Excerpted from the December 30, 1889 Creswell Letter:

Justice HOWELL had a case of assault and battery before him this morning, viz. Burton CRADDOCK vs. G.F. WOODLY.  The defendant asked for a continuance, for want of an attorney, hence the case was continued until the 25, of January next.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 3 January 1890.  Available online at digitalnc.org.