gun violence

Blood Red River.

Rocky Mount (N.C.) Telegram, 8 September 1945.

At the 1945 trial of William Wesley Gardner for the murder of A.J. Sanders, South Carolina-born Oscar Brown testified that he had not witnessed the shooting because he had been sitting in a back room playing Josh White’s blue tune “Blood Red River” on his guitar.

——

  • William Wesley Gardner — William Wesley Gardner registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County in 1942. Per his registration card, he was born 17 April 1901 in Robeson County, North Carolina; lived at 606 South Dew Street, Wilson; his contact was George Gardner, 518 South Lodge; and his employer was M.A. Tyson, Saratoga.
  • A.J. Sanders — Anthony Sanders Jr. died 25 August 1945 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 December 1900 in Florence, South Carolina, to Anthony Sanders Sr. and Katy Manuel; worked as a machinist; was married to Georgia E. Sanders; lived at 612 Bank; and died of a gunshot wound to the thigh.
  • Oscar Brown — Oscar Brown registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 15 June 1905 in Beaufort, South Carolina; and his contact was his employer Jim Garriss’ farm.

Cause of death unclear for Johnson.

Wilson Daily Times, 22 November 1950.

——

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 312 South East Street, Allie Cannon, 45; son James D. Cannon, 8; son-in-law Ernest Johnson, 33, cement mixer at concrete block company; wife Brownie M., 27; and daughter Helen R. Kirby, 10.

Earnest Johnson Jr. died 20 November 1950 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 17 June 1917 in Plymouth, N.C., to Earnest Johnson Sr. and Mary Rose; lived at 312 East Street; and was married. He was buried in Plymouth Cemetery, Washington County, N.C.

Dobson kills wife over skirt.

Wilson Daily Times, 29 May 1928.

——

  • Charley Dobson

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

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.

The death of Henry Ray.

Wilson Daily Times, 6 October 1945.

I don’t know Henry Ray or his frame of mind, but I am suspicious of this quick conclusion about his manner of death. His death certificate underscores the cursory nature of any investigation into his shooting, listing his cause of death as “probably suicide gun shot wound in chest” (emphasis added.)

——

In 1942, Henry Ray registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was lived in Sharpsburg, Wilson County; was born 23 October 1923 in Nash County, N.C.; his contact was H.P. Massengill, Sharpsburg; and he worked on the Claud Albritton farm, Sharpsburg, Nash County, N.C.

Henry Ray died 5 October 1945 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was single; was 20 years old; was born in Nash County to Coley Ray of Nash County and Ida Barnes of Wilson County; he worked in farming; and he was buried in Sharpsburg.

Detective Gay, former Buffalo Soldier, killed in the line of duty.

Charles Francis Gay Jr., a detective with the Philadelphia Police Department, was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a murder suspect on Christmas Eve 1925. Gay was born in Wilson or in Philadelphia just after his Wilson-born parents, Charles and Lucy Mitchell Powell Gay, migrated north.

Philadelphia Inquirer, 26 December 1925.

Pittsburgh Courier, 2 January 1926.

Lancaster New Era, 4 October 1926.

Philadelphia Inquirer, 8 January 1927.

Nolly was executed by electric chair in September 1927.

——

In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm laborer Charles Gay, 35, wife Emma, 25, children Charles, 5, and Mary, 1, and two farm laborers Rich’d Harper, 20, and Haywood Watson, 17.

In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Susan Mitchell, 35, and children Anna, 17, George, 12, Lucy, 9, Louisa, 7, Edwin, 4, and Joseph, 4.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Emma Gay, 35; children Charlie, 15, a steam-mill worker, Mary, 11, Etheldred, 8, and Willie, 6; plus a boarder Fannie Thompson, 19, cook.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, washerwoman Susan Mitchell, 47, with children Lucy, 19, and Louiza, 15, both house servants, Eddy, 12, and Joseph, 9.

On 18 October 1880, Lucy Mitchell, 19, married Mashal Powell, 18, at Susan Mitchell’s house, witnesses were Small Blunt, Mary Blunt, and Susan Mitchell.

