J.L. Gregory to Stand Trial for Murder of S.W. Smith at Badin, Nov. 23, 1925

J.L. Gregory Held for Superior Court. . . Slayer of S.W. Smith at Badin Will Probably be Tried at Albemarle Next Week

Albemarle, Nov. 21—J.L. Gregory, who is charged with having shot and killed S.W. Smith on the streets of Badin on last Thursday morning, was given a preliminary hearting here today before Squire J.E. Agle and was bound over to Superior Court without right of bail. Superior Court convenes here next Monday with Judge P.A. McElroy presiding and this case will likely be heard at that time.

Three eye witnesses to the shooting were offered this afternoon who gave substantially the same testimony. From the evidence given, Smith and Gregory were standing talking and angry words were passed, where upon Gregory stated to Smith, “I’ll shoot you,” reached for his gun and at short range shot Smith full in the breast. Whereupon Smith turned and ran and what at a distance of about 20 feet Gregory shot a second time. Smith went about 75 yards farther, fell and died in a short time.

Just what led up to the difficulty has not been learned. It is rumored, however, that Gregroy had charged Smith having used abusive language to Gregory’s wife the evening before. It is rumored that Gregory has killed two men prior to this homicide but under what circumstances it is not known here.

From page 2 of The Concord Times, Monday, Nov. 23, 1925

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Dr. Britt, Buford Robertson Indicted for Murder of Miss Ruby Helms, Nov. 23, 1925

Return True Bill Charging Murder. . . Dr. C.S. Britt and Buford Robertson Indicted for Murder of Young Woman

Charlotte, Nov. 20—The Mecklenburg grand jury brought in a true bill of murder against Dr. C.S. Britt and Buford Robertson, committing the state to an investigation of the facts surrounding the death of Miss Ruby Helms and the injuring of her fiancé, A.L. Jackson, on the Salisbury road, the night of November 6th.

Miss Helms and Mr. Jackson were walking along the highway on their way home from uptown when they were hit by a passing automobile, receiving such serious injuries that Miss Helms died on the way to the hospital and Mr. Jackson had t be at the hospital for some time.

Dr. Britt and Mr. Robertson were arrested the next day, November 7th.

From the front page of The Concord Times, Monday, Nov. 23, 1925

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Vickers, 33, On Trial for Killing Ellison Rogers, Nov. 23, 1925

Selection of a jury in Mecklenburg county criminal court for the trial of J.B. Vickers, 33 years old, charged with the murder about October 7th, of Ellison G. Rogers, also 33, formerly of Monroe, was completed Thursday and the State called one witness to the stand before adjournment. Vickers pleads not guilty.

From the front page of The Concord Times, Monday, Nov. 23, 1925

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Johnny Harvel, 20, Dies After Accidentally Shot by Robert Pruett, Nov. 23, 1925

Young Concord Man Died From Wounds

Johnny Harvel, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Harvel of this city, died at the Concord Hospital yesterday afternoon from wounds he received Saturday afternoon, when accidentally shot by his cousin, Robert Pruett.

Pruett was examined by a coroner’s jury last night and exonerated when he and several other witnesses told the jury the shooting was accidental.

The shooting occurred near Midland Saturday afternoon. Harvel, Pruett and two other young men having gone there to hunt in the land of Runn Barbee, friend of the Harvel family. The shooting was witnessed by Sylvester Barbee the others in the party being absent when the tragedy occurred.

According to testimony to the jury, Barbee Pruett and Harvel sat down on the bank of a discarded road to rest after hunting several hours. While sitting there Harvel asked Pruett to loan him his pistol for target practice, and Pruett did so, after telling Harvel that he had only three cartridges and not to waste them.

Harvel shot twice, it was said, then pitched the gun to Pruett. Later, when Harvel started to drink water from a hole, Pruett warned him against it and shot into the hole. Harvel then walked across a meadow to some learn water and while returning was shot.

While walking across the meadow, the jury was told, Harvel went through military drill with Pruett giving commands, “Right,” “Left,” “Halt,” were the commands. Each time he said halt, Prutt snapped his pistol at Harvel. When Harvel got within two yards of Pruett, the latter snapped his gun at him again, this time responding with the bullet that penetrated Harvel’s stomach.

