THE DANBURY REPORTER.
,UME XXXIII.
M[ SMITH ACQUITTED OF CONSPIRACY
pit Under Other Charges Is Sentenced to
Four Years In the Penitentiary and Fined
s3oo="Other Sentences Passed On the
Smithtown Men By Judge Boyd=«Close
Of the Most Sensational Trial Of Moon=
shiners In the State's History===Ceph Nel=
son and Frank Smith Not Yet Captured.
The trial of the Smithtown
met), for illicit stilling of liquor,
for concealing, removing and re-
tailing, and for conspiracy lead
" ing to murder of Revenue Officer
/ Hendrix on the 20th of Decem
" bar, 1907, has at last ended in the
Federal Court at Greensboro,
and the sentences have been
passed on the criminals by Judge
Boyd.
James P. Smith was found
• guilty of distilling, removing and
ooncealing, but the jury after
long deliberation, acquitted him
of the charge of conspiracy
against the life of Hendrix. For
removing, Smith was sentenced
to three years in the prison at
Atlanta, and to pay a fine of
$200.00. On the charge of dis
tilling, he was sentenced to one
year in the prison, to begin at the
expiration of the 3-year sentence,
and to pay a fine of SIOO.OO. In
the case oharging him with con
cealing, prayer for judgment was
continued.
John Hill was sentenced to 18
months in the penitentiary, and
fined SIOO.OO.
OsctfT Sisk was sentenced to the
penitentiary for three years and
fined $200.00.
Fletcher Smith was given six
months in jail and fined SIOO.OO.
Frank Smith was sentenced to
a 3-months term in jail and to pay
a fine of SIOO.OO.
Henry Harber was given 3
months in jail and fined SIOO.OO.
Joe Bateman was given 15
months in the penitentiary and
fined SIOO.OO.
Thus ended the moat famous
trials of moonshiners in the his
tory of the State. The first big
raid on Smithtown was made by
25 revenue officers on the 19th of
June, 1907. About two hundred
\ shots ere fired, twelve stills
captured and about a dozen men
arrested. On the 24th of July,
1907, another raid was made, and
anumbetof men taken, besides
the capture of several stills. On
December 20th, 1907, the third
raid of the year was effected, two
or time stills were cut up, and
Revenue Officer Hendrix was
killed. As a result of the storm
ing of the stronghold of the block -
aders, about 18 men are now in
the Federal prison, mid several
others are fugitives from justice.
Ceph Nelson and Frank Smith,
charged with conspiracy leading
to the mvrder of Hendrix, fled
when the news reached them that
they would be charged with con
spiracy, and have not been arrest
ed, though rewards have been
offered for them by the govern-
P ment.
Considerable change has taken
place in the opinion of the peo
ple as to who killed Hendrix. It
ia now doubted Jim
40mith killed the officer, and sus
picion is resting strongly upon
Ceph Nelson, who ran away a
Hfew weeks ago. ' The government
worked np its case against Smith
well, but could not secure evi
clgse to conviot. Neither could
facts be obtained against Oe
r ofcr Sisk. It will possibly never
I be who killed Walter
L Hendrix
■ ,|(r. J. E. Simmons, of Vada
| FTACIO), WHS in town Thursday of
H I*4 weak.
TELEPHONE LINE FROM SANDY
RIDGE TO DILLARD.
Mr. J. M. Mabe Falls and Hurts Him
self-Mr. W. E. Lasley 111-Some
Other Items of Interest.
Dillard, April 21.—Uncle Gid
was here yesterday.
Mr. Davidson went fishing yes
terday and caught several about
three inches long.
Mrs. C. A. Mitchell is visiting
her mother and father in Rocking
ham tbia week.
Mr. J. M. Mabe fell from the
second tier of a barn a few days
ago and painfully hurt himself.
Misaes Mary Sue and Helen
Willis were among the visitors
here Monday.
Miss Ruth Lasley has returned
home from Greensboro, where she
has been teaching for sotae time.
Dr. J. H. Ellington informs us
that he will open up the telephone
line from here to Sandy Ridge
soon.
Miss Jessie Webster is visiting
relatives and friends here today.
We regret to learn that Mr. W.
E. Lesley, one of Stokes' former
citizens, who moved to Winston
some time ago, is quite low with
rheumatism.
' Mr. Chas. McAnally, of Saxon,
has returned home from Atlanta,
where be has been taking a course
in dentistry at the Southern Den
tal College.
"A."
In Memo nam.
