The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1896-08-20
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SAYS HE WAS DRUNK.
Chas. Woodhouse Hired a Horse ana
Sold Him.

chas. Woodhouse Hired Horse ana
Sold Him.
Charles Woodhouse of WILLIAMSON
came to Mr.. j. M. Morrisett's stables
on Saturday, August 9th, and wished to
hire horse end buggy. For some
cause Mr.. Morrisette did not rent him
the horse and buggy. Woodhouse went
to Mr.. John Gray, gave his name as
johnson, and said he wished to hire a
horse and buggy and would call for him
at an early hour next morning. He
said he was doing business for the SUI
folk Lumber Company, and wished to
go below Palmyra to look after some
business. Mr.. Gray rented him the
horse and buggy with the understand
ing that he would return them Monday
evening. Sunday morning at the ap-
pointed hour, Woodhouse, alias John
son, went to the stables, and the boy
who was working for Mr.. Gray let him
have the horse and buggy according to
Mr.. Gray's instructions the night be-
fore.
The horse and buggy were not re-
turned Monday, and Tuesday evening
Mr.. Gray began to make some inquiry
about them. He wired to several
points. His first news was from Will
liamston Friday morning by officer
Ward who wired that Woodhouse left
that place on the train that morning.
Mr.. B. F. Gray, brother and partner
of Mr.. John Gray, went to Washing
ton Friday night, having heard that
the horse was there. He found the
horse in the possession of Mr.. J. G..
Griffin, who had bought the horse
from Woodhouse day or two before
for $425O. Griffin knew Woodhouse
personally and thought the horse was
his. Mr.. Gray says that Griffin said he
hesitated little, and offered Wood
house $40, and the latter said he would
let the horse lie and die before he
would take less than $42.5O. The horse
was then down and could not get UP.
Woodhouse's refusing to take less than
$3.50 dismissed Gritfin's suspicion,
and he paid the amount, knowing that
if the horse should die the buggy and
harness we're worth the money.
Woodhouse, 1t seems, after selling
the horse came back to Williamson,
and on Friday morning he left on the
train as officer Ward wired. He left
the train at Parmele and walked back
to Everett's that day, was arrested there
by policeman and brought to Par
mele. Saturday morning Woodhouse
was taken to Washington and Mr.. B.
F. Gray was told that he would be
brought to Scotland Neck Monday.
Monday morning Woodhouse did
not come from Washington, but Mr.
Gray received letter from Mr.. Grit
fin, the man who purchased the horse
from Woodhouse In Washington, say
ing that Woodhouse's father-ln-law
went to him and told him that if be
would withdraw the warrant against
Woodhouse he would pay the money
back to him (Griffin). Griffin agreed
to do it, thinking that the sheriff
could hold Woodhouse on the warrant
that was at first Issued against him in
Scotland Neck by Mayor Perry.
The sheriff was informed that he
could not hold Woodhouse on Mayor
Perry's warrant for the want OF proper
endorsement, so he was released ano
returned to Williamson Sunday o.
Monday last.
i Mr.. Gray was not satisfied with this
so he swore out warrant before May
or Perry charging Woodhouse will
stealing his horse and buggy and sen
, MIR. John Gray to Williamson Mon
, day night to arrest Woodhouse. Thu
warrant was endorsed by Justice Ewel
in Williamson and officer Ward arrest
ed Woodhouse, made Mr.. John Ora.
his deputy who brought the defendan
. to Scotland Neck Tuesday morning.
Mr.. Gray had employed Mr.. CLAUDE
| Kitchin, and upon hearing befor
, Mayor Perry Woodhouse asked TO
time to get some friends here and ask
ed that trial be postponed until Thurs
day 0o-day.) Mr.. Gray consente'
A and Mayor Perry gave Woodhouse tn
3 option of giving bond or going to tn
: lookup. Failing to give bond he wen
: to the lookup where he awaits trial tt
r day (Thursday) when he said hi
friends would be here. Woodhous
has a wife and children.
Mr.. Gray says Woodhouse claims b
:. was drunk and has no recollection
+ being id Scotland Neck nor OF sellln
e the horse. That the first thing /
l. knew after getting drunk he was on tt
4 hoat coming from EdentOn.