Article: "More Developments in the Walstonburg Murder" -- September 6, 1921

"MORE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WALSTONBURG MURDER"

The New Bern Sun Journal, September 6, 1921

"Developments in the confession case of Mrs. Sarah Whitley, of Walstonburg, who admitted she and Tom Hayes hired Wright Rouse, an old colored man with one arm, to killed her husband, Will Whitley on August 3, 1921, for $500, began to come thick and fast yesterday, the most startling fact being that Wright might have been the murderer of who white men, whose bodies were found on the right of way of the Norfolk Southern near Walstonburg, Greene county, in past years, one man being killed some twenty odd years ago and the other more recently. The other big developments of the day in Snow Hill where the three were in jail yesterday was the admission by Wright that the other two in the plot to kill Will Whitley had also planned to have him kill Mrs. Hayes thereby giving the a free hand to live together with Mrs. Whitley and even marry.

Mrs. Whitley Admits It

Wright's admission was also admitted by Mrs. Whitley and Hayes when officers of the law had gotten the confession out of Wright. Mrs. Whitley stated that Wright had told her of the plan to put Mrs. Hayes out of her way so that she could have Tom Hayes all to herself. This development was not expected, and in fact, may have questioned all three of the prisoners in reference to the possibility last Saturday, following Mrs. Whitley's confession to the planning of her husband's death. At that time, she and the others would admit nothing along this line, answering no such plan had been thought of. The latest development has astonished many but has also only been what many had considered to be the truth of the matter. The charge against the three has become all the more damaging and serious with the latest admission of a second murder. Hayes was to get the same amount for this second murder, it is understood.

Still Not Sure

The development that Hayes had probably killed two men in the past astonished the officers in Snow Hill. Hayes has so far kept from a direct admission but it is expected that he will come "across" with the "whole business" today or tomorrow as she will be quizzed and shown no pity in this matter. The confession, placing the killing of Will Whitley, led officers to place the blame for the other two unexplained and yet shadowy deaths at his doors. With this suspicion, talk began to go the rounds and the officers began to get busy. Wright would not admit the charges but said he had been hired to kill Mrs. Hayes, intimating that he had killed other before. 

Officers believe that something definite will be found out today or tomorrow. Mrs. Whitley will be moved today to the Greenville jail to await the criminal term of superior court, criminal section, the second week in December."

Article: "Three Charged With Murder Talk Freely" -- September 5, 1921

"THREE CHARGED WITH MURDER TALK FREELY"

The Daily Free Press, September 5, 1921

"Mrs. William Whitley, 37; Thomas Hayes, white farmer, and Wright Rouse, negro farmhand, will make a clean breast of the murder of the woman's husband in the Walstonburg section when they go to trial at Snow Hill, Greene county officials believe, and leave their fates in the hands of the jury. Reports today stated that the prisoners had talked freely of the crime to additional interviewers, their separate accounts corroborating one another. The trial will not be held before December.

The trio, apparently overwhelmed by the detection of the guilt they are alleged to have confessed, have talked with a number of officials, newspapermen and others.

Will Whitley fell asleep while curing tobacco at a barn on his farm on the night of August 3. Rouse, a one-armed neighborhood character, crept up and shot him dead. The reported confessions say Rouse was in the employ of Mrs. Whitley and Hayes, who desired to get Whitley out of the way. The price of the murder was $500. Rouse was never paid, he declares."

Article: "Three Confess to Murder of Man at Tobacco Packhouse" -- September 3, 1921

"THREE CONFESS TO MURDER OF MAN AT TOBACCO PACKHOUSE"

The Daily Free Press, September 3, 1921

"The Sheriff's office at Snow Hill Saturday announced that three prisoners in the Greene County jail there had confessed to conspiring to murder Will Whitley, a Walstonburg farmer, Whitley was shot and killed while asleep at a tobacco barn early in August. 

Those held are Mrs. Whitley, widow of the man slain; Thomas Hayes, a farmer neighbor, and Wright Rouse, a negro. Rouse's alleged confession was to the effect that the woman and Hayes offered him $500 to commit the crime. He was not paid, he stated.

The Sheriff's office said Mrs. Whitley would be removed from Snow Hill to a prison elsewhere because of lack of accommodations for women prisoners. There had been no threats of violence, it was stated. Mrs. Whitley, who is 37 years of age, apparently does not realize the seriousness of the charge against her, it was said. The Sheriff's office stated that the confessions indicated an illicit love affair between the woman and Hayes led to the murder.

