Crime

Did Texas kill his wife?

Wilson Daily Times, 24 November 1911.

That first sentence is difficult to untangle, but my take-away is that Texas Faison of Wilson was believed to have killed his wife (who lived in Richmond, Virginia, but regularly moved between there and Wilson?) in Richmond.

  • Texas Faison — “Texas” was a common nickname in the era, and I suspect it suggested less a place of origin than a certain swagger. I have not found him in local records.

Hamilton threw his gun up and fired.

Wilson Daily Times, 27 November 1923.

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  • Charlie Jefferson

Perhaps, in the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Hattie Chapman, 38, tobacco factory worker; daughter Dezell, 16; and roomers, Charlie Jefferson, 36, construction company laborer; wife Maude Jefferson, 24; and Harvey Monroe, 35, lumber company laborer.

In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jefferson Charles (c) tobwkr h 213 Stantonsburg rd

  • Charlie Hamilton
  • Press Smith — Preston Smith, proprietor of No. 1 Pressing Club, 515 East Nash Street.

There will not be another damned card played.

On 24 April 1903, the Wilson County coroner held an inquest over the body of John Gay, concluding that he had been shot by Morris Tucker.

Lillie Tucker testified that she was lying on the bed when Morris Tucker “picked up the lamp put it on the mantel piece and commenced shooting” after asking Gay if he did not believe he would shoot him. After being hit twice, Gay tried to throw a brick at Tucker, but he was too weak.

Banks Blow testified that John Gay, Louis Stratton, and Turner Thorne were “turning skin,” or gambling at Nellie’s when he arrived. John White, Morris Tucker, and Lillie Tucker were also present. Morris interrupted the game by taking the cards, and Gay protested. Dennis Brooks entered as Blow began to leave. Morris picked up the lamp, pulled out a gun, and threatened to kill Gay. Banks went out into the bar room to tend to the pool table. Ten minutes later, he heard a gunshot. Morris came into the barroom with a gun, which James Branch took from him. Morris said he had shot Gay, who had been bothering him for six months. He then left.

Nellie Lee testified that the incident happened at her house. She entered at the back door and witnessed Morris shoot at Gay six times. Everyone ran out of the room. “Sunday before last,” Lee and Lillie Tucker had seen Morris Tucker and John Gay gambling in the woods and heard Morris threaten, “I’m going to kill you if you don’t stop snatching my money.”

Lillie Tucker further testified that she had warned Nellie Lee not to allow the “boys” to gamble. After Morris won a hand, John Gay picked up the cards and said “This deck was stripped.” Morris replied that if they did not use that deck, “there would not be another damned card played that night.”

James Branch testified that he saw Morris Tucker at Dennis Brooks’ barroom about an hour and a half before the shooting and then immediately after. He had taken the gun from from Tucker, who picked up some pool balls and left, crossing the railroad. Louis Stratton later came in to retrieve the gun.

Dennis Brooks testified that Paul Dixon tried to pawn Morris Tucker’s watch. Brooks went to Nellie Lee’s house to find out if Tucker had sent him the watch. He found Tucker and Gay in a bedroom arguing over cards. Brooks told them to stop the foolishness.

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  • John Gay — in the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: plumber James Curly, 24, and John Gay, 20, servant.
  • Morris Tucker — in the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Morris Tucker, 20,  “tobacco transfers,” and wife Maggie, 21, tobacco stemmer. Morris Tucker died 22 August 1914 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 June 1876 to Jacob Tucker and Jane Townsend; was single; and was buried in Wilson [probably Vick Cemetery.]
  • Lillie Tucker — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, Randall Irvin, 36, lumber mill laborer; wife Victoria, 38, laundress; and children Minnie, 16, Charles, 10, Beatrice, 8, Sylvester, 7, Eva, 4, and Beulah, 1; and mother-in-law Lillie Tucker, 65, widow.
  • Banks Blow
  • Nellie Lee — curiously, I have found no trace of Nellie Lee in Wilson.
  • Louis Stratton — on 22 June 1904, Louis Stratton, 24, of Wilson, married Vina Mercer, 18, of Wilson, daughter of Adline Mercer, in Wilson. Free Will Baptist minister W.H. Neal performed the ceremony in the presence of C.M. Brooks, Lenah Wooten, and Addie Mercer.
  • Turner Thorne
  • John White — in the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: teamster John White, 26, and wife Jane, 20.
  • Dennis Brooks — in the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: 35 year-old Georgia-born merchant Dennis Brooks, wife Mary, 27, and daughter Aleo[illegible], 8, shared a household with Jordan Taylor, 50, and wife Matilda, 40. [Brooks testified in a number of inquests, including James Hunt‘s and George Williford‘s.]
  • James Branch — in the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: tobacco packer James Branch, 28; wife Jane C., 31, cook; and stepsons Casso C., 12, house servant, and Caborn Tyson, 8.
  • Paul Dixon — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, Luceil Howard, 20, and lodgers Lue Rountree, 35, and Paul Dixon, 27, all tobacco factory laborers.

