Ward

An inquiry into the murder of Dave Hagans.

An argument among Etheldred Hagans‘ children precipitated the stabbing death of one by an intervening neighbor. The transcripts of witnesses at the coroner’s inquest into David Hagans‘ murder:

John Lancaster — I was at old man Hagans. Jim Hagan cussed sister said didnt have enough to eat cooked younger brother took it up. Jim said he was drunk & wouldnt notice it. Dave took it up but I got him out doors. Then Dave went back & I went back. Dave said to father you going to let Louis run over every body here. Louis said G- D- he wont going to let Jim run over him that he (Jim) lay around & wouldnt work but wanted to boss. Jim didn’t notice Louis. John Summerlin had hold of Jim to keep him from fighting. Dave ran at me and said G- D- I am a man. I pushed Dave off from me & he run over to corner where John & Dave were. Dave struck John & John said I aint doing anything but trying to keep them apart. Then I pushed Dave one way & John the other & got John out the door. Then Warren Ward & Jim sisters & I were standing out at the wagon shelter 25 yds from house. I hear chairs falling & signs of scuffling in the house. Warren said John don’t let this girl go back in the house I am going back in there. I tried to hold her but she broke away from me crying & ran back into the house. Warren went back in the house & I followed Geneva & she was in the midst of the fighting trying to part them. They were using their fists fighting. Dave, Jim & old man Dred & Louis Hagan were all fighting. Then I left & got with Jim Ellis & Oscar Ellis & Willie Pittman who were outside the house & started down the road then Warren Ward ran out of the house & asked me to go back & get his hat said Dave struck me three licks on the face but I am satisfied I had him to kill. Then we went on up to the store. Last year Dave & Warren got in some trouble last year at Saratoga had fist fight. I started to Pittmans store after leaving house but didnt get there some said Dave was hurt so I went back had been gone about ten or twelve minutes when I got back they had Dave on a buggy.   John X Lancaster

Jim Hagan — When I went to supper I got after Geneva my sister for not staying home and cooking enough supper. Louis my brother who was in the next room & drunk said to me Jim G- D- you ought not to be here cussing Geneva. I went in the kitchen & the others went in the house. After we got back in the house Jim was jumping around cursing I told him he was drunk & I wouldnt notice him. Dave Hagan my brother said Jim if I was staying here like you I wouldn’t let Louis curse me like that Warren Ward came in & said Dave if you & Jim get 21 years old leave home because liable to have trouble. & I told him Geneva was young & I was tending a crop there & had a right to tell her what to do. John Summerlin came in & all were talking all were drinking. Dave told Louis if he had cursed him like he had cursed Jim he would beat H-ll out of him. John Summerlin said no Dave you wont do any such D- thing. Dave said John you aint got a D- thing to do with it & Dave & John ran together & grappled. Old man Dred & Tom & me we got in there & tried push them out the door. Oscar Ellis got John Summerlin out of the house & down the road. Then everything quieted then Dave & Louis got to quarreling again & Warren Ward ran in there & said Dave G- D- you shan’t run over Louis. Dave said to Warren you aint got a G.D. thing to do with it then he & Warren ran together. I ran up to them & said you aint going to have any trouble here. Then I ran into the next room & got my pistol off the organ & before I got back Warren ran out the door. Dave was cursing about how old man Dred let Louis do as he pleased. We talked about 5 min. Dave went out the door I heard him curse & then heard the licks being passed in a fight. Then I ran to the door & Dave said Jim G.D. Warren has cut me & fell on his knees. I jumped down & ran after Warren but he got away. Before I got to the door & I heard fighting both were cursing & I recognized Warrens voice & knew who was fighting with Dave. Before I got my pistol & when Warren & Dave ran together in the house Warren had his knife open in his hand. I took Dave & carried him to the house. I then hitched up & took Dave over to John Lancasters house & went to John Rogers John Rogers got up & came with me to John Lancasters & sent me for Dr Crocker & before I got back I [met] Albert Ward & he told me Dave was dead. When I took him in the house he was bleeding from both arms. Warren & Dave last summer had fight at Saratoga. Warren owed Dave some money didnt speak till 2 months after when both joined same society but wont on good terms This happened about 8 o’clock last night. Jim X Hagan

