North Carolina Newspapers

The Courier Only $1.50 Per Year VOL. VIII.—No. 13 NEGRO SHOT ON ROADSIDE AND BODY BORNEO IN WOODS L. H. Haynes Confesses Most Brutal Crime Ever Committed in The County. JOHNNIE JOHNSON, NEGRO, IS THE VICTIM L. C. Haynes, self-confessed per petrator of one of the most fiendish crimes ever committeed in the coun ty, was given a preliminary hearing in Recorder's Court at Rutherford ton last Friday, when he was held to Superior Court without bond, charg ed with killing and burning the body of Johnnie Johnson, another negro. On Thursday Haynes had sent for Sheriff Hardin and made a full con fession, relating in detail how he had killed Johnson and burned his body. Haynes' story tallied closely with evidence already worked up by coun ty officers, who had performed some of the best detective work ever dis played in the county. The crime, without doubt one of the most brutal ever perpetrated within the confines of the county, took place on Highway No. 20, just beyond Puzzle Creek bridge, and near a construction camp, where both negroes had been employed. Johnson was killed on Wednesday night, Dec. 23, and the first inti mation the officers had of the crime was on Monday morning following, when a negro road worker came in to Forest City and reported that he had heard shots on the roadside on Wednesday night, and that since then Johnnie Johnson had been missing. Rural Policeman J. L. Griffin re ported the matter to Sheriff Hardin. He then went to the road camp, to gether with Officers Moffitt, Geo. Green and Martin Green, where they were later joined by the Sheriff and several other officers. Knowing of the previous trouble between L. C. Haynes and Johnnie Johnson, the missing negro, the of ficers arrested Haynes, together with several others, who were held as wit nesses. By clever work, officers had work ed up a clear case against Haynes prior to his confession, which only came in to clinch the -evidence so cleverly worked up against the ne gro. Haynes' Confession Haynes' confession, as reported to this paper, was made to Sheriff Hard in, in the presence of Horace Moore, state revenue officer, who had been working on the case, was to the ef fect that he had trouble with John son last summer, when both negroes were working together in a road camp and that he had been cut by Johnson. Johnson left after the fight and had just recently returned to go to work at the camp. On Wednesday night, Dec. 23, Johnson had been in Forest City. Return ing toward the cam.» about 8:30 p. m., Haynes met Johnson on the road near Puzzle Creek bridge. Haynes was walking toward Forest City when he met Johnson, who said, "Hello, J. C., I am back and ready to settle our trouble at any time." He jumped from his horse to the road way, when Haynes shot at him one time. Johnson stood still and then Haynes shot twice more. Johnson then ran into a swamp, groaning. Haynes threw out the empty shells from his pistol and ran toward the camp. Later he decided to go back and see what had happened to the man he shot. Returning he found that Johnson, fatally wounded, had drag ged himself a quarter of a mile thru the woods falling over and dying. Then, Haynes, says, he faced the problem of making away with the body. After thinking a bit he dragged the dead negro to an iso lated spot some distance away in an old field, cut him up and started the gruesome work of burning the dis membered body. Charring every thing down but the bones, he put them in a sack and carried them back to the road camp, burning some of the remaining portions of the body and benes in the camp heater. Por tions of the victim were hard to make away with, it is supposed, and they were placed in a sack and carried back to the woods, where they were burned some more and thrown in the ereek. These are practically the de tails of the horrible story as related by Haynes in his confession to Sheriff W. C. Hardin. With only the report of the miss ing negro, the hearing of shots on the roadside and the fact that John son had previously been in a fight with Haynes, as starting clues, the officers, sensing a bloody murder, "began ferreting out the baffling mys tery. Rural Officer J. L. Griffin arrested Haynes on suspicion -as the first move. The negro woman with whom he lived at camp was also arrested, as was several other negroes, to be held as witnesses. At the camp of ficers learned of the previous