The N.A.A.C.P.’s The Crisis covers the Independent School:
Volume 18, Number 1, May 1919.
Month: March 2016
The last will and testament of Dollison Powell. (Plus pre-nup.)
North Carolina, Wilson County.
I, DOLLISON POWELL, desiring to make disposition of my property in the event of my death, do make, declare and publish this last will and testament:
ITEM I. After my death, my children and my wife, if I have one living then, shall see to it that I am decently buried and see to it that all debts that I owe, including burial expenses are paid.
ITEM II. Whereas, there is a marriage contemplated to take place between me and one Julia Taylor, and desiring to make provision for her in the event said marriage takes place, and int he event she lives longer than I, I give unto the said Julia Taylor for her life,the lands which I now own, being about two and one-quarter (2 1/4) acres, which were sold unto me by S.H. Vick by deed dated November 19, 1908, which deed is recorded in Book 81, at page 406 Wilson County Registry. At her death, I give the said lands unto my son, Howard Powell. I give unto the said Julia Taylor, all the personal property which I may own at my death, to be by her used as long as she lives, and if, at her death there is any left, I give the same to my son, Howard. The provisions which I have herein made for Julia Taylor are not to take effect unless I shall marry her, and she shall be living at my death. The said provisions are made for her with the distinct understanding, as shown by her agreement, hereto attached, that she will take such provisions in full satisfaction of any and all rights by which she may have in and to my property after my death, either by way of dower, year’s support or otherwise.
ITEM III. I give to my son, Howard Powell, the land which I bought from Charles Battle, containing six (6) acres, more or less, and being the lands which were conveyed unto me by deed of Charles Battle, dated October 25, 1902, and recorded in Book 65, at page 174, Wilson County Registry.
ITEM IV. I convey unto my son Dossey Powell, about nine (9) acres of land which were sold to me by Edward Moore by deed dated February 21, 1901, and recorded in Book 58, at page 12, Wilson County Registry. I have borrowed for Dossey Powell about $1,000.00 and have given a mortgage to secure it on the lands which I have herein devised unto him. He is to be charged with the payment of this $1,000.00 and the lands which I have devised unto him is to be charged with the payment of this $1,000.00, such charge to be as an advancement against the said lands, and the lands which I have given to my son Howard, are not to be responsible for this money unless the land which I have given Dossy won’t sell for enough to pay it, after exhausting his own property which is mortgaged for the $1,000.00.
ITEM V. Any debts which I may owe at my death for doctor’s bills, funeral expenses or otherwise, are to be paid from the crops which may be on hand or any other personal property on hand.
ITEM VI. Except as herein provided in the event, I shall die while there is a crop being made, I want the crops on the lands to go the persons to whom the land is given.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of witnesses whose names are hereto subscribed as attesting witnesses, this July 26, 1916. Dollison (X) Powell {seal}
Signed, sealed and declared by the said Dollison Powell as his last Will and Testament, in our presence, and we at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other, have hereunto set out hands as attesting witnesses to the same, This July 26, 1916. /s/ H.G. Connor, F.W. Connor
NORTH CAROLINA, WILSON COUNTY.
I, Julia Taylor, hereby agree that in the event I shall marry Dollison Powell, and shall be living at his death, that I will accept the provisions made for me in the foregoing will, in full satisfaction of any and all rights which I may have in and to his property as his widow, whether by day of dower, year’s support or otherwise, and I hereby agree that the said provisions shall be considered as a marriage contract made between us for my benefit.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this the 26th day of July 1916. Julia (X) Taylor {seal}
Witnesses: H.G. Connor, F.W. Connor
——
In the 1850 census of Nash County: 47 year-old turpentine laborer Stephen Powell; wife Synthia, 36; and children Gray, 9, Queen Anne, 8, Dolly, 7, Crockett, 3, and Moab, 1.
In the 1860 census of Winsteads township, Nash County: 50 year-old Stephen Powell; wife Cyntha, 45; and children Gray, 21, Dollerson, 17, Queenanah, 13, Crocket, 12, Matchum, 10, and Frances, 8.
