Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Bloody Sunday in Martin County, N.C., May 18, 1921

One Negro Killed; 2 More Wounded

Hood Edwards, local negro, is lying at the point of death, George Smith, another negro, was killed last night at McConnelly’s station on the Washington and Vandemere, and an unknown negro was found in an unconscious condition near Latham’s Cross Roads yesterday afternoon, as the result of three separate attacks which occurred in and near Washington over Sunday.

Hood Edwards, who runs a store near the outskirts of the city, was entering his home Saturday night when two negroes sprang upon him, one of them shooting him through the breast. The negroes made their escape. When neighbors rushed to the house Edwards was found lying on the floor, his clothing saturated with blood. A bad bruise had been inflicted on his forehead, suggested the theory that he had been struck before the bullet had been fired. The attackers made their escape.

George Smith was shot and killed by James McCoy at McConnelly’s station last night as the result of a dispute over a gambling game. He died almost instantly. McCoy made his escape and is believed to have caught the Norfolk Southern train at Chocowinity. The sheriff had wired the police of neighboring towns to be on the lookout for him.

An unknown negro was found unconscious near Latham’s Cross Roads yesterday. It is believed that he had been struck violently over the head with a brick. His skull was crushed in at one spot but it is believed that he will recover. Robbery is believed to have been the motive for the assault.

From The Washington Daily News, as reprinted in The Enterprise, Williamston, Martin County, N.C.

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