In 1908, when an eight-year-old boy shot and killed another young boy, a Wilson County coroner’s jury recommended that he be bound to someone (for supervision and work) rather than charged with murder.

State of North Carolina, Wilson County }

We, the undersigned Coroner’s Jury, find that the deceased, Jno. Mercer, came to his death by a pistol shot in the hands of Nathaniel James (or Smith). The jury is of the opinion, however, that Nathaniel James should be bound out to some reliable person, and we recommend that the Clerk of the Court bind him out at once. The child not being old enough know the enormity of the crime, is the reason why we recommend the above.

/s/ J.F. Nadal, William Walls, E.L. Daughtridge, E.G. Barnes, J.A. Cutchins, J.C. Winstead Jurors, Henry B. Best, Coroner of County

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North Carolina, Wilson County }

The examination of Caroline Mercer, Mattie Pool, Mary Harriss, and Erdora James, taken before the undersigned, coroner of the county, this 25th day of May, 1908, near the house of Caroline mercer, upon the body Jno. Mercer then and there lying dead, to wit:

Caroline Mercer, being duly sworn, says: Jno. Mercer is my son and is five years old. El Nollia Smith and Dellzell Smith were out here playing, and I saw Nathaniel Smith come up with a gun in his hand, and he fired it. He was two feet from Jno. Mercer when he fired gun. Didn’t speak after he was shot. Nathaniel Smith is between nine and ten years old. My son’s back was to me and Nathaniel’s face was to me. My house is thirty yards from where shooting occurred. Is not in habit of playing with my children. Hasn’t had any fuss before. Boy wasn’t excited after he shot Jno. Didn’t run away. Doesn’t work any where. Don’t know where pistol is now, nor where he got it. Walked right up and shot him, Didn’t shoot butane. My children were playing and he came up and shot. Didn’t see pistol until he fired. He is considered a boy of good sense. He lives with his grandmother, mother being dead. He is a fussy boy, but never has had any trouble with my children before. May 25th, 1908.  Caroline (X) Mercer

Mattie Pool, being duly sworn, says: Looked out window from my house, thirty feet from where shooting occurred, and saw Nathaniel when he shot boy. Never heard boy who did shooting say anything. He ran away when he shot. Jno. Screamed when he got shot. Nathaniel was about three or four feet from Jno. when he shot. I got to Jno. first. Never spoke at all. Nathaniel is about eight years old. He, Nathaniel, is always running up and down street trying to pick a fuss with other children. Never has had any fuss with Caroline Mercer’s children. Was attended by Drs. Dickerson & [Frank S.] Hargrove, and died about half hour after being shot. Didn’t see pistol after he shot boy. I think he shot Jno. Mercer intentionally.  May 25th, 1908. Mattie (X) Pool

Mary Harriss, being duly sworn, says: I was talking to Mrs. Mercer and looked around and saw him falling. Looked around because I heard pistol fire. Never heard any fuss or talking before the accident. Saw Caroline’s children before. Never saw pistol after firing, nor boy that did shooting. Nathaniel is considered a bad boy by the neighbors. May 25th 1908. Mary (X) Harriss

Erdora James, being duly sworn, says: Nathaniel stays with grandmother. Pistol is kept in top bureau drawer of my aunt’s. Would know pistol if I saw it again. Heard pistol shoot, and ran out. Saw Mattie Pool & Lillie Taylor standing where accident occurred. My brother was eight years old, going on nine. Never heard him make any threats. Never saw brother before policeman got him. He stays all over streets in day time. Is wild and bad to manage. May 25th 1908    Erdora (X) James

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• Caroline Mercer and son John Mercer

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Street, oil mill laborer Meadie Mercer, 35; wife Caroline, 29; and children Octavos, 8, and Mae, 2.

• Mattie Pool

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: James Poole, 50; wife Mattie, 45; and boarder Mozella McCann, 22, tobacco factory laborers.

• Mary Harriss
• Nathaniel James and sister Erdora James

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Florence James, 30, tobacco stemmery day laborer; children Earty, 6, and Nathaniel, 2; and boarder Israel Whitaker, 25, day laborer.

• El Nolia and Delzell Smith
• Lillie Taylor

Coroner’s Inquest (1908), Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.