Gerrod Leroy Miller

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This is an easy one.

Question

Would you put Charles White's name down for Judge of the North Carolina Superior Court? I'd like to be as sure as possible. I've arranged it so that both the original writing and the follow-up transcription will appear on the same page. It will give you some of the real history behind what happened right before Charles White went to court to try him.

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When Charles White arrived in Fayetteville on the noon train from Raleigh, there was a late lunch in the Town Hotel and the hotel bellboys were letting out paper menus. The clerks said they wasn’t any wizening and had never heard of Charles White. He walked into the hotel to eat then crossed the street and went to the Superior Court at 11:00 A.M.

From the outside the building looked like nothing was up here. Inside there were two rows of benches across from one side wall. Then 3 chairs in front of three opposite walls. Not much of a view.

Those who were seated in front of the bench said this was where they expected to see the Judge, Mr. Justice White. And vice versa.

Justice White was not known to most of the assembled. He was a quiet gentleman dressed in light gray sash.

He waited patiently till a private group of attorneys filed in. On the floor he sat for a moment then excused himself to go back to his private office.

The gentlemen seated in front of the other side of the room began to talk without notice. They all seemed to be old acquaintances. All were well-read and knowledgeable in their fields. One man brought up the subject of the trial and asked if he would care to explain it to others.

Justice White nodded his head and answered them then turned and went back to his chambers.

But those seated in front of the other side of the window could not quite hear his answer. The counsels spoke excitedly about the case until one man rose and said he could not continue. Justice White rose to his feet with a faint smile on his face.

Then followed a discussion of the proceedings.