Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-07-22
PLEADS FOR PRISONER
North Carolina Mountaineer Believes
Health Will be Benefited.


North Carolina Mountaineer Believes
Health Will be Benefited.
Thousands upon thousands Of shek
els have been expended by people in
these United States of America in at.
torney fees in an effort to side step
the portals Of penitentiaries, bastiles,
and other places Of Incarceration, re-
lates the Greensboro, (N. CO. News.
That much will doubtlessly go un-
challenged. But rare, indeed, is the
man who actually pleads with Hiz-
zoner to transport him to penitenti-
ary or any other other place for con-
fnement.
Luther Blaylock, the W. k. clerk of
the federal court for the western dis
trict of North Carolina, tells an egre-
gious tale and swears to its verify.
While Judge E. Yates. Webb was hold
| ing federal court in Wilkesboro not
long ago Jesse Black, resident of
the Harmon postoffice section, near
the Ashe- Wilkes boundary line, made
his entry Observation-Disclosures officer
escorted him-into the beautiful little
4 mountain town! Having been dep
uty marshal not many decades ago
Mr.. Blaylock knew Jesse Black. !,ss
well, Jesse. what. are you doing
down hcrc?" asked Mr.. Baylock.
"Oh, I'm into it now" replied Jesse
unregrettingly.
what seems to be the trouble?" in
terrogated the clerk.
I'm indicted-for moonshining. And
want to plead guilty and go to the
Atlanta prison"
Mr.. Blaylock was a bit nom -plussed.
He knew something of Jesse's career
he was an epileptic. He had no idea
the court would send Black to prison
even If he were guilty of Illicit dis
tillinG. The clerk was for forgetting
the affair. But Jesse was lnslstent-
he was yearning for prison life.
In order to strengthen the case-not
for liberty but for detention-Jesse
Black unfolded a story which con-
vinccd Mr.. Blaylock that the man was
sincere in his stand. His story to the
federal clerk reads about as follows:
"WelI, you see Herbert Darnell once
was sent to Atlanta prison for, moon
shining. When he went he had throat
trouble. He had spent everything he
had in doctor bills and he never I'M
provcd. After entering the Atlanta
prison he was put under the care OF
doctor. After serving his term he re-
turned home a we'll man; as well as
any man. He said he wouldn't take
81 900 for his trip. They had cured
him without charge and If he hadn't
gone he probably wouldn't have ever
been cured and he was spending all
his money on doctor bills.
az have spent everything I ever
made on my health. I'm no better
My folks will get along just as WE'LL II
not better, without me. They might
fix me up in that Atlanta prison.! 80
I want to take a chance.
Darnell, accordin, 10 Mr.. Blaylock,
when he was sentenced pleaded for
mercy on the ground that he. was
sick man, suffering with a chronic
throat trouble. But the law took It's
course.
At any rate Mr.. Blaylock went TO
Judge Webb and told him there was
a man in court who wanted to plead
ruilty of illicit distilling and was very
anxious TO make the journey to Attain
tn. The judge, naturally enough, was
surprised. FIe had heard many man
cry for mercy when a prison sentence
was being announced. but seldom II
ever, had he heard Of a man actually
pleading for. the comforts of penl-
tcntiary.
Jesse appeared before the Judge anu
narrated his story. AS result nc
drew n sentence Of one year and one
day. He is at present serving his sem
tcnce in the famous Georgia pcn-ior
his health!
There is probably more philosophy
Than penitcncc in Jesse Blacks act.