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: 60 year-old farmer Stephen Powell; wife Cinthia, 53; and children Dolison, 27, and Washington, 20; plus Julia Amerson, 15; Mary Taylor, 21; Louisa Powell, 5; and Charles Powell, 1.
On 2 January 1877, Dollison Powell, 34, married Sarah Simms, 30, in Wilson County.
In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Stephen Powell, 80; wife Cynthia, 60; sons Dollison, 37, Washington, 26, and [grandson?] Charles T., 10,; plus boarder Wilson Hagans, 65.
On 24 February 1882, Dollison Powell, 38, married Sallie Barefoot, 34, at the home of Waity Lynch in Wilson County. Ward Lynch witnessed.
In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Dolison Powell, 58; wife Sallie, 50; and children Dorsey, 15, Wiley, 13, and Howard, 12.
In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County, on Saratoga Road, Dolison Powell, 68, wife Sallie, 62, and son Wiley, 24. Son Howard Powell, 21, lived nearby with wife Geneva, 24, and children Savannah Lee, 19 months, and Sallie V., 1 month.
On 26 July 1916, Dollison Powell, 74, married Julia Taylor, 64, in Wilson County. Rev. B.P. Coward performed the ceremony.
In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County, on Saratoga Road, Dolison Powell, 78, and wife Julia, 67.
Dolison Powell died 23 December 1925.
His life is almost contemporaneous with the freedom of the race.
Arthur Bunyan Caldwell, History of the American Negro and His Institutions (1921).
Mack Coley assumed the principalship at the Colored Graded School the year after the boycott began. Turnover was high in the position, and he did not remain long.
Steam mill fatality.
Coroner’s Enquest over the dead body of Anthony Farmer (col) June the 27th 1866
State of North Carolina, Wilson County }
Be it remembered that on the 27th day of June 1866 one of the Coroners of Said County attended by a Jury of Good and Lawful Men viz Amos J. Battle Jno. B. Daniel Will Gay P.E. Hines Calvin Barnes J.H. Freeman Albert Farmer Seborne Farmer Grey Cobb William T. Taylor C.L. Parker & J.J. Lutts by me Sumoned for that purpose according to law, after being by me duly Sworn and empanelled at the Steam Saw mill of W.T. Taylor in the County aforesaid did hold an inquest over the dead body of Anthony Farmer (Freedman) and after inquiring into the facts and circumstances of the death of the deceased from a view of the corpse and all the testimony to be procured, the jury find as follows, that is to say, that The testimony of E.G. Hall & George Farmer Freedman states that the said deceased in steping on the broad butt of the said Steam Mill whilst working, was thrown so that the butt carried his head & shoulder under the large band iron which crushed his head & shoulder killing him instantly. /s/ A.J Battle, Calvin Barnes, W.M. Gay, P.E. Hines, J.H. Freeman, Ceborn Farmer, J.B. Daniel, Gray Cobb, W.T. Taylor, John J. Lutts, C.L. Parker, Albert Farmer. F.W. Taylor, Coroner, Pro.
Coroner’s Records, Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.
He was known at home as Barnes.
Documents from the pension application file of Eliza Taylor Maree Pitts, widow of Union army veteran Lawyer Maree of Wilson County:
Eliza was living in Issaquena County, Mississippi, when she applied. She noted that her late husband Lawyer Maree had served in Company F, 14th Regiment of the United States Colored Heavy Artillery, having enlisted in Morehead City, North Carolina, in February 1865. Eliza’s maiden name was Taylor, and she and Lawyer had married in Wilson County in October 1861. Lawyer died in 1884, and Eliza remarried in 1887.
The Record and Pension Division of the War Department searched its files to confirm Lawyer’s enlistment and to provide a physical description of the young soldier: age 28, 5’10”, black eyes and hair, dark complexion. However, his name did not appear on muster rolls during his period of service, nor did he have medical records.
