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The Hoke County News - Established 1928 The Hoke County Journal - Established 1905
Around
Town
BY SAM C. MORRIS
The Super Bowl Sunday in
Miami was a game thai everyone
should have enjoyed very much.
I he defensive line of the Steelers
finally prevailed and Pittsburgh
came out on top by the score of
The weather was perfect for
football, but being in the 50's was
jot the warm Florida weather that
most people were expecting.
The television people went all out
to make Super Bowl X a Sunday
tltternoon that everyone should
remember. Over five hours was
devoted to the pre-game show, the
game and the post-game show. I
understand that the cost of adver
tising was over $100,000 per
minute With over 70 million
people looking, I would say that
they got their money's worth.
bo the network can start now
planning for Super Bowl XI for
next year.
? * *
Basketball has also taken over
prime time on the tube this winter.
With the ACC having seven teams
that are about the same, a good
game can be expected from any
pair that they put on the court.
So if your wife doesn't like
sports, do as yours truly did, get a
second set for sports.
* # *
During the time of the writing
about the National Guard unit J.H.
(Buck) Blue passed away. I men
tion this because Buck was the
battery commander of the local
unit when it was called into active
service in September of 1940. Most
of the men of 1938 were still in the
outfit at that time.
At the funeral many of the men
that were listed in this column last
week were standing around the
t graveside. Buck was a good
commander and will always be
remembered by the men that served
under him.
* ? ?
? Marion Gatlin had the program
at the Kiwanis Club last week and
had members of Troop 401 present
a program on knot tying. It made
me feel good to see the interest that
the four young Scouts were taking
in showing Kiwanians how to tie
these knots.
Also it is good to see that the
United Fund money that goes for
Boy Scouts is being put to good use.
* * *
The old Charlotte Observer
received from a reader last week is
v,e,T'"'""ting. It was dated June
u V u sPO!7s section brings
back boyhood memories with the
names of Ruth, Ruffing, Seawell,
etc. who played during those days!
? ? ?
The weather for the past two or
three days has been below normal
The temperature for Monday and
Tuesdav mornings was around 10
degrees and this is too cold for me.
As I write this, Tuesday
?torning. the sun is shining and the
reports are that it will get into the
40's today.
Most people are looking forward
to warmer weather and hope that it
will soon be here.
Crowd Swells Courtroom
To Hear Ex-deputy's Firing
Sheriff: 'Not Racial'
12 Allegations Listed
Sheriff DAI. Barrington addressed the Hoke County Board of
Commissioners and outlined a list of 12 allegations against his ex-deputy Elisha
Dial, although not responding directly to Dial's specific charges, also outlined
to the commissioners earlier at the Monday night meeting.
Speaking from a prepared text, Barrington said:
"I have prepared this written statement for the County Board of
Commissioners. This concerns the firing of Llisha Dial. 1 feel that although I do
my own hiring and when necessary, the firing of deputy sheriffs within my
Department; that since I have been requested to attend this meeting and I feel
that as a matter of courtesy to this County Board and to the citizens of Hoke
County, I will give my reasons for Elisha Dial's removal from the office of
deputy sheriff. I regret having this task to perform because 1 feel that it will be
embarassing and detrimental to Elisha Dial and I personally feel that
departmental problems should be resolved within the Sheriffs Department
without embarassment to anyone, but if it must be done, it must be done."
"I relieved Dial from his office and duties because of facts and
circumstances, which in my opinion, was conduct unbecoming a Police Officer
and for failure to carry out the Policy's and procedures of the Hoke County
Sheriffs Department. None of these reasons are of a racial nature or have racial
overtones."
"After Elisha Dial came to work with the Hoke County Sheriffs
Department in March of 1 c>74. I received a complaint that one of my deputies
was working during off duty hours at a store in the county where beer was
being sold and that he was selling beer during off duty hours. 1 called Dial into
my office and advised him that he would have to make a decision, that I could
not allow him to work at this place of business, because I would receive more
complaints. Dial told me at that time that he would resign from the place of
business, which he did."
"During early 1975,1 received a call at my home and was advised that Elisha
Dial had gone into the Rockfish Creek area and had contacted a 16 year - old
girl and had taken her to a lake in the Hope Mills area. I called Mr. Dial into my
office and advised him that I had been contacted by the people of this girl, and
that I had talked with my chief deputy who is no longer connected with the
Sheriffs Department, and he had confirmed what I had been told on the phone
by the people of this young ladv. The Chief Deputy had informed me that he
had not told me about this because he thought he could"talk to Dial and not
have to make me aware of what had taken place. I advised Dial that he was a
married man and that this could cost his job and I further advised him that
even though he was off duty at the time, it would cause complaints and
problems within the Department and also public opinions. He advised me that
lie knew that he had made a mistake and that it would not happen again."
"The next complaint that I received was a report that Dial after the hours of
1:00 A.M. went to the trailer home of a young lady in uniform and driving a
police cruiser, had advised this young lady that he was investigating a case and
needed to interview her. He then carried her away from her home in the Patrol
Car and kept her for approx. three hours before returning to her home. During
this time, the girl's sister, called the rddio dispatcher on duty and wanted to
know where the officer had carried her sister and if she was in jail."
