The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1910-07-07


goods from two O'Clock to sunse
when they had saloons, but you can
do it now. 1t breaks up everything
1t has ruined the State. When 4;
man wants to get drink of liquor
now, he has to buy gallon and gets
drunk. 1t used to be that when {
man wanted a drink, he could come
here, buy half a pint or pint, take
a drink or two and go about his
business. Oh, it has ruined the
State"
Sheriff Davis took issue with him
"Prohibition didn't hurt your bust
ness. Mr.. Powell. You don't attend
to it now as you used to. That's the
reason"
The old fellow Was now happy. He
was talking on his favorite text.
He was asked if he WASH a Republi-
can. Therein he showed his only
feeling. He wasn't. Il wasn't a
Democrat. much either" he added.
Il just voted the way they wanted
me to. Mr.. Paul Kitchin always
was on the right side and he told me
how to vote. Then | looked around
and saw what the people of Scotland
Neck wanted and helped to get it
for them.
"And now am going to the peni-
tertiary for thirty years. | wonder
what will they make me do, sheriff."
The sheriff couldn't tell him, but
said they would treat him right. He
doesn't want to keep books.
DAUGHTERS BREAK DOWN.
Though the old gentleman re-
ceived his sentence without emotion,
without change of countenance
even, their interview a few moments
was most affecting 1t moved him
also. They sat in the vestibule half
an hour with him, the first time
that they had spoken during the
trial. The seventy year old father
wept audibly, by sobs and silently.
Then he listened to them. The men
present were moved, Sheriff Davis
declaring it hard to hold himself
within the bounds that mark the
stout hearted officer from the tender
layman.
From there he went to jail-pre-
pared to embark upon the first Raj
eigh train. 1t was in this place that
the newspaper man had the first
talk with him. Again there was op-
portunity when the train stopped at
Warren Plains old man Banjo Rob-
ertson, who has picked up fame
from the banjo strings all the way
from New Orleans to Louisvill, play
ed to Powell and he danced himself
down. Sheriff Davis had to stop
him.
PRISONER TALKS ON WAY TO RALEIGH.
On the way to Raleigh the priso-
ner was interviewed. He was asked
about Billy Be Damned, Congress-
man Claude Kitchin's horse, now
famous. The animal belonged to
Powell but Claude Kitchin resurec-
ted him. eyes, | owned Billy" the
prisoner admitted. THAT was long
ago. He could trot it in three and
half and | could pass everybody"
He told about decorating his dog.
He liked to dress him up daily. He
couldn't give much reason. He ad-
mitted also going often to the grave
of his son. Il seemed to be able to
see everybody's spirit but his" he
explained. Il tried to get lots of the
Scotland Neck people to go with me,
but they didn't have the nerve l
went there often at night"
At one time he unused upon his
sentence. eff | could get the paper
from home, | wouldn't mind it.
Can't you have them send it to me?
l don't want to go away" and the
old man cried pittifully. 1t didn't
last a second, though and he added,
'But it don't make any difference; |
amt going to live more than thirty
or forty days." He had to be con-
soled again weeping uncontroilably.
POWELL AS A WIT.
The sheriff and your correspondent
didn't tarry much longer in the Jail.
But en- ronte the old fellow, with
malice towards none, entertained
everybody on the train and he asked
that the newspaper men thank Miss
Tannehill and Mrs. Graham for their
kindness to him in Warrenton. They
are all that he can remember from
among the many that he received
ministrations from. Il reckon |
would have been dead if | had eat
all that they sent me- he said, and
he was happy over their kindness.
81 never knew what it was to get
L