DANBURY REPORTER
Volume 57.
Reverse View of
Smithtown Tragedy
Ebb Nick Died Without a Rabbit's Chance, As
Testified By His Family and Friends —Was
the Federal Firing Squad Detailed to Kill
Without Quarter? —Sidelights On a Sad Inci
dent In the Hills.
It was six o'clock Saturday morning, October 19, 1929. The
sun had not risen, but the russet light out of the east was
breaking through the beautiful October woods, when Ebb Nick
came.out of bis house, traversed a path that runs through i
thicket of undergrowth or small bushes that skirts the eastern
end of his yard, and emerged into the big road that runs along
side of his homestead, to face a squad of Federal and State
officers who opened fire on him at ten or fifteen paces.
Ebb carried a small tin vessel in his hand, as he had staitcu
to find some whiskey hidden somewhere, desiring an early
morning drink. He dropped the tin and ran across the road,
entering a new-ground clearing, which was co\ered with a
growth of sprouts averaging waist-high. Beyond the new
ground was the forest 150 yards away.
With rifles, revolvers and sawed-off shotguns loaded with
buckshot, the officers poured a withering fire into the fleeing
man. Some 40 yards distant, in the middle of the new ground
clearing. Ebb crumpled up, his back pierced by a number ot
high-calibered bullets, either one of which would have been
fatal.
Ebb's boy, named Ed. aged 13, was in the midst of the
.-hooting, having been near his father when the latter emerged
from the thicket into the road. Ed, anxious lor his fathers
fate, excited to death, ran along with the officers as they ap
proached the still form lying in the clearing.
In the meantime the shots, and the screams of Ebb's wife and
children, aroused John R. Hill, Ebb's father-in-law, who lives
a short distance east of the new ground. Mr. Hill came up
bitterly demeaning the officers for their action. No reply was
elecited except from one who said: "Mr. Hill, we are very sorry
for it."
Mr. Hill stooped down and raised Ebb's head, noticing his
revolver, a 44-Special S. & W., which was lying under thj
dying man, Mr. llill not being certain whether the gun was
in the scabbard or not. Mr. Ilill started to pick it up when one
of the officers took it from his hands.
Ebb Didn't Get a Rabbit's Chance.
This was the sentiment of the crowd who had gathered
Sunday evening when the Reporter man called. Many cars
were coming and going, and had been all day, we were told.
Visitors out of curiosity wanted to look over the scene of the
tragedy. There were the trucks K.> made as he scampered up a
low bank into the new ground. Marks of bullets were to bo
seen here and there where twigs and bark from saplings had
been pierced. In one or more places evidences of heavy-cali
bered balls were seen where they ploughed up the dirt. Where
Ebb fell in the held the growth was pressed down. Ed showed
us where his father's head had lain, and where his feet werj
stretched. We questioned the boy. This is his story, told be
tween his sobs:
I am 13 years old. My father thought a heap of me, and
always had me to fix his dram. I got up when daddy did
Saturday morning, and I was in the thicket right here (he
showed us the exact place three feet from the path) when
daddy passed me, saying "I'll be back in a minute, son. Wait
here for me.' A moment later I heard the men shooting daddy
and I ran out into the road and with them. They had been
hidden right near to where I was, and I did not know it. I saw
daddy running with both hands stuck up. I haw the men
shooting at him, I saw him fall and I heard one of the men say
while daddy was on the ground: "Lot's blow his d d head
off." I went up to daddy where he was lying and asked him
if he was shot much bad and he sort of smiled, and tried to
say something but he couldn't, as they had killed him. I loved
my daddy, he was good to me, and I stayed with him so much,
and he was good to us all. I don't know what we shall do now."
There was an ominous stillness arow lie house. Men were
gathered in small bunches, conversing lo»v. A few women were
on the porch. There was an air of expectant melancholy. After
awhile a h - from Winston-Salem drew up, backed up and
unloaded th sket. Many hands helped carry it in the littb
front room, and arrange it th.>re open. Ebb was home once
(Continued on page 4.)
Established 1872.
(Editorial Correspondence.)
Ed's Story.
Danbury, N. C., Oct. 23, 1929.
WALNUT COVE NEWS
AND PERSONALS
Two Ladies 111—Womans' Aux
iliary Meets—Flower Show—
A Birth.
Walnut Cove, OctT 23.—The
Woman's Auxiliary of the Epis
copal church met Tuesday
evening with Mrs. Jacob Fulton
in a very interesting and well
attended meeting. The presi
dent, Mrs. R. A. Hedgecock,
presided and after the business
period the ninth chapter of the
Gospel of St. Luke was read
and discussed. A questional-;
on the chapter was given by
the hostess. A social half
hour was enjoyed at the con
clusion of the program and
tempting refreshments served.