"I received a complaint about this incident the following day. 1 again called
Dial into my Office. His explanation was that he had contacted the girl about
some information in an investigation he was conducting. I advised htm at that
time never to go to the home of a female and place her in a police cruiser alone
without another deputy present or without informing me. 1 further advised
him that statements and information should be taken in the Hoke County
Sheriffs Office and not in a police cruiser, and that 1 did not expect to receive
any more complaints of this nature. He advised me that he had made a mistake
and that it would not happen again."
"My next complaint was from the husband of another young lady who
advised me that while he was away from home and after midnight, Elisha Dial
had come to his home and had made a pass at his wife and that she had asked
him to leave her home, which he did. I again called Mr. Dial into my office and
his explanation was that he was investigating an auto larceny and that he had
contacted this woman to ask where her husband was and to attempt to obtain
information from her. I asked him if he remembered what I had previously told
him about having a witness (Deputy Sheriff) with him. He advised me that no
one would help him. I then advised him that I was going to expect him to
patrol with one of the veteran deputys until further instructions from me."
"About this same time. Dial's sister and brother - in ? law began having
family problems and he was becoming involved in their problems. I advised
Dial that another deputy would have to serve warrants or perform the
investigations when it involved his family and in - laws, and explained that if
not. it would lead to problems. I uistructed him not to become involved. He
did not follow these instructions."
"The next complaint was from the Auto Theft Bureau of the Department of
Motor Vehicles. An investigator came to me and advised me that Dial was being
See BARRINGTON. page 1 .<
Neil W. McPhatter
McPhatter
Is Choice
Rev. Neil W. McPhattei was the
unanimous choice of the Hoke
County Board of Commissioners
Monday night to fill out the vacancy
on the board created by the death of
Commissioner J.A. Webb.
The vote, taken by secret ballot,
was annoucned by clerk T.B. Lester
as four votes for McPhatter.
McPhatter. 52, was one of three
nominees submitted by the
Democratic executive committee
earlier this month.
McPhatter, who was sworn into
office Tuesday morning, is a building
contractor and pastor of St.
Andrew's Holiness Church in
Tylertown. He is a member ol the
county planning board and serves as
treasurer of the llokc County Civic
League, a ministerial association.
"I am gratified, and I do plan to
iun (for a permanent scat) in the
next election", he said Tuesday.
An Allendale township resident,
McPhatter has been active in
Democratic policies and is interested
in public schools.
Mrs. McPhatter is employed by the
Hoke High School as an attendance
counselor.
The couple has tour children. Mrs.
Johnnie Mae Moraven, a graduate ol
Winston-Salem Stale University, is
employed by the Hartford (Conn.)
public schools. Mrs. Betty Redmon.
also a graduate ol Winston-Salem
State University, is employed as a
secretary in Oakland, Cal. Wesley O.
McPhatter is a graduate of A&T
University in Greensboro and is an
insurance adjuster in Nor list own. Pa.
Another daughter. Mrs. Helen
McNeill, is employed by Burlington
Industries here.
Stalemate
On Armory
A joint meeting ol the Raetord
City Council and Hoke County
Commissioners to discuss the
construction ol a new National
Guard Armory ended Monday night
without any decision alter both
groups could not reach an agreement
on who will bear the greater share ol
the costs involved.
City council members agreed
during a brief caucus to pay 25 per
cent if the county pays 75 per cent,
while the commissioners announced
they had agreed on a 50-50 split.
"We appear to be at a stalemate",
chairman of the commissioners
Ralph Barnhart said after some
discussion with neither ade yielding.
Local costs were estimated to be
about $58,000. not including land
purchase, according to Col. Libert
McPhaul. of the engineering office of
the Adjutant General's office of the
National Guard.
Under a federal assistance program
designed to replace older and
outdated Armory facilities, localities
are required to provide a minimum
five acre tract of land on water and
sewer connections and assume 12.5
per cent of construction costs.
McPhaul described the new unit as
18,000 total square feet at a cost of
S464.000. Under a "reversion
clause", the old Armory building on
See ARMORY, page 13
County Commissioners:
'No Jurisdiction'
A crowd of over one hundred people, mostly Indians, packed the
courtroom in the courthouse Monday night and heard ex-deputy
l lisha Dial outline charges of discrimination and wrongdoing within
the sheriffs department concerning Sheriff D.M. Barrington, while
Barrington countered with a list of 1 2 charges, including suspected
criminal activity, against Dial.
The crowd, which began forming about an hour before the
scheduled 8:30 P.M. meeting, was orderly, but police sources said
earlier they were prepared in the event of any incidents.
County commissioners, who had scheduled the ex-deputy matter at Dial's
request as part of a special meeting, had to move it to the courtroom because
of the swelling crowd.
