Category Archives: Death

Watson, B. Franklin – (d. 1889)

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Excerpted from “Our Creswell Letter”

A most horrible death occurred about 2 1/2 miles from town, last Saturday morning.   One B. Franklin WATSON and one Joseph SMITH was cutting timber for Messrs.  L.H. Creesy & Bro., and in felling a large pine it struck an adjacent tree which knocked a large limb out of the falling tree and struck said WATSON on the back of his head crushing it in and breaking his neck, and of course killed him instantly. Said SMITH also was struck by the same limb on his leg, carrying away a large part of his pants but received no serious damage further than a severe fright.

What a sad and terrible blow it was for WATSON’s young wife (whom he had left but an hour or two before in perfect health) to hear that her husband was dead, and to realize that she and her infant babe was thrown upon the cold charities of the world, with no strong arm to lean upon.

WATSON’s death should serve as a warning to all of us, to prepare for death, for “in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.”

Source: Roanoke Beacon,  16 August 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

Sheppard, Wilson (his daughters) – (d. 1889)

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Burned to Death

While the parents were at church on the 3d inst., two girls, age 12 and 14, daughters of Wilson SHEPPARD, of Beaufort county, were burned to death.  While pouring kerosene from the can on the fire the can exploded, setting fire to the children’s clothing.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 9 August 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

Lewis, Harry (d. 1889)

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Harry LEWIS, a wagoner of Edgecombe County, NC., lost his life under very peculiar circumstances the other day.  He was driving a double team near the railroad track when the bridle of one of the horses came off.  He got down and was putting it on again when a train came along and the horses began to jump and plunge.  The wagon tongue was forced into the driver’s breast, killing him almost instantly.

Source: Roanoke Beacon,9 August 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

Council, Theodore (Mrs.) – (d. 1889)

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Poisoned His Wife

A special from Williamston, NC, of July 24th, to the News and Observer, contains the following horrible account of a man poisoning his wife:

On Thursday last one Theodore COUNCIL, a young man about 22 years old, white, went to the town of Robertsonville, in this county, accompanied by his wife.  He called at the store of J.W. ANDERSON & Co., and bought a package of rough on rats.  He asked at the time if it would kill a person.  The clerk told him it would.  he then procured some whiskey and deposited the rough on rats in it.  On his return home he induced his wife to drink it and before getting to her home she was taken deathly sick.  He took her home and pretended to go for a physician, but did not go and left her there to die, and has fled.  She died very suddenly on last Friday morning.  It was not till her father was sent for, and he went for a physician, that the above facts were brought out.  Her remains are buried.  Upon investigation the fact that a murder had been committed became so plain that a coroner’s inquest and post mortem examination was demanded.  The lady’s remains were disinterred on yesterday, and a post mortem examination made by Dr. W.H. HARRELL, county superintendent of the board of health.  The coroner’s jury has been on the case since Monday, and rendered a verdict today of murder.  COUNCIL is still at large and strenuous effort is being made to arrest.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 9 August 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

Stevenson, James S. (d. 1889)

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The following is an obituary for James S. STEVENSON of Snowden.

diedatsnowden

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 2 August 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

PAGE, Roger, J. (d. 1889)

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Sensational Murder Over A Woman at Marion, NC

Col. Roger J. PAGE, a prominent lawyer and editor of the Times-Register at Marion, N.C. was shot and instantly killed at that place just after alighting from the midnight train, which brought him from Round Knob.

He had gone a hundred yards from the station, and was leaning on the arm of his friend, Judge HAYWOOD, of Texas, while on his left was another friend, when someone came up behind him and shot him through the neck, which was broken by the ball.  His assailant ran, mounted a horse and fled the town.  A coroner’s inquest was hurriedly held, rendering a verdict of death by a person unknown.

A young man had threatened to kill Col. PAGE, and was seen following the dead man at the station. Quite a crowd had gathered, expecting trouble, and, indeed, the rumor that some one intended injuring Colonel PAGE was current in the town, and when the pistol shot was fired at midnight many persons remarked that Col. PAGE was in trouble.

It is said that a woman is at the bottom of the tragedy.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 2 August 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

PITTMAN, Eliza – (d. 1889)

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Miss Eliza PITTMAN died at her home in Tarboro on the 13th inst.  Miss PITTMAN’s death will be sad news to a large number of friends who admired her beauty and accomplishments and esteemed her for her true worth.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 26 July 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

WEDDINGTON, Wm. – (d. 1889)

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Wm. WEDDINGTON (col.) was hanged in Charlotte on the 11th inst., for the murder of policeman Jno. PIERCE, of Monroe, Union county, May 5th 1888.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 26 July 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

WHITEHURST, Young – (d. 1889)

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Young WHITEHURST, book-keeper for Branch, Cone & Co., of Spring Hope, Nash county, NC., committed suicide by shooting himself through the heart.  It is thought that irregularities in his books caused him to commit the act.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 26 July 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.

 

PRIVETT, A.B. – (d. 1889)

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A.B. PRIVETT, while crazed with drink, committed suicide in Goldsboro, NC, by taking laudanum.  Prompt medical attention was summoned but could only prolong his life a few hours.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 26 July 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.