Coroner’s Records, Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

The trouble started at a corn shucking.

Inquisition over body of Tom Barnes

North Carolina, Wilson County}

The examination of Hilliard Hill, Frank Lipscomb, Bill Barnes and Geo. Barnes taken before the under-signed, Coroner of said county, this the 23rd day of Nov., 1910, in the Grand Jury room, after having viewed the body, upon the body of Tom Barnes, to-wit:

Hilliard Hill, being duly sworn, says: The trouble started at a corn shucking at Jno. Webbs. All had been drinking pretty heavy. I was about drunk. I was talking to Mr. Geo. Barnes and Jim Donnelly was standing around. Tom Barnes walked up and said “What in the hell are you all talking about?” Some one pushed him off and told him to go on. In a few minutes we heard a fuss about forty yards away like some one fussing about to fight. We went to where the fuss was and found Tom Barnes lying down and Jim Donnelly standing over him trying to stamp him, but we stopped him. Tom and Jim went on off, and Tom was cursing. We went back towards house and pretty soon heard pistol fire, and we went where they were and Jim said “Dam it. I had to kill him” or “Dam it, I am about to kill him.” Jim went back towards Mr. Webb’s house. He Tom died in a few moments after he was shot. Tom and Jim were at the corn shucking when I got there. I don’t know whether they had been fussing previously or not. After Tom was shout I saw a pistol in Jim’s hand. Did not see a knife nor pistol before shooting. Jim and Tom were both drinking.   Nov. 23rd, 1910  /s/ Hilliard Hill

Frank Lipscomb, being duly sworn says: Tom Barnes and Jim Donnelly got into a dispute about “holloaing” at the corn shucking. Pretty soon we saw some one fighting. We went down there and Tom was down on his face and Jim was trying to get to him again. Jim had a pistol in his hand. I tried to get it away from him, but didn’t get it. I, Bill, Tom Barnes and Hilliard Hill went towards road and Jim was walking along by the side of Tom with pistol by the side of his (Tom’s) head. Jim was cursing Tom. When we got to the road Jim said to Tom “I am a great a mind to kill you any how.” Tom said “If you kill me you will have to do it.” Then Jim said “Don’t you say much to me, if you do I will kill you any how.” Then he stuck the pistol to the side of his Tom Barnes head and shot him. Tom was standing in the road before he was shot with his hands to his side, was not trying to him or cut him. Didn’t see a knife nor pistol in Tom’s hand. Jim Donnelly killed Tom Barnes — I saw him. After Tom fell I started towards Mr. Webb’s and Jim said to me “Don’t you go another but further that way” (and he drew him pistol on me) “if you do I will kill you.”    Nov. 23rd, 1910 Frank (X) Lipscomb

Bill Barnes, being duly sworn, says: Tom Barnes is my son. I was on Mr. Webbs portch giving out the “holloa.” Saw two men run down towards stable, and I ran out that way too. Just as I ran out the side gate heard a pistol fire back of stables. When I got down there Tom was down and Jim was trying to stamp him, but didn’t do it — Hilliard Hill pulled him off. Jim had a pistol in his hand and told me not to come on him, waving his pistol towards me. Tom was not shot then. I, Hilliard, Frank, Tom, and Jim started towards road, but I didn’t go to the road. I was about 100 yds. away and heard a pistol shot and saw the light. I went to Tom and he died in about ten minutes. I saw Him going towards Mr. Webbs with his pistol in his hand, and wouldn’t let Hilliard Hill go up to him. Never heard of any fuss between them before. All were pretty full.  Nov. 23rd, 1910  /s/ Bill Barnes