Squire Jim Marshall, For
syth representative and Geo.
A. Younce, of Gnpnsboro,
candidate for solicitor in this
district, were visitors here
Monday.
Mrs. Ellen Simmons, who
has charge of the central office
here has been quite sick at her
h.>me but is improving , her
many friends will be glad to
know.
Mrs. W. L. Vaughn was in
Charlotte the past week con
sulting a specialist. She was
accompanied by her daughter,
Mrs. Everett Mathews, of Win
ston-Salem.
Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Rierson
and daughters, Misses Claudia
and Stell. spent the week-end
in Charlotte with Mr. and Mrs.
Pink Rierson.
.Misses Elizabeth Sparger,
Dixie Reeves and Ratley spent
Saturday in Greensboro.
Miss Grace Woodruff return
ed to St. Mary's school, Ral
eigh, on Monday.
Mrs. B. D. Gentry and small
son, Jackie, of Lexington, are
visiting Mr. and Mrs. J. Frank
Dunlap.
Miss Annie Martin spent
Saturday in Greensboro.
Mrs. H. H. Davis spent Tues
day in the Twin-City.
Mrs. J. B. Woodruff, Miss
Grace Woodruff and John
Woodruff spent Sunday at
Danville, Va., with relatives.
Miss Julia Hairston attended
the party in Winston-Salem
yesterday evening given by
Mrs. Julius Neely.
Mrs. Robert Hays, Jr., of
Newark, N. J., arrived this
week to be with her mother,
Mrs. Ellen Simmons.
Mesdames George Fulton
and J. W. Jones were shopping
in Greensboro yesterday.
Among those who attended
the Carolina-Georgia game
Saturday were: Dr. R. H.
Hackler, Jacob Fulton. Mr. and
Mrs. J. W. Jones.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Vaughn
announce, the arrival of a
daughter Tuesday in Winston-
Salem. Mr. Vaughn is a son of
Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Vaughn, of
Walnut Cove.
One of the attractive spots
in town at present is the flow-
FAMOUS WILL CASE
IS HEARD HERE
Guilford County Jury Renders
Verdict Favorable To Pro
pounders Two Divorces
Granted By Court.
A special jury composed of
Guilford county citizens was
brought to Danbury Monday
morning to hear the evidence
in the case in which some of
the heirs were seeking to break
the will of the late Samuel P.
ers, which means that the will
tain section of Stokes county.
The trial was faken up Mon
day afternoon in Stokes Super
ior court and today (Wednes
day) the jury rendered a ver
dict in favor of the propound
stands as it was made. Howev
er, the caveators have given
notice of appeal to the Supreme
court.
The consideration involved
in this case is said to be only
about 125 acres of mountain
land, lying in the Brown Mt.
section, and attorneys fees and
costs have nodoubt amounted
to much more than the value
of the land, it is said, as this
was the third time the court
has heard the case, the two
other trials resulting in dis
agreement of the juries.
Two divorce cases were
heard by the court Monday,
divorce being granted in each
case. They were Joe Wall vs.
Fannie Wall, and Essie H. Has
well vs. W. Y. Haswell.
Today the court took up the
case entitled Virginia Bailey by
her next friend, Jno. C. Bailey,
vs. John A. McKay and others,
the suit being for damage in an
automobile accident.
Judge Walter E. Moore is
presiding over the court, and
there are a number of cases yet
to be heard this week.
Hallowe'en Box Party
At Lawsonville
You have a special invitation
to a Hallowe'en box party that
is to be given Friday night,
November Ist, in the school
building at Lawsonville, North
Carolina. Come prepared, in
Hallowe'en fashion, to drink
lemonade, have your fortune
told, fish a little, vote on the
prettiest girl, and, if you are
a boy, to buy the box of some
pretty girl. There may be some
good music given at this party.
Remember the place and the
date.
F. L. S.
Caswell county farmers have
ordered 138 tons of ground
limestone to be used under soil
improving crops this fall.
er garden of Mrs. Joe WelcTi
which is filled with gorgeous
chrysanthemums in full bloom.
Attorney Gilmer Sparger
spent the week-end at Mt.
Airy, with friends..
Mrs. Jacob Fulton and Miss
Elizabeth Russell spent the
day in Greensboro Saturday.
PERSONALS AND
NEWS OF KING
Death of Two Children—A
Marriage—Several Itirths—
Opening New Cafe—Oyster
and Chicken Supper.
King, Oct. 21.—An oyster
and chicken supper will be giv
en in the old bank building
next to the King Theater on
Saturday, Oct. 26th, beginning
at 4:30 P. M. Proceeds go to
the Moravian ehurch.
Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Caudle
and daughter, Miss Flossie
Caudle, of Winston-Salem, were
week-end visitors to relatives
here.
