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Looking for 'a piece of history'Feb 11, 2013 (The Star - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The photos of 14 men who once served as sheriff of Cleveland County line the wall above Millie Snyder's desk in the Cleveland County Sheriff's office. But another 12 are missing from the display. Snyder and Sheriff Alan Norman want to find their photos. "It's a piece of history that we are missing, and we would love to have them," said Snyder, the sheriff's administrative assistant. "I feel like there are family members who have passed down the pictures." Norman said he wants to honor the men who have served Cleveland County as sheriff and would also like to add photos of the three deputy sheriffs who were killed in the line of duty. "I've always been a history buff, even before I came to the sheriff's office," he said. "When I worked in Charlotte it was interesting to go back and look at those who served. These men need to be recognized in some way." The earliest photo in the current display is Ben F. Logan, who was sheriff from 1870-1880. He is a stern-looking man, who looks like he would have upheld the law with a firm hand. Some of the other men look more like lawyers, bankers and doctors, said Snyder, pointing out some of her favorite photos. "Hugh Logan looks like such a nice man," she said. "And Haywood Allen was such a gentleman. When I was 9 or 10, he would come in the beauty shop his daughter had. I would see him would have never dreamed I would be working the the sheriff's office for 30 years. I started with Buddy McKinney." Since they started looking for photos, Snyder has found a couple through Destination Cleveland County and one was in a book at the county manager's office. But she would still like to see if there are any photos that family members may have. "We will be responsible for getting copies made for our display," she said. "Sheriff Norman wants to leave this as a legacy." Reach Jackie Bridges at 704-669-3337. Missing photos The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office is looking for photographs of the following men who once served as sheriff. They are also looking for photos of the three deputy sheriffs who gave their lives in the line of duty. If you have a photo to share, call Millie Snyder at 704-484-4817. Sherriffs Charles Blanton, 1841- August 1848, Cleveland County was founded in 1841 and Blanton was appointed by the court Joseph Carroll, August 1848-August 1852, first sheriff elected by the people C.P. Wilkins, August 1852-August 1854, re-elected August 1854 but died before taking new term Ansel I. Hardin, Part of 1854, appointed to fill vacancy remainder of 1854 Christopher Grigg, February 1855-September 1858 George McSwain Green, 1858-1864 Martin C. Roberts, 1864-1866 A.V. Falls, 1866 John Z. Falls, August 1866-1868 D.D. Suttle, 1880-1882 M.N. Hamrick, 1884-1894 Albert Benjamin "Ab" Suttle, 1896-1908 Deputy sheriffs who were killed in the line of duty: 1931 -- Sanford Pruitt -- He was attempting to stop a car that was hauling non-tax paid liquor; the driver of the car ran over him 1933 -- E.W. Sanders -- He was shot in a gun battle with an inmate in the jail yard; the event was reported in The Shelby Star and witnessed by the wife of Sheriff Irvin Allen 1974 -- George Allen -- He was killed in a head-on collision with a semi truck while transporting a prisoner to the state prison in Raleigh ___ (c)2013 The Star (Shelby, N.C.) Visit The Star (Shelby, N.C.) at www.shelbystar.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |