"WHITLEY KILLING AT WALSTONBURG REMAINS MYSTERY"
The Raleigh News and Observer, August 10, 1921
"The killing of William Whitley, prominent Walstonburg farmer and merchant, remains apparently as much a mystery as on last Wednesday night when he was shot dead as he lay asleep in a wagon at his tobacco barn near his home. Dr. J. H. Harper, county coroner, summoned a jury and the dead man's wife and the three sons testified, but no other evidence has been taken. The verdict is awaited with keen interest in this section.
Sheriff J. E. Herring secured bloodhounds and hurried to the scene of the mysterious killing, but they did not take up any trail. Whitley was killed with a pistol, but no weapon of any kind has been found on the premises. Various rumors have been in circulation regarding sensational developments which have been in the air but they have so far proved to be unfounded.
Contrary to report, there have been no steps taken to drain the well on the premises to find if there had been a weapon thrown in it.
Testimony of Widow
Mrs. Whitley was placed on the stand to testify at the coroner's hearing. She told the jury that she had been with her husband at the tobacco curing barn as late as 11:30 o'clock and that shortly after midnight she heard a pistol shot. Her testimony was corroborated by her 16-year-old son.
An automobile, which she had purchased in June, had been the cause of family discord, she explained, as her husband had opposed its purchase. He refused to sign the note with her and she went ahead and bought it anyway, stating that she had told him that he should never ride in it.
Husband Jealous of Man
Tom Hayes a tenant on her husband's place until about two months ago when he moved to another farm, had gone riding with her in the car on several occasions, she admitted, and this had made her husband jealous of the man. She told of having been out with Hayes in the automobile at night and said they had been on friendly terms.
She told of her husband having made threats against her and her sixteen-year old son, and that about a month ago he had attempted to strike her with a plank. She told him then, she said, that there would be no more to the plank business.
None But Family There
On the evening of the death there had been no on on the premises, so far as she knew, except members of the family. It was the first night that her husband had stayed at the barn. She had been with him until late in the evening. She did not have a watch but she thought it was about 11:30 o'clock when she went into the house to go to bed.
The boys were placed on the stand and told substantially the same story as the mother, according to those present at the hearing.
Whitley was a wealthy man and besides owning a large farm was associated with his brother in the mercantile business at Walstonburg. He was about 40 years old and his wife gives her age as 38.
Tom Hayes, who is now living about a mild from the Whitley home, is said to be about 30 years old, and is a married man."
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