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Around Our TOWN
OR
Shelby SIDELIGHTS
By RENN DRUM.
rururvr* svr. r. yvs:
PEEPING IN
A COURTROOM
It Is Interesting to take a seat in the courtroom, when Superior
•ourt is on, and watch the little side incidents and activities that take
place. It is particularly interesting to one who seldom attend;; court, a]
newspaperman accustomed to attending many courts and taking the'
attendant activity for granted does not notice these things as does a
spectator to whom the court and its grind are something new and un
usual. And it would be surprising to know, we imagine, how many
people there are in Shelby and Cleveland county who have never at
tended court or have done so only a few times.. Occasionally school
classes are taken to the courtroom for observation and It is entertaining,
later, to hear them tell about it.
Among other things, the average spectator at court would be amused
at the number of people wrho put their left hand on the Bible when
being sworn. Right often Deputy Jerry Runyan, Deputy Gus Jolly, or
whatever officer is acting as court officer, must tell them to use their
right hand.
On the first day of court all the lawyers rush up to shake hand.
and greet the presiding Judge with the latest Joke or some humorous
comment. Of course, they are glad to see him. No one doubts that, but
maybe, too, some spectator wonders if the barristers are not trying to
stand in. But they don't fool the Judge. Not Judge Moore, for he’s a
wise old fellow about human nature; nor any of the others. The Judges
are glad, also, to see the lawyers, but when the court starts grinding
business is business.
THESE LAWYERS
A little blonde-haired girl draw* out the names of the grand Jurors,
pulling the slips from Sheriff Allen's hat (Sheriff hasn't as many teeth
as he had a few weeks ago. Noticed that?) Then the judge charges
the Jury, and court is underway.
The lawyers not engaged In the opening case:, find various methods
of amusing themselves. Practically all of them imaybe their wives will
not chance upon this in reading today's pai>er> find time to advance
smilingly and shake hands with the court stenographer. She's not hard
on the eyes- and has, well, uh! brown eyes herself. Pat McBrayer,
while waiting for his cases, grabs a pencil, or pen, and a piece of paper
and begins drawing cartoons. He's pretty good at it. Right olten lie
sketches a cartoon of the presiding judge, but we've seen none so fur
of Judge Moore. The boys do not play with him very much. He can
wade through oratorical camouflage and grandstand sobbing and find
out mighty quick what there is tp a man, raid he's far bigger-hearted
than a chance onlooker might think when he's letting a convicted de
fendant have It, but In the court room he is a dignified serious jurist
who doesn't believe in too much tomfoolery. But Pat’ll draw somebody's
picture nearly every day. And Cleve Gardner usually writes, a flour
ishing Spencerian style, on any handy piece of paper. Peyton McSwaln,
candidating for attorney general, sits around and chews an unllghtcdj
cigar while waiting his turn. Judge B. T. Palls divides his time between
looking over the spectators and the jurors. Clyde Hoey sits as If in
deep study (and, who knows, perhaps he is?), tapping his teeth with
the ends of his fingers. Jim Cline is usually there, down from Fallston
D. Z. Newton. Henry Edwards, Horace Kennedy, and J. K, Davis are
seldom In court when they do not have a case underway. Few people
have every seen Bob Ryburn (imagine calling the dean of the barristers
by his first name) in court. Bynum Weathers busies himself taking
papers and documents out of his pocket and looking at them. Joe
Whisnant mulls about, maybe looking for a new joke, and John Mull
displays no Idiosyncrasies to speak of. Recorder Maurice Weathers and
Solicitor Speight Beam Just look on, and perhaps they compare it with
their court. It's a great bunch, these lawyers. They get so hot in some
of their arguments that some onlookers may expect them to fight, but
two minutes later they'll be out in an anteroom borrowing a chew or
smoke from each other. Solicitor Spurgeon Spurling lias a hard tinr
of it. He cannot get away from the prosecution table for a minute's
breathing spell unless a friend or relative of some defendant button
holes him and pleads for the defendant. And tills native Cleveland
county solicitor Is a smooth product. He never barters or promises away
the prosecution, but he has a gentle manner of refusing that leaves the
petitioner In a good humor. That quality is born in a man but needs
extensive cultivation.
* » * •
THE CLERKS
There are other sights, too.