trouble between Haynes and Johnson and al so found two negroes who had heard shots on Wednesday night and a man who had found Johnson's hat on the roadside. First search was made at the scene of the fight, where three empty shells were found. These corresponded with the calibre of a pistol found in Haynes' tent. The arrest of Haynes and the holding of several negroes as witnesses, the search of Haynes' tent and the visit to the roadside constituted the work of officers on Monday. Tuesday it was reported to officers that a negro claimed to have seen a fire in the woods on Wednesday night, near where the fight had oc curred on the road side. Investiga tion revealed the scene of the fire and there officers found part of a skull, several teeth, shoe eyelets, jumper buttons, signs of blood and a bullet in the ashes. A search of Haynes' Camp was made, where an empty pistol was found, also some bones in the heat ing stove, together with crusts of blood. Blood crusts and bones were taken to the hospital, where they were pronounced to of a hu man. With his confession goes the like lihood of Haynes' expatriating his fiendish crime In the electric chair. Haynes is said to be from Arkan sas while Johnson was a South Caro lina negro. Both were about 30 years old. ASSOCIATIONS S. S. CONVENTION Meets With Spindale Baptist Church Sunday—The Program. The Sandy Run Associational Sun day School convention meets with Spindale Baptist church Sunday, Jan uary 10th at 2 o'clock. It is earnest ly desired that all the Sunday schools shall send large representations. We want to make these quarterly meet ings inspirational, helpful and worth while. This cannot be done unless we have the hearty support and co operation of all the church schools. Come c.nd let's discuss the best meth ods of making our Sunday schc? 1 ". bigger and better. The program is as follows: I.—Weekly teachers' meeting on Monthly Workers' Council in Rural and Village Churches—Rev. R. N. Childress. 2. —How to Build a Great Sunday School—A. V. Washburn. 3.—Spiritual Life of Sunday School —Rev. W. B. Jenkins. 4. —Value Standard of Excellence to a Pastor. —Rev. C. C. Matheny. Special music will be furnished by Spindale church. A. R. WATERS, Associational Field Worker. Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Gladdens, of Greensboro, spent a few days here with Mrs. Gladden's sister, Mrs. Bu ford Flack. Mr. Thos. King returned to Au burn, Ala., last Sunday after a visit to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. V. King. PUBLISHED IN THE INTEREST OF FOREST CITY AND RUTHERFORD COUNTY Was Baffling Mystery. FOREST CITY, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, JAN. 7, 1926 LATEST NEWS FROM HENRIETTA Every Happening Of Interest Interestingly Told By Our Special Correspondent. Henrietta, Jan. s.—The mill closed down Thursday Dec. 24th at noon for Christmas. The operatives were given a generous "treat" of fruits, nuts and candy. A number of over seers, second-hand and section hands received handsome presents from their employees as a token of their love and esteem. School opened here Monday after being closed for the Christmas holi days. The teachers spent Christmas at their respective homes. Prof. H. C. Thompson, Shelby; Misses Annie Belle Sane and Minnie Lee Fagan, Campobello, S. C.; Miss Bertie Lee High, Durham; Miss Elizabeth Stroupe, Cherryville; Miss Phebe Day, Booneville; Miss Margaret Dog gett, Pickens, S. C.; Miss Dovie Sue Harris, Rutherfordton; Miss O'Lema Flack, Forest City; Miss Mary Ella Clegg, Biltmore. The schools hei'e under the effici ent management of Supt. J. B. Jones, are making marked progress and the prospects are bright for best term in the history of the schools. Mr. W. S. Moore, superintendent of the mill, was called to Arkansas on business, which made it necessary for him to be away most of the holi days, much to the regret of his fam ily and friends. Mr. James Wiseman, of North Wilkesboro, spent Christmas with his mother, Mrs. C. B. Wiseman. Mr. Joe Whisnant, who is teaching in the Central High School at Shel by, spent Christmas at Henrietta and Durham. Mr. Thomas Moore, who is with the Parks-Cramer Company of Charlotte, spent the holidays with his parents. Mrs. W. S. Moore and sons visited Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Harris at Char lotte during the holidays. Dr. and Mrs. T. C. Lovelace were guests of Dr. Lovelace's parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Lovelace, at Moores boro, Christmas day. The following Sunday Dr. and Mrs. Lovelace had as their guests, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Lovelace, Miss Willie Lovelace, Mooresboro; Miss Daisy Lovelace, King's Mountain, Prof, and Mrs. W. M. Lovelace, Lillington; Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn Lovelace, Mooresboro; Dr. and Mrs. J. F. Whisnant, Misses Os tine and Lois Whisnant and Miss Dodson of Marion. ! Messrs. M. B. Mahaffee, Jr., Rob ert Neal and Louie Smith were guests of Rev. and Mrs. J. P. Hornbuckle at a six o'clock dinner Monday, Dec. 28. Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Sherrard enter tained at an elaborate dinner New Years day. Those enjoying their delightful hospitality were: Mr. and Mrs. Otto Pratt, Providence, R. I.; Dr. and Mrs. T. C. Lovelace, Miss Lucille Wall, Mr. Robert Neal. Mr. Pratt left Sunday for Baltimore. Mrs. Pratt who was Miss Lillian Belk, of Union Mills, will spend several weeks with her parents before joining her husband. Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Mahaffee, Wal ter Mahaffee, James Mahaffee, Rob ert Neal and M. B. Mahaffee, Jr., spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Ger ald Mahaffee at Inman, S. C. On Wednesday night before Christ mas the Sunday Schools gave a short entertainment and treated the schools. The program at the Methodist church consisted of recitations, songs and a play which was enjoyed very much. A Christmas tree from which presents were distributed added much to the enjoyment of the children. Misses Venia and Emily Camp en tertained at a watch party New Years eve. The young people enjoyed the evening very much. Miss Grace Mc- Mahan won a prize in a guessing con test and the new year was welcomed in with much noise and hilarity by the happy young people. Mr. M. B. Mahaffee, Jr., returned 1 7 ' to State College Monday. He is a Ju nior there this year. Miss Ruth Robertson entertained a number of young people at her home, i Caroleen Hotel, during the holidays. Miss Robertson, assisted by her moth • er, served delicious refreshments. 1 A number of young people from 'Henrietta attended the party given by Mrs. G. C. Hardin of Caroleen (Continued On Page Ten) TO VOTE FOR RECORDER'S COURT SATURDAY, JAN. 9 Important Matter Up to the Voters Of Forest City— Measure Should Carry. One of the most important meas ures to come before the voters of Forest City for some time is the vote next Saturday on the question as to whether or not we are to have a Re corder's Court in this city. It behoove s every voter to come out and cast their ballot in this im portant election. To vote unfavor ably on this proposition is to vote for a backward step by our ?ast growing city. To those unfamiliar with the sub ject, we quote from Public Laws, 1925, Chapter 32: That cities of a population of 2,000 and over may, pursuant to said law, establish Mu nicipal Recorder's Courts, and fur ther provides that the governing body of the eity or town is authorized to provide a schedule of fees to be charged by said Recorder and the governing body has further power to name or elect the Recorder for the first term, or the Mayor may also act as Recorder. « Said court, if es tablished, will have jurisdiction of all petty misdemeanors, and should prove self supporting. Thex*e has been quite a bit of mis information going the rounds in re gard to the Recorder's Court. With the fore-going quotation from the state law, everything should be made clear. Below we publish a letter from a prominent citizen which covers the subject thoroughly, a perusal of which should cause the voters to come out and vote favorably on this important matter: Why We Should Have a Recorder's Court. There is a great deal of talk around on the streets and I suppose even behind closed doors, with ref erence to whether we should estab lish a Recorder's Court here in For est City or not. I know no reason why any person who lives in our town should oppose the establishing of the court. I have been reliably informed that about 40 per cent of all the cases tried before the County Recorder arise in or near Forest City. I also know that each witness who attends the Recorder's Court at Rutherford ton, receives a regular witness fee and also 10 cents per mile Tor trav eling expenses. The prisoner, if ' convicted, must pay $2.00 