electrocution

John Haskins electrocuted while walking home.

Wilson Daily Times, 9 April 1915.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm laborer Damp Haskins; wife Hester, 43; and children Dora, 24, Martha, 19, Lossie, 18, Robert, 16, William, 15, James, 13, Lesley, 10, John, 9, Norma, 7, Earnest, 4, and Damp, 1.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, WIlson County: on “N&S RR,” farmer Damp Haskins, 60; wife Stella, 52, servant; children Martha, 23, cook, James, 18, wagon factory laborer, Lessie, 16, lumber mill laborer, John, 15, lumber mill laborer, Annie, 8, Earnest, 7, and Damp, 3; plus grandsons Simeon, 15, retail grocery laborer, and Ambrose Hoskins, 7.

Damp Haskins died 22 April 1915 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 64 years old; was born to Charles Haskins and an unknown mother; and had been a farmer. William Haskins was informant.

John Haskins died 7 April 1915 in Wilson township. Per his death certificate, he was 20 years old; married; had no occupation; and was the son of Damp Haskins and Steller Sharp. William Haskins was informant.

“Had no physician. The deceased came in contact with a heavily charged electric wire causing instant death.”

Gorham killed in freak accident.

Earnest Gorham was electrocuted while placing a metal pipe in a newly dug well.

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Wilson Daily Times, 12 August 1953.

Earnest Gorham registered for the World War I draft in Taylors township, Wilson County in 1917. Per his registration card, he was born in 1891; worked as a farmer; and was married.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: tenant farmer Ernest Goran, 28; wife Mary, 21; and daughter Rachel, 2 months.

In the 1928 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Gorham Earnest (c; Mary) farmer r New Grabneck

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm laborer Earnest Goraham, 40; wife Mary, 36; and daughter Lucile, 10.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: well digger Ernest Golden, 50; wife Mary, 45; and daughter Lucile, 20.

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Mary McPhail Gorham died 1 October 1972 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born in 6 August 1897; was a widow; lived at 719 Elvie Street, Wilson; and was the daughter of Ander McPhail and Harriett (last name unknown). Informant was Hubert McPhail, Wilson.

Killed by a live wire.

In news of Wilson, the News & Observer reported that undertaker Camillus Darden had traveled to New York to handle the affairs of Daniel Smith, who had been killed in a electrical accident. The Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company operated both passenger and freight services on its rail rapid transit, elevated and subway network in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. Presumably, Smith, like many Southerners in that time, was working temporarily up North.

darden

News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), 25 October 1919.

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In the 1900 census of Lumber Bridge, Robeson County, North Carolina: Eliza Smith, 39, farm laborer; son Ed, 16, sawmill hand; daughters Martha, 7, and Anna, 4; son Daniel, 24, farmer; daughter-in-law Adline, 18; nephew Robert, 17, farmhand; niece Nora, 14; nephews Lennie, 10, and William, 7; boarder Ed McGuire, 33, sawmill laborer.

In the 1908 Wilson city directory: Smith Daniel, driver h 625 E Vance.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Daniel Smith, 33, furniture store drayman; wife Adeline, 29, laundress; sisters Marthy, 16, and Annie, 14, private nurses; and sister-in-law Lou Bryant, 11.

Daniel Smith registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County on 12 September 1918. Per his registration card, he was born 4 July 1877; resided near Wainwright Avenue; worked as laborer for Quinn McGowan; and his nearest relative was Adeline Smith.