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Coroner Inquests, Lackey-Lazenby
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA |DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES | Microfilmed by DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND RECORDS Raleigh,North Carolina INDEXIREDELLCOUNY,NORTH:CAROLINECORONERS’INQUESTS Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests _Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests n.d.,1854-1968 Abemathy-Ayers Bady-Berryman Biggers-Boyd Brackette-Brotherton | Brown-Byers Cagle-Campbell Carlton-Cathey Chambers-Clouse Cockerham-Corry Cottril-Curtis Dalton-Dowell Drum-Dye Eagle-Evans Fain-Furr Gabriel-Glovier Goforth-Gwaltney Hackney-Hayes Heaggans-Hinson Hodges-Hoover Hopkins-Hutchins Icard-Isenhour Jackson-Johnson,Press ~ Johnson,Robert-Justice Kale-Knippenbert Knox-Kuhn Lackey-Lazenby Leaird-Lewis Linder-Lyon McCarter-McWhorter Mackey-Martin Mason-Mayhew Meadows-Mills Millsaps-Moose Morrison-Mowbray Mulkey-Murray Myers-Myrick Nantz-Nobles Olephant-Overcash Padgett-PerryPharr-Poole Poore-Queen Rainey-Reddeck Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Coroners’Inquests Redman-Reynolds Rhinehardt-Robison ~Rogers-Rupard Sadler-Shaw Shepherd-Shuford Sides-Smith,Gladys Smith,Henry-Sprinkle Stafford-Sullivan Summers-Swilling Tabor-Thomas Thompson-Troutman Tuck-Tuttle Upright-Vinson _ Waddell-Waugh Weaver-Westmoreland Weston-Whitlow Wilkenson-Zimmerman Unknown,n.d.,1886-1961 DEPARTMENTOFCULTURALRESOURCES DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND RECORDS CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY This is to certify that the micrographics appearing on this film are true and-accurate reproductions of records originated during the normal course of business by the _Iredell County and consist of Coroners’Inquests No date,1854-1968 Therecords begin with ¢:R054,973,=Lackiy.-he , and end with It is further certified that the above records were microfilmed in conformity with the provisions of the General Statutes ofNorthCarolina,chapter 8-45.1 and 8-45.4,"Uniform Photographic Copies of Business and Public Records as EvidenceAct”;that the microphotography processes accurately reproduce the records so microfilmed;that the film forms a durablemediumforreproducingtheoriginal,if necessary;and that the film used conforms to American National ‘StandardsInstitute,Photographic Films-Specifications for Safety Film,ANSI IT9.6-1996 and American National StandardsInstitute,/maging Media (Film)-Silver Gelatin Type-Specifications for Stability,ANSI /NAPM IT9.1-1996. This is further to certify that the microphotography processes were accomplished by the undersignedonthedateandatthereductionratioindicatedbelow. Date filming ofthis reel began 2- //-43 Reduction Ratio VATIOUS Date filming of this reel ended Microfilm Camera Operator Iredell County. Coroners’Inquests No date.1854-1968 Jackson-Lyon C.R.054.913.5 Coroners’InquestsmeLackey—Lazenbyz February 20,1961 State of North Carolina. County of Iredell. Anderson Lackey,36,white male,Rt 1,Belmont comunity,whitemale,came to his death at about 4200 PM this date,;death being due toashotgunblasttothechest,self inflicted.§. Ve The deceased was in his room,and was found in his chair by hismother,Mrs.Robey Lackey.The deceased had been 111 for quite sometime,and was under medical and physiciatry care. No inquest necessary,and sheriff J.C.Rumple and the undersignedchedkedthedeath.— aymerCoroner,Iredell County. 27 February 1956 State of North Carolina. County of Iredell. Mrs.Dora oerye lackey,86,R-P.D.8,Statesville,H.C,,cametoherdeathsuddenlyat8:00 PM this date due to a Coronary secidet. Considerable contriversary seemed prevelent among the next ofkin,and the undersigned was called to check the cause of death andautopsythedeceasedduetoinvolvementofwilledfunds. Check was made with County Attorney,Richara Battley,aftertaewithAttorneysfordefenceon.ail sides,Dr.f,M,Crouch,and employees of Bunch Funeral Home. Attorney Hatley advised the undersigneaé what and how to aetokeepmyselfandcountyfrombeingliable,an@ informed info toadvisethenextofkin. Marvin W.RaymCoroner,Irede Wo inquest necessary. 