Funeral Services for Prosper Armistead (1889)

roanokebeacon1889-12-06_9

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 6 December 1889. Available online at DigitalNC.org.

Elopement Deterred (1889)

On Saturday night last a preliminary trial was heard at the Court House before Justice ARMISTEAD, of a runaway couple.

It seems that on Friday night last, Bettie SMALL, (colored), age, thirteen years, escaped at Lee’s Mills, with one Lloyd ARNOLD.  Her mother at once telegraphed the Register of Deeds at this place not to issue a license for this couple, as the girl was under age.  On Saturday she came to town, swore out a warrant for the arrest of said ARNOLD.  The warrant was placed in the hands of Deputy Sheriff FAGAN, who went at once to the house of ARNOLD, where he found him and the girl.  They were brought to town, where the trial was had before Justice ARMISTEAD, with C.L. PETTIGREW for the plaintiff, and A.O. GAYLORD, for the defendant.  After hearing the evidence on both sides Mr. ARMISTEAD bound the defendant, ARNOLD, over to the next term of the Superior Court, under a $100 bond, with A.O. GAYLORD and Levi ARNOLD, as bondsmen.

The girl was returned to her parents.


Source: Roanoke Beacon, 8 November 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

Tobe JOHNSTON Builds Cottage (1889)

Excerpted from the Beacon Flashes column.

Tobe JOHNSTON, colored, has erected a very neat cottage residence on the east end of Water street.


Source: Roanoke Beacon, 8 November 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

Charlotte JACKSON Burned (1889)

Excerpted from the Beacon Flashes column:

Charlotte JACKSON, a highly respected colored girl was seriously burned by falling into the fire while in a fit of apoplexy, on Monday.  Her recovery is doubtful.


Source: Roanoke Beacon, 25 October 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

Harry Cooper Catches Shark (1889)

Excerpted from the Beacon Flashes column:

  • Harry COOPER, colored, captured a small shart at the mouth of the Roanoke river on Saturday last, while fishing with a net.  It was about seven feet long and when brought to town created much excitement.  This makes the second shark caught in these waters of late.

Source: Roanoke Beacon,  20 September 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

Riot in Halifax (1889)

From the Scotland Neck Democrat – On last Monday the colored people of Wilmington excurted to Halifax to the number of a thousand or more.  In the afternoon some of the party became intoxicated and were disorderly, engaging in a knock down fistcuff. The town authorities had them promptly arrested.  Friends of the arrested parties threatened to rescue the prisoners from the Halifax authorities, but the citizens of the town armed themselves, and showed determination to stand together.

Mayor J.T. GOOCH, of Weldon, was telegraphed to and soon an engine and car was procured and 40 armed men under the direction of Sheriff B.I. ALLSBROOK, were in Halifax to see that the intruders from Wilmington were made to stand at the proper distance.

Mayor T.L. EMRY and Mayor GOOCH commanded the force, and order was finally restored without any damage more than the firing of some pistols before the Weldon force reached Halifax.

Joe McNEAL and Sam REESE were each fined two dollars and cost for disorderly conduct, and Chas. ONSLOW and Alexander LORD were both committed to jail in default of a justified bond of $50.  It was the attempt to rescue them from the officers while on the way to jail that caused the greater part of the riot.


Source: Roanoke Beacon,  6 September 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

Marriage Licenses (September 6, 1889)

The following marriage licenses were issued by Register J.P. HILLIARD, during the month of August —

  • WHITE: A.D. LEARY and Ella YOUNG, Chas. T. BIGGS and Nora OLIVER
  • COLORED: Richard SIGHT and Lethia BRICKHOUSE, Peter ROGERS and Maggie NORMAN, W.H. SPENCE and Harriet JONES.

    Source: Roanoke Beacon,  6 September 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.