An affidavit provided additional information. Most notably, Eliza stated that “Lawyer Maree was known at home as Lawyer Barnes but enlisted under name of Lawyer Maree.” No Marees appear in Wilson County records, but in the 1870 census of Black Creek township: 35 year-old farm laborer Lawyer Barnes, his wife Lizzie, 28, and probable mother Lucy Barnes, 70.
Eleven years later, Eliza was still trying. “I am unable to give you the exact date of the death of my husband Lawyer Maree,” she averred, “for the reason that I cannot write and could not set it down….”
Her claim was rejected in January 1906: “Claimant is unable to show cause of death, or that same originated in service and line of duty. There is no record of any disability, and no medical or other evidence to show soldier’s death [of malaria] due to service.”
File #599,297, Application of Eliza Pitts for Widow’s Pension, National Archives and Records Administration.
A lazy indolent virago.
Stantonsburg July 8 1867
Mr J F Allison
Sir, Yours of July 1 has been received for several days. I have delayed answering it to get all the particulars concerning Lenard Forbs & Serena‘s his wife case. I have inquired of both white and colored persons living on the farm and from the information that I can gather She left Lenard. I understand that she has been threatening leaving him for some time & she has not cooked or washed for him in some time although she lived in the same house with him. Lenard has been sick for a month & I understand that she would neither cook nor wash for him during his illness. I understand that she goes off at any time & stay sometime for a week without his knowledge or consent & the last time she went off & returned she swore that would never cook or wash for him again. Although Lenard tried to persuade her to go home and chore herself. I am personally acquainted with the dispositions of Lenard & Serena. Lenard is a good natured fellow & is willing to get along in any way without a fuss but Serina is a lazy indolent virago compounded with saltpeter & brimstones. She has not earnt ten dollars since she became free. Lenard has her clothes to perchase from store & Lenard has carried to his house this year 200 lbs N[illegible] Mess Pork 174 lbs G[illegible] pork & he raised a hog weighing 102 lbs & I understand that she has made way with all except one p[illegible] weighing (20 lbs) twenty pounds. She has been suspicious of caring his provisions off to other parties. I think Lenard would live with her again provided he could make her stay at home and attend to his domestic affairs & if you wish any more information conserning the case I will furnish you with all that I can or you can find out all about them from the Col men living on the farm which I will give you any information you may want &c. Hoping that this will give you the necessary information concerning this I remain yours truly J.B. Stallings
To Luit J.F. Allison, Goldsboro N.Car.
——
Junius B. Stallings, 39, farmer/physician, appears in the 1870 census in Stantonsburg township, Wilson County. Neither Lenard nor Serena Forte appears in the county.
Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices, 1863-1878 [database online], http://www.ancestry.com. Original documents in Records of Field Offices, State of North Carolina, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands 1865-1872 (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1909, Record Group 105, National Archives, Washington, D.C.)
Samuel H. Vick marker.
Wilson County Historical Association marker, 500 block of Green Street, dedicated in April 2013.
Sam Vick house, early 1900s.
The Sam Vick house today.
Harper Best heard from.
Wilson Daily Times, 10 March 1911.
——
In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, drayman Harper Best, 30, and his lodger “Methodist preacher” Franklin Bird, 24.
Harper Best, 33, married Rosa England, 18, on 22 September 1882 in Wilson.
Before the decade was out, the Bests migrated to California, and Harper Best appears in San Jose city directories as early as 1890 and at least as late as 1916.
1892 San Jose, California, city directory.
In 1890, he even registered to vote in San Jose:
Copy of the Great Register of Santa Clara County.
This is likely a 1901 Santa Clara death register entry for Best’s son, also named Harper Best and born in North Carolina in about 1882. Presumably, Rosa Best died before her son did:
Record of Deaths, Santa Clara County.
In the 1910 census of San Jose, Santa Clara County, California: 83 South First Street, 59 year-old Harper Best was lived alone. His occupation was porter in a dry goods store, and he was described as single.
The 10 March 1911 newspaper article above is not the only time Harper Best was featured in the Wilson Daily Times. On 7 May 1912, the Times printed a short letter with an accompanying clipping from a San Jose-area newspaper:
HARPER BEST BEST.
