Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-06-01

proved to be true or fsise.
Yours very truly,
]. c. LEIGH.
Raleigh, May 14th, 1922.
Mr.. ]. C. Leigh,
Hamlet, N. C.
Dear Sir:
4 l acknowledge your letter Of May
18th with reference to charges made
against Mr.. C. C. Shores while Fed
eral Prohibition Agent.
Some time In May, 1920, the morn
ing paper OF Wilmington carried q
sensational news item, stating that
the United States Custom House Of
that city had been robbed of several
cases Of whiskev, and that an auto
mobile with Mr.. Shores license
number was seen leaving the Gus
tom House in the night time and
was watched until it crossed the
Cape Fear river.
AS soon as this report reached my
offiea, ] Immediately instructed Mr..
j. NV. Montague to proceed 70 VIII
mington and make thorough and
impartial investigation OF the
charges.
When Mr.. Montague first reached
Wilmington he called me over the
phone and stated, that the gossip
was being circulated by the Blind
Tiger Element that Mr.. Shores had
removed the liquor and disposed Of
it. He asked for assistance in the
investigation which was Immediate.
All given him.
Mr.. Montag,ie's final report, how
EVER, showed that there was not q
scintilla Of truth in the charges. The
facts brought in the final report was
as follows:
Mr.. Shores had seized large
quantity of liquor and had placed
it in the Custom House and tesc.
Rraphed me for instructions as to
lis disposition, and that ! had tele,
graphed him to destroy 1t iminedi
ateiy. The records in the Western
Union Office will show that he also
received a wire from his wife about
1850 b. m. stating that his mother
was very sick and not expected TO
live.
The report further showed that
Mr.. Shores hurriedly summoned
three respectable witnesses and went
| to the Custom House a little after
dusk, put the whiskey into his al-
tomobile, carried it to the outskirts
OF the city and destroyed it in the
presence of the same witnesses and
| then lie left the city for his home.
The facts were further brought
out that the newspaper story was
/ inspired by the lawless element OF
4 Wilmington, led by one A. B. West
4 who fled the city before Mr.. Monta.
que completed his investigation foi
the deliberate purpose OF destroying
4 the confidence of the law abiding
/ people in Mr.. Shores integrity, as
an officer.
Il az III w Cobl w & biiAfS WAASA.to ~
never been captured
Mr. Montagues report completely
exhonerating Mr.. Shores to the com
lplete satisfaction of the law-abidlne
people of Wilmington, me, as ms
superior officer and the Prohibition
Department OF the United States a.
| Washington,
In conclusion ! want to add per
senally that Mr.. Shores was esteem
Il cd by me and the Supervisor OF tht
Southern Division (which comprise:
the States of Virginia, North ant
1 South Carolina, Kentucky and Ten
nesseel as one Of the most capable
energetic, loyal and faithful Officer
in the employ Of the Division. Mr.
Shores displayed the greatest eour
lage IN tho discharged his duty ans
in any raid where danger was an
! ticipatad, regardless Of the section
whether II be far or near, his ser
lviees were always requested.
Time after time know he LETT NJ
family when they we're sick, i
assist Ills feIi6NE officers IN bEiHgIil
8 =7..zs. lao -. 4<. aha IHH NJ 8lsetzn&