Clerk Ton Hamrick and Depuiy Clerk Charlie Woodson have a job
of keeping up with the grist the court grind turns out. They keep rigid
up with It, too. Judge Moore seldom offers a reprimand, but one will
suffice any day. Yet court clerks and officials can hark back to the
days when all court attendants shook in their shoes when Judge Bin
Long came to town. That old fellow ran his court and kept everybody
on the run while running It.
• • • »
STUDY JURORS
It is absorbing to watch the lawyers studying the faces of the Jurors.
They are wondering if any man on it has any reason for having it in
for their client. They generally ask around, if they do not know a.I
the jurors, to find out how the unknown Jurors feed about this and that
—drinking, writing yo-yo checks, etc.
Jurors for the most part take their work seriously. A study of then
faces shows that. They come from all sections of the county and to
some of them serving as a Juror is a new experience; to others it is not.
But they all listen attentively, and it is not very often. If ever, that
anyone can say 11 Cleveland county men. good and true, did not do their
duty as they saw it.
• « • •
PRISONERS. SPECTATORS
A study of the prisoners and the spectators, among whom are rela
tives and friends of many prisoners, is more engaging. In the eyes of
some defendants can be seen repentance and shame, although that look.
is on occasions skilful acting by men who have been up for the rap be
fore. Others are sullen and stoical, and still others are defiant. Usually
they are the tough birds—the hardened criminals
A feminine prisoner always gets close scrutiny. Let one take tire
stand and the entire court room (particularly the men. the curious
mortals) slips to the edge of the seats and crane necks to give her the
once-over. If she's a pretty good looker, it is a steady stare. A bad
woman, or one that appears bad. despite the fart that some say they
are increasing, is always an oddity, something to be siared at like a
freak in a sideshow. But human nature is human nature in men. And
back in the crowds always is some poor, heart-broken mother, regret
ting. likely, that she ever lived to see the day that one of her own would
be a felon before the bar of Justice. There, too, are young Wives, with
tear-streaks below their eyes, and in their arms babies who are not old
enough to realize what the mother silently weeps about. And there are
brothers, sisters and uncles. It is a tribute to blood how kin will stick
to each other in time of trouble. And, often, it is pathetic how the
relatives of a defendant will look appealingly at the defendant's lawyer
when the State scores in the evidence. They somehow hope that the
shrewd lawyer has a comeback, that he can of Let that damaging testi-1
mony or slip. When the evidence is in, they drmk in every word the,
attorney says to the court and to the jury. To many people, who attend i
court often, it is Just another barrage of eloquence and words, but to j
the defendant and his relatives it is a serious and important talk. Toi
them, seeing it and feeling it from the same angle as does the barrister.
I?, is a moving speech, a Just speech, and one that will stirelv bring ac-1
k
quintal. But, frequently, the Judge and the Jurors have heard sutb
speeches before, and, what's more, they've heard the evidence and ever,
defendant cannot be freed They all have .or have had mothers. Me.-.'
ol them have wives and other close h it lives. The court, looking at the
plea with Impartial eyes, wonders why the defendant did not think of
those close relatives at the time of the crime.
There are times when some witness on the.stand t< amusing, when
some incident brings a chuckle from all. Including the judge on tl
tench. Perhaps these little interludes and interruption;, are welconu
because, alter all. the moving drama of the c >uvtrooiii Is a bit sad and
sordid. It is where- the scales of Justice even.up. It s the opposite f.;,|i>
of the pic in i" of gaiety, fart living, and the temporary high-hfc
tliat goes with taking it the cash , way. If you ve never sit in anti 1,
tened to a -mirt grind for a half day, and have the time to do so, it
would la vs II Worthwhile. It's the .side of the picture too many never
put th< ir eyes on
As for flic absence today m this corner of the usual type gymnastic
—.we spent an lesir or so m court trying .to get a news story,, and got
this.
5,000 HOMES RECEIVE THE S T A H
Every Other Day. That Means 20,000 intense
Readers. If you have something to sell, tell
these 20,000 People about it in these columns.
IJt’v. Mr, Washburn Prfarhf'. Mr
l-.slry (a hauls* Seriously
III.
■ Spcdal to the Star.)
Zion, Nov. 3. Our farmers are
: busy plowing, preparing to sow
mull grains lifter the fine rains.
