Newspapers / The Sampson Independent (Clinton, … / Aug. 7, 1924, edition 1 / Page 1
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SESSOMS RESIGNS iWD ENTERS PLEA ffCUILTY IN COURT do* of Superior Court With draws from Office Following His Indictment POSTPONED TftLL OCTOBER State's Attorney Askfe That Case Be Delayed Until Charges Can Be . Mere Fully Investigated—J. B. Williams Appointed Clerk Under indictment charging forgery i connection with certain state pen warrants, William Fleet Ses snae, for more than 22 years clerk of the superior court of Sampson meaty, Tuesday morning resigned Ala office and later entered a plea of nhnrission to the charges, throwing himself upon the mercy of the court Immediately following this sudden name by the clerk, he was released mm bond of $5,000 and further hearing mf the case postponed until the. Oc ~tabrT term of superior court Shortly after Mr. Sessoms* resig esfaii, -Judge Henry A. Grady, resi dent judge of this district, appointed Jfohn B. Williams to fill the vacancy nested. Mr. Williams at the time mf bis appointment was nearing the end qjf his second term as register of deeds. Came as a Surprise vWbile the resignation of the clerk was not to be unexpected in view of the known cirsumstances of the case, it fid come as somewhat of a surprise ma be haB steadfastly refused to con cede that he would take such steps. Same the first fumors several months mg* ef irregularities in his office, Mr. fieaaoms has denied by action and im plication his guilt, and it is reported that only through insistent advise of hia friends in the bar association did 1m finally decide bn the coarse taken. V* definite charge as to tbs amount affttindefalcations has been made, al it has been intimated that thousands ef dollars have misplaced. It was this condition hroaght about the continuance the ease, Solicitor Powers asking the state be given time to fully ioealigate .the charge and determine its extent. Wrote His Resignation The Sessoms case had been placed i the docket of this term, and was 1 for Thursday of this week. How following a conference with baa attorneys and friends Monday Mr. Sessoms decided to bring the matter to a head, and Tuesday mtinint wrote Judge Grady, tender sac his resignation. When informed of this move on the put of the clerk, Judge Frank A. Daniels, presiding in court here, im mediately adjourned court until 2:30 Taeaday afternoon, in order tp have -the mew clerk appointed. He at the ■mmmt time announced that the Sea man case would be taken up at that Mr. Sessoms in Court The case' was called when court nud at the afternoon session, ■fi Mr. Sessoms appeared for the ■t time as defendant in the court i which he had officiated for more ■■ a score of years. He was ac ■puied by Major George E. But ■V as ohlef counsel, who in turn sa aided, by practically every mem sr of the Sampson bar. Tie case was called by number, Major Butler immediately asked —i received the court's attention. flfrTT:-r decided emotion, due perhaps ■fm lua position as defender of a life Jdv .friend, the counsellor told the court that it was his client’s wish to .agter a plea of submission, and not -£• contest tj»e case. Mr.' Sessoms, at his side, nodded hk> head Mi agreement with the attorney. Asks for Continuation Solicitor Powers then took the Moor, and asked that the case be con Awed. The .solicitor told the court Hot there are many angles that should be investigated, and that it cofl take several weeks to fully in* isfr’* all of these. He was sup ported in this by Messrs. H. H. Wsl lul. and G. H. Humber, special rnprasentativea of the state and state txwauTer’s and auditor i offices... " Following the granting of this con tinuance, Major Butler informed the court and the state solicitor that the local attorneys and Mr. Sessoms him self, will do-all in their power to aid state in straightening out the . He added that it was the hot of Mr. Sessoms, his attorneys d friends that the matter be fully ccrod, in order that such restitution I la possible may bo made, Mr. Sessoms then left the court, gHrf* Major Butler’s *M soon m a************************* SESSOMS LONG IN SERVICE OF COUNTY After serving as clerk of the superior court of Sun peon eoonty for 22 yean, Mr. W. F. SoMoma Tuesday morning ten dered his resignation In a let ter to Henry A. Grady, judge of this district, the resignation „ to go into effect immediately, jj Mr. Sessoms was . born in * Hayne 54 years ago and made X western Sampson his home be- jj fore moving here. He began 3 his work in public life as dep- jj uty clerk under the administra- 3 tion^of W. K. Pigford. For jj three and a half years he jj served in this capacity and in J 1902 he was elected as