E.G. Worthington Beaten, Killed, Store Ransacked, March 1, 1921

Saturday morning about 8 o’clock Mr. E.G. Worthington, a merchant of Washington, was found with his skull crushed and badly beaten and bruised otherwise, from which he died in the late afternoon of the same day.

Mr. Worthington had not long been in business in Washington, having gone there from Greenville, where his family still lives. He slept in his store, had built a fire, placed things in order for the morning’s trade, had several customers and soon after 8 o’clock a small boy who was taking his breakfast to him found the front door barred and had to go to the back door to enter. He found Mr. Worthington behind the counter in a pool and it was found that money drawers were broken open and things about the store ransacked. It is thought that he had about $600 in cash in the store, and there is no doubt but that robbery was the cause of the tragedy. No clue has been discovered connecting anyone with the crime and the police are still investigating. It is thought that the Beaufort County authorities and the Governor will each offer a suitable reward for the murderer-robber.

From the front page of The Enterprise, Wiliamston, N.C., March 1, 1921