VOLUME 42
SMITHFIELD, N. C., FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 1923
NUMBER 52
J. E. LEWIS IS GIVEN
6 MONTHS ON ROAD
_ *
Alson Fined $500; Unusual
Interest Centers Around
Liquor Case. t
A case of more than usual interest
was tried in Recorder’s Court here
Tuesday when J. E. Lewis, manager of
the Busy Bee Cafe, was arraigned be
fore the court charged with having a
ten gallon keg of whiskey in his pos
session. E. J. Wellons was attorney
for Lewis, assisted by Congressman E.
W. Pou. Solicitor Harry P. Johnson
was assisted by E. S. Abell. This
case following on the heels of the
Boyd affair of the previous week had
aroused interest throughout the com
munity and had created considerable
comment.
Chiefs Cable and Stevens were
called to the witness stand first and
told the story of the finding of the
whiskey in Lewis’ garage under the
floor. J. T. Barham was next called
to the stand the gist of his evidence
being that the liquor, in his opinion,
was new liquor and not about three
years old as was stated by the de
fendant. John R. Morris, Editor of
The Smithfield Observer, was the next
witness, Lewis having told him the
story of the arrest.
Lewis himself was then put on the
stand, the cross examination bring
ing out certain facts concerning his
life. He is a Greek, thirty-four years
old. He came to this country w'hen
a lad of thirteen years. He lived in
New York for about a year and a
half and then came to North Caro
lina. He made his home in Fayette
ville for ten or eleven years previous
to locating in Smithfield. He has liv
ed in this city about six years. He
married an American woman and has
six children. In regard to the charge
against him he denied having the
whiskey in his possession for the
purpose of sale, denied having made
trips of mysterious purport to the
eastern part of the state, and denied
ever having sold any whiskey in
Smithfield.
A-number of character witnesses
were then examined some testifying
tha this character was good and oth
ers stating that it was bad. Among
the character witnesses were promi
nent citizens of Smithfield.
The evidence all in, Congressman
E. W. Pou, made the plea for de
fence. Mr. Pou told the court that he
had ceased to practice law years ago,
that he would make a plea for mercy
that having made this plea his con
nection with the case was ended. He
urged that Lewis had proven a good
character, that this was the first of
fense charged against him, that his
wife and six children, the oldest be
ing only eleven years would be left
helpless.
Mr. Pou said he knew Lewis was
guilty on his own statement, that he
came into court with reluctance, but
because of many kindly acts on the
part of Lewis he had consented to
plead for mercy. He said the Vol
stead Law was here to stay, that it
would never be amended to permit the
manufacture of wine or beer, that
those who were violating the law had
better quit because sooner or later
they would be surely caught.
Mr. Pou’s plea for mercy was ear
nest and many in the court room were
visibly moved as he begged the Judge
not to impose a road sentence. Give
him a stiff fine, but spare his family
the disgrace of a road sentence were
practically the words of Congressman
Pou.
Following this eloquent appeal,
Hon. Ed. S. Abell addressed the court.
Mr. Abell reviewed the evidence in
the case. He reiterated the fact that
the law of the land had been broken—
broken by a man fully intelligent
and capable of realizing the conse
quences of such a course. That he
was guilty and why the court should
show any difference in dealing with
the negro of last week and with the
defendant in this case he could not
see. He called attention to the im
partial judgment as meted out by
Judge Noble in the past, and asked
that he pronounce the same unbiased
decision in this instance. He made a
strong plea for law enforcement. He
called to mind the awful havoc which
the hellish brew causes in breaking
homes. He implored that the court
take cognizance of the fact that
night after night mothers lay awake
VALUABLE REAL ESTATE
SOLI) IN BENSON
- i
Entire Business Block In Heart Of i
Town Sold To W. S. Murchison, j
Of Raleigh
One of the largest real estate trans- I
actions ever made in Johnston county |
was closed Tuesday at Benson when
Mr, Alonzo Farrish sold to Mr. W.
S. Murchison, of Raleigh, a Jsolid
business block consisting of five
large brick stores, one hotel, one large
brick auto sales and service building
and five valuable business lots, also
eighteen houses and lots and about
75 vacant residential lots. It is not
known just how much was paid for
this property, but judging from the
revenue stamps on the deed which !
was field Wednesday it is though ;
rhat the amount was something like |
$160,000.00.