Dr. R. S. Helsabeck has re
turned to his home here after
spending a short vacation in
Richmond. Va. He was the
guest of his brother while in
Richmond.
Mrs. Bettie J. Stone is spend
ing a few days with her daugh
ter, Mrs. S. O. Schaub, in High
Point.
Albert Petree, of Cincinnati,
Ohio, is spending a few days
with relatives here. Mr. Pe
tree who was reared near here,
has many rlatives and warm
friends in this section. Ho
holds a position as locomotive
engineer with the Norfolk &
Western Railway. He has been
in Cincinnati twenty-six years.
Paul, the ten-year-old son of
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kirby,
died at their home in Winston-
Salem Wednesday from pto
maine "poisoning. The remains
were brought back here and
laid to rest in the Mount Pleas
ant cemetery Thursdav at two
o'clock P. M.
The following births were re
gistered here last week: To Mr.
and Mrs. Ollie Brown, a son, to
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Gordy,
a daughter, and to Mr. and
Mrs. W. J. Moss, a daughter.
Holton Ki.ser, of King, and
Miss Sallie Vogler, of Tobacco
ville. were united in the holy
bonds of matrimony Friday.
They left immediately for the
mountains of Virginia where
they will spend their honey
moon. Both young people aro
popular and their many friends
wish for them a long and hao
py married life.
The twenty-six months-old
son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Mc-
Gee died at their home just
south of town Saturday morn
ing following an attack of
pneumonia and spinal menin
gitis. The funeral service was
conducted at the King first
Baptist church Sunday after
noon at 2:30 and burial follow
ed in the church cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Lester O. Pull
iam, of Greensboro, are spend
ing a few days here the guests
of relatives.
A 1 Vest, of West End, form
erly of King, is spending a few
days with relatives and friends
here.
Happy Smith is preparing to
open up a cafe in the Nance
building next to the Bank of
Stokes County.
H. D. Pulliam, of High Point,
j is among the business visitors
here today.
C. W. Patterson, of Pilot
Mt., was here Monday looking
.after some business matters.
Farmers in this section are
very busy preparing tobacco
for market.
Ball Game Saturday
At Walnut Cove
Stokesdale and Walnut Cow
will play baseball on the Wal
nut Cove diamond Saturday at
2:30 P. M. Carl Ray pitching
for Walnut Cove and Jimmie
Poole and Can- Smith to be in
the line up. Be there if vo i
want to see a good game.
In China husbands ai. -ive.s
seldom see each other beiore
marriage. In America some
seldom soe each other after
ward.
No. 2,997
PETE STONE
FOUND GUILTY
Given 15 Years Sentence On
Manslaughter Charge—Num
ber of Others Sentenced At
Last Week's Term of Court.
Pete Stone has given notice
of appeal in the case in which
he was found guilty of man
slaughter in Stokes Superior
court last week. Bond was
fixed at $5,000 and the defend
ant has not yet been able to
give it. He is being held in
jail here. Stone was charged
with killing his own young son
by striking it on the head with
some instrument.
Keever Newsum, Curtis
Moser and Judson Spainhour,
the three King men charged
with housebreaking, larceny
and receiving, were sentenced
at the close of the court. New
sum got not less than 3 or more
than 5 years in the penitenti
ary in one case and not less
than 1 or more than 2 years in
the other. Spainhour and
Moser drew the same senten
ces, each being lined S5OO and
the cost, and given suspended
sentences of 2 years each in
the penitentiary.
Geo. Woody, colored, found
guilty of attempting to com
mit rape on a member of his
own race, was sentenced to
not less than 5 or more than
G years in the penitentiary.
Rufe Pruitt, on a charge of
larcency and receiving, was
given a G months road sen
tence.
Gilbert Bullin. assault on
female, six months on road,
i Sam Manring, assault on fe
male, G months on road, and
i
G months suspended sentence at
1 former term of court put into
1 effect, making 12 months,
j Paul Huffman, found guilty
of reckless driving by jury,
fined i? 25 and cost.
Ollie Manuel, pleading guil
ty to concealing birth of child,
given G months suspended sen
ence in jail.
Joe Beck Moore, carrying
concealed weapon, fined $5O and
I
cost and given suspended sen
' tence of G months.
, Jack Gunter, failure to show
good behaviour. G months on
road.
Everett Hooker, possession
: of liquor, $25 and cost.
McKinley Foddrell, carrying
concealed weapon, given four
• months road sentence for fail
j ure to pay line ar.tl cost in case
at former tern.
Thi criminal term of Super
ior court held until late Satur
day afternoon but the docket
j
still has plenty of work left
for the special term beginning
Dec. 9th.
Judge Moore spent Sunday
hero and opened the civil term
of court for Stokes on Monday
morning.
Dairymen of Wake county
established a bottle exchange.
Nine members delivered 2,818
bottles on the opening day.