Aaron Cameron — When Jim & Louis were quarreling Louis got two butcher knives after him. They quarreled a while & Dave got in it. Then old man Dred got in it after a while John Lancaster & I left & heard a gun shot back of the house. Then Warren come running as hard as he could. Warren said that Dave had beat him in a fist fight but he was satisfied now. Then asked us to go back and get his cap. We went back & Louis said Dave was cut. When they were quarreling in the house old man got his gun & said if they were going to take his house he would get out & he went out in the field.  Aaron X Cameron

Dred Hagan testified same as others. Warren & Dave were pushing when I went out. I didnt see any knife & heard no threats. I went out in the field. I shot the gun but not towards the house & the crowd scattered.  Dred X Hagan

We the Coroners Jury find that Dave Hagans came to his death from being cut with a knife in the hands of Warren Ward and the cutting was felonious.

R.E. Bynum, Stephen Craft, J.H. Gar[illegible], J.B. Walston, W.J. Mercer Jr., J.I. Rodgers, W.H. Anderson Coroner

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Charlotte Observer, 16 May 1908.

[Sidenote: Though their content is heavy and violent, transcripts from coroner’s inquests provide unique windows into family and social interaction in late 19th and early century Wilson County. They also allow us to “hear” the speech of Black men and women of the era. I was struck here by the use of “wont” in John Lancaster and Jim Hagans’ testimony. Pronounced with a long o like “won’t,” this is a common rendering of “wasn’t” in eastern North Carolina dialect even to this day. Until my roommate my freshman year at Carolina — she was from Shelby, in the western Piedmont — queried me about it, I had not paid attention to my own usage of the word.]

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  • Dred Hagans and his children David, Jim, Lewis, and Geneva Hagans

In the 1870 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farm laborer Wilson Hagans, 62; wife Rodah, 50; sons James, 14, David, 9, and Etheldred, 7; and farm laborer Delphi Locus, 24.

On 17 February 1884, Dred Hagans, 23, married Martha Speight, 21, at Seth H. Tyson’s in Saratoga, Wilson County.

On 21 February 1900, Dred Hagan, 38, of Saratoga township, married Correnia Artis, 23, at Robert Ellis’ farm, Saratoga township. Seventh-Day Adventist minister Thomas H. Moore performed the ceremony in the presence of Effie Artis, Susan Rodgers, and Henry Bailey.

In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer David [sic] Hagans, 40, and children Corinna, 24, Dave, 16, Jim, 15, Martha, 13, Lewis, 11, Geneva, 9, and Charley, 7.

On 7 January 1904, David Hagans, 21, of Saratoga township, son of Dred Hagans, married Almena Ellis, 20, of Saratoga township, daughter of Oscar Ellis, at Eason Brothers Store in Saratoga. Falcon Ellis applied for the license.

In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Dred Hagins, 49, and children Louis, 19, Geneva, 18, and Charlie, 16, as well as Hilliard Wootern 20, servant.

On 2 May 1909, Jim Hagans, 22, of Saratoga township, son of Dred and Mattie Hagans, married Maria Artis, 19, of Saratoga township, daughter of John and Sarah Artis, at John Artis’ in Saratoga township. A.M.E. Zion minister G.A. Wood performed the ceremony in the presence of Frank C. Ellis, Tom Speight, and A.A. Maron.

On 10 January 1912, Aaron Applewhite, 22, of Saratoga township, son of Warren and Delpha Applewhite, married Jeneva Hagans, 18, of Saratoga township, daughter of Dred Hagans. A.M.E. Zion minister G.A. Wood performed the ceremony at Dred Hagans’ house in the presence of

On 13 January 1923, Louis Hagans, 30, of Saratoga township, son of Dred Hagans and Martha [no maiden name], married Louisa Edwards, 23, of Saratoga township, daughter of Aaron and Katie Edwards, in Wilson.

Dred Hagans died 6 June 1927 in Speights Bridge township, Greene County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was 73 years old; was born in Wilson County to Wilson Hagens; was the widower of Mathua Hagen’s; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Harrin Cemetery, Greene County. Louis Hagans, Walstonburg, was informant.