for being arrested by the officer, 10c per mile to Rutherfordton, $3.00 for being tried, $3.00 to the Solicitor for prose cuting the case, even though the prisoner at the bar pleads guilty. Say the State has three witnesses and the prisoner at the bar pleads guilty of some minor charge, he would be bound to pay as cost at least $12.80, to say nothing of the fine that might be imposed by the court. A great majority of the so-called criminals are very poor. They have ! no money and in many instances have no friends. What happens? He or she is arrested by the officers, car ried to Rutherfordton, taxed with i : costs which is in many cases more than the cost and fine should be. Then the poor fellow rakes and scrapes until he gets the cost, turns it over to the officers and witnesses and court officers. The prisoner is dead ..oke a™ l who has his money? Not the town of Forest City, not even the officers of Forest City, but many times the officers of Ruther fordton. The officers take a delight in carrying prisoners to Rutherford ton, for they know that for every mile they make they get 10 cents and they also know that the prisoner must do the paying. It is not only the cost and the ex pense we cause the law violator and ! the money we send out of our town j that we need a Recorder's court here, j But Forest City is the biggest town in the county; it is growing in every way. Then why not let it grow in a legal way? There is nothing the town can lose, it will not cost the tax payers one red penny and should the vote for the court carry, our town will be recognised as having a court of record. Then there is Another reason, and that is we need the court. Suppose some merchant here had sold his BOY SCOUTS TO MEET AT HIGH SCHOOL FRIDAY The first Rutherford County Court of Honor for Boy Scouts of America will be held at the Forest City High School Friday night at 7:30 o'clock immediately following the training school for leaders which is from 5 to 7 p. m. All Boy Scouts should be interested in this court and strive to gain the top-notch of scouting in the passing of the tests. On Thursday night, January 14, the annual banquet and official meet ing of Piedmont Council will be held in banquet room of the First Baptist church in Gastonia. Reports of the work in 1925 will be made and all county representatives will be asked to nominate a vice-president from each county in the council. All scout leaders in Rutherford county should make note of this announce ment and arrange to be present, not only to boost scouting but to obtain the very best to be had for the organ izations in their own county. Come on Rutherford! Let's go down 100 per cent strong. BASKETBALL - SEASON OPENS High School Plays Rutherford ton Here Friday, Jan 8— Other Games. Monday afternoon saw three full i teams on the floor fighting for a start in the opening game with Rutherford ton High here next Friday night. The boys have already played Rutherford ton once this season following a joint meeting of the Rutherfordton and Forest City Kiwanis clubs at the new central high school. Rutherfordton having had the advantage of both ex perience, practice and on the home court came out the winner in this first encounter. Our boys are de termined that they shall not repeat and are working hard. Several of the boys who did not get into the other game will make their appear ance on the floor here Friday. Both Walker and Laughridge are rangy lads and should make things more in teresting for the huskies from our neighboring towns. Everyone who saw the boys play at Rutherfordton will be on hand to see the outcome of the next contest which should prove one of excitement and keen 1 interest. On next Tuesday night the j strong Lattimore team will be met here. Following this game the boys journey to Gastonia for a game with Gastonia High, Jan. 15th. Other games on the schedule include Marion there Jan. 19th; Dallas here Jan. 22; Waynesville here, Jan. 27; Ruth erfordton, there Jan. 29; Marion, here, Feb. 5; Rutherfordton, here |Feb. 12. By the time these games | are played the state and county championships will be claiming the attention of most of the high school teams. Forest City was runner up in the state contest last year, being eliminated by Charlotte after win ning her group title from Dallas at Gastonia. The boys also won the county contest of Rutherford without losing a game. Mr. J. P. Williamson, well