the $ clerk of superior court for this county. Since that time he has been the successor to himself in every election. When first elected he had a majority of 503 votes, but his popularity in a later election gave him 2300 votes majority. Besides holding the oBce of clerk he has served as chair man of the county Republican executive committee, district congressional and senatorial chairman and was an energetic and consistent worker for the party which he represents. Mr. Sessoms held these party positions until several months ago when he resigned. J1 WILLIAMS TO BE COURT CLERK Present Register of Deeds is Named By Judge Grady to Succeed . W. F. Sessoms John Blainey Williams, for nearly six years register of deeds,' became cjerk of the superior court Tuesday afternoon when he accepted the va cancy made4>y thfr resignation of W. F. Sessoms. The county commissioners are ex pected to soon pick a successor to Mr. Williams, who, in order to allow court to function, wiir no doubt enter upon his new duties immediately. When the announcement was made of the appointment of Mr.Williama to this important office, it was gen erally conceded that Judge Grady had displayed excellent judgment in his choice of a man to fill the vacancy Mr. Williams, it was pointed out, has established himself as a thoroughly capable man in his office, and his friends expect' him to prove an ex cellent court official. This opinion was concurred in by Judge Frank A. Daniels, who, after the appointment had been made, said that it was very pleasing to him, as he is sure that Mr. Williams will make an excellent clerk. Mr. Williams came to Clinton from Newton Grove, where he was bom 1678. He is the son of Mr. George R. Williams, one of the best known men in Upper Sautpson. The new clerk’s first appearance in public life was when he ran for register of deeds, and his conduct of that office has won him a strong following all over the county. FAISON WOMAN HONORED BY CHURCH SOCIETIES Members of the Missionary society of the Methodist church of Faison en tertained the other church societies of Faison and the members of the auxiliaries of Mount Olive and War saw last Wednesday from 4 until 6 o’clock in honor of Miss Ruth Merritt yho will leave shortly for Nashville, Tens., to complete her training for a missionary, at the home of Mrs, R. A. Moore. Tlje home was attractively decor ated in yellow and white, summer flowers being used to carry out' the ohoaen colors. The hostess was as sisted by Mrs. H. J. Faison and a bevy of Faison ladies. A delightful mus ical, program was given by Miss Jones of Mount Olive; Allen Oakes Mesdames Taylor, Gibbons, McCallum of Faison; Mrs, Carroll of Warsaw; Mrs. A.* Witherington and Miss Merritt also appeared on the program Miss Merritt was presented a number of lovely gifts. An ice course was served at the conclusion pf the affair* cured: satisfactory bond. He then set about righting matters in his office, in order to turn it over to his suc cessor, Later in the afternoon he bad a wire from Judge ’Grady, in which his ’resignation was accepted and he was informed of the appoint ment of Mr. Williams as his succes sor, /, ... ' . "i j, .....At: MANNING INKS WATER PUN WILL ' MEET WITH LAWS Although He Holds Bowie Road Unconstitutional, Attorney Favors Waterways MORRISON HAS A SPEECH Governor Waiting for Special Session Which Will Open This Week Bailey Joins in Fight for Water Terminal By W T. BOST Raleigh, Aug. 6.—Governor Morri son in semi-seclusion today working on his message to the general as sembly, finds a staunch-ally in Judge James Smith Manning, attorney gen eral, who believes in the constitution ality of the port and terminal act and sees no necessity for sending it to referendum. Judge Manning isn't "putting out,*’ in the language of the street and the ' fierce aggression which was ascribed to him in the attack on the Bowie railroad bill, is rather an overempha sis, in the light of his talks to the newspaper boys. The judge had long since advised that no money should be spent on the Bowie lost province roads beyond the preliminary survey for the purpose of getting informa tion. There has been no charter for the road yet and there is nothing be fore the house at this writing. If a charter is taken out and the road building begins, the attorney general will then proceed to bring the act be fore the supreme court and test its constitutionality. He has really not become stirred over the Bowie road, according to folks who talked with him this morning. He told the Daily News correspondent that he had made his position clear in the premises. j He answered all questions relating to the constitutionality of the port and terminals , bill with a gesture