Aug. 15, 2006
 
100 Years Ago Today
 
Compiled by Brandon Woolum
Huntington News Network Writer
 
Huntington, WV (HNN)--- The preliminary hearing of Noah Bradford, charged with attempting criminal assault on a young white girl in this city, Wednesday night, was held before Justice Hutchinson in the court room at the city hall, yesterday afternoon. Long before the hour set for the hearing to begin, the court room was crowded to suffocation and scores of persons were unable to gain admittance even to the aisles. The trial was prolonged, and a large number of witnesses were examined.
 
Testimony was adduced which showed that Bradford had been guilty of conduct of the most reprehensible character. His dismissal, which followed the taking of voluminous evidence, was based more upon a mere legal technicality than upon any belief that he was guilt free.
 
It was shown that on three different occasions Bradford’s behavior toward young white girls was of the most revolting and insulting nature. The evidence clearly established the fact that he is unfit to be at large, and that while he is at large the community is in danger.
 
There was much indignation expressed among many who witnessed the trial that Bradford should be allowed to go free. Among the cooler and most conservative element, however, the blame for this was laid upon a weak point in the law, rather than upon any one connected with its administration.
 
A sensational feature which followed the hearing occurred at the entrance to the city hall on Ninth Street after leaving the court room. Sam Wright, father of the prosecuting witness attempted to wrest a gun from Policeman Fred Molter, it being his evident intention to shoot Bradford on the spot.
 
---The board of education of the city of Huntington has awarded the contracts for the erection of the two new school buildings recently advertised for J. W. Taylor, contractor on the Hotel Frederick Building and the Southern Bell Telephone Company’s building, secured the contract for both buildings. The buildings are to be alike in architecture and will cost the same amount. The contract price for the entire work was fixed at $13,945. The buildings, which are to be located at Eleventh Avenue and Seventeenth Street and Fourth Avenue and Twenty-eighth Street, are to be completed by December 1.
 
---Jackson, Mich – Domestic infelicity and jealousy drove Thomas Roach to shoot his wife, formerly Minnie Wells, this afternoon, in the street near her father’s home. Then he turned the revolver to his own head and died on the sidewalk nearby. The woman’s wounds are probably fatal.
 
---Failure of the city council to meet last night for the transaction of business was the source of a considerable disappointment to a large number of people who were interested in matters which were to have been taken up for consideration. When City Clerk Bloss called the roll, four members, Messrs, Coon, Smith,. Taylor and Williams responded.
 
There were quite a number of business men and attorneys who had important matters to present. In order to relieve the situation as far as possible, the council made a formal adjournment to meet again on next Monday night.
 
A statement was made by Mr. Coon relative to the bids submitted for the paving in certain sections of the city created great interest, and disclosed a state of affairs which may either necessitate a change of plans or the postponement of the work until another year. In the bids submitted for paving Sixth Avenue. Eleventh Street and other sections it was noticeable that in no case a contractor made an estimate for asphalt paving. It is said that the asphalt block manufacturer are so far overrun orders that they are growing wary of making contracts for immediate delivery for fear that they may not be able to fill all their obligations.
 
This will naturally affect the local situation so far as the demand for asphalt paving is concerned. Eleventh-Street property owners, for example, are unwilling to accept any other grade of paving. It was decided to re-advertise the work in question and investigate the situation fully before proceeding, must it is considered doubtful whether contractors will be able to make any further satisfactory contracts with the asphalt people this season. This will not affect contracts already made, and it may transpire that the situation may soon be so relieved that asphalt will become readily obtainable.