6th April 1962.e; State of North Carolina. County of Iredell. Edward Ernest Lackey,65,Rt 2,Hiddenite,N.C.,Sharpsburg Township, came to his death at about midnight on the 4/1/62 in the woods about 500 yards from the Central Road and Pisgah Road,and about 500 yards east of his home.Death was due to myocardial failure. Sheriff J.C.Rumple and the undersigned investigated. Press Weatherman and Bill Powell were supposed to have let the deceased out of their car on Sunday 4/1/62. Tests of Alcohol for poison salts,and blood alcohol are being run by Dr.WeM.Summerville,Charlotte.— Marvin W.RaymCoroner,Iredell County. 3014 DOCKORS BUILDING :203 HAWTHORNE MEDICAL CENTER DR.W.M.SUMMERVILLE CLINICAL PATHOLOGIST 612 PROFESSIONAL BUILDING CHARLOTTE 2,N.:C.April 9,1962 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: This is to certify that on April 6,1962,I received a tube of blood and a bottle containing approximately 5 ounces of "white lightning",There ‘was a request for a blood alcohol determination and a test for saits of heavy metals,The blood was deawn by Mr,Marvin Raymer,Coroner of Iredell County,N,C.who delivered the blood to.me personally, The result of the test for alcohol showed only atrace,The tests for the salts of heavy metals will be rendered at a later date, Signed:=W.M,Stimmerville,M.D. S/ps P.S.The name attached to the tube of blood was Edward Eenest Lackey, White male,age 65 yrs,Further,it was statdd that the blood was drawn four days after death,but prior to embalming, 4 eae tee 23-3 Sf OVS ALU C6 a Zs,7 Gok Cn “a)Cer ks ttt |pe 9 =gat yracuee 4 fo ©légeas 2 PD GOee ck ary4thn2 _4 A.Asth.he aude Th “zl oaiathes Linewet eee ee etaage te arti ae,sont capt me ae Usslyses Grant Lackey November 10,1961 State of North Carolina. County of Iredell. Usslyses Grant Lackey,42,colored male,came to his death at3:30 PM this date at Lowrance Hospital,death being due to multipleinjuriesreceivedinautowreck6dayspreviouslyonhighwayNe1508mileswestofMooresville. The deceased ran into Mr.Thomas Elmer Sherrill,Sr.on Ir.Sherrill's side of the road and killed him. The deceased was under the indictment of manslaughter,however,this death voids sane. Wo inquest necessary. Marvin W.Raymer,Coroner,Iredell County. Report on the death of Mrs.W.Be Lackey Mrs.W.B.Lackey who was injured in an automobile wreck on . the the Chipley-Ford Road d&e@unday,August 29th,died at bongs Sanitorum on September 6th.from the effects of her injuries. I did not reassemble my jury in the case as after conferring with Mr.J.We.Moore we decided an inquest was unnecessary as the same facts would obtain as in the case of Mrs.Griffin who was killed in the same wreck. This the 8th day of September,1937. Coroner of Iredell County. The Report of the death of ¥.B.Lambert. The report of the death of Bill Lambert who was killed by John Marshall in North Iredell about one-thirty O'clock on Wednesday.The two men had a fight about eleven-thirty o'clock over a debt of one dollar.About one hour later they met in the road near Mountain View Church and we do no&know what happened at this meeting except Marshall drew his gun and shot Bill Lambert twice,once in the arm and once in the right side.We do not know just what was said at this meeting.Marshall admitting that he shot Lanbert, Sheriff Moore,Deputys Reid,Webber,and Bailey decided that an inquest was unnecessary.The body of Lamert was brought to Bunch Funeral Home.Marshall was placed in jail to await the action of the Grand Jury at the May tem of Court.The investigation held and the record signed in the presence of . oroner oO Thie the 20th.day of April,1939. Coroners Investigation in death of David Oscar Lambert, age 11,August 14,1943. David Oscar Lambert was found dead in the back yard of his home in Concord Township,after he was missed from home. In the absence of Dr.Little,County Physician,Dr. Rhyne came to assist me and Sheriff:Morrison in making an investi- gation of his death.Dr.Rhyne was of the opinion he had died either from strangulation or a broken neck,received in a fall from a rope swing which they had in the back yard.: Sheriff Morrison and Deputy Sheriff Wade Moore assisted in the investigation. The child was eleven years old,the son of Sam Lambert, and lived on the Cloer place in Concord Township. The father of the child requested that no inquest be held and none was held. August 15,1943.YU.Us \ALN N.D.Tomlin,Coroner. 