Entered into life eternal the
latter part of March, Virginia
Irene Tatum, the three-year-old
daughter of James and Nora
Tatum, of Mayodan, N. C. Dear
little Virginia was a faithful
member of the Episcopal Sunday
School at Mayodan, and by Holy
Baptism a member of Christ, a
child of God and an iu heritor of the
Kingdom of Heaven. Her death
was particularly sad and a great
sheck to the many friends of the
Tatums. While standing nenr a
fire her cloth ing ignited and she
was so badly burned that she died
in a few hours. Notwithstanding
her severe burns hor death was
sweet ant' patient, as she really
seemed to suffer very little. Just
before she died a smile was upon
her face, and she 'wanted to get
up and play with papa," and
while her precious soul was being
wafted into Paradise, earnest pray
ers were l>eing offered to God by
Rov. A. R. Berkley, of the Epis
copal Churoh, who, with others,
was by her aide when she died.
Virginia is sadly missed from
home, Sunday Sohooland Church,
but all gladly submit to the will
of Divine Providence, and our
prayer is that light perpetual may
shine upon her, and that she may
be numbered with the saints of
God in glory everlasting. The
beautiful fnueral service was con
ducted from the Epicopal Church,
and the little body taken to the
village oeraetery and laid toudorly
to rest, while children's voices
sent heavenward many bright and
sweet aongs of choer and com.
fort.
A FRIEND.
Mr. and Mrj. L. H. Isom, of
Gideon, visited in Danbary Tues
day.
DANBURY, N. C., APRIL 23, 1908.
J OYSTER LUNCHEON
I Pleasurable Event Saturday Night
In Honor of the Forty-fourth
j Birthday of Mr. J. Spot Taylor.
I Apropos of the birthday of Mr.
J. Spot Taylor on last Saturday,
! April 18, Mrs. Taylor tendered
|au oyster luncheon to a party of
Mr. Taylor's friends in the hotel
1 parlor at 7:30 o'clock.
The dinner, which was very
elaborate, was served in four
•courses. Mrs. Taylor was assisted
'in receiving and serving by Miss
! Jessie Pepper. The invited
guests were as follows : Rev. D.
i A. Binkley, Dr. W. V. McCanless,
j Dr. W. L. McCanless, Prof. J. T.
Smith. Prof. M. T Chilton;
j Messrs. A. H Joyce, W. W.
I King, N. O. Petree, J. D. Hum
phreys, R. H. R Blair, J. W
j Hall, N. E. Pepper, C. M. Jones,
! N. A. Martin, E. P. Popper, A. \V.
Davis.
After the luncheon, several in
teresting contest Raines were in
troduced by the hostess. One of
these was entitled "Commonwealth
| Characteristics." Each guest was
famished wilt a card on which
well known characteristics of
eight different States of the Union
were written. For instance the
most "Egotistical State"was' Me.;"
the most "Maidenly State" was
"Miss." And so on, the abbrevi
i ations of the States furnishing the
1 answers. The prize which was
1 offered the most correct list of an
i swers, a very pretty black leather
| bill and card case combined, was
awarded to Rev. D. A. Binkley.
Another contest was of a Biblical
nature. It was a card on which
the Ten Commandments were ar
ranged in confusion, and the
; player was lo number them in the
j order in which they appear in the
i Scriptures. On account of his
; familiarity with the Bible, the
i Rev. Mr. Binkley was barred from
! this contest. Mr. N. O. Petree,
i having the greater number correct,
! won the prize, an exquisitely
bound copy of the New Testa
ment.
One of the most interesting in
cidents of the occasion was a
board on which 44 lighted wax
candles were fastened. The un
married guests were invited to see
how many of them could be ex
tinguished at one '•blow," the re-
I suit to determine the period of
| celibacy yet to be suffered by the
[contestant. Mr. J. W. Hall took
'a turn, and it was found that this
■ young man has yet 37 years to en
dure before he can take unto him
jself a life partner. One of the
I editors of the Reporter came with
in about six of blowing out the
j whole cluster, and he thinks he
! did not get a fair chance at that.
Toward the close of the evening
i the arrival of a number of the la
, dies of Danbury, both married
and unmarried, proved a very
pleasant surprise which had been
arranged by the hostess as the
climax of the evening's enjoy
ments.
After this, selections on the pi
ano, both instrumental and vocal,
rondered by Miss Dora DeShazo
and by Miss Mary Joyce, were
highly enjoyed. Deserving of es
peoial mention was a quartet sung
by Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Davis,
Rev. D. A. Binkley and Miss
Mary Joyce. Mr. H. M. Joyce's
solo entitled "John Dobbins He
Dreainpt That His Daddy Was
Dead, And His Daddy He
Dreampt That John Dobbins Was
Dead," was very touobing.