Rouse is a one-armed negro, something of a character in the Walstonburg section. The murder of Whitley was a particularly brutal crime. Mrs. Whitley's indifference has impressed officers, who believe she is incapable of appreciating the gravity of the crime."

Article: "Whitley Killing at Walstonburg Remains Mystery" -- August 10, 1921

"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."

Article: "Prominent Farmer and Merchant of Greene County Shot" -- August 5, 1921

"PROMINENT FARMER AND MERCHANT OF GREEN COUNTY SHOT"

The Daily Times, August 5, 1921

"Last night about midnight, while at his barn curing tobacco, Mr. Willie Whitley, a farmer and merchant who resides about a quarter of a mile from Walstonburg, a small town on the Norfolk and Southern railroad, some 18 miles east of Wilson was shot to death.

There is no clue to the perpetrator of the crime and the community is greatly aroused over the tragic and dastardly deed, especially in the view of the fact that Mr. Whitley was quiet and unassuming, and was not known to have enemy in the world. 

Bloodhounds were brought from Washington early this morning and are on the trail at noon as we go to press with the first edition of the Times. The coroners jury is also holding an inquest at this house. It was thought this morning that the funeral would be held this afternoon, but it is now thought unlikely since other evidence may be procured bearing on the situation.

Mr. Whitley was shot through the check while he was lying presumably asleep on a tobacco truck. He leaves a wife and six children. He was the son of Mr. John Henry Whitley, and the brother of Mr. John Whitley who runs a store in Walstonburg in which the dead man is interested. He is also related to parties in Wilson being the nephew of Mrs. J. H. Garris of this city. Tracks were found around the barn, and the dogs are now on this..."

Article: "Killed While Asleep At His Tobacco Barn" -- August 5, 1921

"KILLED WHILE ASLEEP AT HIS TOBACCO BARN"

The Raleigh News and Observer, August 5, 1921

"William Whitley, prominent merchant and farmer of Walstonburg, 18 miles from Wilson, was shot and killed while asleep at his tobacco barn late last night. No clue to the identity of his slayer has been found. A sheriff's posse with bloodhounds are scouring the country in an effort to apprehend his assailant. Whitley leaves a wife and six children.

The coroner's jury took a recess at noon to await further developments. It is said that domestic trouble was the cause of the tragedy and a man in the neighborhood is suspected.

This is the second assassination to take place in this section in the past few days. Rev. Ennis Pearson was shot from ambush in Taylor's township in this county last week."

Article: "Wilson County Man Is Assassinated" -- August 4, 1921

"WILSON COUNTY MAN IS ASSASSINATED"

Goldsboro Daily Argus, August 4, 1921

"Wilson, N.C., Aug. 4--William Whitley, a prominent farmer and merchant of Walstonburg, this county, was shot and killed last night while asleep at his tobacco barn, where he was curing tobacco. 

There is no clue to the guilty party, and today the sheriff and posses with blood hounds are scouring the whole neighborhood in an effort to trace the murderer.

Mr. Whitley leaves a wife and six children."

Article: "Farmer Killed While Asleep In His Barn" -- August 4, 1921

"FARMER KILLED WHILE ASLEEP IN HIS BARN"

The High Point Enterprise, August 4, 1921

"WILSON, N.C., Aug. 4.--William Whitley, age 40, a prominent merchant and farmer of Walstonburg Greene County, 18 miles from Wilson was shot and killed while asleep in his tobacco barn late last night. No clue has been found to the identity of the assassins. A sheriff's Posse with bloodhounds is surrounding the country in search of the slayers. Whitley leaves a wife and six children."

Church: Free Union Free Will Baptist Church, Walstonburg, NC

This church was organized in 1843.  A new church was built in 1901-1902 (pictured as it was in 1949).  A new sanctuary was dedicated in 1958.

From University of Mount Olive

Joseph BAILEY (1800-1869)

Joseph BAILEY was born about 1800, possibly in Greene County, NC. He is considered to be the forefather of the Bailey family of Greene County. Due to multiple fires at the Greene County Courthouse over the years, many records were destroyed and any records pertaining to Joseph Bailey and his past were lost.

His parentage is unknown.

At the age of 29, he married Ava WILLIAMS in 1829 in Greene County, NC, and they had the following children:

1. William T. BAILEY, b. 1832
2. John Henry BAILEY, b. 1834
3. Dorcas BAILEY, b. 1835
4. Clarkie BAILEY, b. 1836
5. Mary BAILEY, b. 1838
6. Winifred BAILEY, b. 1839
7. Benjamin F. BAILEY, b. 1841
8. Martha BAILEY, b. 1842
9. George BAILEY, b. 1844
10. David Millard BAILEY, b. 1846
11. Jesse James BAILEY Sr., b. 1848
12. Calvin BAILEY, b. 1850
13. Sarah BAILEY, b. 1852
14. Josiah BAILEY, b. 1854

He died in 1869, probably near Walstonburg, and is buried in the Bailey-Mercer Cemetery, a burial ground on the farm his son David Millard BAILEY owned.