Louis Hagans died 28 January 1949 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 28 August 1890 in Wilson County to Dread Hagans and Martha Speight; lived near Walstonburg, in Wilson County; was the widower of Daisy Hagans; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Saint Delight Cemetery, Greene County. Louis Hagans Jr. was informant.

  • John Lancaster
  • John Summerlin

In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Nelson Sumlin, 41; wife Anna, 36; and children John, 13, Ben, 10, Laura, 8, and Bud, 4.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer John Sumlin, 22, and wife Ruth, 18.

In 1917, Jno. Summerlin registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 19 August 1888 in Wilson County; lived near Elm City; farmed for James Bass; and supported a wife and four children. He signed his name “John Sumlin.”

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer John Sumerline, 33; wife Ruth, 27; and children Adell, 8, Nora, 7, Leslie, 4, and Margaret, 3.

In the 1930 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, North Carolina: John Sumlin, 43; with Ruth, 37; and children Elnora, 16, Marvis, 14, Lossie, 13, John B. Jr., 12, Almena, 10, and Izell, 6.

John Sumlin died 6 March 1939 in Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County. Per his death certificate, he was born 19 August 1888 in Wilson County to Nelson Sumlin of Warrington [Warrenton], N.C. and Anna Eliza Hudson of Conetoe, N.C.; was married to Ruth Sumlin; worked as a day laborer at a factory; and was buried in Wilson County.

  • Warren Ward

In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Scott Ward, 48; wife Tinie, 45; and children Nathan, 24, Scott, 19, Warren, 17, Frances, 14, George, 11, Manda, 9, and Mary, 5.

  • Albert Ward

Possibly, in the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Albert Ward, 30, cropper; wife Ella, 25; and sons Willie, 4, and Robert, 11 months.

  • Aaron Cameron
  • Jim Ellis

In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Lue Ellis, 55, and children Alvenia, 14, Jim, 14, Oscar, 12, and Lue, 1 month.

In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Lou Ellis, 45, widow, children James, 22, Oscar, 20, and Elijah, 6; Louvenia Hagans, 5; Isaac Ward, 24; and Fannie Mitchell, 39. [Louvenia Jones died 6 June 1927 in Stantonsburg township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 22 years old; was born in Wilson County to Dave Hagans and Almeta Ellis; was married to Roscoe Jones; and was buried in Bethel Cemetery. Oscar Ellis was informant.]

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

The Henry and Sarah Forbes Ward family of North Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee, and Colorado.

Wilson native Joseph H. Ward, who left home in his teens, arrived in Indiana circa 18xx after working in Kinston, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia. His uncle, Henry Ward, preceded him to Indianapolis and may have been the future Dr. Ward’s draw to that midwestern state.

I’ve talked about two of Henry Ward’s daughters, Nora Ward Goens and Mattie Ward Robinson, so let’s round out the family.

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  • Henry and Sarah Forbes Ward

On 16 June 1870, Henry Ward, son of D.G.W. Ward and Sarah Darden, married Sarah Forbes, daughter of Henry Forbes, in Wilson. Rev. L. Moye performed the ceremony at a M.E. Zion church.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Henry Ward, 21, and wife Sallie, 19, next door to Henry Forbes, 48, domestic servant, wife Louise, 43, children Charles, 15, Georgiana, 21, and John, 21, and Patsey Forbes, 70.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: plow shop worker Henry Ward, 27, wife Sarah, 28, and children Walter, 9, Manora, 7, Lilly, 5, Claudius, 3, and Addie, 1.

The Wards left Wilson in the mid-1880s and apparently migrated first to Indianapolis. During that time, Henry Ward transformed himself from farm laborer and plow shop worker to Baptist minister. [Henry Ward’s name undergoes several adjustments, too, with “Henry” being the only constant. Over the next twenty or so years, he appears in records as Edward H., E. Henry, B.H., C.H., and Edwin H. Ward.]

Perhaps, in the 1888 Indianapolis city directory: Ward Edward H Rev pastor Reid St Baptist church, res rear 18 Bismarck, and in the 1889 directory: Ward Edward H Rev pastor Reid St Baptist church, res rear 56 Meek

In the 1890 Indianapolis city directory: Ward Henry Rev h 47 Hosbrook; also, Ward Edward H clk Koch & Ruske h 47 Holbrook [is this the same person?]. Also, Ward Walter lab h 228 Hosbrook. [And Ward Joseph servant 291 W Michigan, who appears to be the future Dr. Joseph H. Ward.]