In the 1900 census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA: driver Charles Gay, 36, wife Lucy, 37, children Nellie, 11, and Charles, 7, and brother William Gay, 26, all born in NC.

Charles Gay died 22 December 1908 at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was 44 years old; was born in North Carolina; was single [sic]; worked as a laborer; his regular residence was at Iseminger Street; and he was buried in Merion Cemetery. W.P. Allmond was informant.

Lucy Gay died 13 June 1912 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per her death certificate, she was a widow; was born 20 May 1872 in North Carolina to father [first name not given] Mitchell and an unnamed mother; resided at 1229 Quarry Street rear, Philadelphia; and was buried in Eden Cemetery.

In 1917, Charles Gay registered for the World War I draft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he was born 13 April 1893 in Philadelphia; lived at 146 North Isenminger Street, Philadelphia; worked as an ink mixer(?) for Ault Wiborg Company; and was single.

Pennsylvania World War I Veterans Service and Compensation Files 1917-1919, 1934-1948, http://www.ancestry.com.

In the 1920 census of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: at 146 Iseminger Street, Clarence Gross, 40, pool room proprietor; wife Nellie, 30, born in North Carolina; brother-in-law Charles Gay, 26, city police officer; brother Fred Gross, 35, automobile porter; and roomer Joseph Bargon, 36, hotel bootblack.

Charles F. Gay died 25 December 1925 at Hahnemann Hospital, Philadelphia, of “Gun shot wound Homicide.” Per his death certificate, he was 33 years old; was born in Pennsylvania to Chas. Gay and Lucy Mitchell, both of North Carolina; worked as a police officer; lived at 1326 Brown Street; and was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery. Mrs. Nellie Gross was informant.

U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards 1917-1918, http://www.ancestry.com.

Nellie Gay Workwell applied for a military headstone for her brother in 1937. The application reveals that Gay had been a sergeant in Company C of the 813rd Pioneer Infantry, who were among World War I’s famed Buffalo Soldiers.

U.S. Headstone Applications for Military Veterans 1861-1865, http://www.ancestry.com.

The Wilbanks murder.

Wilson Advance, 29 September 1898. 

From records of the coroner’s inquest into the death of William Dixon:

Testimony of Peter Barron

Testifies that he was at home on night of the accident. After leaving his brother Benj. and the said Benj went home with him. After retiring heard shooting which took place about 1/2 past 10 c’clock. Testifies that he and Dixon had difficulty month ago at a dance and immediately made friends.  Peter (X) Barron

Testimony of Benj Barron

Says he heard shooting 2 shots fired close together on the night the accident occurred. Said shooting took place as he was preparing to retire. testifies that he has no guns in shooting order. Testifies that Wm Reid was at his house the same night and said Reid was on his way to get some money due him from by parties he lived with in Edgecombe (names unknown)  Benj (X) Barron

Testimony of Wm Sells

Was at Wilbanks and Turner Vicks till 1/2 past 8 o clock. Went then to Mark Barrons then went to bed. Met 3 men on the road, didn’t know them. One man had something resembling a stick under his arm  /s/ William Sells

Testimony of John Barron

Testifies that he was at home all during the night of the accident. Heard shot fired some time after retiring. Don’t know the time.  John (X) Barron

Henrietta Dixon

Testifies Wm Dixon came to supper about Dark and immediately went out carrying his rifle. Said nothing about where he was going Wife of deceased (Henrietta Barham) testifies that Peter Barron and Wm Dixon had difficulty some thing like month previous  /s/ Henrietta Dixon

——

  • William and Henrietta Dixon
  • Peter Barron

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Mark Barron, 34; wife Mason, 30; and children Alen, 14, Lena, 12, Hiliard, 10, Benjamin, 7, Gray, 5, Peter, 3, and John, 1.

In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Mark Barron, 54, wife Mason, 50, children Frank, 18, Peter, 21, John, 20, and Mary, 16, granddaughter Mary M., 6 months, and sister Gatsie, 51.