6 June 1955 State of North Carolina. County of Iredell. Karen Sue Lembert,1 month and 15 days of age,daughter ofSamW..Lambert and Alene Dishmon lambert passed away about 1:00 AMthisdateinbedathome.. Glenn Westmoreland of Bunch Funeral Home,Statesville,called ‘to report the death.The parents live in Sharpesburg fownship on ReFeDe 2,Statesville,N.C. Dre LR.Shaw of Davis Hospital stated that his history showedthatthemotherhadbroughttheinfanttohimonApril16,weight was5poundsand15ounces,on April 23,weight was 6 pounds 8 1/2 ounces,and that the child weighed 5 pounds 13 ounces at birth on March 2lstDreShawstatedthatthebabywasdoingOKonApril23rd.: It is the opinion of the undersigned that the parents did thebestfortheirchildintheircapacityofknowinghowastheycould. Death was due to natural causes. No inquest necessary. Marvin W.RaCoroner,Ireéell county. State of North Carolina. County of Iredell. Mr.Zobe lambert,77,Rt 1,Stony Point,Sharpsburg Township,Iyedell county,passed away suddenly his date due to a heart attack. The deceased was visiting the Andrew Madison home,andi he andMrs,Medisen saw the deceased fall in the corner of the dining roon when he died. The deceased had complsined of being sick,and had asked theMadisonstogogetlambert's wife because he was sick,and the Madisonsaiathiscourtesy.-.- Sheriff J.C.Rumple and the undersigned investigated,and found the body slumped in the corner of the room. In search of the body,$1512.00 was removed,witnessed by the wife,the Madisons,the sheriff,Mr.Escar Adams,and the undersigned. No marks on the body other than a small cut on his nose whichthedeceasedreceivedinfalling,no evidence of struggle or foul play noted,and ne inquest necessary. Marvin W.Raymer Coroner,Iredell county. OFFICE OF THE CORONER TREDELL COUNTY N.Cz. HARRY B..UNDERWOOD,M..D..,CORONER ,No.63-61 1.NAME OF First Middle Lest 26.DASE Mon Day YearDECEASEDErnestCurleeLambirthDEATH92.63 .SEX 4.COLOR OR RACE 5..MARRIEDX NEVER MARRIED 6..DATE OF BIRTH 7.AGE WIDOWED ayeMW.ID WED DIVORCED _$-30-1910 53 .PLACE OF DEATH 9..USUAL RESIDENCE (a )COUNTY (>)TOWNSHIP (a)STATE (bd)COUNTY L _Troutman NC.uhDeGGl)redell (0)CRY TOWN Statesville (4)STRETT ADDRESS OR RFD NO.307 Medlin Street _CAUSE OF DEATH INTERVAL BETWEENPARTI.DEATH CAUSED BY ONSET AND DEATHIMMEDIATECAUSE(a,)-Crushed chest ANTECEDENT CAUSES DUE TO (b)Automobile accident DUE TO (0) PART II..OTHER SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS Cerebral contusion,fractures of the right arm and both legs. 11.WAS SY PERFORMED?Ss NO x_WAS AUTOP YE 12.,REPORT OF INVESTIGATION: “ip,Lambirth was driving his car on Highway 21 when he was involved in ahead-on collision by a car driven by Avery McDowell.See 63-59.He wasbroughttoDavisHospitalbyambulanceandfoundtobedead.He wasthentakentoBunchFuneralHomeandexaminationofthebodywasmadethere.It was found that he had injuries as stated in the death certi-ficate.Police investigation revealed that there was some lumber inthebackoftheLambirthcar.Apparently when the collision occurred,the lumber shifted,pinning Mr.and Mrs.Lambirth and their little boyagainstthesteeringwheelareaandthedasharea.The child was theonlyonelivingwhentheygottothehospital.He was subseqently senttotheBaptistHospital. No inquest necessary. ~ Harry/B.Underwood,M.D. Report of the Death of Maggie Mee Lamberth. Maggie Mae Lamberth,age 76,was found dead in bed at about 5 o'clock this morning.She had been treated by Dr.Gibson some time ago and since Dr.Gibson had been out of tow she had had Dr.Yount. Henry Shuford was with me on this investigation and we deemed an inquest unnecessary and none was held. be™ Coroner of Iredell County. This the 26th day of July,1947. OFFICE OF THE CORONER IREDELL COUNTY N.C. HARRY B.UNDERWOOD,M.D.,CORONER NAME OF First Middle Last _DATE DECEASED Lola Tevepaugh Lambirth DEATH SEX 4.COLOR OR RACE 5.MARRIEDx NEVER MARRIED 6.DATE OF BIRTH 7.AGE F.W.WIDOWED DIVORCED ae 12-1918 il PLACE OF DEATH 9.USUAL RESIDENCE (a )COUNTY (b)TOWNSHIP (a)STATE (bd)COUNTY lredell Troutman N.C.Lredell(o)CMY row Statesville (a)STRETT ADDRESS OR RFD NO.307 Medlin Street CAUSE OF DEATH INTERVAL BETWEEN PART I.DEATH CAUSED BY ONSET AND