The guests, leaving at 11, voted
the evening one of rare enjoy ment,
and Mrs. Taylor was sincerely
thanked for her charming hospi
tality, while Mr. Taylor, tin whom
the occaaion had been sprang as
a surprise, was congratulated, and
falioitated.
THE NEWS AT GANN'S.
Measles In Several Families—Tobac
co Plants Plentiful Show At
Madison On the 25th.
' Gaun's, April 20.—The people
are so busy just now preparing!
] for their crops that they are not;
talking much, therefore news is at'
a low ebb here.
Tobacco plants are plentiful
. with everybody we believe in this
I section, doing as well for those!
that did not burn ns for those that
did burn.
1). M. Gtinn and W. .Joyce,]
i who are attending school at New |
' Hetliel Academy, visited their
; parents here Friday evening, re
j turning today. They seem to be
making good progress in their
studies.
J. L. Perguson has been in bad
for ten days with measles and has
been quite sick, but. is improving,
we are glad to know.
Mr. Riley Shaffer's wife is ill
with indigestion.
Mr. G. M. Shaffer and two of
his children are quite sick with
i measles.
Mrs. J. T. Katledge is visiting
I her mother, Mrs. Ruth Dalton,
iat present. She seemed to enjoy
I meeting her many friends and for-
I mer pupila in both day and sab
| bath achool at the Piaster enter
jtainment at the school house yes
■ terday. She is one of the best
| women that we ever had the pleas
j ure of knowing. She has spent
j her life so far doing good for
| others and is doing what she can
: to advance the prohibition cause,
i We are sorry that we meet so
j many that do not know what is
| contained in the prohibition bill
I to be voted on May 26th.
We attended a singing at Mrs.
i Rath Dalton's Isst night. Good
j crowd present and good singing,
I and we believe every man there is
| in favor of prohibition.
A good crowd was present at |
j the Easter entertainment yester-1
| day and well behaved.
The achool acquitted itself well
| considering the weather. Last
! week they coidd not get together
■ to be trained.
The first showman of the season ;
: was here today advertising for a
show at Madison May 25.
We had a maddog scare a few
days since Much talk of them
now-a-days.
The people generally are taking
j Easter today. We haven't heard
| a whistle blow.
Tobacco Plants Looking Well In the
Brownville Section-—Other Items.
Brownville, April 20. Farmers
are glad to see the land dry again
so they can go to plowing.
We afe glad to say that tobacco
plants are looking well in this
vicinity. Think moßt of the people
aro expectiug to plant a largi crop
this time.
A crowd of young people met
Monday morning and went to the
river fishing. Think they had
a good time, but don't think thoy
caught many fish.
Miss Lelia Joyce was expecting
Miss Luoy and Mr. Lee Aldredge
Sunday. She stayed at home all
day looking for them, but they
failed to come, but it didn't keep
Mr. Martin from coming.
Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Nelson and
little son. Frank, spent the day at
Mr. J. W. Joyce's Sunday.
Mr. J. R. Morefield called to see
Misses Alice and Minnie Tudor
Sunday. He reports a fine time.
Mr. W. G. Nelson called to see
Miss Florence Hill Sunday, and
also went with her fishing Mon
day.
Miss Aunie Anglin is visiting
her sister at Brownville now.
Mr. G. T. Brown, daughter and
son, Alpha and Ralph, apent the
evening at Mr. J. W. Joyoe's last
Sunday.
A BLUE EYED GIRL.
OSCAR TUTTLE KILLS HIS SISTER
The Germanton Section Horrified By the
Ruthless Murder Of a Half=Witted Woman
By Her Idiot Brother Sunday=-The Girl
Fired Upon With a Breech=Loading Shot
Gun While Making=Up a Bed===Death
lnstantaneous===Murderer Arrested and
Brought to Jail By Sheriff Petree.
On last Sunday near Gerinau
ton about 1 o'clock P. M., Mollie
Tuttle. an unmarried woman 28
years old, was shot and instantly
killed by her brother. Oscar Tut
tle. 25 years of age. Tuttle
is an idiot, and the murdered
woman was also half-witted. The
act was ruthless, and without
provocation. Shortly after the
crime was committed the maniac
was arrested and kept under con
finement until Monday morning,
when he was brought to jail here
by Sheriff R. J. Petree, near
| whose home the murder occur
red.
The parties to the sad affair are
the son and the daughter of Mr.
