VOL. IX. NO. 47
A DASTARD
LY MURDER
Citizens Were So 'Da Negro
Was Allowed to Escape
ARMED MEN SEARCHING
C H. Whichard Killed While Standing at
His Meat Block —Three Shots Fired
But Only One Took Effect—Re
mains Taken to Beaufort
Rohersonville, Thursday. Aug. 13
A peaceful citizen, while at his
work, is shot three times «nd in
stantly killed by a worthless brute.
Mr. O. H. Whichard, our very
efficient marketman, was killed
Wednesday by Robert Roberson,
colored About ten o'clock Rob
erson went to Mr. Whichard's
market to demand pay for work
that he had not done. While Mr.
Whichard was bending over his
meat block with the top of his head
toward the negro, the latter whip
ped out his pistol and shot out his
brains. He fired three times, but
only one *hot took effect. Two
colored inta just across the stve'-t
saw Roberson as he was firing.
Whichard raised himself up aud
fell over backwards, senseless. He
lived about four hours after re
ceiving the wound, but he never
spoke.
The Coroner was soon here from
Williamston and held an inquest
over the deceased.' The jury, con
sisting of' Messrs. A. S. Roberson,
R L. Smith, J, B. Ban-nhill, W.
S Baruhill, W. W. Keel, and W.
H. Holiday, rendered a verdict
that the deceased came to his death
by a fristol wound from Robert
Roberson.
The citizens were so dazed that
the darkey was allowed to escape
right before their eyes. He was
seen by several as he Jeft for the
woods. He was chased some dis
tance by J. H. Smith, but made
good his escape. The sheriff w*s
summoned from Williamston, blood
hounds obtained from Tarboro and
the negro was given chase. The
sheriff was once within 75 yards of
the criminal and fired at him* but
without effect. The dogs failed
entirely to run the trail. Later in
the day Thomas Carson and John
Taylor, of Bethel, caught sight of
th£ murderer, and each took three
shot 6 at long range with rifles.
Again he disappeared in the woods.
At one time the posse thought they
had him surrounded in a 3 acre
piece of woods, but the darkey was
not there.
Guards were placed at important
points during the night, and the
sheriff is making every effort to
capture the murderer. It is truly
hoped that he will soon be taken,
and that the strong arm of the law
will mete swift justice to so foul
a criminal.
Mr. Whicard leaves a wife and
five children, who were dependent
upon him for support. Mrs.
Whichard at once telegraphed her
father and received a message from
him at Highland, N. J., that he
would come at once. She has the
sympathy of the entire community.
The remains of Mr. Whichard
will be interred at the family bury
ing ground at Beaufdrt' He also
leaves a sister and many friends to
mourn their loss.
THE ENTERPRISE
Another Report of the
Tragedy
The most cold blooded and das
tardly murder in the history
Martin Couuty was commited WeJ
i nesday morning at ten o'clock
j when Robert Roberson, a negro,
delibertly shot Charles H. Wliicli
ard, a wtoite man, in the latter's
market house. The negro at
once made his escape to the woods
and has not betn caught though
more than 200 men, accompanied
by Chief of Police Pulley of Tar
boro and his blood bound, Sheriff
J C.Crawfor l ani Constable Jos
eph Bullock scoured the country
that morning from 11 o'clock till
3 o'clock yesterday morning. At
that hour, the rumor that Rober
so* had crossed over fcato Jfdge
co«be county having been veri
fied, Sheriff Crawford toJd the boys
that they had btHter ret-uru borne
awl get some rest. He picked
several men from the crowd to stay
with him aud take a further look
ever the field before going to rest
himself.
The negro was hired by Wtiich
aTd to pull fodder for him on con
tract, but, the negro quit before
trashing the werk and demanded
his pay, and Whichard refused
to pay him uutil he had finished
the job. From current rumors it
is gathered that the negro told
Whichard that Le had to pay him
or he would kill him before .12
o'clock. The negro went off and
secured a pistol, going back to the
market house he hung around
waiting a chanoe to shoot. When
everyone, except Whichard, had
left the market the negro shot three
times, but only one ball struok
him, from that wound Mr. Which
ard died that afternoon at three
o'clock
The crowd that left Robecson
ville Wednesday morning before
the arrival of Sheriff Crawford went'
in search of the negrQwith the in
tention of lynching bim if he was
caught. And it is still talked that
if the negro is caught he will be
lynched. Murders by negroes ia
this section are getting entirely too
numerous, and are committed with
out the slightest provocation. The
people here want to make an ex
ample of some of these dastardly
criminals, and they think that it
might as well be Roberson as to
wait for another murdei to be
committed. >
At one time Wednesday night it
was thought that the negro was
surrounded in a piece of woods
near Parmele, and it was thought
by some that he had been wound-,
ed, as somfe of the party bad shot
at him with Winchester rifles.
