“Blind tigers” were a pressing concern in Wilson in 1911, as we see here and here and here and here. Descriptions of the operations of these joints inevitably came wrapped in the purplest prose.
Wilson Daily Times, 8 December 1911.
“With one gallon of liquor which costs $2.00, some red pepper steeped over night, the addition of a gallon of water, a little sweetening to make it mellow, a little cocaine to make you crazy and you have a good fighting fluid which yields a hundred per cent profit but goes to the lawyer who defends the seller, places the seller on the road and the consumer in the lockup, from $7.50 to $15.00 in the city treasury and later the consumer in his coffin if he keeps it up.”
The Knox Brothers, William and Wilton, operated a general store at 214 South Goldsboro Street. The 1913 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson shows a restaurant at 214, with a grocery at 216, which both perhaps were Knox businesses.
I have not been able to trace the enterprising Julius Webb.
We read about some of Tom Johnson‘s earlier troubles here. On Christmas Day, as Johnson walked down Pender Street, he encountered Milton Lucas, whom he had allegedly shot days before near First Baptist Church. Lucas shot Johnson, then turned himself in at police headquarters, but a court soon released him, finding “no probable cause.”
In the 1900 census of Falkland township, Pitt County: farmer Jack Rountree, 49; wife Lucy, 27; and children Julius, 5, Daisy E., 2, and Cora, 2 months; sisters Marcela, 23, Cora, 24, and Ella Bargeron, 26; and boarder Jacob Worthan, 18.
In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, farmer Jack Rountree, 53; wife Lucy, 35; and children Junius, 15, Delzel, 12, Cora Lee, 10, John H., 7, James, 6, Mable, 4, and Gollie May, 1.
On 14 September 1916, Julius R. Rountree, 21, of Wilson, son of Jack and Lucy Rountree, married Cora Gear, 19, of Wilson, daughter of John Bridgers and Emma Gear, in Wilson.
In 1917, Julius Rountree registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 4 March 1895 in Greenville, N.C.; worked as a mechanic for Samuel Vick; and had a wife and child.
In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Old Stantonsburg Road, farmer Jack Rountree, 57; wife Lucile, 47; son Julius, 24; daughter-in-law Lida, 23; sons John Henry, 17, and Jesse, 16; and daughters Mabel, 14, and Ola May Rountree, 10, and Cora Farmer, 19.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 223 New Bern Street, owned and valued at $1800, plasterer Junious Rountree, 34; wife Lyda, 32; and sons John, 14, and Joulious, 5.
Julius Roundtree died 1 November 1942 in Durham, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 November 1922 in Wilson to Julius Roundtree of Pitt County and Lydia Boatwright of Mullins, S.C.; was single; lived at 112 Whitted Street, Durham; worked as a plasterer; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.
Julius Rountree died 18 August 1945 at his home at 1001 Lincoln Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 4 March 1896 in Pitt County to Jack Rountree of Guilford County, N.C., and Lucille Barghan of Pitt County; worked as a plasterer for William Wilkins; and was a World War I veteran. He was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.
Lydia Rountree died 16 June 1971 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 29 May 1898 in South Carolina to Collins Boatwright and Dinah Blaine; was a widow; lived at 1201 Lincoln Street, Wilson; and was a retired teacher. She was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.
John H. Rountree died 19 March 1983 in Hampton, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 May 1915 in North Carolina to Julius Rountree and Cora Gibb; lived in Newport News, Virginia; worked as a plasterer; and was divorced. He was buried at Culpeper National Cemetery, Culpeter, Virginia.
William R. Schumate, a Virginia man who claimed to be conjurer, fleeced several women in East Wilson on repeat visits to town.
Lula Scott
In the 1900 census of Sumter township, Williamsburg County, South Carolina: farm laborer Taylor Hickson, 34; wife Ellen, 35; children Josh, 10, and Lula, 4; and grandson Mose McKinley, 15.
In the 1910 census of Sumter township, Williamsburg County, South Carolina: farmer Taylor W. Hixson, 44; wife Hester Jane, 36; adopted children Lula, 15, and Sallie, 2; stepson Joseph Fulmore, 9; and servant Tim Johnson, 16.
In the 1920 census of Motts township, Florence County, South Carolina: Taylor Hixson, 60; wife Hester, 42; children Mary, 12, Leland, 10, Roland, 8, and Ellen, 5; son-in-law Charley Scott, 22; his wife Lullar, 23; and son Taylor, 18 months.
In the 1930 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer Charley Scott, 35; wife Lula, 30; and children Taylor, 11, Ethel, 9, Jonah, 4, Edna, 2, and Ollie May, 6.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charlie Scott, 48; wife Lula, 42; and children Olla, 16, William, 21, Johnnie, 14, Edna, 12, Emma, 9, Charlie Jr., 6, Catherine, 4, and Minnie, 2.