Geo. B. Barnes, being duly sworn says: When the “holloaing” was going on Jim Donnelly came to me on the porch and said “I have got to kill Tom to-night.” I tried to get him not to do it, but he said “I am bound to do it.” Didn’t say why he was going to kill him. Pretty soon I heard a pistol fire. For about fifteen minutes heard a second shot and saw light.  Nov. 23rd, 1910  /s/ George Barnes

Verdict

We the undersigned Coroner’s jury, find that the deceased, Tom Barnes, came to his death from a pistol wound, said pistol being in the hand of Jim Donnelly, and that the act was premeditated and willful. /s/ J.D. Williams, R.B. Evans, [illegible], W.L. Lucas, J.F. Batts, D.T. Turner, Jurors

Henry B. Best, M.D., Coroner of Wilson Co., Nov. 23rd, 1910.

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  • Hilliard Hill

In the 1880 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: farmer Sol Hill, 28; wife Hannah, 24; and sons Hilliard, 6, and William, 2.

On 13 December 1892, Hilliard Hill, 21, of Wilson, son of Solomon Hill and Hannah Hill, married Ada Howell, 16, of Wilson, daughter of Caroline Hall, at the bride’s home in Wilson township. H.S. Edwards applied for the license, and the ceremony took place in the presence of M.L. Phillips, Charlie Neal, and Bettie Sanders.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: teamster Hilliard Hill, 24; wife Ada, 18; and daughter Hanah, 1.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: planing mill laborer Hilliard Hill, 35; wife Ada, 29; and children Hannah, 11, John, 7, Mildred, 3, and Edwin, 1.

  • Frank Lipscomb

In the 1870 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: carpenter Stephen Lipscomb, 49; wife Mariah, 29; and children Anna, 13, Tilitha, 12, Betha, 12, Frank, 10, Archibald, 8, Penny, 6, and Daniel, 1 month.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Frank Lipscomb, 42; wife Roda, 43; and children John, 18, Lizza, 17, Jona, 14, Mariah, 9, and Sarah, 5.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Frank Lipscomb, 53; wife Rhoda, 54, laundress; daughter Maria, 20; and grandsons James, 3, and Willie Lipscomb, 3 months, and Rosavell Barnes, 7.

On 10 May 1913, Frank Lipscomb, 55, married Sue Cooper, 28, in Wilson township, Wilson County.

Frank Lipscomb died 5 October 1941 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 80 years old; resided at Wilson County Home; was a widower; was a farmer; and was born in Wilson County to Stephen and Mariah Lipscomb. Johnnie Coley was informant.

  • Will Barnes
  • Tom Barnes
  • George B. Barnes
  • Jim Donnelly
  • John Webb

Coroner’s Inquests (1910), Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

Employee tries to burn down the Elks Club.

Wilson Daily Times, 15 November 1943.

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  • George Washington Bynum
  • Elks Club — This article refers to the club’s founding in 1942. Marshall Lodge #297, Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World (I.B.P.O.E.W), was established in 1921 and met at the lodge hall at 541 East Nash Street until it constructed a two-story brick building at the corner of East Nash and Vick Streets in 1954.

Frank Artis regains consciousness, points finger at Ed Whitfield.

Wilson Daily Times, 13 November 1936.

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  • Frank Artis

In the 1910 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Lee Artis, 40; wife Lilie, 38; and children Frank, 13, Bertie, 8, Fletcher, 6, Nathaniel, 5, Rematha, 2, and Alvin, 11 months.

In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: tenant farmer Frank Artis, 23, and wife Lissie, 18.

In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Frank Artis, 32; wife Lizzie, 25; and children Frank Jr., 8, Florence, 7, Wiley, 6, and Sylva G., 3.

In the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Frank Artis, 43; wife Lizzie, 35; children Frank Jr., 19, Wiley, 17, Selby J., 14; and mother-in-law Mary S. Barnes, 50.