Mr. Murchison stated that is is his
intention to sell the majority of this
property and he will probably put
on an auction sale of the houses and
lots about the middle of July, and
+ he business property will probably
he sold some time in the fall.
This property which Mr. Murchison
has brought, is considered some of
the most valuable property in one of !
the best towns; and in one of the
most progressive counties in the
state.
Picnic At McCnllers Mill
On Saturday afternoon, the Eliza
beth Epworth League gave a picnic
at the McCullers Mill. The time was
very pleasantly spent in swimming
and fishing. About sunset a delicious
supper was served.
---|
awaiting the return of intoxicated
sons, and wives pray through long ,
nights of waiting before their drunk- :
en husbands return in the wee sma
hours. The burden of Mr. Abell’s
plea was for justice that such condi- .
tions might be changed.
A silence pregnant with suspense
greeted the words of Judge Noble j
preliminary to announcing the sen
tence. The judge stated that when '
he took the duties of his office little !
did he think of the unpleasant duties
he would be called upon to perform, i
“If I accept the plea of the defense,
I cannot look that negro of last week
in the face,” said Judge Noble. The
defendant has been caught violating
the law. It would be an insult to
his intelligence, he stated, to believe
the testimony of Lewis on the stand.
Law must be enforced. If officials in
North Carolina were doing their duty,
whiskey would be $50 per quart it
would be so scarce. He felt sorry
for the defendant and his family.
But, says Judge Noble, the disgrace
which shall come to his wife and six
little children will not be the road
sentence which may be imposed, but
the disgrace will be in the fact that
he has violated the law. Then the
judge stated that his decision was a
fine of $500 and six months on the
roads.
Efforts were made to have the sen
tence lessened but Judge Noble re
mained firm and though contrary re
ports have beep freely circulated the
sentence now remains as imposed at
the close of Mr. Abell’s speech in
the court room. The defendant, how
ever, took an appeal to the Superior
Court.
Other cases disposed of in Record
er’s Court this week are as follows:
State vs. Bud Hudson, charged with
violating prohibition laws, was found
guilty and sentenced to six months
1 on road and required to pay costs,
j State vs. Charlie Martin and Sa
\ vannah Martin, assault with deadly
weapon. They were found guilty and
j Charlie Martin was fined $25.00 and
j costs. Judgment was suspended as
' to Savannah Martin.
State vs. John Sanders, colored,
1 charged with violating prohibition
I laws. Not guilty.
State vs. Pharoah Jenkins, larceny.
He was bound over to Superior
Court under $500 bond.
1 State vs. Keely Terry, charged
with blockading. Found guilty and
: was given 18 months on roads and
required to pay costs.
State vs. Joe Redmond, assault with
deadly weapon. Guilty; fined $25 and
' costs.
I State vs. Isaiah Watson, Melvin
Baldwin, and Ruffin Watson, charged
with affray. Ruffin Watson found
not guilty. Isaiah Watson and Mel
vin Baldwin guilty, and each requir
ed to pay one-half costs.
MEMORI’L SERVICE
AT M. E. CHURCH
Missionary Society Gives
Memorial Service for
Miss Belle Bennett
Sunday evening, the usual church
service was omitted at the Methodist
church here, and in its stead a most
impressive memorial service to Miss
Belle H. Bennett, a synonym of vision
and achievement among women of the
Southern Methodist church, was con- (
ducted by the local Missionary So
ciety. For thirty-five years previous ,
to her death Miss Bennett led the
hosts of Southern Methodist woman- ,
hood, her supreme service being the
establishment of the Scarritt Bible
and Training School at Kansas City,
Mo.
The members of the local auxiliary
assembled in the primary room of the
church and marched in singing a
hymn. Those having a part on the
program took their places inside the
chancel the others occupying seats
especially reserved for them.
Mrs. J. D. Spiers, president of the
auxiliary, presided over the service,
reading the scripture lesson first.
This was followed by a prayer dedi
cated to Miss Bennett by Deaconess
Emily Olmstead, which was read in
concert by the members of the So
ciety. Mrs. E. I. Poole then gave an
interesting talk on the “Vision and
Life” of Miss Bennett.
Mrs. L. G. Patterson interestingly
told of how the Scarritt Bible and
Training School is carrying the gos
pel to other countries. Mrs. Rosser
Lane briefly told of the plans to en
large the school and provide religious
training for lay workers for various
types of service at. home and abroad.
