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."

Tornado: 11 August 1928

On August 11, 1928, a tornado touched down in Greene County, destroying homes and livestock. 

Memory from Edward Thomas: "My Grandfather remembered that tornado. His family heard the roar as it passed over his house and struck 'across the creek'. Said there were dead hogs in the trees."

Photo from Bible of Mrs. Creech, wife of Heber Creech Sr.

In the above photograph, shared by Melissa Creech Paderick, David (Dave) SPEIGHT is on the left, and Heber CREECH Sr. is on the right.