Sources:
1830 United States Federal Census: He is living in Greene County with one other person, a female, most likely his wife Ava.

Bailey-Mercer Cemetery, Walstonburg, NC

According to notes made in 2004 by Evelyn Hendricks, the Bailey-Mercer Cemetery is located in a field about a half mile or so from State Road 1311. The roads since that time have been changed.

The cemetery is known as the Bailey-Mercer Cemetery, but also as the Bailey Cemetery or the Mercer Cemetery. It is on land that was owned by David Millard "Dove" Bailey. His wife was a Mercer and it is likely that he inherited the land from his wife's father, Jacob Mercer.


[Arranged by death date.]


Mercer, Infant (1843-1843)
Craft, Sally Mercer (1849-1869)
Bailey, Joseph (1800-1869)
Bailey, Ava Williams (1810-bef 1870)
Mercer, Jacob (1811-1881)
Beamon, Elenor Mercer (1861-1886)
Dildy, Louisa Mercer (1857-1886)
Dildy, Mary Mercer (1853-1890)
Mercer, Elizabeth Ruff (1821-1893)
Bailey, Rachel Mercer (1852-1897)
Mercer, Bynum (1847-1897)
Bailey, Infant (1898-1898)
Bailey, Infant (1900-1900)
Bailey, Infant (1901-1901)
Fussell, Birtie (1902-1903)
Jones, Sallie Bailey (1876-1903)
Bailey, William Parrott (1874-1904)
Bailey, David Millard (1846-1906)
Beaman, Bettie Elizabeth (1886-1906)
Bailey, Beadie Ann (1906-1907)
Fussell, Ella Bailey (1880-1908)
Bailey, William Perry (1898-1918)
Chappell ,Etta Jones (1898-1919)
Moye, James Arthur (1919-1920)
Mercer, Elizabeth S. (1862-1931)
Moye, Bertha (1933-1934)
Bailey, Doris Marie (1933-1935)
Bailey, James Henry (1883-1936)
Bailey, Royce Rudolph (1936-1937)
Mercer, William M. (1864-1944)
Bailey, Reddin Ruff (1872-1946)
Bailey, Aaron (1896-1951)
Bailey, Mary Gay (1877-1954)
Bailey, Moses (1900-1966)
Bailey, Mary Lillie Moore (1897-1973)

Bailey Cemetery, Walstonburg, NC

The Bailey Cemetery is located on land formerly owned by Joseph Bailey. It is located at 606 N Wilson Street, Walstonburg, NC in a field just off of the highway.

This cemetery is also known as the Ellis Cemetery and has been at times mistaken to be the Walstonburg Cemetery.


[Arranged by death date]