On 16 January 1901, Peter Barron, 26, married Catharine Mitchel, 18, in Wilson County. Allen Sharp, Marcilius Cotton, and Aberum Mitchell were witnesses.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Simon P. Barron, 32, farmer, and wife Catherine, 24.

In 1918, Petter Barron registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 20 July 1876; lived at Route #3, Elm City, Wilson County; worked as a tenant farmer for J.J. Brown; and his nearest relative was brother John Barron.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Peter Barron, 45, farmer, and wife Catherine, 36.

  • Benjamin Barron

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Mark Barron, 34; wife Mason, 30; and children Alen, 14, Lena, 12, Hiliard, 10, Benjamin, 7, Gray, 5, Peter, 3, and John, 1.

On 4 January 1893, Ben Barron, 20, of Gardners township, married Mary Pender, 17, of Gardners township, at Joe Pender‘s residence in Gardners township, Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Benjamin Barron, 27; wife Mary L., 24; and children William H., 7, John M., 4, and Linnie, 6 months.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Benjaman Barron, 38;  wife Eliza, 36; and children Sam, 17, John, 15, Lillie, 11, Bluma, 5, and Sudie, 2.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Ben Barron, 48; wife E. Mary, 48; children John, 24, Lillie, 14, Sudie, 12, and Clara, 6; and adopted son Hasel Whitaker, 18.

Benjamin Barron died 9 August 1941 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born February 1869 in Wilson County to Mark Barron and Mason Ford; was the widower of Mary Barron; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Barron Cemetery. John Barron, 112 East Street, Wilson, was informant.

  • William Reid
  • Turner Vick

On 12 December 1893, Turner Vick, 22, and Sylla Ward, 2o, were married in Edgecombe County, N.C.

In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Turner Vick, 30; wife Silla, 30; daughters Cora, 5, and Mary, 2; and brother-in-law James Farmer, 10.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Turner Vick, 39; wife Sillar, 35; and children Mary, 12, Millie, 6, and Eva, 2 months.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Turner Vick, 49; wife Lillie, 46; and daughters Millie, 15, Geneva, 10, and Cora, 6.

Mary Evans died 9 March 1924 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 25 years old; her parents were Turner Vick of Wilson County and Pricilla Ward of Edgecombe County; and she was married to John Henry Evans. Informant was Turner Vick, Elm City.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Turner Vick, 45; wife Pricilla, 49; and children Eva, 17, Cora, 14, Johnnie, 12, and Bettie, 6.

In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Turner Vick, 68; wife Pricilla, 69; and daughter Geneva, 28.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Tilman Road, Turner Vick, 76; daughters Eva, 33, and Minnie, 48; grandchildren Willie Lee, 6, and Betty J., 2; and lodger Z. Mae Barnes, 33.

William Turner Vick died 18 November 1956 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 4 October 1874 to Moses Vick and Millie Vick; was a widower; resided near Elm City; was a laborer; and was buried in Gardners cemetery. Minnie Vick, 411 North Pine Street, Wilson, was informant.

  • William Sells
  • John Barron

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Mark Barron, 34; wife Mason, 30; and children Alen, 14, Lena, 12, Hiliard, 10, Benjamin, 7, Gray, 5, Peter, 3, and John, 1.

In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Mark Barron, 54; wife Mason, 50; children Frank, 18, Peter, 21, John, 20, and Mary, 16; granddaughter Mary M., 6 months; and sister Gatsie, 51.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Mark Barron, 64; wife Mason, 60; and son John, 31, farm laborer.

In 1918, John Willie Barron registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 March 1878; lived at Route 3, Elm City; and farmed for G.N. Luper.

John Barron died 29 October 1918 in Rocky Mount, Nash County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was 40 years old; was born in Wilson County to Mark Barron and Mason Webb; was single; lived near Elm City; and was buried in Wilson County.

Coroner’s Inquest (1898), Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

Hamilton threw his gun up and fired.

Wilson Daily Times, 27 November 1923.

——

  • 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.

——

  • 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.