and a capacious' grin. Anybody who de sired to know whether the boat meas ure is constitutional or not could read the constitution. That was all that he I had done. Roads Necessary Expense He answered a very direct question propounded to him by this represen tative. “You hotd that a vote of the people must precede the issuance of bonds for the Bowie roads, why could that not haVe been said about the appoint ment of a road commission which was empowered to issue $65,000,000 worth of bonds and to spend the pro ceeds for roads?” he was queried. “That aint even an interesting question,” the judge retorted; “su preme court has held a difference in several cases.” The attorney general reverted to the “necessary expense” section of the constitution. Roads are indubitably a necessary expense. The freight rate discrimination might make, par ticularly in view of the proposed dis criminations over which the state is excited now, a “necessary expense” situation. It might be a necessary | expense to equip the state with ter minals and even ships to protect it self. It might be an immediate ne cessity. Indeed, the attorney gener al without saying so, must feel that way about it Certainly, he sees a very great difference between the ship and port measure and the rail road bill. And that doesn’t consider the fea ture which is very objectionable to many people, the unlimited charac ter of the bond issue authorised.' The judge has said that $40,000,000 in bonds may be authorized under tips act. He does not approve that. He thinks the people must act to vali date the Bowie bill. And the hard luck of it is that if the people vote on the Bowie measure they will do it up. In a plebiscite it .would stand no more show than does the port and terminal measure. Legislators straggling in ask ques tions and look to others for the ans wer. It is impossible to get much of a nqe on pre-legislative opinion. The impression still prevails that the friends of the measure can put it I through, though, there is no reason l to think that Governor Morrison will change his position on the referen dum. , Madison a Prophet In the days of JameB Madison, fourth president.of the United States this old port measure figured in con stitutional questions. The Madison writing was directed at the explanation of national dissat-i isfactions and the way other states preyed upon (he less fortunate. Gov ernor Morrison could hardly bo re garded impatient'tin the light of (Continued , on Page 8) Ether Waves mi MRS. PARKER GETS REGISTER’S PUCE Former Harrels Store Woman First of Her Sex to Hold County \ Office Mrs. Nettie Parker, for two years assistant to J. B. Williams, register of deeds, was,’ Wednesday morning chosen by the board of courtty com missioners tar succeed Mr. Williams, following hj^.appointment as clerk of thejgw&^Mrs^ Parker was imme diately eWAntln ’ and entered upon her new duties. Mrs. Parker, who Is the wife of C, S. Parker, of Clinton, came to the county seat several years ago from her native home at Harrels Store. Prior to coming here she had taught for many years in the county schools, and has a wide acquaintance over the county. Her appointment to fill the vacated term gives her. the distinc tion of being the first woman to hold an elective county office. While no definite announcement has been made to that effect, it is pre sumed that Mrs. Parker will be a can didate to succeed herself when the Republican primaries are held late this month. She will no doubt have opposition however, as there were seven others in the race before the commissioners for the vacation ap pointment. They were Messrs. Clar ence E. Shipp, of Turkey; E. A. Wil liams, of Mingo; J. W. Burge of North Clinton; C. B. Graham of Lit tle (ffiharie; J. R. Bass of North Clin ton; Kirbx Hall of Westbrooks and Mrs. J.'0. Matthis of Taylors Bridge. The county commissioners declined to make any statement as to the rea sons for their choice, but it is be lieved that Mrs. Parker’s record in the office she now holds had much to do with their decision. The board, probably realizing the importance of carrying on the county work with as little friction as possible, was swayed in its selection by the fact that she is Well acquainted with the work and will cause the office to function with out the delays necessary to the in stallation of an inexperienced person. FAIR PREMIUM LIST TO BE ISSUED SOON The ninth annual premium list of the Sampson^ County Fair association is now in the hands of printers and officials report that it will be com pleted and sent eut in about two weeks. *r- ■ MOORE’S tREBK PICNIC .Unless all signs fail, the annual picnic to .be held at Moore’s Creek Battleground Thursday, August 14, will surpass those of the past few years. Big plans are being made for a good old fashioned picnic. Many from this section expect to attend and are already planning the big baskets of eats which they intend to take. ;'-v MISS LANDON SPEAKS Miss Susan Landoj, who is located tn Raleigh with the Co-op Cotton association was one of the'principal speakers Thursday at Buies Credit when the fanners and their families of Harnett county held, a big get-to gether ptenic. ; V . *i»%* *J&i\ tv.