A Worthy Colored Man Who Left Wilson and Went West.
The following letter from Mr. J.M. Waterman, private secretary to Harper Best explains itself. Harper lived with Mr. Green for 13 years and is a worthy colored man.
Mr. G.D. Green, Wilson, N.C.
Dear Sir: —
Acting upon the suggestion of your friend, Harper Best, I am sending you a newspaper clipping cut from on of our principal papers, and you will note how popular Harper is out here in the “Wild and Wooly West.”
All matters in the notice are true, regarding his physical condition and [h]is insatiable appetite. He has a regular possum grin on his face at all time.
With best regards from Harper, and hoping to hear from you in the very near future, I am,
Yours respectfully, J.M. Waterman, Private Secretary to H.B.
Harper Best and Hear[t]beats.
Almost everyone in San Jose knows Harper Best, the old and trusted handy-man around the Arcade, who has held his position for about 24 years, and who at the age of 62 can still get around like a youngster. Harper is good-natured at all times, and a few hints to his many friends at this time will not be amiss on how to stay young and be happy. Harper is an epicure. Any time you meet him he begins to talk about something to eat. Chicken, young duck, ‘possum and sweet potatoes and so on. But the ‘possum seems to be his long suit and he claims that if you know how to cook it and put plenty of sweet potatoes in the roaster at the right time you will be able to stay young. If you should happen to pretend to doubt him on the age question he will pull a typewritten statement on you and prove his age to the heart beat. Here follows his age: 62 years, 744 months, 3224 weeks, 22,568 days, 541,632 hours, 32,497,920 minutes, and 1,949,875,200 heart beats. His next expression is this way: “Now, friend, you have the proof and if you want to stay young do what I do. Eat ‘possum and you can’t get old.”
And two years later, on 2 May 1914, the Times published this letter from Best himself:
Tribute from a Colored Man.
April 23, 1914.
Wilson Daily Times, Wilson N.C.
Gentlemen: — Kindly allow me space in your valuable paper to say: “Some years ago along about 1873 I came from Snowhill, Green County, to Wilson, your city. After a couple of years, I went to work with Palmer and Green, a hardware store. I stayed with Mr. Green and worked for him until 1888. Then in January, 1888, I made up my mind to start for California.
Owing to the fact that it was so far away in the West, I had not the money as usual. I was, however, [section missing] and on cold mornings I would build a fire up for him before he got up. One morning I said to him: “I am going to leave, Mr. Green.” He said, “Where are you going?” I replied that I was going to California and he inquired how I would get there. I said, “I will have to borrow the money from yo.” So it was arranged, and I got the money from him and started for California.
Since that time Mr. Green has been a dear friend of mine as well as all the time I was employed by him. It mattered not what come or went I could always depend on him. During the many years that I worked for him, I have seen the time where there were many people in the town and county that would come to Mr. Green for favors large and small. He always did what he could for them and gave them satisfaction. After I had come to California, Mr. Green settled some of my debts for me and sent me the bills. I sent him a check for the same and if there was a friend among whites or colored that upbuild Wilson, it as Mr. Green.
His brains was often required in the courthouse, and men of all classes would come to him for advice.
I find that Mr. Frank Barnes is on my mind at this time. He was on e of the leading men of the county. Also the Woodards, several of whose names I could mention. They were farmers in the country. Also Mr. Joshua Barnes was a well-known man.
After all many of these men that I remember have passed into the world beyond, but their memory will never be forgotten as long as Wilson remains a city.
I have many friends in the section of the country where I live, San Jose, California, and my life has been such that a very large majority of the people know me — and if they don’t know my name they know my face.
Now at this time, I am thinking very strongly of paying another visit to Wilson, during the summer and perhaps I will remain there for a few months. If any of my friends wish to come out to the exposition next year I want to say to them, “California is a very good country for health, but like all countries now, money is plentiful but work for young men is very scarce. With all their education they can’t get a decent job sometime. Gold is not like it used to be, nor is silver. It takes very hard pushing now for a man to get through who hasn’t any money, but if you have plenty of money, it goes very easily. But if you haven’t it, it is very hard pulling.