Dial. 2b. who was fired from his job Jan. 8 and immediately charged that he
was fired because he is Indian, distributed copies of a two page letter to the
commissioners after the crowd was told the commissioners had no jurisdiction ?
in the matter, they were only there to listen.
County attorney Charles Hostetler read from the statute, at Barnhart's
direction, and told the crowd the sheriff can hire or fire anyone under the law,
and the county board has no power to overule him except through budgetary
matters.
"No questions or statements will be-heard from the audience". Barnhart
warned before Dial began speaking.
Along with his letter. Dial provided each commissioner with a photocopy of
a traffic ticket issued in August. P)74, to Claudine K. liodgin, the then - 37
vear - old daughter of the late Sheriff D.H. Hodgin.
"My troubles started in August, l4)74, when I arrested the wrong person. I
arrested the daughter of the last sheriff for drunk driving. Site blew .22. Sheriff
Barrington ordered me to release this woman because he owed it to her
father". Dial told the courtroom.
A photocopy of the Breathalyzer reading, dated Aug. 18. 1074 and signed
Off. C.li. Campbell, was also given each commissioner.
"If you check the records m the courthouse, you will see this woman paid a
S16 fine for driving on the road side of the road". Dial continued.
"From that time on. they wanted me gone from there. I just made up my
mind I wasn't going to quit", he said.
Dial told the commissioners that he had been discriminated against because
of his race, not because of his work, chiefly on the part of another deputy. J.E.
Lamont, who became Chief Deputy following the resignation of Harvey Young
last year.
"He came to work last Thursday morning and said good morning to
everyone, but he doesn't speak to me. He asks me why 1 don't give him
information about stolen merchandise from Robeson County. I said. I did. and
I gave the information to (deputy) Norton'. He cursed me and said it was a
lie... told me to get the hell in the other room and sit down. I said 'Maybe I
don't want to sit down', he said. 'Go the hell home' " Dial said.
"I said I'ni not going home until the sheriff gets here, he was going to come
in in 20 minutes. He cursed me again so I went out and left. I was called back
in and that's when Sheriff Barrington fired me". Dial said.
"Lamont has been working to get me tiled since he has been there. He has
said that I was stealing, he told the Sheriff I was stealing, he has told the sheriff
things about me and women that are not true". Dial said.
"Yet when Lamont wrecked a police car in Robeson County with a girl in
the car with him. nothing is said about it". Dial said.
In his written statement. Dial said there were several instances when Indians
living nearby Ins home were picked up and questioned about Dial's part in any
crimes.
"I went to the slier if! about this and he said *1 can't say anything to Lamont
because it will make things worse'. In the meantime, things got worse. I called
Lamont and (deputy) Riley to help me get a man out of a house in Antioch,
and the\ refused". Dial stated.
Back in November H)75. the sheriff was getting ready to send me and
(deputy) James Peterkin to pin (Police Information Network) school, and
Lamont jumped up and said. 'If Dial is going to he around long enough to go to
pip school. I ain't, because this man won't speak to me' ". Dial continued.
"On Jan. 1. Il>7(>. I was working on a case where some batteries were
stolen....l asked litmont to help me on the case, he refused, but a short time
later he jumped up and cursed me out because I asked Riley how to fill out a
paper to show that I turned the batteliesback to their owner". Dial continued.
Dial said after the meeting that a suit against the county will definitely be
filed, charging racial discrimination in his firing.
State Representative Henry Waid Oxcndine, who was in the audience, said
See DIAL, page 13
New Medical Bldg. Slated
Raeford physician R.G. Town
send confirmed plans to build a
new medical building and move his
office from its Campus Ave. loca
tion. but no date for the anticipated
move has been set.
Townsend said he also hopes to
attract "one or two" other physi
cians for a group practice in the
new medical arts building.
"1 am planning to build an
office, but no plans have been
finalized," Townsend said Mon
day.
Townsend said he has acquired a
one acre tract on S. Main St. near
the Knit-A way plant. No purchase
price was disclosed.
Townsend said architectural
plans for the building have not
been finalized yet.
Voter Registration Ends
Feb. 23 For Primarv
The deadline to register to vote in
the presidential preference primary
March 2d is Feb. 2d. the Hoke
County Board of Elections
announced.
Voters must register as either
Republican or Democrat in order
to cast a ballot in the primary. All
voters, however, will be able to vote
on the constitutional amendments
and the state bond referendum.
Executive Secretary Rose Stur
geon advises anyone who has not
voted since 1968 to check with the
elections office to see if thev are still
?2
registered. Also, anyone who has
had a change of address since
registering must notify the office of
the new address.
"In order to vote, you must be
registered in the correct precinct
according to residency", she said.
Deadline for applying for absen
tee ballots is 5 P.M. Feb. 23.
The Buchan precinct polling
place will be changed. Mrs.
Sturgeon also announced. Location
of the new polling will be given at a
later date.
All other polling places will
remain the same.
A SATURDAY SNOW - A light blanket of snow fell in Raeford Saturday, hut did not last long as most of it had
melted hy .5 P.M.