**' 1 PINELAND SCHOOL ADDS NEW COURSE TO CURRICULUM A business college, the only one ir this section, has been added to the course of study at Pineland School for Girls at Salemburg, and will be started with the opening of the fall term this year. \ Pineland has obtained the services of Miss India Hopper of Portsmouth, Va., as head of this new department. Miss Hopper has had long and suc cessful experience in this line of in struction. Ingold Man Hurt in Auto Smash Will Return to High School Work Soon Prof. R. C. Barrett, principal of the Ingold high school, who was badly in jured when his automobile was wrecked at a crossing here several months ago, is able to move about with the aid of crutches, and was a Clinton visitor Tuesday. Prof. Barrett expects to return to his position at Ingold this fall, and is preparing for the opening of that school. Although he appears to have re covered from his injury, Prof. Bar rett is still suffering from an injury to one heel, which has refused to recover from the smashup. This member is still practically useless, and Prof. Barrett entertains some fear of permanent injury to his foot Mrs. Barrett suffered injuries at the same time of which she died in a few days. AUTO GOES INTO CREEK; PASSENGERS ARE UNHURT A bent steering arm, resulting from a collision with a farm wagon a short distance east of Mingo creek caused an automobile in which Vann L. Stephens and W. Judson Jones, Dunn business men, were riding, to overturn into the creek as Mr. Stephens, the driver, attempted to cress the bridge on Spring Branch road Thursday afternoon. Neither Mr. Stephens nor Mr. Jones was hurt beyond a few scratches. The car fell about ten ! feet into the water and settled on its side. Mr. Stephens did not know that his steering gear had been put out of commission until he attempted to make the turn at the bridge. He was proceeding at moderate speed when he foynd that he could not turn to the right. He attempted to stop. His brakes, however, werfe not suffi ciently strong. I " “ GOnnEN HOLDS REVIVAL ' A revival meeting will start at Goshen Methodist church Monday. August the 11th, and continue thru out the week. The services will be at 10 o’clock in the morning and at 8 in the evening. BAREFOOT BARN BURNS A tenant barn belonging to Mr. G. R. Barefoot on Dunn Route 1, burned last week. The barn and its con tents, wagons, oats and harness wert estimated at wore than 1*00. COUNTY TO VOTE I ON HOSPITAL PLAN ! Commissioners Order An Election, To Be Held With the General Fall Election The board of county commissioners j at the regular monthly meeting Mon day ordered a vote'. at the general election this fall on' the question of a hospital for Sampson county. The notice of election calls for a special bond issue of $100,000 and a levy of sir and two-thirds cents to meet it, The hospital project has been be fore the people of the county for several months, and no doubt will meet with much favor. The amount of the tax is very light, and as a much needed public improvement it should be carried, it is felt. A special registration for the elec tion is necessary under the law, and the registration books will be opened on Saturday, October 4, and each Sat urday thereafter until October 25. The date of challenge is set for No vember 1. The election falls on No vember 4. While there is a general opposition over the county to any increase in taxation, it is expected that the hos pital measure will meet with favor, as there is no denying that the coun ty as a whole needs, and will benefit materially, by such an institution. The amount spent by the county for necessary hospital attention now is far greater than the cost would be. GEM THEATRE WILL INSTALL NEW MACHINES The Gem theatre is expecting to install within the next 30 days two superior projecting machines. These machines are the most modern and complete machines known and will be a great addition to the theatre. MRS. LAMBS TO FAYETTEVILLE HOSPITAL Mrs. Lillie Lamb, who was taken ill at her home on DeVane street about two weeks ago, was taken to the Highsmith hospital in Fayetteville last Friday. Mrs. Lamb’s illness is said to be caused by some internal trouble. She is reported to be get ting along as well as could