If any one wish to write me during the next sixty days he can do so. I will give them all the information I can about this community and section of the country. To my many friends in Wilson I will say that Wilson is dear to me. As I meet many North Carolinians from the Western and Eastern portion and I speak of the grand old state it makes me feel very proud of North Carolina. I know that there are men of very great brains and understanding and wisdom that were reared in North Carolina. As far as I can see there are no better educated men, white or colored, in any state in the Union.
I just give this little sketch to your readers. This is from an old friend. HARPER BEST.
Best appears to have returned to Wilson during or just after World War I. By 1920, he had joined his sister’s household at 330 South Spring Street: widowed Nannie Best, 61, her daughter Frank, 30, son Aaron, 21, and daughter-in-law Estelle, 19, and a lodger, nurse Henrietta Colvert, 24 [a Statesville native who was my great-great-aunt.] (N.B.: what appears to be the same 65 year-old Harper Best is also listed as a head of a household at 109 Wiggins Street that included his brothers Morris Best, 50, and Frank Best, 32; sister Estelle Best, 21; and son Orren Best, 19. [The recurrence of given names suggests a relationship to Daniel Best (born circa 1808) of Greene County. Daniel and his wife Jane had sons Orren Best, born about 1848, and Noah Best, born about 1854. Orren Best and his wife Hancey had a daughter Nannie. Noah Best had sons Morris and Frank.]
Here are Harper and extended family in the 1922-23 city directory:
On 22 October 1929, Harper Best dictated a will describing himself as a resident of Wilson and leaving all his property, personal and real, to his sister Nannie Best and nieces Eliza and Frankie Best. He died just under eight months later.
California Voter Registers, 1866-1898 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com; California Death and Burial Records from Select Counties, 1873-1987 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.
“He could not have gotten him without shooting”; or, plus ça change.
That the deceased, Thomas Matthews, came to his death by a pistol shot wound inflicted by George W. Mumford, a policeman of the town of Wilson, in the lawful discharge of his duties in the execution of a certain warrant issued by the Mayor of the town of Wilson against the said Thomas Matthews for larceny. That said wound was necessary to prevent the escape of the deceased. And it further appearing that the said Mumford is in the custody of the sheriff , the jury recommends that he be forthwith discharged. /s/ W.L. Banks, T.H. Jones, B.T Amerson, B.H. Cozart, J.T. McCrow, J.W. Corbett
——
Testimony taken at a coroner’s inquear held over the body of Tom Matthews, C.W. Gold Special Coroner
——
Coroner’s Jury, State vs. Geo. Mumford
Frank Felton
Mr. Mumford told me to assist him in making arrest, said he had a warrant vs. Tom Mathews, he went down by Graded School & come by later. He got to the house & come out at front door, the negro came out and he asked him to stop. Saw Mumford shout about 20 or 25 yards from deceased. Mumford kept hollowing at him to stop, the negro ran faster and kept running
Q.
Said he broke in Garris’ store about in Feby
Q.
Am a policeman in Wilson
Q.
Geo. M. is a police.
