Wilson Daily Times, 6 July 1926.
This article does not reveal the depths of this tragedy — Frank, James, and Herbert Barnes were brothers, and Herbert was only 17 years old.
——
- Frank Barnes
- James Barnes
- Herbert Barnes
In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Drew Barnes, 31; wife Stella, 26; and children John, 10, Wade, 6, Frank, 5, James, 3, Lula, 2, and Andrew, 5 months.
In the 1910 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Road, farmer Andrew Barnes, 40; wife Estella, 37; and children John W., 20, Wade, 16, Frank, 15, James, 13, Lula,12, Andrew 10, Maggie, 8, Fransis, 6, Joseph, 4, Ella, 3, and Hubbard, 15 months.
In 1917, Frank Barnes registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 2 April 1895 in Wilson County; lived on R.F.D. #6, Wilson; was a laborer/farmhand for Drew Barnes; and was single. He signed his full name to the document.
In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: tenant farmer Drue Barnes, 51; wife Stella, 49; and children Wade, 25, Frank, 23, James H., 22, Lula D., 21, Andrew, 20, Maggie, 18, Francis, 17, Hubert, 10, Lanciel, 7, and Estella, 5.
“Killed by Lightning while in field ploughing Death was sudden”
Hat tip to J. Robert Boykin III for passing along this article.
Thank you very much. These three men are my Great-Great Uncles. This story was passed down by my Cousin Gia Williams. Now I have the written document to confirm the oral report. Blessings in the person who found and submitted this entry. BTW: the brother who survived (Frank), went on to be one of the few Black fighting Soldiers within World War 1.
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Hi, Derrick! I curate Black Wide-Awake and am responsible for its content. I’m always so happy when one of my posts reached its family!
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Thank you so much Lisa. I actually reached out to you concerning this incident and you came through! So much thanks🙏. I came across your post by chance though. I wish I would’ve seen it earlier.
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Correction: Frank Barnes had completed his service in WWI by the time of this tragic incident which took the lives of his two brothers. Frank Barnes survived service as an infantryman in France, and now survived a lightning strike.
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