In the 1893 Indianapolis city directory: Ward E Henry Rev h 247 W Ohio

On 6 February 1894, Nora Ward, 21, daughter of B.H. Ward and Sallie Forbes, married Eugene Goins, 22, son of Lewis Goins and Edna Martin, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

By 1899, the Wards had moved south to Nashville.

In the 1899 Nashville, Tennessee, city directory: Ward Edward H Rev (c) pastor Summit Street Baptist Church h 637 Woods

In the 1900 Nashville, Tennessee, city directory: Ward Edward H Rev (c) pastor Summit Street Baptist Church h 610 Lea av

In the 1900 census of Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee: at 527 High Street, minister Edwin H. Ward, 44; wife Sallie, 43; and daughters Adelia, 20, seamstress, and Mattie, 16.

Mattie L. Robinson died 12 March 1921 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Per her death certificate, she was born 16 September 1884 in Wilson, N.C., to Henry Ward and Sallie Forbes; was married to J.W. Robinson; and was buried in Springhill Cemetery, Danville.

I’ve found nothing further on Edwin, Sarah “Sallie,” or Adelia “Addie” Ward.

  • Walter Ward

On 24 February 1897, Walter D. Ward, 26, born in North Carolina, son of E.H. Ward and Sallie Forbs, married Clara Lewis, 25, born in Indiana, daughter of R. Lewis and Lizzie [maiden name not listed.]

In the 1900 census of Manitou, El Paso County, Colorado: barber Walter Ward, 29, born in North Carolina, and wife Clara, 28, born in Indiana. Also, in the same census: W.D. Ward, 29, born in North Carolina, married, hotel bell boy.

Colorado Springs Gazette, 26 August 1904.

On 15 November 1904, Walter Ward and Clara Ward were divorced in El Paso County, Colorado.

Colorado Springs Gazette, 16 November 1904.

In the 1910 census of Manitou, El Paso County, Colorado: servant Walter Ward, 38, barber, in hotel on Canon Avenue.

Cliff House is still receiving guests in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Photo at Wikipedia, courtesy of Susie T. 

In the 1920 census of Denver, Denver County, Colorado: at 2941 California Street, Walter D. Ward, 44, porter in plumber’s shop, and wife Mallie, 32, laundress.

Walter Ward and Mallie Ward were divorced 10 December 1920 in Denver, Colorado.

  • Lillian Ward Gentry

On 20 September 1895, Lillian Ward, 22, born in North Carolina, daughter of C.H. Ward and Sally [no maiden name], married Leslie Gentry, 22, born in Kentucky, son of R. Gentry and Dealy Cericke, in Marion County, Indiana.

Indianapolis Journal, 21 November 1895.

I’ve found nothing further on Lillian Ward Gentry.

  • Henry and Louise Forbes Ward

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Henry Ward, 21, and wife Sallie, 19, next door to Henry Forbes, 48, domestic servant, wife Louise, 43, children Charles, 15, Georgiana, 21, and John, 21, and Patsey Forbes, 70.

I have not found the Forbes family in the 1880 census. Based on city directories, however, widow Louise Forbes and her sons migrated to Indianapolis about 1889.

In the 1890 Indianapolis, Indiana, city directory: Forbes Louise (widow Henry) h 225 Huron. Louise Forbes appears in city directories throughout the 1890s, as do her sons Charles C. Forbes and George Forbes.

In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana: at 508 Minerva, Louezer Forbes, 77; sons Charles, 45, and George A., 39, day laborers; and great-grandson Claude, 7.

In the 1910 census of Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana: at 512 Minerva, Louise Forbes, 87, and sons George, 61, and Charlie, 53, laborers on public buildings.

In the 1920 census of Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana: at 542 Minerva, Charles Forbes, 65, lodger, laborer on city streets.

Charles Forbes died 26 May 1930 in the Marion County Home, Indianapolis, Indiana. Per his death certificate, he was 76 years old; was white [sic]; and was born in North Carolina to Henry Forbes and Lucile Richardson.

