Wilson Daily Times, 25 February 1949.
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- Charlie Bennette — In 1942, Charlie Bennette registered for the World War II draft in 1942. Per his registration card, he was born 30 May 1903 in New Zion, South Carolina; lived at 113 S. (A.C.L) Railroad Street, Wilson; his contact was Adeline Fleming, New Zion, N.C.; and he worked at Marine Barracks, Jacksonville, N.C. In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 654 Wiggins Street, tobacco factory machine operator Charlie Bennett, 48, widower, and lodger Annie M. Williams, 19, maid.
- Irene Sethem — Irene Sessoms died 23 February 1949 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 10 November 1925 in Johnston County, N.C., to Z.S. Sessoms and Louella Williams; lived at 113 Pettigrew Street, Wilson; was not married; and worked as a laborer. She died of hemorrhage and shock after a knife wound to her right carotid artery.
While I appreciate stories from our past, I wonder what is the benefit from reposting these kinds of events.
I post because these are somebody’s people, someone who may be wondering what happened to a beloved family member. My ancestors and their kin have been, among many other things, both victims and perpetrators of crimes. I don’t shy away from evidence of either. Also, I am not trying to paint an idealized, respectable picture of African-American life in Wilson County during the period covered in this blog. Rather, I want to develop a textured record. That said, I have acknowledged that, in this era, news reporting concerning Black people was often salacious and over-dramatic, when not mocking and cruel.