Mittie Webb.
I was at home (at Place the deceased was killed) abut 12 oclock and Will McNiel came to the house and said he was coming in and did come in and broke the key which was in the lock. My sister Octavia went out the back door after a Policeman. He came in and hit me on the hand and head, and I truck him on hand and across head with iron poker. About an hour he returned and entered the house by forcing the door. I was sitting on bed with my baby when he struck at me with a hatchet, saying you tried to have me arrested, and now I will fix you. Before he came in the last time, the man in house with us shot at him once and on his coming in the second time he shot at McNiel twice more, after the 3rd shot was fired, McNeill grabbed at him and they went in the kitchen to gether and I run out the front door in the yard. After McNiel went out the house the first time, Octavia was trying to get away from him he caught her and threw her to the ground and beat her in the street. The pistol that the shooting was done with was one I borrowed from Nan Garrett. He cut Octavia with a pocket knife in 2 or 3 places. Mittie (X) Webb
Charles Taylor.
I met this woman Octavia at about 9 30 oclock at Dr. Harriss store, it was rainy and she asked me to go home with her. I went with her and during my stay in the house, a man came to the door and demanded to be admited which the woman declined to open the door and he swore loud oaths to the effect he was going to come in. This was about 12 oclock and I went up town after an Officer. Left the man inside house fussing and fighting this woman. When I came back with the Officer he was gone and the women of the house being very much frightened asked me to remain for there protection about an 1 1/2 hour or more he returned still demanding admittance which was denied him and with threats and curses he forced the door open by pushing, which was fastened by a chair. The second attempt to gain admittance was when I shot the first time, ball going through the door facing. He then left and returned the 3rd time when he busted the door open and came in at this time. I fire two more shots. He entered with a hatchet in his hand and struck at one of the women and seeing me in the corner made at me with hatchet and grabbed at my head. I went out the front door. I did not go in back room at all only with Office[r] when they searched him. Charlie (X) Taylor
Octavia Smith.
I was up the street about 9 30 oclock it was rainy and hearing that it was against the law to be out after 9 oclock, I asked this man Charlie Taylor to go home with me which he did. After being there some time Will McNeil came there and demanded admittance by loud cursing and threats, saying he was going to kill the last d-mn one of us to night. We woud not let him come in and he forced the door open and this man who accompanied me home ran out and went after an Officer. Left McNiel in house fighting my sister. At this time I went out the back door to get help, when he followed me in the street and knocked me down and tried to cut my throat. I was in my room when he returned the 2nd time and forced the door open which was fastened with a chain. Octavia (X) Smith
Miss Nan Garrett
This woman Octavia Smit came to my house and asked me to go up there and help Mittie Weelb, that McNiel was beating her. I went but McNiel was gone. Mittie Weelb asked me to loan her my pistol, which I did. About two hours after I saw from my porch firing of pistols in front of this womans hous where this McNiel was killed. /s/ Nanie Garrett
Wilson, N.C., March 2, 1902.
We the Jury for our verdict, after viewing the corpse, and hearing the evidence, find that William McNiel (col) came to his death from a wound from a pistol shot fired by Charlie Taylor (col); and we furthermore find that the killing was justifiable. /s/ E.F. Nadal, T.M. Pace, Henry Humphrey, R.S. Bryan, W.P. Lancaster
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- Mittie Webb — in the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Mittie Webb, 19, and daughter Viver, 4. In the 1910 census of Wilmington, New Hanover County: at 1006 Smith Street, laundress Mittie Webb, 29, children Vivere Webb, 14, Annie Wilmore, 10, and Richard Wilmore, 7, and John McLaughlin, 35. On 15 February 1911, in Wilmington, North Carolina, John McGlaughlin, 30, son of John and Janie McLaughlin, married Mittie Webb, 25, daughter of Joseph and Mary Smith of Magnolia, North Carolina. Mittie McLaughlin died 10 December 1947 at her home at 915 Queen Street in Wilmington. Per her death certificate, she was born 10 March 1884 in Duplin County to Joseph Smith. Informant was Annie Brown.
- William McNeil
- Charles Taylor
- Octavia Smith
- Dr. Harriss — This, once again, is William “Salt Lake” Harris.
- Nannie Garrett — in the 1908 city directory of Wilson: Miss Nan A. Garrett, 512 South Spring Street.
Coroner’s Records, Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.