Ralph Beaver Assaulted, Robbed in Cemetery, Nov. 17, 1920

Statesville, Nov. 17--A sensational holdup and robbery occured in Oakwood cemetery here Monday night when Ralph Beaver, a young man living near Statesville, was assulted and robbed of all the money he had in his possession. According to the story as related by Beaver, he was going from his brother's home near Broad street across to Davie avenue, taking a near cut through the cemetery. Soon after entering the cemetery grounds he was halted and attacked by an unknown person. A test of phyisical strength ensued and Beaver seemed to be getting the best of his assailant when three or four other men, all colored, rushed out from their place of hiding and attacked him, making threat that they meant to kill him even after he began begging for his life. (From The Hickory Daily Record, Nov. 17, 1920)