Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1915-10-13
Net 0 Blocka1er in Fed al Court
"0|d Man" Owe frsIey Of StanIy En-
gagged Judge B9yd In Conversation.

|
v;d Fraley of Sssply. pretty we'll
known throughont this SECTION:
| 'Old Man" Dave FraIey Of
Stanly County was one Of the pic.
tureeque characters here last week
upon enforced attendance Gu Fed
eral Court. "Old Man Fraley is
4 blockader Of renown aud typo
that is fast disappearing in this
day Of advanced civilization. He
is tall and lauky, wears a heavy
suit of short whiskers On his face
and Is q typical backwoods cou =
trSman. The fact thpt he is hard
of hearing only adds t, the
uniquensss of his demeanor.
But to begin at the beginning,
At a term of court some time
back cod Man" Fraley was
charged with illicit distIllipg,
found guilty and fined 800.
Judge Boyd, who passed senteuce
on him, required as Is usual in
such cases. that he appear at a
subsequent term of court and show
his good behavior in the interim
Now "Old Man" Fraley, who does
| not care much about the law and
the courts, paid no attention at
all to this order and consequently
never showed up. Thereupon the
officers we're instructed to be Oh
the lookout for him and a capias
was issued. Deputy Marshall
McKensie of Salisbury was en-
trusted with the execution of the
paper and after a long search
finally captured the old man in
the wo ds with Winchester rife
across his shoulder. Ooly this
achievement on the part of Dep.
.uty Marshal McKsrzie accounts
!. :or "Oid Man" Fraley's presence
in ocurt hsre this week
When the clerk oafied out
"Dave" Fraley's name, the old
man appeared to be very deaf aud
the call had to be repeated before
he would arise. He then lifted
himself out of his seat in the rear
of she room and stocd without q
qulver or q word while Judge
Boyd was addressing him.
"Well, you are here at last. Mr..
Fraley," Judge Boyd remarked in
a loud tone.
This observation had been re-.
peated several times, to all Of
which the old man replied with
the exclamation, III sharp. rasp-
ing voice, "He, ?" Then Judge
Boyd ask d ''Y>u haven't fo:-
gotten how TO make blockade
liquor, have your" The court
room laughed, for all were ac-
quainted with ths old fellow and
his record. OF ours "Oid Mai"
Fraley did not hear shis.
Then 1t was that Judge Boyd
ordered the old man to approach
a little closer. Hs sbufh ID UP
and tock his stand directly in
front of the ben ,h with his hand
to bis ear and was calm a. d con-
tent as though he Were superb.
tending the operations of a big
| blockade still.
"Well, I've decided to let you
60 home," remarked Judge Boyd
after a few moments thought.
"Bnt I don't want to have you in
my court again nor do I want to
hear of you. Settle down and live
peaceful and law.abidlng. That
will do. :"
As might have !been expected
with these words "Old Man" Fra
Icy recovered his hearing in an in.
slant. He heard what Judge
Boyd had said and stepping brisk.
ly forward, extended his large
hand, which Judge Boyd took.
Shake" remarked be. "And
Judge, if I can ever return the ia.
vor, call on me-" "Old Man.
Fraley evidently regarded Judge
Boyd's clemenoy ss a personal
favor.
"All you can do for me-" re-
piled Judge Boyd, sis to wish me
WE'LL"
With this the old man, who
made picturesque figure in the
center of the big and crowded
court room the old man whose
past has been enc of notable
achievement in blockading circle.
and the hero of many a fight With
revenue officers. stepped back sew.