The obituary of Alonza Ward.

Wilson Daily Times, 22 July 1944.

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In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Powell Street, owned and valued at $1200, Preston Ward, 27, public building plasterer; wife Edna, 26; and children Preston, 10, Elonzy, 8, Johnie, 6, Janie, 5, Virginia, 3, and Sylvester, 8 months.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Powell Street, widower Preston Ward, 38, building plasterer; sister Annie, 26; and children James P., 20, building plasterer, Alonza, 18, Johnny Lee, 17, Rosa, 14, Virginia, 12, Sylvester, 10, Ruby, 8, Doris, 6, and Golden, 2.

Teen-Age Club ponders a name.

Wilson Daily Times, 4 May 1943.

  • Virginia Ward — in the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Powell Street, widower Preston Ward, 38, building plasterer; sister Annie, 26; and children James P., 20, building plasterer, Alonza, 18, Johnny Lee, 17, Rosa, 14, Virginia, 12, Sylvester, 10, Ruby, 8, Doris, 6, and Golden, 2.

The Ward-Moody family of Washington, D.C.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Sarah Darden, 57, son-in-law Algia Vaughn, 23, daughter Mittie, 22, and grandchildren Joseph, 8, Sarah, 6, and Macinda Vaughn, 5 months. [Joseph “Vaughn” was actually Joseph Ward, listed with his stepfather’s surname. “Macinda” appears to be Minerva Vaughn.]

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Pettigrew Street,  Virginia-born Fannie Moody,  35, “keeping house” with sons William, 11, and John, 8.

On 18 February 1892, William Moody, 23, of Wilson, son of Fanny Moody (who lived in Washington, D.C.) married Sarah Ward, 18, daughter of Mittie Ward, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony at Sam Williams‘ residence in the presence S.W. Williams and J.W. Jeffreys, both of Wilson, and W.T. Williams of Halifax, N.C.

Sarah Ward Moody, her husband William M. Moody, their children Augustus and Christina Moody, and William’s mother Fannie Moody Harris migrated to Washington, D.C., between 1896 and 1898.

In the 1899 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody William M, waiter, 1617 V nw

In the 1901 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody William, waiter, 2531 15th nw

In the 1900 census of Washington, D.C: waiter William Moody, 27, wife Sarah S., 24, dressmaker, and children Augustus, 5, and Crist Moody, 4, plus sister-in-law Minerva Vaughn, 10, mother-in-law Mittie Vaughn, 46, cook, and mother Fannie Harris, 55, cook, all born in North Carolina.

In the 1910 and 1912 Washington, D.C., city directories: Moody William, waiter, 1443 Pierce pl nw

In the 1913 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Wm M, waiter, 1443 Swann nw

In the 1915 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Wm, waiter, h Whittingham pl ne

In the 1919 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Wm M, waiter, h 1032 Whittingham pl ne

In the 1920 census of Washington, District of Columbia: at 1032 Whittingham Place, paper hanger William Moody, 48; wife Sarah, 44; son Augustus, 26, hotel waiter; widowed daughter Christiana, 24; her children Lorine, 5, Robert W., 3, and Earl, 18 months; William’s mother Fanny Harris, 75; and lodger Hattie Carter, 12.

Fannie Moody Harris died 24 April 1920 in Washington, D.C.

The Washington Times, 28 April 1920.

In the 1921, 1922, and 1923 Washington, D.C., city directories: Moody Wm M, paperhngr, h 1032 Whittingham pl ne

In the 1922 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Sarah, laundress, h 1032 Whittingham pl ne

Christine Moody Briggs Payne died 22 July 1928 at the family home at 1032 Whittingham Place, N.E., in D.C.’s Deanwood neighborhood.

The Washington Times, 23 July 1928.

In the 1933 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Wm M (Sarah), paperhngr, h 1032 Whittingham pl ne h[ome] d[itto]

In the 1936 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Wm M, h 1032 Whittingham pl ne

William M. Moody died 11 May 1936 on Whittingham Place.

The Washington Times, 13 May 1936.

Five months later, on 16 October 1936, Sarah Helen Ward Moody died.

The Washington Times, 5 August 1936.