Mr. Bernice Johnson of Willow Springs is dead and two of his daughters are in Rex hospital, Raleigh, as the result of an automobile accident which occurred on the Old Stage Road, 10 miles south of Raleigh between 11 and 12 o’clock Thursday night. W.M. Lawson, who was also in the car, sustained injuries but Jeff Hunt and William Maylock, who was driving the ill-fated car, escaped without hurt.
According to the report in the News and Observer, “The Hudson car, which contained the part of six, was headed toward Raleigh and was traveling around 45 miles an hour when it sidespread a Ford containing Jackson Willis, Jack Cotton and Delia Whaley, all negroes, at a curve near Myatt Smith’s store. It was reported that Blaylock veered his car to the wrong side of the road, causing it to hit the negro’s car.
“Blalock is reported to have lost control of the car and it struck a telephone post, breaking the post into three pieces. Johnson was hurled out of the car. When picked up, his chest was crushed, his left shoulder broken, and several ribs were broken. He died as preparations were being made to rush him to a hospital.
“According to reports, the Ford was also traveling at a high rate of speed, but Coroner Waring absolved the negro of any blame in connection with the accident.
“The Hudson car, which belongs to Snow Blalock, a brother of William Blalock, carried a Michigan license plate, said Coroner Waring. Both Blalocks, he added, however, live in Panther Branch township, not a great distance from the scene of the wreck.
“Coroner Waring was called to the scene of the wreck shortly after it occurred. He stated that he made a preliminary investigation. He had a warrant issued on Friday for Blalock, charging him with murder.”
Funeral services were held for Mr. Johnson Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock from Mount Zion church, and interment was made in the adjacent cemetery.
Surviving the deceased are his widowed mother, his widow, nine children, Violet, Pearl, Vivian, Mary, Annie Belle, Francis, Ivy, Hubert, and Lynn; three brothers, Rev. Neal Johnson and Derwood Johnson, both of Willow Springs section, and E. M. Johnson of Morehead City; and three sisters, Mrs. Frank Britt of Ralegh, Mrs. Snow Blaylock and Mrs. Sallie Coats, both of Johnston county.
Editor’s note: Last name was spelled Blaylock and Blalock in newspaper account.
From the front page of the Smithfield Herald, Tuesday morning, Aug. 17, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073982/1926-08-17/ed-1/seq-1/
No comments:
Post a Comment