Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 16 April 1931.

A tarantula is bad enough, but one with “nine tentacles”? Kudos to whoever had the presence of mind of kill it in a manner that allowed display. (Spiders in crates of tropical fruit are not uncommon, even today.)

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In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1118 East Nash Street, rented for $20/month, Johnnie Barnes, 33, cafe proprietor; wife Rachel G., 35, cafe cook; cousin Leatha Clark, 22; and Henrietta Walker, 25, both cafe waitresses.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Barnes Rachel G (c) restr 503 E Nash r 1118 E Nash

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 526 East Nash Street [the Orange Hotel], Rachel G. Barnes, 49, “housekeeper-rents rooms”; husband Johnnie, 42, “dry cleaner-retail pressing concern”; daughter Mary Lee, 17; cousin Clarence Holley, 18, “shoeshiner-barber shop”; and lodger William Robert Faison, 66, widower.

Rachel Barnes died 11 August 1957 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 25 July 1887 in Bertie County, N.C., to Henry Pugh and Mary Basmore; and lived at 1013 Atlantic Street, Wilson. Mary Lee Barnes was informant.