Frank Artis died 9 May 1964 in Stantonsburg, Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 26 December 1898 in Wilson County to Lee Artis and Sylvia Reid; was married; and worked in farming. Jack Artis was informant.

  • Ed Whitfield

In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac Braswell, 58; wife Margaret, 45; Alice, 23, Guilford, 18, John, 16, Haywood, 12, and Eddie Whitfield, 9; and Cathrine Braswell, 6.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Isic Hagans, 68; wife Margaret, 54; children George, 9, and Catherine Hagans, 16, Bennie Glas(?), 14, and Eddie Whitfield, 18.

On 17 December 1915, Ed Whitfield, 22, of Stantonsburg, son of Margarett Whitfield, married Blanche Barnes, 21, of Stantonsburg, daughter of Thomas and Mary Barnes, in Wilson County. 

In 1917, Eddie Whitfield registered for the World War I draft in Stantonsburg precinct, Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born November 1894 in Wilson County; lived at Route 6, Wilson; was a farmer for Joe Davis; and was married.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Margaret Hagins, 65, and sons George Hagins, 19, and Eddie Whitfield, 28.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Ed Whitfield, 30, farm laborer; wife Caroline, 32; and lodgers Willie, 28, and Etta Clayborn, 20.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Edward Whitfield, 45, receptionist at Imperial Tobacco factory; lodger Carry Haskins, 44, stemmer at Watson Tobacco factory; and her grandson Leroy Haskins, 7.

In 1942, Eddie Whitfield registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 October 1897 in Wilson; lived at 1120 East Nash Street; his contact was Fanny Guest, same address; and he worked for Southern Cotton & Oil Company.

On 20 July 1944, Essie Mae Whitfield, 24, of Portsmouth, Virginia, born in Wilson County, N.C., daughter of Edward Field [sic] and Blanche Barnes, married William Hooks, 26, stevedore, of Portsmouth, born in Greene County, N.C., son of Charlie Hooks and Alice Rogers.

Cellus Whitfield died 23 May 1961 at the Veterans Administration hospital in Durham, North Carolina. Per his registration card, he was born 15 January 1918 in Wilson County to Ed Whitfield and Blanch Barnes; worked as a baker; was a World War II vet; and was married to Catherine Whitfield.

The murder of Sudie Tune.

Wilson Daily Times, 16 March 1935.

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  • London Ruffin

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer H. Gray Ruffin, 28; wife Maria, 35; and children Hubbard, 13, William, 12, Delphia, 11, Lizzie, 9, Mary, 8, Pattie, 7, Franklin, 6, London, 4, and Bessie, [illegible] months.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: on Wilson Road, farmer Gray Ruffin, age unknown; wife Maria, 45; and children G. Herbert, 22, H. William, 21, Delpha, 20, Lizzie, 18, Mary, 16, Pattie, 15, B. Frank, 14, London, 13, Bessie, 11, Dora, 10, and W. George, 9. 

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Gray Ruffin, 58, widower, and children Elizabeth, 29, Pattie, 26, London, 23, Bessie, 20, Dora, 19, and George, 18.

In 1940, London Ruffin registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 22 February 1910 in Wilson County; lived on Route 4, Wilson; his contact was father Gray Ruffin; and he worked for N.W. Webb.

  • Sudie Tune — Sudie Artis Tune.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Sam Artis, 56; wife Mary, 45; and children Mary Sims, 23, and Bessie, 18, William, 17, Harriet and Lonnie, 15, Clara, 12, James, 10, Sudie, 8, and Minnie, 5.

In the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Sam Artis, 66; wife Mary, 55; children William, 25, James, 22, Sudie, 17, and Sammie, 9, 

On 31 January 1931, Willie James Tune, 21, of Wilson, son of John and Mary Tune, married Sudie Artis, 19, daughter of Sam and Mary Artis, in Wilson. Baptist minister F.F. Battle performed the ceremony in the presence of Laura McPhail, Mary L. Hines, and Winnie Mercer.

London Ruffin and Susie Artis’ son Wallace Artis was born 30 June 1932.

Sudie M. Tune died 8 December 1934 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 20 years; was born in Wilson County to Samuel and Mary Artis; was married to Flenawl Tune; was engaged in farming; and was buried in Wilson [probably in Vick Cemetery.]