similarity between them.

Police officers searched Dilger and his baggage after placing him under arrest, finding several physician’s instruments, some handcuffs and a bunch of obscene pictures. The pictures for the most part are of nude women.

It is planned by officers to give Dilger a hearing this afternoon, he having been sent to jail I default of bond in the sum of $500.

Dilger told local officers that he has been in Durham, Washington and other cities in recent weeks with the child. He said he and his wife had been together with a show but that the show was disbanded so he came north with his daughter, leaving his wife in Florida, where she was staying with some other show people.

Dilger is about 40 years of age and bitterly resented being arrested.

Local police officers stated this morning that if given an opportunity they would try to make a full investigation of the case to determine why any one with such pictures as were found on Dilger’s should be touring the country with a 4-year-old girl. They also would like to determine why the man was carrying the physician’s instruments.

From page 2 of The Concord Daily Tribune, Tuesday, August 25, 1925.

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1925-08-25/ed-1/seq-2/

Defense Attorney Says He's Satisfied W.B. Cole Will be Acquitted, Aug. 24, 1925

Defense Plans for W.B. Cole Not Discussed. . . Statement Tending to Show Line of Defense in Homicide Case May be Issued Today

Raleigh, Aug. 24—“I am as satisfied as I could be of anything that when W.B. Cole goes on trial in Richmond county court he will win an acquittal verdict,” James A. Lockhardt, of the defense counsel, said here tonight.

Mr. Lockhardt said that any suggestion of submission to second degree or even manslaughter, would be out of the question.

Defense plans for the impending court battle for the life and freedom of W.B. Cole, millionaire cotton mill man of Rockingham, who slew Bill Ormond, his daughter’s suitor, were begun at a conference here today of his attorneys, but there was no public statement forthcoming to divulge the nature of the defense or the circumstances on which it will be based.

The statement, which had been expected this afternoon, may be issued tomorrow, it was indicated.

During today’s meeting James H. Pou, chief of counsel, addressed a letter to Solicitor Don Phillips and a copy to Governor McLean, asking that Cole’s trial await the regular October term of Richmond county criminal court, and indicating by inference that the defense will not ask for a continuance. Governor McLean has an engagement with Solicitor Phillips for a conference tomorrow regarding the solicitor’s request for a special term in September to try Cole.

From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Tuesday, August 25, 1925.

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1925-08-25/ed-1/seq-1/

John A. Kennedy, 73, Pleads Guilty to Bigamy, Aug. 24, 1925

Old Man Guilty in Bigamy Case. . . 73-Year-Old Farmer Pleads Guilty in Lexington

Lexington, Aug.24—John A. Kennedy, 73-year-old farmer of Thomasville township, plead guilty in superior court here this afternoon to bigamy. He married Mrs. Kate Davis of Stokes county, a woman of about 35, early in July, it was testified, and left her after a day. He had been missing until a week ago when he was arrested in High Point.

Judge John Oglesby reserved judgment until later in the week in order to hear other witnesses from Thomasville in regard to the standing Kennedy in his community an das to his physical condition.

June Page, banker of that city, stated to the court this afternoon that he had observed a change in the defendant for the past six months and had spoken to his sons about it.

From page 4 of The Concord Daily Tribune, Tuesday, August 25, 1925.

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1925-08-25/ed-1/seq-4/

Sheriff Fires Chief Deputy, Aug. 24, 1925

Mecklenburg Sheriff “Fires” Chief Deputy. . . Pharr Announces He Will Oppose Cochrane and Is Dismissed at Once

Charlotte, Aug. 24—Interest in Mecklenburg county politics waxed warm here this afternoon following announcement that Sheriff W.O. Cochran had discharged John Boyd Pharr, chief deputy and jailer, who received the appointment last fall following Mr. Cochran’s defeat of Vic Fesperman.

Mr. Pharr last week announced that he would enter the primary campaign next spring against Mr. Cochran and Pharr’s friends this afternoon said that this announcement was the cause of his dismissal by Sheriff Cochran. Pharr was a losing candidate for the nomination in the primary last year.

Pharr this afternoon was quoted as saying that he had been notified of his dismissal, effective September 1st, and it was said that Sheriff Cochran gave as his reason the fact that he “could not have a chief deputy a man who is working against me.”

An interesting report, lacking official confirmation, current here this afternoon, was that an agreement was reached between Cochran and Pharr last year that if Pharr would through his support in the second race to Cochran that the latter would not be a candidate next year. Pharr, it is reported, did throw his support to Cochran in his race with Fesperman.

In the meantime this afternoon Sheriff Cochran took occasion to definitely announce that he would be in the race for re-election next year. Victor P. Festerman, chief of county rural police, this afternoon also announced that he would be a candidate for sheriff next year.

From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Tuesday, August 25, 1925. Sheriff’s last name was spelled “Cochrane” in the newspaper headline and “Cochran” throughout the article.

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1925-08-25/ed-1/seq-1/

T.P. Thompson Accidentally Runs Over His Wife Three Times, Aug. 25, 1925

Husband Runs Over His Wife Three Times

Bakersville Banner

Down near Mooresville the other day, T.P. Thompson took his wife out to ride, and on returning home she stepped from the car and directly in front of the machine, just as her husband attempted to drive away, and she was thrown under the front wheels, which passed over her. In the confusion and excitement, the old man backed the car over her and then started forward again, passing the woman’s body the third time.

She was carried to the Statesville hospital, and though badly bruised, examination disclosed that no bones were broken and despite her 65 years will recover. This was probably a pure accident: but if it wasn’t the gentleman will have to use some other means.

From page 2 of The Concord Daily Tribune, Tuesday, August 25, 1925.

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1925-08-25/ed-1/seq-2/