The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1921-04-01
WINDER CASE PROMISES
STARTLING REVELATIONS
Winder Protests His Innocence But The THINGS
of Which He Stands Accused Are Not
New To Local Gossip and Others
Names Are Mentioned

L. L. Winder, a prominent rea
estate man of this city, is unde
a bond of $1,000 for appearance,
at a preliminary hearing in tn,
Recorders Court of this city OF
Monday, April II. The prosecut
ing witnesses are girls under l!
wears Of age. The arrest of Win.
der on Monday of this week ere.
ated a sensation. 1t is believed
that there will be other sensa-
tions before the case is conclu-
ded.
In the arrest of Mr.. Winder Elizabeth
City is having its eyes opened to con-
ditions which this newspaper pointed out
more than a year ago. L. L. Winder is
charged with assault with intent to COM
nit rape on Irene Woodard, the 15-year-
old daughter of Capt. W. W. Woodard
of this city. He is charged with having
carnal knowledge with Hattie Pickett,
13-year-old daughter of Mrs. Will
Pickett of this city. He is charged
also with the common crime of prosti-
tuition. The more serious charges are
felonies for which severe penalties may
be meted out.
Winder was forewarned of his arrest
and had employed counsel early Mon
day morning, retaining Meekins & Nc
MuIIan, Thompson & Wilson and P. G.
Sawyer. He was in the Office of Messrs.
Meekins & Mcmillan when arrested.
He was placed under a bond of 81, 900
for his appearance Tuesday morning, but
his attorneys wanted the case postponed
and Monday April II was fixed as the
time for the preliminary hearing. His
bond was increased to $1,000.
This case promises to reveal astound-
ing facts about the immoral life of others
in this community. Out of it will like
Iy come startling facts about the dan
gerous conditions surrounding the young
girl life of the town.
The crimes of which L. L. Winder
stand accused were, it is alleged COM
Iaitted in his Offices in the Hinton Build
ing. 1t is notorious that the upper
floors of that big Office building have
been the rendezvous of many young girls
in short skirts. One sees on the desks
of some occupying Offices in that build
ing tempting displays of fruit, candy
and peanuts, carelessly laid out. 1t is
said that little girls are made presents
of these things and certain men give
them picture show money as well. Lit
tie girls are encouraged to come around
and be friendly. What follows? For
one thing, the arrest of L. L. Winder
on serious charges has followed.
The public might have remained in
ignorance of facts about such immoral
conditions but for a busy-body by the
name of E. E. Clark. Clark has room
in the Hinton Building and is suppos-
ed to do typewriter work. But unknown
to many he is also custodian of the Hin |
ton building.
Next door to the Office of L. l.. Win
der is a suite of rooms occupied until
about three weeks ago by George B. !
Matthew's an artist There is a closed
door between the Matthews and the Win |
DIR Offices. But doors have cracks and
toy-holes and acoustic properties. Clark
visited much in Matthews Office and US
ii that closed door to peep in on Win
der. He says he saw L. L. Winder at
t-.4rt assault upon the little Woodard |
@:@I and that he desisted only when she |
t.s-.utaned to scream. Clark says Mr..
Matthew'S witnessed the same incident.
Thru a Hole in The Door
-.Jout three weeks ago Matthews re-
moved to Richmond, Va. and turned the
Icy TO his Office over to Clark. Clark
Joe-d a fole in the door that closed on
N:ndcr's office. Here from day to day
Clark would make observations. Last
Saturday Clark says he saw Winder clo-
~ated with the little Puckett girl. He
raiIed in Dr. VIM. Parker, a dentist who
has Offices on the same floor. DR.. Park
or didn't know what he was getting in
- but it sounded interesting. He ac-
cepted Clark's invitation and looked in
on Winder The next thing DR.. Park
r knew he had been subpoenaed as
witness in the case which charges WIN
der with having carnal knowledge OF a
child. over 12 years of age and under
Il. The Puckett girl is Is years old.
Willie no one is supposed to know the
evidence that will be given, some idea OF
tx weight may 'be deducted from the
fact that Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer
asked for bond of $1,000 after exam
lining all the witnesses in the case. Geo.
=. Matthews, the artist will come from
richmond to testify.
Z. L. Winder is 81 years old and has
been prominent in real estate activities
ia this city for many years. He has an
AxcelIent family, all held in highest es-
to"m and Mr. Winder himself has been
regarded as a good citizen,
the there have been many whispers OF
his marked friendliness with immature
girls.
Mr.. Winder was at one time mem
Dor of the Board of Grader School
Trustees. One of his most conspicuous
acts as a member of that board was to
tsopose an increase of salary for one
Continued on Page 81