The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-08
But ITS LIFE is MODERN
Two Railroads Enter Here, and There
Are Two Bands.
PROSPECTS GOOD FOR A THIRD RoAL
Case of Mack Mcdowell Charged With Murder
and Incest A Unique Character With
Remarkable Genius for MANI
featuring the Ardent.
(Staff Correspondence
Rutherfordton, N. c., Sep

Rutherfordton, N c., Sept. Z.
The first week of the September term
Of Rutherford Superior Court concludes
with this evening. The criminal docket,
in the language of Solicitor Spainhour,
has been fair. Only one capital case on
the docket which was given a hearing to-
day and is not finished as | write. 1t is
an action for murder, State against Mack
Mcdowell, colored charged with the kill
ing of his % year old son, Jake Mellow
ell. 1t seems that Mack Mcdowell, the
father, had been living in adultery with
his three daughters and became jealous
of Jake, his son, whose actions were OF
suspicious character. Members of the
old mans family testified against him.
This is the home of the presiding Judge,
NJ. H. Justice. The fraternity and public
generally speak in terms of praise of his
rulings and are specially complimentary
upon his charge to the grand jury. An
incident of the court was a non-suit in
which e. j. Justice, a son of the judge,
figured as an attorney. The residence
OF Judge Justice rests upon one OF the
numerous hills here, mile distant and
}, is remarkable that he climbs back and
forth the distance daily for his dinner,
Just as of old, said a country admirer.
AS ! drove in town from the depot l
met a unique character astride a horse,
"dikcd" out in the old time beaver hat
1t was none other than Uncle
Amos Owens, noted moonshin-
er of varied experience When con-
fined in the county Jail here he gave
himself no worry claiming his wife car
ried on the business making better corn
juice than ne could a sample quart be-
ing sent him weekly. While doing SER
vice in the prison at Albany it is sai0
that from the crust of corn bread saved
with the aid of tin coffee pot he start
cd forth run of liquor most exhirlat-
ing
Rutherfordton is quite a century and
quarter oil II was formerly two
miles removed from its present site, and
was known as Gilbertown, where first
courts were held This was some 11o
years ago Two years later, or 113 years
since the present town site was selected
the property being given by General
Rutherford, OF Revolutionary fame in
whose honor the town was named. The
county was originally Tryon, but was
changed because of Tryon's persecution
of the Regulators, to that of Rutherford.
AT the western terminus of the Sea-
board Air Line 70 miles west of Charlotte,
~ miles distant from Ashcgille, 80 miles
distant from Hendersonville; Is miles
distant from Chimney Rock, on several
hills, surrounded by mountains in every
direction, save to the South is picture
que Rutherfordton with its pure air. ex-
celIent water, salubrious climate so near
the iso-t thermal belt where frost is un
known The town has one principal
street dotted with commodious store
houses and many beautiful homes. Its l.,
500 population reside most on hills and
cnoveniert kDolls the whole, panoramic
scene of grandeur to challenge the eye of
the artist FAINTER. The view from Ruth
erfordton Institute which overlooks the
town to the northeast is one of entranc-
ing beauty. An interesting feature of the
Main street is the old court house with
it's colonial columns.
There are here some Is stores, Meth
odist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Episco-
pal churches-the last named at the foot
of Main street a stone building unique in
design with creeping vines clinging to its
rugged walls-a -four mill, a cotton mill,
furniture factory, and two sash, door
and blind manufacturing plants.
Besides there are two banking institu-
lions, The Commercial Bank of Ruther-
fordton of which Dr. T. B. Twitty is pres
ident, and J. T. Flack is cashier, was or
ganized May, 1900, and has a capital
stock and surplus of 81 eco with aver
age deposits amounting to 100000.
The Bank of Rutherfordton of which
Dr. F. Morrow, is president. Incorporated
in April, 1900, likewise has a capital
stock and surplus OF $11, 900, and has de-
clared within the year 6 per cent divi-
dend and set aside an per cent reserve.
Both institutions have fire proof vaults
and are equipped with Mosler time lock
triple movement The Bank OF Ruth
erfordton will open branch Institution
at Blacksburg, S. c. on October list.
To properly appreciate the advantage
Gus location of Rutherfordton a visr, is
not complete without the view to be1had
! from the observatory near the S. A. l..
| depot, when the eye in its reach gets a
view of the following mountains: South.
Cherry, Mitchell, Hog back. Tr-~al and
the far famed Blue Ridge. AS the Aloon
up in the distance the eye natnril 49,