DEATH IMMEDIATE CAUSE (#):Crushed chest Immediate ANTECEDENT CAUSES DUE TO (bd)Automobile accident DUE TO (co) PART II.OTHER SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONSCerebralcontusion,fractures of both arms. 11.WAS AUTOPSY PERFORMED?YES NO————s = 12,REPORT OF INVESTIGATION: Mrs.Lambirth was involved in a head-on collision in an accident,the she was riding in being driven by her husband,the other by Awery McDowell (see previous report).She was found dead on arrival at Davis Hospital.Death was due to the causes as stated. No inquest necessary. —— NORTH CAROLINA IREDELL COUNTY her home onViast Ead Avenue,Statesville,N.C.,held in Iredell County Courthouse pod 16th,1956,at 7:00 o'clock P.M.,with Coroner's Jury empanele—l as follows: W.Erskine Johnson,Jr.,M.A.Moore,Joe D.Summers,Herbert C.Hawthorne,A.M,Guy, and Dr.F.W.Dick. Examination of Witnesses as follows: WITNESS:Mr.Horton Doughton Questioned by Coroner Raymer Q.State your full name. A.‘Horton Doughton, Qe Address? A.Wilkesboro Roed. Q.Mr.Doughton,this is strickly informal for information regarding the Landis case.You may meke any statement to these gentlemen that you would like to make. How long did Mrs.Landis work for you? A.About 10 years. Q.In which department did she work? A.Shoe Department. Q.Had she worked in the shoe department full time? A.Yes. Q.Did you find her to be a good employee? A.Average employee. Q.Was she neat,courteous and kind to your clients? A.As far as I know,at all times. Q.Did she ever give you any trouble? A.May I answer that this way.I guess most departments at some time or another have sane trouble.With her I didn't have any more than had with average employee. Qe About what salary did Mrs.Landis Make? A.Around $30 or $35 a week. Q.Her employment was regular? Ae Yes. Q.During this investigation,we have been informed that she was released from your Store,is that correct? A.She resigned. Q.She was not released,she resigned herself? Yes What date did she resign? I think it was around March 7th. Did she at any time extortion any money from your store? No. Q.Was there ever any question regarding misappropriation of funds surrounding an approval slip? A.There was a little question about 3 months ago about an approval slip but that was cleared up ard accepted.I might say in behalf of Mrs.Landis,statement which was made to you and Mr,Ivey--we put in cash registers down at the store,prior to that time we had used certain type ticket.On the cash register,you ring up each different item--we had 6 or 8 drawers in each cash register. Q.Did she gét along with the other help there? 4.I think so. Q.Is there anything else you would like to state? A.No,nothing except that she worked for us for approximately 10 years,and during that time,as far as I know--I em out of the store a lot,we never had any complaint. However,she never seemed to ever get on to the cash register.But she was not the only one that had trouble with that;some of the other employees who had been there for years threatened to resign and quit because they couldn't seem to work them, Questioned by Mr.Finch Q.Mr.Doughton,I believe that you said she left your employ around March 7th,this year? 4.Yes. Q.I believe you stated she resigned her employ? A.Yes. Q.Was that resignation requested by your Company,or was it voluntarily? A.She volunteered. Q.Did she state at that time why she reshgned? A.We had just a little bit of disagreement through the office force that she had not been able to work the cash register--she never could balance her account.I don’t think it was any feult of Mrs.Landis--she just never could learn to work her cash register.You've got to ring up each different item in the store--like we have 4,5,or 6 items,if you @ in the store and purchase shoes,polish ani moe strings,you list each one individually.She never seemed to be able to do it. I would like to say for the family that che was a satisfactory employee--she was & good salesperson, WITNESS:Ralph Marshall Questioned by Coroner Rgymer Qe State your full name? Ralph Benjamin Marshall, Address? 