[Passage missing]
Started about 445 Garris store was broken into some time in Feb. I knew the goods were stolen & Tom Mathis was suspected. Mumford had arrested him in Feb. He was carried in Walston store & asked Walston to hold him, went for me & he had escaped. I took warrant vs. him & have been looking for him ever since first saw him. When I first saw Mumford the deceased was in the second house from the Graded School. Mumford kept hollowing stop. When first saw him he was about 10 ft when first told him to stop, he was running, M ran after him & ran all of 75 or 80 yds, kept hollowing stop, Mathis was going running away, he was about 60 ft from him when he shot. Heard Mumford say will shoot if don’t stop, also heard woman say stop. He could not have gotten him without shooting, he was going towards the woods & was nearly at the woods when he shot. Only 1 shot fired. I helped pick deceased up with Mumford & brought him back to the house. Deceased said he was the cause of it all, said it was all his fault that he had no business running he walked with us 60 or 70 yds got a dray brought him to sanatorium & then got a dray & carried him to station house. He did not read the warrant, said he did not need him to read Mumford had on police uniform badge & [illegible] knew we were policemen & that we had a warrant for him. /s/ W.F. Fulton
Dr. C.E. Moore
Negro was brought to my office, & had him sent to station house, where I examined him found him suffering from shock & internal hemorrhages. Sent for Dr. W.S. A[nderson] to assist in giving chloroform We saw evidence of ball have lodged in abdominal wall, 2 inches below ombillicus made prognostic closed him up the best we could made an incision over the ball & where the ball [section missing] there was a gush of blood showing the abdominal cavity was full of blood. Then executed the incision longer [illegible] to examine the abdominal cavity, found a good many loops punctured & the ball entered the posterior part of the left hip. Had he been in an erect position the ball would have passed through the thigh and been a harmless shot. Repaired we think all of the wounded intestines we could find. Think the immediate cause of his death was the shock & infection. Had a good pulse for 24 hours after we closed him up. Rendered service at instance of the gentlemen of the town and Mrs Mumford’s father. Should have been a harmless shot had he been in an erect position. The operation was a successful one & the patient in a good condition for 24 hours. /s/ C.E. Moore
Mary Frances Scott
I was standing in my house down near the Graded School, Tom ran out of the gate, Mumford behind. I hollowed at him to stop, he didn’t stop & Mumford shot him when at 50 yds. Tom was in Sarah Grants house across the street from me. Know the deceased well. Didn’t hear Mr. Mumford hollow stop, I was scared. Didn’t remember the position the deceased was running from me. Tom and I both knew Mr. Mumford was a policeman. Tom didn’t answer at all when I told him to stop, he kept on running and Tom was gaining, Tom was running and Mr. Mumford running after him.
Cross
First I saw was Mr M at steps at Tom at door, Tom and I both knew he was a policeman, Both were running every minute, Tom was gaining on him Tom was running to the woods as fast as he could, I hollowed when he first came out the gate if you haven’t done any thing stop. Saw no one at the time of the shooting Tom come so he said from Lbg., have heard he broke away from the chain gang there. Saturday evening is the first time, I think I have seen him since he went away, when were play children together and had he been here I would have seen him. I knew at the time I hollowed to him to stop that the police were after him. /s/ Mary Francis Scott
Henry Claxton
I come from Lbg. [Lynchburg, Virginia] about 3 years ago. Knew Mathis in Lbg. He was on the chain gang in Lynchburg. He was disposed to be fussy, was up before the mayor quite often. Know nothing about the killing. He left here about 2 or 3 months ago, didn’t see him until the last game Saturday before he was shot. Heard Tom accused of the Garris robbery. Knew Tom nearly all his life he was in trouble quite often in Lynchburg & several times on the chain gang. He worked here for Maury a little while this year. After Garris store was broken open Mr Felton asked me about “the boys” and I told him Little Andrew Brown about [passage missing, page torn] the Hobos and men like Tom and his crowd. /s/ Henry (X) Claxton, witness R.W. Mumford
Dr. W.S. Anderson
Saturday evening I went to the Station house & found the man with a ball in his abdomen 3 or 4 inches below navel. We decided from symptoms it was better to cut in & see the extent of his injury, after cutting thru the skin found ball & extracted it. Enlarged opening [passage missing] found several holes in there possibly 6 or 8, didn’t think to count the number sewed up. The deceased must have been stooping over when shot an ordinary stooping running position would cause such a wound as the deceased has. Had he been standing erect don’t think the ball would not have killed him. /s/ W.S. Anderson.