A poem dedicated to the memory of
Miss Bennett was read by Miss Thel
ma Peedin and Mrs. L. T. Royall ex
plained why a memorial should be
raised to honor her memory. Mrs.
J. D. Spiers, who was the last on the
program, told of the plan for raising
the necessary money for the estab
lishment of this memorial, which was
adopted by the Woman’s Missionary
Council during its meeting in Mobile
Ala. The sum to be raised by the lo
cal society is $300.00 and $200 o
this amount was pledged by members
of the society and friends at the elo*«
of the service.
BIRTH RATE TAKES JUMP
IN JOHNSTON COUNTS
By CY Johnson
On June 9th, 1923, Nanny....
Clayton, N. C„ Route 1, gave birth
to four sons. They are black as ink,
healthy and eternally calling for
nourishment, Their mother, Nanny,
of course is perplexed and worried
over the task before her.* But th
nurse has taken them in charge and
says that she is going to raise then,
black rascals anyhow.
And this is the way she is doing
it. At six in the morning two are
taken from their box (the family is
too poor to have a real crib) and
put to the mother and allowed two
hours to get their fill then returned
to the box when the other two go to
the mother for the same period. And
to avoid getti lg them mixed, as U
which is which, a red ribbon is
tied about the necks of two. Of
course they get their bath when need
ed and Bee Bttnd insect powder is
freely used to keep off the skeeters
and other varmits, so the nurse says.
They have not yet been named ex
cept one name for the four “Quar
, tette.” The nurse wants them named
' according to their voices she says.
, That is the one with the low voice to
be named Bass, the next lowest
| Baratone, the other two first and
second Tenor. Her ambition is to
' make them singers. The nurse says
| she is going to bring them to Cleve
i land Township Community Fair this
next October and expects them to
j take first place as quadruplets. I
'reglected to say that the mother is
1 a goat and the kids will be sometime.
j ---
In Honor Of Miss Fox
! Wednesday evening Mr. and Mrs.
■ E. L. Woodall entertained quite a
! number of young people at their home
I in Brooklyn in hono/ of their guest,
, Miss Jean Fox, of Chacatawissa, Fa
Music and dancing were the features
. of the evening. At a late hour a
delicous ice course was served.
About fifty guests were present.
SHORT COURSE FOR
THREE COUNTIES
Johnston Represented by 50
Club Boys and Girls
At Wilson
Fifty Johnston County club boys
and girls and twice that many from
Wayne with eight or ten from Wil
son County have been in Wilson this '
week attending a short course in |
Home Demonstration work. These j
three counties arranged with Atlant
ic Christian College to use their
building for this course and Tuesday
afternoon found school trucks from
Wayne, and Johnston unloading boys
and girls and supplies on the college
campus. Those who are conducting
the course are Mrs. Estelle Smith,
the district agent, Miss Janie Roberts
of Wayne, Miss Minnie Lee Garrison
of Johnston, Mr. B. F. Fergueson
of Wilson. Mr. A. K. Robertson, of
Wayne, and Mr. N. B. Stevens of
Johnston. Miss Bridge, County Home
Agent in Harnett, has been assisting |
in giving demonstrations.
.The following clubs in Johnston j
County sent representatives: Prince
ton, Wilson’s Mills. Wildwood. Sel- |
ma. Batten. Creech, Pomona, Pine
Level, Kenly, Glendale, Micro, and ;
Royall (Tlevation). Ladies who are
assisting in making the boys and
girls comfortable and giving them n
good time are Miss Lillian Edger-1
ton, of Kenlv, Miss Ila Mae Hardee. !
of the Wildwood section, Mrs. A. J
Whitley, Jr., Smithfield Route One, j
and Mrs. Clifton Beasley of this city. |
A number of courtesies have been j
extended those attending the course, j
by Wilson people. On Tuesday even
ing the Rotary club had picnic lunch 5
on the campus with the club boys and j
girls contributing ice cream and j
drinks to the menu. The entire !
school wore guests of the Wilson j
Theatre Wednesday afternoon when ;
a well-known picture, “The Inside of I
the Cup,” was presented.
The daily program consists of deni- j
onstrations in various lines of home j
making, but recreational features are ,
net neglect* .1 Wednesday afternoon :
just before the supper hour. Miss ,
Maty E. Well, assistant county super- |
• : 4 ef . schools, delighted the
boys and girls with .several stories.
