This article contains descriptions of a sexual assault against a minor and the injustice that followed. For privacy, I have redacted the girl’s name and those of her family members.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 5 August 1933.
I have not found the Daily Times‘ “brief statement” about this incident, and I continue to search for information about what happened after charges were dismissed against the alleged assailants.
In August 1933, Bishop John A. Means, a “prophet” of the Church of the Living God, was sentenced to jail in Baltimore, Maryland, for trafficking children across state lines to make them sing and beg in the streets. One of the children, eight year-old Mary Gibson of Wilson, had been taken without consent of State Aid and Charity office.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 5 August 1933.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 22 April 1939.
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The Virginian-Pilot, 19 May 1921.
When we first read of the robbery of Samuel H. Vick and Alfred Robinson (not Albert Roberson), a man named George Jenkins had been arrested. However, Henry Berkley and Jack Bullock were found guilty of the crime and sentenced to seven years in state prison.
Less than two weeks after superintendent Charles Coon assaulted teacher Mary C. Euell, the nationally renowned Chicago Defender picked up the story.
Chicago Defender, 20 April 1918.
Wilson Daily Times, 29 May 1928.
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In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Dobson Charles (c) firemn First Natl Bk Bldg h 707 E Vance
On 23 December 1936, Charlie Dobson, 58, of Wilson, son of George and Betsy Dobson, married Sue Ellis, 37, of Wilson, daughter of Robert and Lula Ellis, at the home of A.M.E. Zion minister John A. Barnes in Wilson. John A. Barnes Jr., Frank W. Barnes, and Wade Barnes were witnesses.
Charlie Dobson died 5 October 1953 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 69 years old; was born in Duplin County, N.C., to George Dobson and Bessie Savage; worked in farming; was divorced; and was buried in Duplin County.
Hannah Dobson died 26 May 1928 at “Wilson Col. Hospital.” Per her death certificate, she was 26 years old; was born in Onslow County, N.C., to Thomas Rhodes and Sarah E. Lee; was married to Charlie Dobson; and was buried in Shepherds Cemetery, Onslow County. Willie Rhodes of Verona, N.C., was informant.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 28 May 1932.
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Washington (N.C.) Daily News, 5 September 1941.
On September 7, the News and Observer‘s covered Charlie Cobb‘s return to his father under a plain “What To Do With Infant Worries Wilson Officer.”
News and Observer, 24 August 1924.
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In the 1900 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: common laborer John Wiggins, 50; wife Mollie, 40; and children Elizabeth, 14, nurse, John, 12, brickyard worker, Arthur, 3, and Clarence, 1.
In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer John Wiggins, 55; wife Mollie, 50, cook; and children Elizabeth, 24, cook, Auther, 13, Clarence, 11, and Annie May, 4.
In 1918, Clarence Wiggins registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 10 November 1899; lived at Route 4, Elm City; worked as a farmer for Offie Parker; and his nearest relative was mother Mary Wiggins.
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Clarence Wiggins, 30; mother Mary, 60; and brothers Frank, 28, and Arther, 17.
On 26 August 1925, Clarance Wiggins, 26, of Wilson, son of John and Mary Wiggins, married Harriette Barnes, 27, of Wilson, daughter of Henry and Martha Barnes, in Wilson. A.M.E. Zion minister Wyatt Studaway performed the ceremony in the presence of Eliza Mattocks, Elizabeth Joyner, and Walter Battle.
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C.: Wiggins Clarence L (c; Harriet) lather h 405 E Green
Wilson Daily Times, 26 April 1940.
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M. Stanley Gilliam Jr. was principal of Williamson School.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: filling station attendant Herman Gilliam, 20; his widowed mother Annie, 48, a cook in a private home; and brothers Charles, 28, a waiter at Cherry Hotel, Stanley, 26, a teacher, and George, 22, a janitor at Carolina Theatre.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: tobacco factory laborer Jake Edwards, 45, widower, and children Mattie, 17, Golden, 22, oil mill laborer, and Eugene, 20, public service laborer.
Mamie Gibson died 3 April 1940 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 12 February 1908 in Wilson County to Phillip Cooper and Florence Ruffin, both born in Wayne County, N.C.; was married to Willie Gibson; lived at 1204 Atlantic Street; worked as a teacher; and was buried in Rocky Branch Cemetery. Her cause of death: “multiple fractures of pelvis; fracture left clavicle due to automobile accident” (“was 2-3 months pregnant.”) Frederick Cooper was informant.