M.T. Cousins
I know nothing about the killing. These knives (the ones shown him) are very much alike, if not the knives (2 large ones) I sold Mr Garris when I sold out to him. Don’t think I have ever seen in Wilson any knives like these except those I sold Garris. They are the same make or shape. Sold out to Garris abt. 18 Nov. 97. The knives are cheap knives not regularly sold thro the channels of trade. /s/ M.T. Cousins
J.H. Garris
Know nothing about the killing. The knives shown me are exactly like the knives stol from me when my store was broken open in Feb. Found the knives at Mr. G.W. Walston. They had been pond. Saw the knives the following week after my store were broken open. They are knives not usually sold, are too large. Saw dec’d in Walstons store, he was under arrest, recognized him as one who had been in my store several times. /s/ J.H. Garriss
G.D. Walston
Don’t know when the knives were left with me. Mr. Garris came over & saw the knives said they were like his, spoke to Mumford & he commenced to look into it. A few nights after M. brought in Tom Mathis & asked if he was the one left the knives there. I identified him as the one I got 2 of the knives. Mr. Mumford said if keep him there, he stepped out and the next I saw of the boy he went out the door. He (the decd) pawned there with me. I suspected at time of the knives being pawned they were those stolen of Garris, I then reported the matter to Mr. Mumford. Mr. Mumford was pointed out the deceased by my clerk. Never seen the dec’d since. When Mumford left the dec’d boy with me it was [illegible]. /s/ G.D. Walston
Geo. Athey
Know nothing about the killing or stealing. I was born in Lbg. Have known Tom about 13 yrs. He left Lbg. about 1 yr. ago. He was working in the factory at Lbg. Staying at his mothers and broke away from the chain gang when he left. Was put on the chain gang for resisting and fighting a policeman who attempted to arrest him. He then went to Richmond. Mathis trampled his way down here – by the frt [freight]. The last time he left there was account of the police being after him. /s/ George Athey
Orion Crank
Was in Sarah Grants house & when I came to the door both were running. Mr. Mumford was going to the front door & Felton to the back door. Mathews said nothing he was sitting on the floor with me & others, raised up & saw Mumford, then hopped up jumped out of the door & ran. Was so far from me when they came out that couldn’t hear anything was said. There was in the house with me Warren Crank Sarah Grant & the deceased. I was the only one that saw him until after he was laying down. Tom stayed on the road all the time here last year about two months. Tom knew the policeman had out papers for him. Didn’t see him for some time until Friday night. Have known Tom 10 or 12 years, have lived in Little Richmond since I came here about 2 years ago. Tom said Monday morning following Saturday night after Garris saw him Friday night for the first time in some time. I heard some of them talking about Tom being in the robbery knew Mr. Mumford had us all three about some knives Both Tom & I knew M. was a policeman [illegible] Was on the road as a Tramp or Hobo [illegible] from that [illegible] don’t know. Had he been here I would have seen him. Tom heard this. There is what is called a “Band” down in Little Richmond, composed of people who don’t work, they offer for sale goods of different kinds, such as soap, handkerchiefs, they were all together, Tom stopped with 2 others stayed out in the street there were 5 in all 2 came in and Tom & 2 others stayed in the street. Haven’t seen anything of the band since the Garris store was broken in. Heard from my wife that Tom was in trouble in Richmond about shooting at a policeman. There is lots of complaint among the better class of store was broken in follow me & lets go up street & get drunk had only 10 cents the day before, he was not working. Mr. Mumford had Jim English Tom Mathis & myself to go on Monday to see about some knives of Mr. Garris. Mr. Mumford recovered Mr Garris [section missing] ran out of this side door & didn’t see him any more until Friday before the shooting. Tom knew the police were after him. Tom was running pretty fast & Mumford after him, he was 50 or 60 yards from him when Mumford shot. He would have gotten away had not Mumford shot him /s/ Orion Crank
J.T. Wiggins
Know Geo. W. Mumford, have know him since a boy his general character is good
J.K. Monk
Am town clerk Came into contact with Mumford daily his character for a police officer is good
P.B. Deans
Geo. W. Mumford is a policeman, his character is very good. He is one of the best policemen I have ever had. He surrendered to the sheriff Saturday evening. I signed his bond for $500.00 for his appearance. Have always considered him of a very even temperament.