John Henry Tuttle. Both have
alwaya been of deformed intellect,
and the young man who killed
his sister has been considered
dangerous. Sunday afternoon,
♦he father, while at the Btable
feeding his stock, heard the re
port of a gun, and remembering
that be had left his gun at home,
though he thought unloaded,
went to the house and inquired
of his son, whom he found stand
ing in the yard, who had fired the
shot. The boy said he did not
know. Mr. Tuttle then asked of
the whereabouts of the daughter,
and the half witted fellow gave
the same answer. The father
then went into the house and
was horrified to find the woman
lying in the floor, near the bed,
dead. She had been in the act of
making up the bed, when shot.
The weapon used was a single
barrel breech loading shot gun.
The entire load took effect in her
body, entering the left side of the
back, and severing the vital parts
of the abdomen. Death must
have been instantaneous. The
father quickly gave the alarm,
and the country WBS aroused.
The boy denied that he knew
anything about the murder.
Sheriff Petree asked him why he
killed his sister. He would not
give any intelligible answer.
The Sheriff then asked him where
he got the shell for the gun. The
idiot quickly replied: "In the
j trunk." Mr. Tuttlo, the father,
then remembered that there had
| been seven shells in the trunk,
; which were kept hidden from the
lunatic, and on going to the chest,
he found only six, one being
missing. After further ques
tioning, the boy replied on being
asked why he shot the woman,
replied, "I just pulled the trig
»»
ger.
Young Tuttle, the murderer,
will be tried at the term of Super
ior Court which convenes hero
week after next, and will no doubt
be convicted of murder, and sen
tet.ced to the criminal ins ane de
partment of the State prison.
Mr. Alex Southern, Jr., Breaks His
Collar Bone.
s>(r. Alex Southern, Jr., a goad
citizen of Germanton Route 1,
happened to the misfortune of
getting his collar bone broken
Sunday. Mr. Southern and Ringo
White, one of his near neighbors,
were wrestling out in the yard
when the accident occurred. He
suffered considerably from t'ua
hurt for a few hours after it waa
done, but is getting on very nioely
now and hopes to be out again in
two or three weeks.
BAPTISING NEXT SUNDAY.
Mr. Jim Corn's Family Confined With
Measles Mr. W. C. Moore Favors
Prohibition—Some Other News.
Campbell, April 21.—We are
having fine weather now for the
farmers.
Mr. Drue Rhodes and family, of
Delia, Va., visited tbeir relatives*
at Campbell last week.
It looks right strange at Dr.
Pringle's now as Mr. Charlie Hyl
ton hasn't been there lately. I
guess he got afraid he would fall
in the well.
' Mrs. John Lackey will be bap
tised in the mountain branch near
her home April 26th by Elder Jas,
| A. Fagg.
Mr. W. C. Moore, the owner of
two large orchards, one contain
ing about fifteen hundred trees,
the other a great many also, is
highly in favor of prohibition.
Mr. Jim Corn's family is con
fined with measles. Hope they
will soon be out again.
Mr. (Jabe Hylton started to see
his best girl Sunday. He was so
bashful that he had to go a right
smart out of his way to get some
body to go with him, but I think
he got there about sundown and
found that some one had cut him
out, so he didn't stay long, and I
don't think he will go any more
soon.
Mr. Harvie Smith called on
Miss Zelvie Rhodes soon Sunday
morning and carried her home
with him to spend Easter, I guess.
Mr. Wesley Pringle went over
in Virginia courting Sunday.
Misses Ruth, Sadie and Mary
Pringle spent Easter Sunday with
Miss Roxie Taylor. Guess they
had a good time.
Mrs. Minn Lawson and Mrs.
(iallie Sheppard were visitors of
Mrs. W. C. Moore Sunday even
ing.
Mr. Zeb Rhodes started a well
and dug it 40 feet and struck a
| hard rock, so they will have to
| blast. They will have to stop
| digging till uext fall on account of
warm weather and gnssfrom dyna
I mite.
NO MOORE
,
Team Ran Away Down the Hill.
Last Thursday a team of horses
hitohed to a hack ran down the
hill just east of town beyond the
river, almost demolishing the ve
hicle, throwing out the driver, who
: was first thought to be seriously
; hurt, but later he recovered. The
'■ man, whose name could not be
i learned, was said to be drunk. He
I was on his way to Pilot Mt. from
Leaksville, where he had bought a
i new Hampton hack. The accident
was said to have boen caused by a
i pin breaking, which allowed the
j tongue of the conveyance to drop,
| frightening the horses.
/ -
Prominent Society Young Man
Charged With Stealing Diamond
Ring.
Eugene (1. lilackbum, of Wins
ton-Salem, was arrested at (Jreens
" loro Saturday on the charge of
stealing a diamond ring from the
jewelry store of R. C. Bernan.
The young man was held on a
bond of S4OO which was given by
relative* in Winston.
No. 1884