Wilson Daily Times, 24 February 1944.
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In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 209 Narroway Street, oil mill and factory laborer John McNeil, 32; wife Sallie, 29; sons Samie, 15, and John Jr., 3; and roomer John T. Snow, 18, delivery boy.
Philadelphia Inquirer, 27 May 2015.
The one hundred eightieth in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District: “ca. 1922; 1 story; hip-roofed, two-bay cottage with side hall.”
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In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Pitt Leaston (c; Maggie) cooper h 1200 Washington
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: McNeil Jesse (c; Cornelia) h 1200 Washington
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1200 Washington Street, “plaster helper” John L. Hart, 49; wife Eloise, 20; and lodger Ross Barnes, 41; his wife Emma, 32; and their daughter Bettie, 1.
Ben Hart died 7 November 1951 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 20 March 1881 in Edgecombe County to Wiley Hart; was a widower; resided at 1200 Washington Street, Wilson. Informant was Rev. J.L. Hart, 1200 Washington Street.
John L. Hart died 6 February 1963 at Mercy Hospital. Per his death certificate, he was born 28 January 1901 in Wilson County to Benjamin Hart and Temie Ann Jones; was a minister; lived at 1200 Washington Street; and was married to Elouise Hart.
On 22 October 1933, the Daily Times reported the murder of Mary Bethea, who had been found shot to death in a ditch on Suggs Street.
In fact, the victim’s name was Mary Huggins. Per her death certificate, she lived on Gay Street; was married; was 29 years old; and was born in Wilson County to Arch Bynum and Pennie Barnes. Annie James, 619 Suggs Street, was informant. Her listed cause of death went so far as to name a suspect: “Murdered. Shot to death. Supposed by James McPhail.”
On 22 December 1934, the Daily Times reported that James McNeil, not McPhail, had convicted of manslaughter in Huggins’ death and sentenced to ten years in state prison.
Clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.
Wilson Daily Times, 22 April 1921.
Elm City Elevator, 7 March 1902.
The one-hundred-eighteenth in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
The nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District does not list 505 South Pender. However, this description of 501, which does not actually exist, seems to describe the house above instead: “ca. 1922; 1 story; shotgun with shed-roofed porch, gable returns.”
In the 1928 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Leak Clara (c) dom h 505 Stantonsburg
In the 1930 Wilson, N.C., city directory: McNeil Mary (c) dom h 505 Stantonsburg
The 1941 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Barnes Pearl (c; 2) lndrs h 505 Stantonsburg
In the 1947 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Barnes Pearl N (c; wid Zach) lndry wrkr Caro Lndry & Clnrs h 505 Stantonsburg
The stretch of Pender Street above Suggs Street today, per Google Map. 505 is the silver-roofed shotgun at the corner Pender and Hines.
Here, the 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson, N.C. Below Nash Street, Pender Street was then called Stantonsburg Street. When Hines Street was extended east in the 1960s, it largely followed the former path of Wiggins Street. It appears that 501 and 503 were cleared out to make way for the much wider Hines.
Elm City Elevator, 7 March 1902.
Mittie Webb.
I was at home (at Place the deceased was killed) abut 12 oclock and Will McNiel came to the house and said he was coming in and did come in and broke the key which was in the lock. My sister Octavia went out the back door after a Policeman. He came in and hit me on the hand and head, and I truck him on hand and across head with iron poker. About an hour he returned and entered the house by forcing the door. I was sitting on bed with my baby when he struck at me with a hatchet, saying you tried to have me arrested, and now I will fix you. Before he came in the last time, the man in house with us shot at him once and on his coming in the second time he shot at McNiel twice more, after the 3rd shot was fired, McNeill grabbed at him and they went in the kitchen to gether and I run out the front door in the yard. After McNiel went out the house the first time, Octavia was trying to get away from him he caught her and threw her to the ground and beat her in the street. The pistol that the shooting was done with was one I borrowed from Nan Garrett. He cut Octavia with a pocket knife in 2 or 3 places. Mittie (X) Webb
Charles Taylor.
I met this woman Octavia at about 9 30 oclock at Dr. Harriss store, it was rainy and she asked me to go home with her. I went with her and during my stay in the house, a man came to the door and demanded to be admited which the woman declined to open the door and he swore loud oaths to the effect he was going to come in. This was about 12 oclock and I went up town after an Officer. Left the man inside house fussing and fighting this woman. When I came back with the Officer he was gone and the women of the house being very much frightened asked me to remain for there protection about an 1 1/2 hour or more he returned still demanding admittance which was denied him and with threats and curses he forced the door open by pushing, which was fastened by a chair. The second attempt to gain admittance was when I shot the first time, ball going through the door facing. He then left and returned the 3rd time when he busted the door open and came in at this time. I fire two more shots. He entered with a hatchet in his hand and struck at one of the women and seeing me in the corner made at me with hatchet and grabbed at my head. I went out the front door. I did not go in back room at all only with Office[r] when they searched him. Charlie (X) Taylor
Octavia Smith.
I was up the street about 9 30 oclock it was rainy and hearing that it was against the law to be out after 9 oclock, I asked this man Charlie Taylor to go home with me which he did. After being there some time Will McNeil came there and demanded admittance by loud cursing and threats, saying he was going to kill the last d-mn one of us to night. We woud not let him come in and he forced the door open and this man who accompanied me home ran out and went after an Officer. Left McNiel in house fighting my sister. At this time I went out the back door to get help, when he followed me in the street and knocked me down and tried to cut my throat. I was in my room when he returned the 2nd time and forced the door open which was fastened with a chain. Octavia (X) Smith
Miss Nan Garrett
This woman Octavia Smit came to my house and asked me to go up there and help Mittie Weelb, that McNiel was beating her. I went but McNiel was gone. Mittie Weelb asked me to loan her my pistol, which I did. About two hours after I saw from my porch firing of pistols in front of this womans hous where this McNiel was killed. /s/ Nanie Garrett
Wilson, N.C., March 2, 1902.
We the Jury for our verdict, after viewing the corpse, and hearing the evidence, find that William McNiel (col) came to his death from a wound from a pistol shot fired by Charlie Taylor (col); and we furthermore find that the killing was justifiable. /s/ E.F. Nadal, T.M. Pace, Henry Humphrey, R.S. Bryan, W.P. Lancaster
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Coroner’s Records, Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.