Geo. W. Mumford
I knew Thos. Mathis, have known him since he first came here. I am a policeman of the town of Wilson have been such since Feby 1897. On Saturday night the later part of Feby 1899 Mr Garris store was broken open. The next week Mr. Walston called my attention to 2 knives I then saw Garris & he said he believed they were his knives. I swore out a warrant & the next day went down to the store. The boy was pointed out by Walstons clerk I saw him carried him to Walston and he identified the boy as the one who had pawned the knives. Left him with Walston when I came back he had gone. Mr [passage missing] him Saturday and went down with a warrant after him. (Warrant is shown and read) I asked Mr. Frank Felton to help me to arrest him, he went down Saratoga road and I the Stantonsburg road got thru first saw dec’d thru window, he ran out the door, I hollowed to him to stop, he saw Felton and turned to the woods. I hollowed if you don’t stop at least 20 times [illegible] shoot & did shoot after he had got over a ditch. Shot to try & stop him. I could not stop him he was going [illegible] me. We were about 10 or 12 ft when I first started after him, he was all of 40 ft before I shot. Heard several women hollering at him to stop. I had no grudges or ill feelings against him. He knew me, my beat being below the RR am known to most of the people below there. I shot him in an attempt to arrest him, could not have gotten him otherwise. I surrendered to the sheriff Saturday evening. I could have killed him had I desired when in a few feet of him. I ran him fully 75 feet before I shot. /s/ G.W. Mumford
——
- Dr. William S. Anderson — in the 1900 census of the town of Wilson, listed as a 55 year-old physician.
- George Athey
- Henry Claxton — married Caroline Jackson in Wilson on 22 December 1897 at age 54.
- Major Thomas Cousins — in the 1900 census of the town of Wilson, listed as a grocer.
- Orion Crank
- Warren Crank — died in Wilson on 2 June 1917; death certificate lists birthplace as Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1880; worked in tobacco factory.
- Patrick Bolan Deans — in the 1900 census of the town of Wilson, listed as a 44 year-old broker.
- Jim English
- W. Frank Felton — in the 1900 census of the town of Wilson, listed as a 34 year-old policeman.
- J.H. Garris — in the 1908 Wilson city directory, listed as a clerk in the grocery of John H. Gill.
- Sarah Grant
- Thomas Mathis (or Matthews)
- J.K. Monk
- Dr. Charles E. Moore — in the 1900 census of the town of Wilson, listed as a 45 year-old doctor.
- George Washington Mumford — in the 1900 census of the town of Wilson, listed as a 31 year-old policeman.
- Mary Frances Scott
- Golden D. Walston — in the 1900 census of the town of Wilson, listed as a 54 year-old grocer.
- James T. Wiggins — in the 1908 Wilson city directory, listed as a grocer.
[Sidenote: Officer Mumford went on to become a Wilson County deputy sheriff. He was killed in 1911 in a shoot-out while trying to arrest members of the “Louis West Gang.” More about that notorious set of events later.]
Coroner’s Records, Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives; federal population schedules, 1900; North Carolina Deaths, 1906-1930 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com; U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line], www.ancestry.com.
Jurors for the regular term.
Wilson Daily Times, 6 February 1880.
——
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Washington Farmer, 43, wife Wady, 44, children Edith, 14, Fortin, 13, Gimsey, 11, John W., 8, Nancy, 6, and Orgius, 6, and farm laborer Nelson Thomas, 21. In the 1880 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Washington Farmer, 52, wife Waity, 50, children Edieth, 25, Gincy, 21, John W., 18, Nancy, 16, and Ojus, 13, and granddaughters Mariah J., 5, and Margaret, 2.
In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Orren Batts, 41, wife Mary, 34, and children Dennis, 16, Amos, 14, Henriet, 10, Haywood, 9, Precilla, 5, and Louisa, 3. In the 1880 census of Toisnot: Orren Batts, 53, wife Mary, 47, and children Haywood, 19, Priscilla, 14, Louiza, 12, John, 9, Reddick, 7, and James B. Batts, 1.