Category Archives: Crimes

Another Prisoner Escapes (1889)

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Clinton FLEMINGS, colored, who was committed to jail at this place for burglary on the 1st inst., broke out on Monday night at 12 o’clock and left for parts unknown, adding another to the list of criminals who have broke this house used as a jail.

What is the use of having Courts to convict men of crime if we have no place of confinement?  It is necessary that the county build a reliable jail so that when a prisoner is once within there is no chance for escape.

The old jail was but little service and when it was burned, about a year ago, instead of having a new and safe one built, the county only had the old walls repaired, making it but little better than none.  There is only one room in it that is any good and it is not safe.

We say if the county is in debt and not able to build, put up the tax and get the money to build a decent and safe jail, do not let such a trap be used any longer.

We are informed by the Deputy Sheriff that only one brick had to be removed before FLEMING was a free man.  Is such a prison fit to confine desperate men in, who are convicted of crime and placed there for punishment? – the answer must be no.

We ask the Commissioners to see to this at once, as it is important that we should have a safe jail.  Such a thing as we now have is a disgrace to the county.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 9 August 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

James Walker Charged with Assault (1889)

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James WALKER, charged with an assault upon Asa A. BOWEN with a deadly weapon, was arraigned before Justice ARMISTEAD on Wednesday last, at the Court House, who after hearing the evidence and views of Council bound the accused over for appearance at Superior Court.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 9 August 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

Theodore Council Arrested (1889)

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Theodore COUNCIL, the young man who killed his wife with “Rough on Rats” near Robersonville, Martin county, about two weeks ago, was arrested near his home on Friday last and committed to jail at Williamston to await trial.  He is trying to get acquitted on a plea of insanity, but if guilty of the crime he should be given the full penalty.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 9 August 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

Resurrected His Money (1885)

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A few days ago while Zeb PARKER, the negro convicted at the recent court at Waynesville for robbing Mr. Charlie SMATHERS‘ store at Pigeon Valley, and sentenced to work on the railroad, was being conveyed to the works, soon after passing Pigeon Valley he asked permission to go a short distance and get some money he had buried.  Supt. TROY, who was along, sent him, with a guard, and sure enough he resurrected $25 in silver, and several dollars in smaller pieces.

This Mr. SMATHERS also identified, but the negro claims it on the ground that having been convicted and undergoing punishment, he has absolved himself of any obligation to Mr. SMATHERS of a financial character and is entitled to all not taken from him at the time of capture or trial.  Like the negro once who, while going to be baptized stole an axe and hid it in the sand; and after baptism, said his sins were forgiven and the axe was his property.  Mr. SMATHERS will doubtless get his money.

The Asheville citizen. (Asheville, N.C.), 21 April 1885. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84020682/1885-04-21/ed-1/seq-1/>

Robbery in Davie County (1905)

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Winston-Salem, Oct. 16. — Robbers made a raid on the town of Advance, Davie county, Saturday night, but they went away with very little “boodle.” The depot and the stores of W.L. CALL and Co, W.C. WHITE & Co. and J.W. JONES were entered. The safe in the stores of Call & Company and White and company were rolled out of doors and the combination locks were blown off with dynamite. The proprietors had very little cash in the safes.

Source: Kinston Free Press, October 17, 1905

Arrest of a Murderer (1836)

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We learn from a friend at Selma, Alabama, that Thomas CURTIS, who murdered Thomas CASH in Anson county, in NC about the year 1823, and fled, has been apprehended in Alabama, and committed to jail in Mobile.  Judge GARROW, before whom he was examined, has informed the Governor of this state of the fact: and we learn from his Excellency that measures are now in train for causing CURTIS to be returned to this state for trial. 

 

Source: North-Carolina standard. (Raleigh, N.C.), 14 Jan. 1836. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85042147/1836-01-14/ed-1/seq-3/>

Henry WILLIAMS Tried at Newton (1880)

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Hickory Carolinian: Henry WILLIAMS, the negro who fatally cut Harrison KINDER (also colored) at this place on Saturday night, the 21st of August, from which wound he died on the following Wednesday, was tried at Newton last Friday and Saturday, found guilty and sentenced by Judge BENNETT to be hanged on Friday, the 22nd of October.  This, we believe, is the first murderer ever sentenced from Catawba Court, and will be the first hanging at our court house.

Source: Raleigh News and Observer, 15 September 1880. Page 3.

Peter Leach To Be Hanged (1880)

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Wilmington Review: Peter LEACH, who is sentenced to be hanged at Lumberton on the 24th inst., is of a murderous family.  One of the brothers has already suffered the death penalty and during the trial of Peter another brother slew his victim.  The second brother escaped, but Peter is now in jail so weak that he cannot stand up, and will be hanged lying down.

Source: Raleigh News and Observer, 15 September 1880. Page 3.