In 1943, Johnnie Scott registered for the World War II in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was 25 September 1925 in Williamsboro, South Carolina; lived at 104 Manchester Street; his contact was Lula Scott; and he worked for E.J. O’Brian Tobacco Company.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 104 Manchester, farmer Charlie Scott, 55; wife Lula, 52; and children Emma J., 19, cook in cafe, Charlie Jr., 16, Cathrine, 14, Ruby L., 12, Josephine, 4, and Joseph Scott, 2, and Edna Horne, 21, cooks and keeps house.
Edna Scott
Edna Scott was the daughter of Charlie and Lula Hixson Scott.
Janie Holiday
In the 1900 census of Calvary township, Clarendon County, South Carolina: Charles Adger, 30; wife Susan, 28; and children James H., 13, Mary, 11, Geo. W., 5, Talmage, 3, and infant, 7 months.
In the 1910 census of Calvary township, Clarendon County, South Carolina: Charlie Adger Sr., 51; wife Susan, 44; and children James H., 22, Janie, 14, Pinckney, 7, Charles W., 4, and Levi L., 2.
In the 1930 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: widow Jane Holiday, 35, farm laborer; children Mary, 11, Bessie, 9, William, 8, and Levester, 5; brother Levi Adger, 21, and sister-in-law M. Lila Adger, 18. All were born in South Carolina.
In 1945, William Holiday Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Wilson, Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 31 January 1923 in Edgecombe County, N.C.; lived at 915 Carolina Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Janie Holiday; and he had been discharged 12 December 1945.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Janie Holiday, 50, and granddaughter Louise, 15; both born in South Carolina.
Janie Holiday died 3 December 1983 in Wilson. Per her death record, she was born 12 November 1899 in South Carolina and was widowed.
On 24 February 1917, Tom Johnson, 31, son of Orange and Lula Johnson, married Ethel McGill, 21, daughter of James and Hattie M. McGill, in Farmville, Pitt County, N.C.
Probably, in the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 112 Reid Street, owned and valued at $1500, Tom Johnson, 41, and wife Ethel, 38, cosmetics agent.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Tom Johnson, 55; wife Ethel, 42; mother Lula, 68, widow; and son Rogers McGill, 27.
Tom Johnson died 25 December 1942 on Pender Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 September 1895 in Terrll County, Georgia, to Orange Johnson and Lula [no maiden name]; lived at 112 South Reid Street; was married to Ethel Johnson; and worked as a laborer. He died of gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen “on the street.”
George Porter
In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Porter Geo clnr and presser, h 116 Ashe
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Porter Geo tobwkr h 506 Spring
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Porter Geo lab h 508 Spring
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 508 South Spring Street, pressing club operator George Porter, 34, born in Georgia; servant Jeneva Brown, 30, and her children Esther, 13, Martha, 12, and Oliver, 9; and George’s daughter George M., 14.
On 28 February 1935, George Porter, 36, of Wilson County, son of William and Louisa Porter, married Geneva Townsend, 35, of Wilson County, daughter of Louis and Henrietta Townsend, at the home of Baptist minister W.T. Thompson Jr. in Nashville, Nash County. Luther Jones applied for the license and was a witness, as were James W. Hardy and Laura Harris.
George Porter died 4 September 1937 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 37 years old; was born in Georgia to William Porter of Georgia and Louisa Barnes of Wilson County; worked as a storekeeper; was married to Geneva Porter; and was buried in Wilson.
Until relatively recently, the basic facts being conveyed in newspaper stories could be hard to follow. To the make the scenario here plainer: for reasons unknown, the Alcoholic Beverage Control agents were at Clarence Barnes‘ house when R.N. Bottoms pulled up in his Oak Cab taxi. The agents found 19 gallons of illicit liquor in Barnes’ vehicle and 14 gallons in Bottoms’. By means not clear, Agent Barnes discovered the liquor originated ten miles southeast of Wilson. When the location was searched, ABC found five more gallons of liquor, 30 gallons of beer, and 60-gallon still.
Wilson Daily Times, 23 August 1944.
Both men pleaded not guilty, claiming they were unaware their cars were packed with ‘shine.
In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer George Braswell, 52; wife Adeline, 47; children Mollie, 22, Mattie, 18, Caroline, 16, Victoria, 13, Melvina, 12, Cora, 10, and Ernest, 9; and grandchildren James, 3, and Frederick, 3 months.
On 24 October 1912, Ernest Braswell, 20, of Wilson, son of W. and Adeline Braswell, married Teenie Sims, 17, of Gardners township, daughter of Caesar and Adeline Sims, at Caesar Sims’ in Gardner’s.
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Ernest Braswell, 27; wife Tinie, 22; daughter Lillian, 7; and brother Willie, 21.
Rufus Whitley
On 8 September 1898, Rufus Whitley, 26, of Stantonsburg, son of John and Isabella Whitley, married Mattie Pree, 23, of Wilson, daughter of Ben and Bettie Pree, in Gardners township.
In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Rufus Whitley, 25; wife Mattie, 25; daughters Caroline, 7, and Isabella, 3 months; and brother-in-law Wiley Dupree, 19.
In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Rufus Whitley, 37; wife Mattie, 30; and children Mattie, 8, Wiley, 3, and Rufus B., 3 months.