Wednesday evening was devoted to
club activities, each club telling
something of what they were doing
Last night was stunt night and fun
revailed.
The short course closes today and
he Johnston County folks expect to
be back in Smithfield by four
o’clock. At whmh time the Kiwani s
club will servt lemonade to the
group on the court house square be
fore they disperse for their homes in
various parts of the county.
NORTH CAROLINA GETS
INCREASED ALLOTMENT
Mr. Albert L. Cox. of Raleigh, N.
C., State Aide to the Secretary of
War for procurement of candidates
for Citizens’ Military Training Camps
has received the following wire from
Mr. Clark Howell, Jr., of Atlanta,
Georgia, who is the Corps Area Aide
to the Secretary of Wa.”:
“Additional quota assigned
Southern States of six hundred
by War Department for Citizens’
Military Training Camps. Three
hundred more qualified applicants
needed from your state before
July tenth. Please give all addi
tional publicity possible through
newspapers and local representa
tives. The old Southern States
lead the country, let’s show the
War Department we can produce
the needed applicants.”
The above wire means that in addi
tion to the three hundred vacancies
mentioned there is room for 250 more
men from North Carolina at these
training camps, making a total of 650
vacancies in all in this state. North
Carolina, though second in popula
tion among the eight Southeastern
states is very close to the bottom as
regards procurement of candidates
for these camps.
Application blanks and information
can be obtained from Mr. Albert L.
Cox, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Circle Number Pour of the Meth
odist Missionary Society met with
Mrs. J. C. Bingham Wednesday af
ternoon. The devotional and busi
ness session was followed by a so
cial hour. During the afternoon
fruit punch was served.
CANNOT ACCEPT IT. S.
SUGGESTION
No Provision in Customs Law
Under Which They Could Re
fuse Clearence to Ships.
Washington, June 22.—Cannadian
government has informed the state
department, through a note from the
British ambassador here, of its inabil
ity to adopt the suggestion put fow
ard by the department last March
that clearenee papers be declined to
vesselswith cargoes of liquor destined
to ports in the United States unless
a permit authorizing its importation
was presented.
The department in announcing to
day receipt of the note explained
tha tit had addressed a note to the
British ambassador for transmiss. <n
to the Canadian authorities, draw
ing their attention to the difficulties
experienced in enforcing the prohibi
tion laws of the United States along
the Canadian border. It was pointed
out that the Canadian authorities
permited small motor boats to take
on cargoes of liquor and to make
regular customs clearance to ports
in the United States , thus complying
with the Canadian law, which pro
hibits the sale of liquors to persons
in Canada, but alio vs the exporta
tion to foreign country
__It was suggested that since the
importation of liquor into the United
States without a permit was illegal
the Canadian officials might be dis
posed to decline clearance papers to
vessels with cargoes of liquor
destined to ports in the United States
unless permits authorizing importa
tion were presentd.
The reply of the Canadian govern
ment through the British ambassador,
received Tuesday, said it had careful
ly investigated the matter and had
ascertained that the provisions of the
law were being properly observed. It
was further stated that the export of
liquor from Canada was not prohibit
ed and there existed no provisions in
the customs laws or regulations war
ranting refusal of clearance papers to
vessels carrying liquor destined for a
foreign port simply because its entry
without special permits is prohibited.
TRAIN CRASH KILLS 7
ANI) INJURES S3
New York, June 25.Seven person*
were killed and 83 injured today
when two woden cars plunged from
a Brooklyn elevated structure into
the borough’s busiest traffic intersec
tion. The killed included two persons
in an automobile which was buried
under the elevated cars.
The two-car train, well filled with
an early afternoon crowd of women,
children and a few men, jumped the
rails, ripped through rotted guard
beams, tottered on the edge of the
structure while hundreds of passers
by stood still bound in terror, and
pan-caked on its side to the pave
ment, a mass of splintered debris.
Carrying with it a mesh of electrc
trolley wires, the train hurtled to
the pavement amid spurts of blue
flame and crackling wire. As
screams of the pioioned passengers
many of them transfixed by jagged
sections of broken wood, rose above
the crash, flames shot from under
neath the ears anci drove back pedes
trams who ra . to He scene.— Asso
ciated Press.