Itev D. G. Washburn preached tc
!,tr:;e congregation Sunday, tak
‘ imr his text from First Corinthians,
the Kith chapter, second verse “Up
n the first day of the week let
very11no of you lay by him In store
■ as God hath prospered you.”
Mr. and Mrs. Loyd Hamrick pi
[Fah: ion were visitors at church
■ Sunday. Several of our teachers at
'ended the Sunday school meeting
n Falls ton Sunday.
Mrs. Claude Gettvs and children
of Hollis spent part of last week
with her parents Mr. and Mrs. G
: L, Cornwell.
| Messrs. Oscar Cabamss and Bill
i Grayson of Clover. S. C. were visl'
j ors in the county over the week
end.
Mrs. Clyde Gold visited her par
| < ills Mr. and Mrs. John Borders ol
I Shelby over the week-end.
j Miss Claudia Spencer of Eastern
S Carolina, principal of the Zion
' school lias returned to enter upo:
[ her duties.
Mr. Randolph Martin had as his
week-end guest, Mr. Victor, Martin
of Rutherfordton.
Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Spangler an 1
Children Of Double Shoals were din
ner guests Sunday of Mr. and Mr
T. P. Cabaniss.
Mr. and Mrs. W. I,* Simmons vis
j lied Mr. and Mrs. Laurel Hoyle
| Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Drew McCarter and
little daughter, Delates, of Gastonia
spent the week-end with Mr and
Mrs. J. W. Irvin.
Master Billy Horn had his ton 11
removed at the Shelby hospital las*
week.
Miss Callie Owens gave the young
[people a party Saturday evening.
Mrs. Esley Cabanlss remains ser
, iously ill at her home.
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Neal of Pat-1
tenon Springs visited in the corn-!
niumtj Sunday.
'Special to The Star.>
Earl, Nov. 3 —Mr. and Mrs. For
rest Turner announce the birth of
a son, Saturday, Oct. 31.
Mr. and Mrs. Odus Moore and
family of Laurinburg were dinner
guests Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. R. L
Wylie.
Mr. J. P. Jones is spending this
week in the Golden Va*ey town
ship.
Miss Thelma Earle left Thursday
for her school at Claremont.
Mr. and Mrs, Frank Hause had
as their guests Sunday Mr. and Mrs.
Baxter Daily and children, of Clin
ton, S. C.
Miss Grace Sarratt, of Walnut
.. M
Grove, S. C.. spent the week-end *
v. ith her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W
C. Sarratt.
Mrs. R. X,. Wylie Is Indisposed a'
this writing. Her many friends wish
for her a quick recovery.
The Chinese army was estimated,
in 1929, at 1,800,000 men and the
Japanese army at 210.880. However,
in the present clash you will see
how much good the Chinese army
is against Japan's modern navy.
Ansiher Find—•
LINDA
WATKINS
AS THE
“SOB SISTER”
WITH
James Dunn
Monday - Tuesday
CAROLINA
ONE OF THE GREATEST SALES
■ts-«*- •««>
WE HAVE TO GIVE THE BiGGEST BARGAINS BECAUSE
"o are going out of business—we must close out every item in stock. Prices ar<
ih; tiered. You bid—you buy—and save many dollars.. Don’t miss this great
opportunity to be thrifty.
TT
Price PrjBcei*;::
;/ Low
tiered
Going! Goin&laf Public
■Mm 'imA Vi
ausuifiBn
1
Everything Goes
At Your Own
Price!
Ivdroom Suites—laving Room Suites—
Dining Room Suites—Cox well ( hairs—
Reds—Dressers—9x12 Rugs—Odd Ta
I hies—Floor l amps—Odd Dining Tables
| —Inner Spring Feit and Cotton Mat
resses—Springs—Small Size Rugs —
, Ranges—Stoves.
Etc., Etc., Etc.—Not a single article ex;
.Inch'd from this sale!
Come! Tell Your Friesiii
The Most Sensational Event Ever Staged!
A COMPLETE SELL OUT TO THE BARE WALLS
Buy Now at Your Own Price
FREE!
TOMORROW
50 useful free Rifts to th.
first 50 ladies entering our1
store Thursday afternoon.
Paragon Furniture
COMPANY
Formerly On South LaFayette Street
Next To Kendall Medicine Co. Shelby, N. C.
FREE!
TONIGHT
A Genuine Inner Spline
Waitress. Something tal-!
liable at each auction as jat-{
tendance prizes.