Bailey, Joseph H. (1860-1870)
Bailey, William J. (1881-1882)
Pilkington, Clarkie Ellis (1826-1885)
Ellis, Wiley (1886-1888)
Bowden, James William (1852-1889)
Bailey, Carrie E. (1875-1891)
Bailey, Calvin (1850-1896)
Holloman, Perdida (1866-1896)
Whitley, Charles F. (1879-1896)
Craft, Infant (1905-1905)
Craft, Mary Holloman (1869-1905)
Gay, W. S. (1878-1905)
Hayes, Mary Elizabeth (1902-1906)
Bailey, Amanda Brewer (1847-1908)
Bowden, Jesse Luther (1911-1911)
Pilkington, Espey J. (1910-1911)
Hayes, Ray Doc (1912-1912)
Bailey, Louisa Jane (1912-1913)
Riddick, Carl L. (1913-1913)
Bailey, J. H. (1876-1914)
Hase, William (1859-1914)
Bailey, William G. (1891-1915)
Ellis, Bennie (1894-1915)
Ellis, William Henry (1862-1915)
Craft, Bessie (1898-1918)
Ellis, Infant (1918-1918)
Ellis, Lizzie Evans (1900-1918)
Holloman, Louisa Bailey (1871-1918)
Smith, Pearl (1899-1918)
Craft, Joseph Eli (1918-1919)
Bailey, Rebecca Elizabeth Crisp (1848-1921)
Grimmer, Sam (1921-1921)
Holloman, Frances Virginia Whitley (1873-1921)
Whitley, William Henry (1875-1921)
Bailey, Jesse Sr. (1848-1922)
Craft, Infant (1922-1922)
Crisp, Lucy J. (1852-1922)
Ellis, Roy (1899-1922)
Holloman, Clarkie Mae (1921-1922)
Holloman, Henry (1858-1922)
Holloman, Jennie (1898-1922)
Whitley, Nancy Elizabeth Wheeler (1856-1922)
Holloman, Etta Gray (1923-1924)
Turnage, Elton Lee (1922-1924)
Whitley, Charlie Floyd (1903-1924)
Grimsley, Marina Bowden (1875-1925)
Holloman, Ruel (1859-1925)
Beaman, Saddie May (1920-1926)
Ellis, Ruby May (1925-1926)
Jones, Alex (1875-1926)
Holloman, William H. (1927-1927)
Whitley, John Henry (1851-1927)
Davis, Robert Earl (1928-1928)
Grimsley, James R. (1872-1928)
Hayes, Lydia (1860-1928)
Whaley, Thelma (1927-1928)
Ellis, Judea Ann (1859-1930)
Holloman, Nettie Ellis (1896-1930)
Beaman, Joseph Robert (1922-1931)
Jones, Sarah Etta Evans (1888-1931)
Gay, Joseph Turner (1902-1934)
Newcomb, Bertha Elizabeth (1935-1936)
Jones, Nathan Edgar (1937-1937)
McKeel, Patience Bowden (1865-1937)
Beaman, Dorothy Ruth (1926-1938)
Whaley, Therman (1936-1938)
Davis, Thomas Jefferson Sr. (1862-1939)
Bailey, Dora Gay (1871-1941)
Holloman, Mary (1864-1941)
Gay, Ella Davis (1881-1942)
Bowden, McCoy (1919-1944)
Ellis, Jennie Anderson (1910-1944)
Holloman, Infant (1944-1944)
Whaley, Thomas (1924-1945)
Evans, Nancy Anne Whitley (1853-1947)
Davis, Earlie (1906-1948)
Edmundson, Paul Douglas (1950-1950)
Ellis, Walter North (1893-1951)
Davis, Susan Holloman (1886-1953)
Ellis, Minnie A. (1899-1954)
Jones, Eddie (1909-1954)
Bowden, Joe (1912-1956)
Gay, William Louis (1874-1956)
Holloman, Charlie James (1886-1956)
Bowden, Sudie Garris (1881-1957)
Holloman, Lucinda Elizabeth Bailey (1873-1960)
Bailey, Joseph Andrew (1883-1962)
Newcomb, Ashley Edward (1901-1964)
Whaley, Winnie Ann Holloman (1893-1964)
Whaley, George Luther (1892-1965)
Ellis, Joseph James Sr. (1898-1968)
Davis, Thomas Jefferson (1919-1970)
Holloman, Mabel P. (1900-1971)
Bowden, James W. (1905-1975)
Whaley, Barbara J. (1940-1976)
Bowden, Charlie White (1908-1979)
Gay, George (1907-1979)
Holloman, Jesse G. (1901-1985)
Newcomb, Rebecca Jane Holloman (1909-1987)
Bowden, Bennie Franklin (1946-1989)
Ellis, Wiley L. (1924-1991)
Bowden, Frances McKeel (1915-2003)
Bowden, Robert Bruce (1939-2003)
Worthington, William C. (1852-2004)
Ellis, Mildred (1926-2012)


Unknown Grave
Unknown Grave
Bailey, Annie (1872-)

Nancy Elizabeth WHEELER (1856-1922)

Nancy Elizabeth WHEELER was born on 1 October 1856 in Speights Bridge, the daughter of William Henry WHEELER Sr. and Melvina CARAWAY.

She married John Henry WHITLEY, son of John WHITLEY and Elizabeth CRISP. They had the following children:

1. Frances Virginia WHITLEY
2. William Henry WHITLEY
3. Charles F. WHITLEY
4. John Stephen WHITLEY

She died on 27 May 1922 in Walstonburg and is buried in the Bailey Cemetery.

John Henry WHITLEY (1851-1927)

John Henry WHITLEY was born on 27 February 1851 in Speights Bridge, NC, the son of John WHITLEY and Elizabeth CRISP.

He married Nancy Elizabeth WHEELER, daughter of William Henry WHEELER Sr. and Melvina CARAWAY. They had the following children:

1. Frances Virginia WHITLEY
2. William Henry WHITLEY
3. Charles F. WHITLEY
4. John Stephen WHITLEY

He died on 16 October 1927 in Walstonburg. He is buried in the Bailey Cemetery.