MR. THOMPSON LOSES
HOUSE BY FIRE
Mr. London Thompson, who lives
! on Pine Level, Route 1, in the Stev
en’s Chapel section had the misfor
tune to have his house burned Tues
day morning about eight o’clock. The
fire started in the center of the roof
| in the loft of the house away from
; the chimney. Men were in the field
about a half a mile away, and Mrs.
■ Thompson and daughter were wash
ing in the yard. The fire had gained
such headway when discovered that
by the time help ranched the scene,
only the parlor suit of furniture and
a kitchen safe were saved. There
i was no insurance and the loss is esti
! mated at about $4,000.
Minstrel Tonght
Those who enjoy a good minstrel
l should not fail to attend the one giv
en at the opera house this evening
j by local talent. An evening of fun
is in store for all who go. See the
advertisement elsewhere in this s
sue.
THE BOYD CASE
IS DISPOSED OF
Sentence of 18 Months on
Roads and $100 Fine and
Taxed With Costs
The case of State vs. Henry Boyd
tried in the Recorder’s Court on Tues
day, June 19, has been finally dis
posed of. Before the adjournment of
court, Henry Boyd withdrew his ap
peal to the Superior court and Judge
Noble reduced his road sentence from
two years to eighteen months upon
condition that Boyd pay the fine of
$100 and costs before beginning to
serve his sentence upon the roads. It
will be remembered from the evidence
brought out in his trial that Boyd
was convicted on two counts, one
for transporting liquor, the other for
having it in his possession for the
purpose of sale. It was also shown
that he had been formerly tried by
Judge Brooks for bootlegging but
the evidence in that instance was n
sufficient to convict. Boyd has al
ready begun to serve his sentence.
LEGION TO TEACH
REVERENCE FOR FLAG
Washington, June 28.—The recent
action of the American Legion in
drawing up a code for flag obser
ance strikes a responsive chord in the
hearts of all lovers of the Stars and
Stripes.
This code, covering proper civilian
usage of the American flag and con
duct in its presence was adopted at
the conference of national organiza
tions called by the American Legion,
and a permanent committee authoriz
ed to disseminate it thoughout the
country.
Each of the more than sixty organi
zations represented is to promote the
study of the words and music of
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” and
its teaching in all schools and in ju
venile organizations, as suggested
by President Harding. State legisla
tures are asked to enact unifrom
laws requiring display of the flag in
over all schools, parks, and play
grounds, and over other public build
ings.
The code covers fifteen rules for
display of the flag and a list of fif
teen “things to avoid,’ in addition to
setting forth the proper use of hunt
ing, the salutes and pledges to the
flag.
The suggestion of a fine arts com
mission that the flag is “the w^-ong
shape” meets with little approval.
The flag is now 1.90 in length to 1
in width, 10 feet long when it is 10
feet wide. The proportions say the
arbiters of beauty should be 1.67 toi.
The flag is too long for its width
to satisfy the sense of beauty of those
who make beauty their business.
The general concensus of opinion
seems to be that regardless of the
laws of proportion, the flag, in its
present shape has been so long identi
fied with all that is reverenced in
American ideals that a change in it
would be a desecration, not an “im
provement.—Capital News Service.
KEEP YOUR CHILDREN
ATTENDING SCHOOL
I want to thank The Progressive
Farmer for the recent article urging
boys and girls to stay in school.
When I was small my father and
i mother made a pet of me. I did not
i like to go to school, so they let me
: stay at home. The result is that now
: I have to get my wife to do my
! writing and reading. I certainly do
■ enjoy listening to her read after sup
| per at night, as we gather around
j the fireside. Even when tired out
| from my daily routine of farm wrok.
Children it is heartbreaking to be
grown up and yet have to ask some
! one else to read a story or letter to
i you.
The greatest mistake a man can
1 make it to rear a family without giv
; ing each one of them an education.
| A child does not know or even care
anything about the value of an edu
I cation. My wife and I are working
: together to give our children an edu
' cation. We encourage them all we
, can and I point out to them the great
mistake I made and the greater mis
, take of my parents.—J. R. in The
Progressive Farmer.
j Mrs. Helen Beasley attended the
Short Course in Home Demonstra
tion Work given at Wilson this week
for club girls and boys from Wayne,
Wilson and Johnston Counties, as di
rector of games and plays.