POLICE DEPARTMENT HISTORY - page 4

J.D. Justice is again elected as Marshal on May 7th, 1903. The minutes read, "There being no other nomination, J.D. Justice was declared elected receiving the entire vote of the Board. Mr. Justice was sent for, sworn and entered upon his duties as the Marshal of the Town of Rutherfordton at 8:30 p.m."

NOTE: It is during this time period, that the Town starts to pay men titled as "Night Watchman." Before this, the Marshal and Assistant Marshal's worked days and nights. Their duties and other obligations required of them by the Town Commissioners started to suffer, so the Town decided to give them some relief by hiring a person to "free them up" so they could focus on their duties. The first man recorded in the Town Minutes, as working part-time paid "Night Watchman," is G.L. Wilson.

NOTE: On January 4th, 1907 the Town of Rutherfordton is divided into two "Wards" by the Board. Ward One included the Court House and Ward Two included the Southern Depot. It is also the first recorded time that a "Police Force" is mentioned. The Board as recorded in the minutes state, "Resolved third, that a Police Force be kept in each Ward. The one for Ward Two to be stationed at the Southern Depot."

NOTE: The term "Chief of Police" is mentioned again in the minutes on April 17th, 1907. "No person shall be permitted to talk to any of said convicts except by the permission of the officer in charge and in his presence. Any person violating these rules shall be fined five dollars or imprisoned and worked on the streets for ten days. And any convict violating any o said rules or refusing to work or perform any other duty required of him by the officer in charge shall be punished by whipping by the said officer with the assistance of the Chief of Police."

NOTE: Henry Edwards on January 13th, 1908, is the first man selected by the Board, to be offered employment with the Town, as full-time "Night Watchman." His salary is set at $30.00 per month, but he refuses the job offer. Now they have to employ someone else. J.W. Edwards is the first man to accept the full-time employment as "Night Watchman" on April 21st, 1908.

W.C. Hardin on October 6th, 1908 is elected "Town Marshal and Tax Collector." Thomas Horton is appointed "Night Watchman or Policeman." His salary is $30.00 per month ($27.00 being paid by the Merchants in town and $3.00 being paid by the Town). C.E. Tanner is paid as Assistant Marshal. Marshal W.C. Hardin is again, on May 11th, 1909, nominated and elected "Chief of Police or Constable." Lines from his oath, "I will arrest all such persons as in my sight, shall ride or go armed offensively or shall commit or make any riot, affray or other breach of peace. I will do my best endeavor, upon complaint to me made, to apprehend all felons and rioters, or persons riotously assembled and if any such offender shall make resistance force, I will make hue and cry, and will pursue them according to law, and will faithfully and without delay execute and return all lawful precepts to me directed."