Some of the fine entertainment on offer at Wilson Theatre in 1924.
Wilson Mirror, 19 October 1924.
Lee “Lasses” White was an American entertainer who gained fame in the early 1900s doing minstrel shows and wrote one of the first copyrighted twelve-bar blues, “N*gger Blues.”
Wilson Mirror, 23 December 1924.
“The Mouth-Piece of Mirth and Melody.”
Clippings courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.
Wilson Daily Times, 7 December 1916.
A few years after it opened, friends of the Wilson Colored Hospital (later known as Mercy) held a pop-up shop of sorts in the Odd Fellows Hall on East Nash Street to raise money for indigent tuberculosis patients. On offer, clothing, but mostly undoubtedly delicious food — barbecue, chicken salad, oysters, sausages, sandwiches, sweets and ice cream.
Wilson Daily Times, 1 December 1932.
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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: day laborer Peter King, 27, and wife Bertie, 27.
On 29 February 1908, Peter King, 30, of Stantonsburg, married Lena Barnes, 30, of Stantonsburg, in Wilson.
On 22 February 1914, Peter King, 35, of Wilson, married Treacy King, 38, in Wilson. Free Will Baptist minister A.H. Moore performed the ceremony in the presence of Rosa Crank, Sarah J. Pitt, and Geneva Jones.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 620 Viola, Peter King, 50, laborer at public works; wife Trecy, 35; sons David, 7, and Thomas, 3; and stepdaughter Emma Davis, 13.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 611 Viola, rented for $6/month, Trecy King, 45, laundress; children Emma Davis, 20, laundress, David King, 17, and Thomas King, 12; adopted son Robert L. Smith, 5; and Petter King, 80.
Peter King died 30 November 1932 at Mercy Hospital in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 58 years old; was born in Fayetteville, N.C., to Haywood King; was married to Treacy King; lived at 402 Viola; and worked as a day laborer for the City of Wilson.
“Third degree burn of right arm and chest. Two days later he developed symptoms of acute nephritis.”
[Sidenote: Newspaper clippings are also a source of fascinating evidence of changes in language — “who happened to an accident in falling into fire.” What a curious way to say “who accidentally fell into a fire.”]
Clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.
Wilson Daily Times, 1 December 1943.
Short William Barnes was a well-respected carpenter and building contractor.
I’ve been sitting on this for a week. Perhaps I wasn’t quite sure I could trust the news. But it’s time to share and, in keeping with the season, these are glad tidings:
The City of Wilson is restoring recognition of Vick Cemetery as an historic sacred space.
The City established Vick in 1913, neglected it for 40 years, abandoned it for 40 more, then cleared away and destroyed its grave markers. None of that can be undone. However, the City can, and is now willing, to take measures to locate the cemetery’s graves and to erect a permanent interpretive sign that explains its history and significance to Wilson’s African-American community and the city at large.
I’m grateful to Mayor Carlton Stevens for his steadfast support of Lane Street Project and his dogged behind-the-scenes pursuit of a solution to the vexing anonymity of Vick Cemetery and its dead. I have gotten to know him as we strategized over the course of numerous telephone calls this past year and am proud to count him as friend and ally.
My thanks also to Wilson’s seven council members, who unanimously embraced the terms of our proposal to move forward to restore recognition of this cemetery as a cemetery and to reclaim for the City’s Cemetery Commission responsibility for Vick’s upkeep. Councilmember Derrick Creech deserves special kudos for his unflagging efforts to find positive ways to bring everyone to the table.
Since showing up almost exactly a year ago to see the Lane Street cemeteries for himself, Charles Farris Jr., chairman of the Commission, has also quietly searched for ways to bring equitable principles to bear for the future of Vick.
And then there’s Castonoble Hooks, shown above greeting the ancestors of Vick Cemetery. Cas has been my boots on the ground, speaking out on social media and at council meetings to keep the Lane Street Project cemeteries from slipping again into inaction and obscurity.
Finally, there are all of you. The volunteers, the donors, the boosters. We still have work to do, yes. Odd Fellows and Rountree Cemeteries remain in terrible shape. But Vick is a victory, y’all.
Photo credit: Chris Facey.
Wilson Daily Times, 3 December 1924.
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Albert Gay, whose letter to Santa was published in 1924, was the son of Albert S. Gay Sr. and Annie Bell Jacobs Gay. At that time, his brothers were Jesse, Harold, and baby Samuel. (Albert Jr. apparently received the bicycle he wished for — seven months later, he broke three ribs when he and his bike collided with an automobile.)
“Hattie Rose Pannell, 100, transitioned to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Washington DC.
“A viewing will be held Wednesday, December 8, 2021, from 2 pm-5 pm at McGuire Funeral Home, 7400 Georgia Avenue, Washington, DC and a Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at Tabernacle Temple of Jesus Christ 1601 Bishop L.N. Forbes St., Wilson, NC 27893 at 1 pm followed by burial at Rest Haven Cemetery.
“Hattie was born May 4, 1921, to Hattie Bates Gaston and William Gaston. Hattie attended Elm City public schools and moved to Washington, DC at a young age.
“Hattie was a pillar to her community and will be truly missed. Hattie was a faithful and devoted member of St. Mark’s Baptist Church for 48 years, she loved her pastor Raymond Matthews, First Lady Matthews, and her church family. Regardless of how Hattie was feeling on any given Sunday, she took pleasure in attending Sunday school, church service, worshipping with her St. Mark’s Baptist Church family, singing hymns, reading Scriptures, and praising the Lord. Individually and collectively, it all gave her so much joy. Hattie is the longest-serving church usher in the District of Columbia. Hattie will now be waiting with Saint Peter to greet her.
“Hattie was a faithful member of St. Mark’s Missionary Society; she was in fact the oldest member of the Missionary Society. Hattie loved her St. Mark’s church family.
“Tribute to Mrs. Hattie Pannell:
“The Fort Stevens Senior Center has lost a treasure of insurmountable value; priceless.
“Mrs. Hattie Rose Pannell was always the person who greeted you, in fact, she was the head of the ladies of the round table; the group that actively volunteered to plan, orchestrate and host most of our events and all our fabulous birthday parties. It was Mrs. Pannell, the fashionista, the show-stopping model, the actress, the flower arranger extraordinaire, the plant doctor, the hostess with the mostest that attracted so many people to become members of Fort Stevens Senior Center. Hattie enjoyed line dancing at the Senior Center the younger seniors had to keep up with her. Hattie was recognized for her Distinguished Volunteer Service to the Fort Stevens Senior Planning Committee by the DC Department of Recreation and Parks. Hattie enjoyed her 100-year-old birthday celebration/drive-by party at Fort Stevens Senior Center in May, the celebration was featured in The Washington Informer, so many people came from near and far to CELEBRATE with her. Hattie REALLY enjoyed herself and talked about it for months after. Hattie loved her Fort Stevens family.
“Hattie was a General Service Supervisor for over 25 years and retired in the 1990’s. Hattie enjoyed traveling and was in a traveling club. Hattie has visited all 50 states, Africa, and other countries. Hattie attended a lot of social events, she was TRULY a socialite. Hattie catered for major events in the District of Columbia area and enjoyed fashion, modeling, acting, event planning, decorating parties, flower arranger extraordinaire, the plant doctor, enjoyed tea parties, manicures, and pedicures (even at 100 years old) listening to jazz and gospel, her favorite artist was Marvin Gaye, “Let’s Get It On” was her favorite song. She enjoyed hour-long conversations with family and friends these were just a few things that warmed her heart, lifted her spirits, and place a smile on her face. Hattie met many friends who would remain a special part of her friendship circle throughout her life. Hattie loved politics, she made sure she voted in every election, and she was eager to vote in the 2020 election. Hattie received several awards throughout her life for her outstanding accomplishments and volunteer services, including letters from the President of The United States for her Birthday and Councilmembers of the District of Columbia recognizing her as well.
“Hattie’s sweet spirit, warm smile, and calming presence will be solely missed by those who loved her.
“In the presence of the Lord, she now joins her late mother, Hattie Bates Gaston; father, William Gaston; sisters, Annie Nancy Gaston-Knight and Marie Ruth Gaston-Howard; and brothers, William Glenn Gaston Jr., John Rufus Gaston, and George Eddie Gaston.
“Hattie is survived by her 96-year-old sister, Catherine Bernice Gaston-Atkinson of Elm City, NC; a host of nieces, nephews, loving relatives, and friends; and a special goddaughter, Vee Davis.
“Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers as their Matriarch has gained her wings to become their guardian ANGEL.
“Arrangements have been entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, Wilson, NC.”
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In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Will Gaston, 39; wife Hattie, 28; and children Willie, 12, Hattie, 9, John R., 8, Bernice, 6, Nancy, 3, and Marie, 3 months.
Wilson Daily Times, 28 November 1911.
On 25 February 1904, Julius Lucas, 20, son of Lovett and Viney Lucas (then living in Virginia), married Lou Arrington, 24, daughter of Sidney Arrington, in Wilson. R.J. McPhail applied for the license, and Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of John Moore, Amos Daniel, and Julia Davis.
In 1917, William Julius Lucas registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born in April 1888 in Nash County, N.C.; lived at East Street, Wilson; worked cleaning and pressing clothes for Y.C. Lamm, Wilson; and supported a wife, five children, and a father.
I have not been able to identify Julius Locus’ second wife or the Howard daughter he ran off with.
On 17 August 1889, Jesse Howard, 22, son of Deal and Rhoda Howard, married Martha Ruffin, 21, daughter of Green and Tamer Ruffin, all of Taylors township.
On 5 June 1901, Jesse Howard, 33, son of Delius and Rhoda Howard, married Zillah Woodard, 32, daughter of Alfred and Sarah Woodard.
On 8 June 1896, Lou Arrington, 18, daughter of Saul and Viney Arrington, married W.M. Atwater, 23, son of Aterson Atwater and Angeline Burston, at “Rezdent hear mother” in Wilson. Baptist minister Esrom P. Pearsall performed the ceremony in the presence of Mrs. Timfrey Ann Rountree and Mrs. Blanchie Rountree. [Atwater, presumably, is the man to whom Lou Arrington was married when she married Julius Locus.]
Wilson Daily Times, 1 December 1921.
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Clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.
The Mirror published this favorable account of a Klan rally in Elm City in 1924:
Wilson Mirror, 6 December 1924.