Two black prisoners were locked up in a Mecklenburg County jail cell in the 1930s.They were guilty of their crimes.
But the public agreed they did not deserve what happened then. Negligence at the jail caused their legs to freeze in their unheated cell. To save their lives, the legs had to be amputated.
One local Mason stepped forward to represent them in their plea for compensation. He was Arthur Goodman of Phalanx 31.
He fought the good fight and won freedom and a settlement that gave the two crippled prisoners something of a life again. Goodman became a three-term representative in the NC legislature. Founder of Charlotte’s first humane society. Early volunteer and pro bono (free) lawyer for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Founder of Temple Beth El.
Produced by the public relations committee of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Masons in North Carolina,
2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27628 MMVIII
Author/editor: Walter J. Klein wklein(at)carolina.rr.com
