I believe he is dead.

On 5 December 1907, the Wilson County coroner held an inquest over the body of Charles Burton, who was found dead at the police station after “sleeping off” an afternoon of drinking.  The jury found no charges were warranted in Burton’s death.

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Jim White — Charles Burton – saw yesterday morning – [illegible] apparently drink in the evening – about night lying on straw – Lane phoned for Carmon to come out back – before Carmon came Aiken got police to arrest him – Had between six & seven dollars in pocket – saw no scars on forehead

Junius Korney — Half past five p.m. drunk then sent for pint of whiskey & drank some then lay down on straw

John Aiken — Come in about 3 o’clock accused Charles Burton being drunk denied it tried to walk line couldn’t do it, was drunk – After 4 o’clock pm came to stables & Charles on all fours drunk – Half past six phoned for police – Can’t sat say whether living at time or not – Saw no scars. Police came about 6.30 pm put Charles on dray perfectly limber – use no force in putting on dray – when went to get Burton he was in same position on “all fours” as about been earlier in evening this about 5.45 Lane remarked I believe he is dead Aiken felt of him & he was warm.

Allen Mitchell — stayed in guard house part of last night went in about 4 pm. Came out about 12 o’clock don’t know when came in with Charles Burton. Allen Mitchell put in for drunkenness and about 12 o’clock pm police came & asked if he was cold I told him there was a dead negro next door – saw fire in store

Amos Pender — saw Charles Burton at Aikens stable after after 2 o’clock he was drinking them – He sent me after pint of liquor – Took several drinks together I then went away. Came back between 3 or 4 o’clock – He sent out & got some more whiskey – & was about drunk then – Burton was hauling wood from my place which is about 4 miles from town.

John Lane — came to town 5.45 & was told that Burton was in the back oc Aikens stable drunk. Went about & saw Burton lying in manure pile – & said I said to Aiken “I believe this man in dead” but Aiken felt of him & said he was not drunk. I tried to get back to send him home but police came & they put him on dray & brought him to guard house – Didn’t handle him rough either putting him on or off the dray at the guard house. About 11 o’clock Burton told me he had six dollars for me & offered to give it to me. I told him to wait & turn it all in at once. He then asked me for a quarter which I gave him. He hauled another another load & got two dollars for it.

Charles Edwards — saw Charles Burton about 4.30 drunk & offered to pay to carry him home

Jack Barefoot — sent for to go to Aikens stables. I went and found Charles Burton doubled up on pile of straw apparently drunk dray at door so I waited at door while Aiken & two others went in & brought him out & put on dray Brought to station & three of us brought him in – Went to stables at 6.30 o’clock – Put double blanket on him when put him on cot – good fire in stove — was on duty from 5 o’clock pm to 5 o’clock am. Went in 11.40 pm & found him dead – when put on cot was lying on back – when found at 11.40 dead was lying on side with one arm under body & arm nearly out of sleeve

Frank Felton — went in station about 11.30 to get water. Barefoot went in to see about Burton came out & said he was dead. Went in & found him lying on side with arm under body

Officer Bryant — searched Burton this morning & found no money – on his person – this was about 8 o’clock this morning

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  • Charles Burton
  • Jim White
  • Junius Korney
  • John Aiken
  • Allen Mitchell — in the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Tillman’s Road, farmer Allen Mitchell, 54; wife Eliza, 44; and children Frank, 20, James, 16, Junius, 13, Allen, 11, Floyd, 9, Earnest, 7, Pearlie, 5, Edgar, 3, and Madie, 2.
  • Amos Pender — in the 1900 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Amos Pender, 57, widower; daughters Vanedous, 22, and Rhoday, 19; and adopted daughter Prussie Armstrong, 18.
  • John Lane
  • Charles Edwards
  • Jack Barefoot
  • Frank Felton
  • Officer Bryant — George F. Bryant.

Wilson [County, North Carolina] Coroner Inquest Records 1859-1915, http://www.familysearch.org.

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