510 Concord Avenue,Statesville,N.Co Raployee of whom? Asst,Supervisor at Prison Camp 1205. Q.Ralph,onMarch 13th were you called to bring your bleed houndstothehomeof Mr.Landis on West End Aveme? A.Yes. x Here is a diagrem--in your own words state about where your dogs struck a scent, f any? A.I arrived at the scene and parked right along here.I got out and grt infomation from the officers;I left the dogs in the car .This area had been roped off ani no one hed been in this area.We took the dog out ani started up across this area where they said no one had been.Right along in here there was a car parked on this side and another just to the right.There was a tree some There was a hedge along just inside at the a@iteh line of this street. this tree,just about even with back of the Hrd car,kinda to the right fender,just a little behind,the dog picked up a trail.She went walking on across out through this hedge on this street.She followed the track on up to this point,which is Cherry Street.She turned and started dom Cherry Street and one of the policemen went with the dog end I stopped and didn't go On. Q.Did your dog definitely strike a track? A.Yes.The dog was running some person,There is no question that she was running some person. Q.How far were the clothing items from where the dog struck a track? A.Clothing were sround the tree.This was same 25 feet fran where the dog actually got started.Cars were perked up here and dog started just beyond the clothes. Q.Is there any question regarding the competency ef your blood hounis? A.No,I believe in them. Q.Did you have any occasion to help the local officers where the dog was used? A.Yes. Q.Would you mind stating sane? This same dog,it’s not been too Jong ago,up in NoA Alexander County and Iredell County.I was called up little S-year old kid lost the afternoon before that. call thet they had found the little kid's track below the dog ami put her on this little kid's tract and she @allowed the track through About 2 miles from where we started found little kid's track buried up in the mud.The track was around 11 hours old but the dog worked the track on and the search party found the kid. On another ocassion,I recently received @ call from police Statesville that a house had been broken inte.I carried person had entered the house.The dog picked up @ trail near 12:00 I'm not sure,it was about 7:00 or 7:30 when the house was entered. me to the house and when the boy*s father opened the door,the dog went right in the bedroom where the boy was at. Questioned by Mr.Finch: Q.How many hours was this after the body had been discovered? A.I received the call at my home about 6:30 4.M,and I immediately went to the prison cemp.They had already loaded the dogs in the truck ani I came strhight back to Statesville,approximately about 5 to 7 or 10 to 7,and I put the dog on the track. First,when I got out,I asked the officers standing there about where people had been and where they hadn't been.I took the dog and went up across the grass where they said no one had been and she picked up this treck. Q.Did she immediately pick up this track? A.Yes. Q How many dogs did you have? A.We just had one that we took out.I had 2 in the truck but just took out one that we run in town. WITNESS:Theodore Coleman Questioned by Coroner Raymer Q.Your full name is-- 4.Theodore Coleman. Q.Address?e A.1205 Prison Camp.. Q.On the morning of March 15th,were you with Mr.Marshall and the dog? A.Yes. Q.How long have you been running dogs? A.About 10 or 12 years. Q.How often do you run the dogs? A.About every day. Q,Theodore,the dog that you had this morning of March 15th,is it a competent dog? A.Yes.I trained her myself. Q.Will that dog track anything but human being? A.Wo. Q.Mr.Marshall stated that along in this area behind the car the dog struck a trackv- A.Yes.She came in behind the car,worked in and came on out at this street ani went down and turned down to left.She kept on down that street and right on toon Mitchell College. Q.Did the dog go up to Michell College? A.Yess She circled the college twice and came back to the same place. Q.If your dog would have been humery,would she come to Mt@@isk Mitchell College for A.She had never been there.. Qe In the best judgment and knowledge that you have,did your dog smell anything? A.Yes.This dog wuldn't run unless it smelled human being. Juror:Was the dog trailing on the street? A.On the edge of the street. Juror:Did the dog try to enter the college or stop at the door? 4.There were several people standing at the college,and she didn’t try to get through,she went right to the dor. Q.How far away from the Landis house did the dog strike the trail? 