Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1954-07-14
State Board

NSontlnued from Page II
took the stand and stated that they
had driven from Norfolk on the
day of election in order to vote
and had presented themselves at
the courthouse at 500 p. m.
Il looked al my watch as we
walked up the steps of the court
house and told Titus that il was
6:29 and we had better hurry. We
stopped inside the courthouse and
chatted with a few friends for a
moment then PRESENTED ourselves
at the booths" testified Mrs. Will
hanson.
She admitted that there was
some conversation among officials
as 10 whether OF not they should
be permitted to vote but denied
that A. E. Powell. Jr. was the one
who gave the authorization.
Mr.. Williamson stated that Elmo
Powell, Jr. was not the person who
authorized their voting but said
that someone" turned to another
individual and asked if it would
be proper for the WilliamSons to
vote. The advice to lei them vote
came from J. X. Powell who was
standing near the desk. testimony
said.
He stated that they were not the
last ones to vote since he had OBJ
served another couple voting after
they did.
Il only gave advice as a private
citizen and told them that I felt
if they were in time they should
have the privilege of voting" of
fered j. K. Powell when Mr.. Will
Hanson concluded his testimony.
/ j. x. Powell was not officially
connected in any capacity will
the voting during the May 30 pri-
/ mary.
After the noon recess, attorneys
Tor Elmo Powell, Jr.. read an end
less string of affidavits stating
that Mr.. Powell had always con-
/ Quoted fair elections in Columbus
/ County and that they had never
( heard of any irregularities of any
complaints.
Affidavits were entered as owl
dence that Mr.. Ward had refused
to register Indians because of their
race. None of the Indians testified
to this effect.
j. Walter Hooks, Irving Cook.
c. d. Pickrell and Willard Higgins
said in an affidavit that Mr.. and
Mrs. Titus Williamson had pre-
scented themselves before the polls
were closed.
witnesses who testified that
they had never heard of any ir-
Irregularities in Columbus County
Elections and had always known
Emo Powell, Jr., to be of fine
nlgnest character included H. I,
Lyon, retired congressman: r. 7
Lamp, State Department of Reeve
nue. employee; w. S. Higgins, H.
~. Stanley. former sheriff of Co.
iumous County. and w. B. Cole
man, former Chief of Police nj
Whiteville. vi
Other witnesses sworn in nv
fowelFs attorneys but not called
on TO testify included Everett
Miiier, Kenny Jordan, and Tom
inman OF Tabor City. Recording TO
information received by The Tri-
bune, these men were not consult
ed prior to being subpoenaed 70
appear at the hearing.
Mrs. Polly Geddie of Whiteyille
stated that she went with a person
10 show him the registrars room in
Precinct No. but that the regis
ira: Mrs. Meyers. was not ttere,
In making his appearance on
the stand, A. Elmo Powell. Jr.
stated that 81 have never ordered
any registrar to put anyone on
books because I did not have the
authority"
Powell refused to state whether
or not he had told Mr.. Ward of
Bolton that he had called Raleigh
and they said IL was all right to
register them" No emphasis was
placed on this hedging.
After attorneys for Powell stat
ed that they had presented all the