Harvel was rushed to the Concord Hospital where an operation was performed but attending physicians never entertained more than a fighting chance for his recovery.

The deceased was 20 years of age and is survived by his parents, and three sisters, Dorothy, Violet ad Shirley Harvel. Funeral services were held this afternoon at Meadow Creek and interment made in the cemetery there.

Pruett was very nervous when questioned by the coroner’s jury, breaking into sobs when asked if he and Harvel had any cross words during the day. “He was my best friend,” he replied between sobs. “I’ll never have another friend as good as Johnny.”

Harvel came to Concord several days ago to secure work in a textile plant. He spent the summer in Charlotte working as a carpenter, but returned to Concord to secure inside work during the winter.

The jury summoned by the Coroner Hartsell for the inquest held last night in the Wilkinson Funeral Home was composed of L.D. Coltrane, Boyd Biggers, Tom Hendrix, D.A. Meis. E.F. Shepherd and W.M. Sherrill.

From page 2 of The Daily Tribune, Monday, Nov. 23, 1925

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Electric Plant Coming to Salisbury, Nov. 23, 1925

Salisbury Gets Large Steam Electric Plant. . . Southern Power Company Acquires Land and Will Begin Work of Grading This week

Salisbury, Nov. 21—Definite announcement made here this afternoon by officials of the Southern Power Company is that the new 100,000 horsepower steam electric plant of the company will be built at Salisbury, and that, the project means more than the mere building of a supplementary steam plant is indicated by the amount of acreage purchased. Three hundred and seventeen acres are included in the deed of transfer from Love Honbarrier to the power company.

The land lies two miles east of Salisbury and about an equal distance from East Spencer, and railroad connection will be made with the Southern at the latter place. The land deal has been closed right-of-way procedure taken. It is announced that actual work of grading for the construction will begin next week.

Almost all of the equipment for the new plant has been contracted for. Included in this are two steam turbines of 50,000 horsepower each contracted for with the General Electric Company for a few days after the death of J.B. Duke. This purchase set at rest the speculation as to whether the company would carry on with its program of development after the death of Mr. Duke. With the new plant, it is announced, the Southern Power Company will have added 210,000 horsepower since the beginning of the present year. It is understood the plans of the power company will mean the coming to Salisbury of several hundred employes of the most desirable type.

From the front page of The Concord Times, Monday, Nov. 23, 1925

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Hooper Says "Stop Law" at RR Grad Crossings Will Save Lives, Nov. 23, 1925

Thinks “Stop Law” Reduces Accidents. . . Swift Hooper, Veteran Southern Engineer, One Time on No. 97, Gives His Views

Winston-Salem, Nov. 22—Swift Hooper, for nearly 40 years an engineer on the Southern railway and who at one time pulled the throttle on famous “No. 97”, one of the fastest trains ever operated in the United States, does not hesitate to express the opinion that the stop law passed by the legislature several years ago and which has been in effect now for something like two year, has greatly reduced the numbers of grade crossing accidents.

He says that while many do not stop and take the chance of beating the train, the majority by reason of the law are far more careful than they otherwise would be. In the days gone by was the track walker that was the bane of the engineer’s life but in recent years it has been the grade crossing and the swift rushing automobile.

Mr. Hooper is now on the run between this city and North Wilkesboro, and it has been on this run that he has spent the greater part of the 40 years riding an engine.

From the front page of The Concord Times, Monday, Nov. 23, 1925

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Nelson Suffers Broken Arm When Struck by Car Driven by Jim Deal, Nov. 19, 1925

J.L. Nelson, Prominent Man of Lenoir, Is Hurt by Car

Lenoir, Nov. 20—J.L. Nelson, prominent business man and cotton manufacturer, had his left arm broken just below the elbow last night about 7:30 o’clock when he was hit by an automobile. Mr. Nelson was crossing the public square. An automobile driven by Jim Deal hit him, knocking him down and causing his arm to be broken. Mr. Deal is very much grieved over the accident and says that he did not see Mr. Nelson when he was crossing the square. The injured man was resting very well today.

From page 2 of The Concord Times, Monday, Nov. 23, 1925

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