4.She trailed in the back yard from the back door--right at the edge of the back door. WITHESS:Dr.Summerville. Questioned by Coroner Raymer Qe Your full name is--? A.Dr.W.M.Summerville. Q.Address--? A.Charlotte,N.Co Qe Your occupation is? 4.Clinical pathologist. Q.Just in your own words give your report of the autopsy performed. A.(See report attached hereto) Q.How long have you worked with Dr.Haywood Taylor at Duke? A.Every since 1936 or 40. Qe Would you check his report and see if you find anything unusual.You recognize this as his statement and signature? A.Yes. Juror:You stated you found a frecture of the nose? A.Yes.Om probing,there is encountered what appears to be a smll linear fracture of the left nasal bone.We didn't take a picture. Q.Were there any other mrks on her face on that side? A.There was a bruise on left eye.I learned later that this lady had been in an automobile accident,we didn't know that at the time of the autopsy,and I understand that she had a black eye at that time. Q.How many cases have you had with rope around the neck 5 times? A.Never had a case with rope around the neck 5 times. Q.If you found body with rope around neck 5 times,home resonably ransakked,what would you do as coroner of Mecklenburg County? A.First talk with the police.Secon perform autopsy and third hola coroner's inquest. Q.Of the suicide cases you have investigated,how many stayed exactly still after they hit the floor. 4.That's a aie@ficult question.It would depend on the nature of suicide.Te ones takingpoisoncollapsesuddenly.Somearefullydressedanileaveanote of some sort.People who use guns,of course,don’t move any. Q.How many afft asphyxiation cases have you observed in your time that stayed still? A.All I have ever seen are still still. Q.Fwm the time the instrument or hanis were placed around the neck ,would they remain still until expired? A,I have seen suicide from hanging where it was possible for the feet to touch the floor ani there was no sign of scuffle.It depends entirely on the circumstance. Q.From the time air is completely cut off until death,would a person move? A.They may or my not. Q.From what you observed over at the hospital,could it have been a murder ? A.It could have been. Questioned by Mr.Finch Q.What is thickness of this nasal bome you described as being fractured? A.It is probably about twice as thick as @ sheet of paper. Q.You say that a fracture of that type could be caused by a fall or by autanobile accident? A.Yes. Q.I believe you stated that in your opinion,it is possible that this death could have been a murder.On the other hand,do you think this could have been suicide? A.It could have been. Q You observed the body at the hospital,do you have an opinion as to whether or not death could have been self-inflicted? A,I do. Q.What is your opinion? A.It could have been self-inflicted. Juror:About how long would it take a person to pass out from strengulation? A.I would say about 2 or 5 minutes.Sometimes faster and sometimes a l&ttle longer. Did you observe any fermented o@or about Mrs.Landis’body? I aid. Would the tissues férment that quick? The intestinal track would. Did you notice a bruise on back of the left hand? A.Mo,sir,I didn't.The only thing I noticed about the left hand was Mr,Ivey getting a small heir from the hand. WITNESS:Mr.Lendis Questioned by Cerener Raymer Q.Yeur full name is? A.William A.Landis, Q@ Yeuraddress is? A.917 West End Avenue,Statesville,N.Ce Q.Mr.Landis,en theday ef March 12th,startinginthememing,tell what yeudid,where yeu went and what yeu ebserved. A.Well,as a usual thing my wife get up a little befere I did.She usually wenttewerkbefereIdid,usually went te hed when I did ani usually get up a littlebefereIdid.She get up a little befere I did--net tee leng.I get up abeut theusualtimeandhadbreakfast.We get threugh breakfast and went eut in the yardabeut8:00 e'cleck and was pulling weeds eut ef the grass.Then I decided that seme ef thepinsneededpaintingandwentintheheusetegetthem.She