The negro' evidently used some
thing to kill Ms trail, as the hound
only trailed him for about two hun
dred yards, the balance of the time
the dog was listless, and would not
WILLIAMSTON, N. C., FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1908.
take the trail when he was put on
the negroe's. tracks.
At one time Wednesday night it
was estimated (hat the crowd that
was hunting for the negro num
bered between 400 and 500 men,
all armed and ready to kill the
negro on sight. Citizens from all
the neighboring towns, and farmers
all along the line of hunt joined
the posse.
Thursday morning early Sheriff
Crawford was out and 'phoning for
information and putting his guards
on the lookout for the negro.
Chief of police Page from Williams
toil went to Bsthel to join the
sheriff, and from there they will
take up the hunt. Two more de
termined meu never followed a
criminal's track. If the*negro can
be caught they will catch him.
Latest Information
Sheriff Crawford and Chief of
Police Page returned to Williams
ton about half past one o'clock
this morning after having spent all
of yesterday trying to pick up the
trail of the negro. The report
that Rober on went through the
county gate into Edgecombe county
Wednesday evening proved to be a
false trail, as thev found out whq
the negro was that passed the line
at that time. Absolutely nothing,
has been seen of the negro since he
wasrun into the woods about half
past six Wednesday evening.
The police at all the nearby
towns have been notified to be on
the look out for the negro, and it
is still thought that he will be ap
prehended.
I NEWS FROM THE COUNTY
The Coming and Goihg of People in Everetts and
Hassell —Basebal and Social News
from Hamilton.
I HAMILTON ITEMS
At the home of their father,
Mr. C. H. Baker, Misses Maud
and Lillie Way Baker delightfully
entertained tke Y. P. Club. A
■oontest of the cities of Europe was
entered ui»on. Miss Fannie Mat
thews wanning the first prize and
Miss Mary Pender Gladstone won
the second. After the confeKt ice
cream and cake were served upon
a plate containing a beautiful
banch of flowers.
Among tbase present were:
Misses Fannie Matthews, Martha
Council, Castine Purvis, Mary Pen
der Gladstone, Carrie Sherrod,
Helen ami Rachel Edmondson,
Betaie Lawrence. The only visitor
waa Miss Marie Hyman of New
port News, Va.
Miss M. B Purvis delightfully
entertained the Hamilton Book
Club Tuesday evening. There was
an exciting contest entered upon
of the Bible. Mrs. R. W. Salshury
won first prize while Mrs. W. E.
'Gladstone won the second. Among
those present were: Mesdames B
B. Sherrod, R. W. Salsbury, D.
C. Jones, W. L. Sberrod, W. E.
Gladstone, J. B. Williams and M.
I. Fleming. The only visitor was
Mrs. E. B. Norman of Plymouth.
After the contest wa# over delight
ful refreshments were served.
HAMILTON VS ROBEKSONVILLE
Hamilton and Robersonville
crossed bats on the latter's home
ground Tuesday of last week in a
ione-sided game of ball, the score
being 10 to 1 in favor of Hamilton.
R H R
Hamilton, 423000010 1012 3
Robenonville, 000000010 1 3 8
Batteries: Holmes and Lawrence;
Whitfield, Norman and Bullock.
Two base bits: Lawrence, Darden
••■'V "
THE YEARLY MEETING
Elder C. J. Farncombe Preaah
ed at Skewarkey Saturday
and Sunday—Visiting Eld
ers Present. '
I.ast Sunday Elder Farncombe,
a strict Baptist of London, Eng
land, delivered an able and force
ful sermon on the text: ' Ye must
be born again", a$ Skewarkey
Church, which is situated about
one tnile from Williamston
The weather was very fine and
the large congregation seemed to
enjoy his sermon very much. He
treated his text in a full and logi
cal manner and according to the
beliefs of the Primitive Baptist of
the United States, having discuss
ed every phase of it in a period of
forty minutes. He spoke in a
pleading conversational tone which
connected with his excellent rea
soiling was most convincing.