known garage man, is leaving this week for Hendersonville where he will engage in business. The ladies of the local telephone office wish to express their thanks to the many patrons who so nicely remembered them at Christmas time. goods to some one here in town and the party WIIVJ purchased the goods had not paid for same, ?.? is quite often the case and the amount due the merchant was above $50.00 and it was necessary to take out claim and delivery for the goods. The merchant would have to get a car, drive to Rutherfordton, get his pa pers, come back here, hunt an of ficer and get him after the debtor. You see the expense the merchant would be put to before he could get started after his goods, besides the risk of the debtor leaving the state while the creditor is out trying to get the proper papers to protect him. Whereas if the Recorder's Court was here he could get his papers in five minutes and have his goods repos sessed. Do we need the court? Think about it yourself, and let your bet ter judgment be your guide and vote for the court Saturday, Jan. 9th. 10 Pages 60 COLUMNS $1.50 Per Year In Advance KIWANIS CLUB IS OPTIMISTIC OVER NEW YEAR Enthusiastic Meeting Monday Evening At Which Great Things Were Predicted. Forest City May Get New Ho tel, City Hall, Post Office and Another Cotton Mill. Enthusiasm abounded at the Ki wanis Club meeting Monday evening, when it was freely predicted that Forest City may get a new hotel, new city hall, new postoffice, new cotton mill, another new bank build ing, free city delivery and many other lesser enterprises before 1926 has come to a close. That is the goal, and with the proper co-operation many, if not all, of the aims will be accomplished. Nothing is impossible when a unit ed community goes after the things wanted. Not only-the Kiwanis Club, but every individual should lend a helping hand, and all will be sur prised at the results that will fol low. One optimist predicts that Forest City's population would exceed 15,- 000 by 1935, while there are others who believe the mark will be reach ed by 1930. $ * * Kiwanis Notes President Barber, upon presenta tion of the president's pin by the re tiring officer, Dr. Duncan, made a short talk, full of optimism and pep and urged the co-opex-ation of all Ki wanians in the year's work. A resolution was passed* endors ing the organization of a volley ball team, which will be done. * * * Committees New committees were appointed as follows: Committee No. 1. Attendance,. House, Reception—Chairman, John W. Dalton; J. W. Webb, R. R. Howes, A. C. Finch, M. H. Hewitt. Committee No. 2. Business Stand ards, Classification, Good Will and Grievance —Chairman, R. L. Rein hardt; J. H. Thomas, J. M. Edwards, C. Z. Flack, J. R. Moore. Committee No. 3. Inter-Club Rela tions, Publicity, Education, Under privileged Child—Chairman, C. Z. Flack; J. W. Eaks, D. H. Sutton, C. E. Alcock, E. O. Thomas, A. C. Dun can. Committee No. 4. Membership, Music, Program—Chairman, R. W. Minnish; E. G. Lee, W. JU. Brown, R. R. Howes, Terry Moore, J. W. Wal ton, R. L. Reinhardt, J. W. Eaks, G- W. Rollins. Committee No. 5. Public Affairs, Finance, Agriculture, Laws and Reg ulations—Chairman, Geo. W. Rollins; J. F. Weathers, W. G. Magness, D. H. Sutton, B. B. Doggett, T. G. Stone. All committees with the exception tion of the chairman to be re-ap pointed every three months. ALEXANDER NEWS Alexander, Jan. s.—The Alexan der grammar school opened up after the holidays with a full enrollment. The prospects are unusually bright for a successful spring term. Mr. R. Z. Abernethy gave his Sun day school class a delicious supper last Saturday evening at the school house. The supper was served in three courses. There were twenty lyne present and all reported a pleas ant timer - Miss Nellie Morrow entertained quite a number of yoi*ng people on Christmas night. Those pre?ent were: Misses Hattie Baynard, Louise nard, Minerva Blanton, Creonia Laughridge, Ellen Laughridge, Beat rice Laughridge, Mae Davidson, Zel da Newton, Evelyn Newton, Messrs. Hicks Morris, Dan Smith, Charlie Summer, Lynn Vicker.':. Those pres ent reported a fine time. Refresh ments were served. Mrs. C. B. Morris is visiting rel atives in Atlanta, Ga. Miss Janette Shehan is visiting Miss Edna Greene. Mr. Otis Hicks, of Henrietta, visit ed Mr. H. S. Laughridge Sunday. Miss Georgia Bell Wells returned to school at Asheville new years day.