be ex peeted. I -■ .. MISS KELLY SPEAKS HERE Miss Kelly of Raleigh will be one of the speakers at the big co-opera tie vmeeting to be held in Clinton on next Wednesday, August 13, at 2 p. m. The meeting is being held by the cotton and tobacco co-operative organizations combined and a large attendance of farmers and their fam dies is expected. The ladies are es pecially invited. CO-OPS PLAN PICNIC Co-operative farmers ~|fyom all ovter Sampson expect to gather at Moltonville at 10:30 a. nil. Friday, August 15 for the big summer picnic of the organization. Speakers have been secured and a big day is prom ised.' __ ’.f Mr. E. Croswell Robinson of Ro*e boro was * business visitor during . this week. -,v. AUGUST TERM OF COURT SEES MANY CASES €N DOCKET Judge Frank A. Daniels Occupies Bench for Summer Term of Justice LIQUOR CASES IN LEAD Varied Cases Are Called—Grand Jury Instructed and Immeriate Iy Begins to Return Indict ments to Court The August term of superior court, with Hon. Frank A. Daniels presiding, opened Monday in the court here. With a heavy docket announced' _ and a number of cases billed for the consideration of the grand jury, the term promises to be one of the most , widely attended in many years. The court room was packed when Judge Daniels called the court into - session Monday morning, . and hun dreds listened to his well worded charge to the jurymen. Following the noon recess, bench cases were taken lip and disposed of. Grand Jury Busy - \ ■ The grand jury in the meantime had been busy and the following in dictments had been returned by Wed nesday morning: Tom Stevens, Assault with a deadly weapon. June Underwood, having whiskey in his possession. Maggie Boykin, having concealed weapon in her possession. _ Hall Banting, selling whiskey. V. C. Blount, false pretense. Charlie Gelant, carrying concealed weapon. Charlie Gelant, attempt to rape. R. A. Carter, forgery. Joe K. Giddens, forgery. J. D. and Lewis Byrd, assault with deadly weapon. J. C. Carr, false pretense. E. J. Weeks, larceny. Arthur Holland, transporting whis key. J. W. Childres, larceny. Arthur Holland, selling whiskey. Raymond and Martin Bordeaux, violation of the fish laws. Archie Warren, nuisance. Henry Pope, driving while under s j the influence of liquor. W. C. Ammons, assault. John W. Johnson, assault with deadly weapon. Ros Williams, manufacturing whis key. Sandy McArthur, cruelty to ani Pharo Lee, assault with deadly weapon. Dispose of Minor Cases Following Judge Daniels’ charge to the grand jury, the day Monday • was spent in • disposition of minor cases. Violations of the prohibition laws took most of the docket. The « grand jury also started reporting, a true bill \being found against June Faircloth, charged with the murder of Willie Matthews on May 3, at the latter’s home in western Sampson. The case of Archie and Rostus Faircloth, charged with being drunk and disorderly, was suspended with . the payment of the cost and the de fendants are to appear at the Octo ber and May terms of court to make a report on their conduct. Houston Faircloth, charged with $ transporting liquor, was fined $50 - and costs and a new case was entered on thd same charge. He was re quired to give a bond for $200 and to report at each term of criminal court for two years to show good behavior. John H. Matthews, who was charged from escaping from an offl cer, was placed under $100 bond and ^ must appear at criminal court for two years to make a report of his ^ behavior. Prayer for judgment wm continued for cost in his case. Robert Shannon, Leslie McCallup and Gub Williams paid fines of $10 i'i and costs each, for gambling. Rad Too Much Wine Quinten Bryant, an old negro, aged about 78, was charged with haWng . wine in his possession and. was re- ^ quired to pay the cost and to make ^ his appearance at , the next term of j court to Teport on his good behavior. Evidence disclosed showed that the. old man had about 40 gallons at bis '\ home. * . I. H. Dreskell paid the cost for t: having wine in his possession and a capias was to be issued at any time . for him should his conduct lead oA* cials to believe that he was n»t abid» * ing by the la#. Andrew Sheron, charged with be trig cruel to-a mule, paid the'cost in 5 the case, which was suspended. . K. A. Edwards paid $35 and coat < for having liquor in his possession. more Whiskey Cases j Following the disposition of the Sessoms case Tuesday afternoon sev eral whiskey cases were tried and sentence, was passed. . James Craddock was required to (CoQ^ued on Fag« 4) ...
The Sampson Independent (Clinton, N.C.)
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Aug. 7, 1924, edition 1
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