The Strict Baptist of England
believe in practically the same
thing as do the Primitive Baptist
here Their beliefs do not vary in
questions of vital importance. The
members thought that Elder Farn
combe's sermon on Sunday was
strictly coincident with their own
Views.
Elder George Robersoti of Rob
ersonvil'.e, Elder Charles Meads of
Elizabeth Citv and Elder Harrison
of Plymouth were the visiting
ministers.
\ Elder Rpberson drove Elder
Farncombe to Robersonville on
Sunday afternoon, where he spoke
that night.
I and Holmes. Base on balls:
Holmes i, Whitfield i, Struck out
|by Holmes 12, by Whitfield s, by
I Norman 6. Earned runs: Hatnil-
iri 6, Robersouvilu' o. The fea
ture® of the ga me were the pitch
, ] ing and batting of Holmes and the
catching and batting cf Lawrence.
II Mr. J. E. Bullock was in town
11 Stnday,
Johnnie Rooks has returned from
1 Plymouth.
Miss Marie Hytnan is visiting at
Mrs, Gladstone's.
• ™
Mr. William Grimes left for
Baltimore Monday.
Miss Susie Johnson has returned
from Rocky Mount.
-i "
Miss Maud Baker has returned
from Williamston.
Mr. Vance Culberson has return
ed from Charlotte
Mr. Gladstone has returned from
a visit at Shawboro.
Mr. Edward Matthews went to
Williamston Monday.
Mr. Eugene Purvis is visiting
Mr. B. B. Sherrod, Jr.
Miss Fannie Gladstone left for
Virginia Beach Saturday.
Mr. W- L. Sherrod returned
bone Monday from Panacea.
/ +
Mr«. William Winbury is Sit
ing her sister, Mrs. W. A. Peel.
Mrs. S'ade left for Macon Sat*
urday accompained by her mother.
Miss Pen Gladstone returned
from Newport News, Va., a few
days ago.
Mrs. Norman from Plymouth
has been visiting her sister Mrs.
Williams.
i
Mr. Thurman from Knoxville, ,
Tenn., is making Bis home in j
Hamilton. ,
(Continued on page four) 1
ROBERSONVILLE NEWS
VERY BUSY WEEK
L
Elder C. J. Farncombe, of
Preached Sunday Night.
BASEBALL ENTHUSIASTS KEPT VERY BUSY
Visitors Coming and Going--An Unusual Sight-*
Dinner to Friends—-Mr. Bunting, hurt-- ,
Good on the Tobacco Market.
By JOHN D. EVERETT
Tuesday, Aug. N 1908 ROHKRSONVII,I.K VS.
Elder C. J. Farncombe, of Lon
don, England, was the guest of
Elder G. D. Roberson Thursday
night. In spite of the rain a
goodly number was out to hear Mr.
Farnconibe preach at night. Those
present enjoyed a rare treat and a
bountiful spiritual feast. Even
though space permitted to make a
full report of the sermon, it would
be impossible to convey in writing
i the greatness of the discourse; tor
■ the personality of the man preached
more eloquently than it is possible
i for the printed page to do. It is
i my purpose to give a mere outline
of the-sermon.
Using for his text Rom. 8:14 ,
F ' For as many as are led by the
1 spirit of God, they are the sons of
I God," Mr. Farncombe gave seven
evidence* by which one might
r know that he is led by the spirit of
1 God. It is necessiry, hesaid, that
» we have these Bible evidences; for
all Cluistiatis sti'l have tlneir con
- flicts, doubts, and groaning*.
The first evidence is that we are
reconciled to God's appointed ways.
A person led of the Spirit will siy
thy will be done. The unregene
rate soul is at enmity with God. it
acknowledges 116 kingship; it is
not God's son.
The next evidence of the Holy
Spirit's leading is spiritual appetite.
' There is a desire to read God's
' Word, to feed on his promises-, to
* go to the house of worship.
The third is the principle of love.