In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Rufus Whitley, 49; wife Mattie, 45; and children Wiley, 13, Benjamin, 12, Bettie, 7, and Lizzie, 11 months.
In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Rufus Whitley, 59; wife Mattie, 52; and children Ben, 20, Bettie A., 18, Lizzie J., 11, and Matta B., 6; and lodger Jesse King, 22.
“the King boys,” Tart, Otto, Jack, Marcellus, Sylvester and Lum
In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Shandy King, 24; wife Nancy, 23; and sons Zadock, 3, and Jackson, 1.
In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Shandy King, 51; wife Nancy, 49; and children Marcellus, 19, Shandy, 16, Mahala, 14, Columbus, 12, Sylvester, 10, Otto, 7, and Harriett, 6.
In 1917, Sylvester King registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born in March 1891 in Wilson County, N.C.; farmed for W.F. Woodard; and was single.
In 1917, Columbus King registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 13 July 1890 in Wilson County; lived in Stantonsburg; was single; and was a farm laborer for W.T. Harrison. He was short and stout, with brown eyes and black hair.
In 1918, Otto King registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born in 22 March 1891 in Wilson County, N.C.; farmed for Charley Walston; and was single.
On 2 February 1922, Sylvester King, 28, of Wilson, son of Shandy and Nancy King, married Etta Mitchell, 23, of Wilson, daughter of Jim and Martha Fields, in Wilson. Disciples minister J.W. Pitt performed the ceremony in the presence of Wesley Bullock, Walter Bullock, and Tom Jones.
Sylvester King died 26 June 1930 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1890 in Wilson County to Shandie King and Nancy Anderson; was single; and worked as a tenant farmer for Chester Jordan. He was buried in Wilson. Informant was York King.
A stillborn female was born 23 September 1929 in Wilson, Wilson County, to Charlie Chapman of Wilson County and Adlaide Adams of Greene County, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she resided at 910 Roberson Street and was buried in Rountree Cemetery. Eliza Woodard was midwife at her birth, and Estella Adams was informant for the death certificate.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 911 Roberson, tobacco factory laborer Esther Adams, 50; wife Stella, 48; sons Walter L., 20, oil mill laborer, and Esther Jr., 12; and son-in-law Charlie Chapman, 21, widower, telephone office janitor.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 112 Pender, Charlie Chapman, 55, concrete finisher for city of Wilson; wife Mary, 40, cook and housekeeper for private family; daughter Ozie L. Walston, 25, hostess at local theatre, and granddaughter Mary E. Walston, 7.
Wilson Daily Times, 14 June 1954.
Charlie Chapman died 7 November 1956 at his home at 112 Pender Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 5 May 1897 in Lenoir County, North Carolina to Amos Grainger and Loucinda Scott, and was married to Mary Lee Chapman.
On 14 July 1895, Robert Taylor, 19, married Lenora Madison, 17, at Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County.
In the 1900 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Robert Taylor, 25; wife Lenore, 20; and son Arthur, 2. All were reported as born in North Carolina.
In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Rock Quire [Quarry] Road, Rob Taylor, 36; wife Lenore, 29; children Arthur, 11, Willie, 7, Lonie, 5, Mavin, 3, and Kelley, 1; and nephew Freddie, 13.
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Wilbanks Road, farmer Robert Taylor, 46; wife Lena, 39; and children Lonnie, 17, Marvin, 13, Kelley, 11, Robert, 8, Madie, 6, and Clarence, 11 months.
In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Robert Taylor, 55; wife Lenora, 48; children Robert, 19, Mattie, 17, Clarence, 12, and Clifton, 10; and adopted children Jessie, 11, and Marie, 6. Lenora’s birthplace was given as Tennessee.
Robert Taylor died 19 June 1934 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1911 in Wilson County to Robert Taylor of Wilson County and Lenora Taylor, birthplace unknown; was married; and worked as a tenant farmer.
In 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Robert Taylor, 55; wife Lenora, 50; sons Clarence, 20, and Clifton, 19; and granddaughter Mary Lee, 4.
In 1940, Clarance Taylor registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 21 May 1921 in Wilson; lived Route 2, Elm City, Wilson County, N.C.; his contact was mother Lenora Taylor; and he worked for L.C. Cobb, Elm City, Raleigh.
Robert Taylor died 29 December 1942 near Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 January 1880 in Wilson County to Rachel Mercer of Edgecombe County; was married to Lenora Taylor; and worked as a farmer. He was buried in Elm City Cemetery.
In 1942, Clifton Taylor registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 17 May 1920 in Wilson; lived near Raleigh, Wake County, N.C.; his contact was Lenora Taylor; worked as an assistant cook at River View Cafe, Raleigh.
Nashville Graphic, 23 September 1954.
Rocky Mount Telegram, 12 October 1954.
Lenora Taylor died 23 August 1959 in a car accident near Elm City, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 May 1887 in the West Indies to Laura Phshee; was a widow; lived near Elm City; and was buried in Elm City Cemetery. Willie Taylor, Richmond, Virginia, was informant.
