"A DEPLORABLE AFFAIR"
The News and Observer, September 5, 1921
"The mystery surrounding the death of W. H. Whitley, prominent Walstonburg farmer, who was killed at a tobacco barn on his farm on the night of August 6, was cleared up this afternoon when Greene County authorities held Mrs. Sarah Whitley, wife of the deceased, Thomas Hayes, a neighbor, and Wright Rouse, one-armed negro, on charges of murder following their confession that they conspired to kill Mr. Whitley. All three were lodged in the Greene county jail without bail.
Offered Negro $500.
According to their statement Mrs. Whitley and Hayes, with whom the woman is said to have been infatuated, induced the negro to commit the crime in consideration of $500, which has never been paid by them. All are being held without bail. A statement implicating herself and Hayes and Rouse was made by Mrs. Whitley to the authorities after a twelve-hour session of the coroner's jury which has been investigating the case during the past several weeks. no threats of violence against the prisoners have been reported so far. Mrs. Whitley, who is 37 years old, apparently does not realize the seriousness of the charge against her, it was said.
Resumes Investigation.
On Friday afternoon the coroner's jury investigating the murder of the late W. H. Whitley, of the Walstonburg section, in Greene county, resumed its session at Snow Hill, which was adjourned from August 7 at the home of the deceased. After a hearing lasting from 2 o'clock in the afternoon until 2 o'clock Saturday morning, the coroner's jury held without bail Mrs. Sarah Whitley, wife of the deceased, but again took an adjournment. The jail at Snow Hill being full of prisoners Mrs. Whitley was held under guard until she can be carried to a neighboring jail, where accommodations better than those of the Greene county jail can be secured.
Mrs. Whitley's Confession.
In both investigations before the coroner's jury Mrs. Whitley had shown a strong bearing. However, after her friends and the crowd had left, she wavered and under sharp questioning by deputies E. H. Suggs, E. E. Potter and C. E. Jones, later assisted by Sheriff J. E. Herring, she broke down and confessed, telling that her husband was killed by Wright Rouse, a one-armed negro freak doctor and fortune teller, in consideration of $500, which has not been paid, however. She also said that Wright Rouse was induced to commit the crime by herself and a neighbor, Tom Hayes, with whom she is said to have been infatuated and with whom se was indicted, but acquitted on a statutory charge in the Greene county court about a year ago. Hayes was said to have taken the negro to the place where Mr. Whitley was killed on the night of Aug. 6.
Hayes Interested.
All during the investigation at Snow Hill, Hayes was a most interested spectator and was often in the company of Mrs. Whitley and remained in the town an hour or more after the adjournment of the inquest.
The crime, the killing of W. H. Whitley, a wealthy and highly respected citizen, while asleep at his tobacco barn at or near the hour of 11 o'clock on the night of August 8, has considerably aroused the people of Greene county, especially the residents of the Walstonburg section.
The first real light of the recent developments was furnished by J. B. Croom, Jr., since his arrest and confinement in the county jail on a forgery charge brought from De Soto county, Florida.
Following the confession of Mrs. Whitley, Hayes, and Rouse were placed in custody and both later made confessions, it is said."
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