The Spirt of "God leads men to
love. Eove is paramount in the
" Christian's experience. It is God's
test. It is the fulfilling of the law.
1 Jesus loved the sinful world and
we to be like Christ must love as he
, lflved
Another evidence is the spirit of
( prayer "The prayerless soul is a
The I.ord taught
his dwK*iples to pray and the Spirit
teaches every Christian to pray.
The next is the spirit of truth.
1 The child of God wants to know
the truth; the truth about himself,
I his true condition, and the truth
about Jesus, who is the Truth.
The sixth evidence of being led
by the Spirit of God is the spirit of
wisdom. The Christian does not
1 believe without knowledge. He
can not believe on him of whom he
1 has not heard; of whom he has not
learned.
The last evidence mentioned is
that he is led of the Holy Spirit.
He is led from the vile, low, and
sordid things of life to the pure,
lofty, and beautiful things of the
soul. It leads from the world to
the company of God's people. Jt
is perfect leading; he wholely led,
so that he shall not want. Being
the sons of God, we are supplied
with all the real necessities. We
will be led from earth to heaven,
prepared by Jesus Christ for his
own.
Elder Famcombe preached at '
Flat Swanw Friday, and in town
again Sunday night The town J
and community were greatly hon
ored to have the privilege of hear- ]
ing so eminent a divine. He is t
well educated, cultured, and spirit- s
ual.
sr.oo a Year in Advance
TURKKY SWAMP
Hall Game at Robersonville
Thtisdav, Aug, 6.
Unpire Mr. W. Z. Morton, Game
called 3:30 p. m with Roberspr*.
ville at bat. The game started \ff
with eight scores for the home toys
in the first inning. This so dis
couraged the Turkeys, that when
they came to the hat our twirier
; struck them out in one, two, three
■ order. The second time up a bad
1 throw from short allowed Turkeys
? three scores. While the game was
in full blast it had to be called on
: account of rain, Robersouville hav
ing scored 15 times and Turkey
, Swamp 5. The feature of the
? game was the sensational work
f done by cur third baseman Richard
1 Martin.
1 ROBItRSONVIU.K VS. ROAVOH/K
f
Robersonville vs. Roanoke Aug
-1 ust. IGame was called by the
r umpire J. C. Smith at 3:00 p. m.
After six innings of hard work the
boys from the river left the field
e with sad expressions on tl eir here
'' toforc smiling faces. Thev allowed'
■ the home boys to cross the plate
times while tliev scored three. The
1 sensational hit of the game was
s when our "wrap 'em around the
neck" pitcher, Norman, drove a
v liner through the hands of Roa
' mike's pitcher, Gaylor, against his
s head, and then with a glance
0 against the umpire. I)rs. Ward
and Nelson attended the wounded,
and they will soon be in good shaj e
0 again. (Hall games reported by
e J H Everett.)
s
be seen in our town iji one day.
_ Monday one came from Tarboro
in which were Mr. T. W. Thrash
and party, and one from Rocky
a Mount carrying Messrs. Charlie
1 Rawls, Kxum Keel, and Johti
1 Blount. It is evident that elec
tricity is to play a larger, part ;iri
human affairs as its power and ad
v vantages become known.
j Tom Bunting, while loading a
log cart, was struck with the lever
j on the head and' knocked down,
f He did not sustain serious in juried.
t Mr. J. H. Whitfield's baby fell
: from the last week and re
: ceived an ugsy gash on its head,
t requiring the services of the doc
tor's needle.
' Mr. J. C. Robertson gave a din
( ing to some of his friends last week.
Those present were his mother,
Mrs. Julia Robertson, Prof, and
Mrs. Outterbridge, Mrs. Bettie
Whitly of Washington, Mrs. Jennie
Everett, Mrs. G. D. Roberson, Mrs.
Nancy James and Misses Eillie
Bunting and Emma Robertson.
Mrs. Piney Bell, her daughter
Pearl, and her granddaughter
arrived from Arkansas
Monday to visit Mrs. S. W. Outter
bridge and other relatives. Mrs.
Bell is Mrs. Outterbridge's oldest
sister.
Mioses Lillian Smith, Maree
Roberson and Isolan Brown were
the guests of Miss Emma Robprt,- •>
son Saturday night.
(Continued on page five),