helpedpaint the tep efthepins,abeut 3 er sets.Abeut an heur er a little later,she said this stuffsmellsbadly,let's get eut ef it fer awhile.We went in the heuse abeut 10:30 er o11200.We sat dewn en the divan and talked abeut different things—-I den't rememberanyparticularthingwetalkedabeut.She seemed te be depressed and I qsked her whatwasthematter.She deesn't hear very well and she didn't answer.I figured shedidn't hear me and I didn't ask her any mere.I decided te shave and went inte thebathreem.She came in and sat en a steel while I shaved.When I get threugh shavingwehadlunch.After lunch I went back eut in the yard—she didn't ceme eut any mere--and feed the chickens.After I finished feeding the chickens,abeut 2:30,I wentbackintheheuseandchamgedclethes.About 3:00 er 3:15 when I left,I teld hertebringmysuppertemethatnight,that I weuld have te ge after the pin-beysandsheweuldn't need te ceme early.She came in a little earlier than usual andIwasbewlingwithJames.We were abeut 3/l;threugh the game and shecameinabeut25te6:00—-a little early.I went ever and had supper and teld JamesIweuldbebackinafewminutes.I was gene abeut 20 er 25 minutes picking up thepin-beys,I went te three different places.I get back te the bewling alley inabeut30minutesandJamesstayedandwebewledanstherreund.She stayed thereabeut45minutes.Abeut 7:00 she said “will yeu get anybedy else"and I tela herneandshesaidwellsheweuldgeenheme.Then I teek the beys heme when I lefttheBewlingAlleyabeut10:10.I teek 5 beys heme.By the time I get heme it wasclesete10:30.She never lecked the deer until after I ceme in.She didn'thearverywellandIalwayscalledteherwhenIcameingIjustsaid"It's me",when I came in the back deer.I just.turned te the kitchen deer and saw her andsaidwhat's the matter.I sat my bex dewn en thetable and turned avéund and saw |her lying face dewn en the fleer.I saw that semething must be wrem@f I liftedherhandandfeundmepulse.I went te the telephane but the light wasse diminthehallIceuldn?%see the phene beek.Se I ran eut the back deer,turned en thebackyardlightandwentrunninguptetheneighbers.I just hellered te ny ickyneighber,"Semething's wreng,my wife must be deade—she's dead".Mr.Templetensaidsurelynet.I said,"Yes,I think se."Mr.Templeten phened fer an ambulanceanddectewandpelice.I felt my high bleed pressure geing up and I sat dewn,andthat's the last I knew ef ite Q Mr.ITandis,did yeu switch the light en when yeu came in the house er whenyeuCameeut? A.When I came eut,I turned the back yard light en. Q Was the back deer unlecked? A.It was unlecked but pulled te. Qe Was kitchen deer epen er clesed? A.Open Q-Was hallway deer epened er clesed? A.Open. Qe The kitchen deer--was it epened er clesed frem the back yard te the kitchen? A.It was epened. Q.Did yeu turn the kitchen light en? Ne.I didn't bether any except in the hall and the back yard light. When didyeufirst see yeurwife when yeu came in? She was right in front ef me.Feet te me and head tewards stove. Did yeu ceme back te the house after yeu saw your wife? Ne.| What pertien ef her did yeu teuch first? Nething but her hand.I felt ef her pulse.Didn't teuch any part of her bedy. Did yeu teuch her hair in any way?| Ne.|| Did yeu teuch the table in any way? Nee | Did yeu teuch the chair in any way? Ne.| Did yeu have any bleed en yeur left hand? Ne.Net that I knew ef.| Yeu felt nething sticky? Ne.| Yeu didn't wash yeur hands at Mr.Templeten's? Neo | Y eu didn't teuch her bedy ether than her hand? Ne.Her wrist.| Did yeu hang the phene up when yeu tried te call? I den't remember.I weulddt say whether I did er didn't. De yeu recall exgctly what yeu said te Mr.Templeten when yeu went in? I came te the deer and he said just a minute.I teld him there was semebadwreng,she is dead er gemebedy killed her.I den't remember exactly what I said. Qe Had yeu wife at any time during peried yeu were married ever indicated suicide?A.Net that I knew ef.|| Q.Was yeur wife nerveus? A.She had a little trouble with her fingers.She said they felt mumb.Her sisterteldhertegeteDr.Dick and she made the statement that it might help Ber. Q.Hew eften did she cemplain ef arthritis? A.Only thing she ever cemplained te me about was her hand feeling numb, \ Hew lang had it been since she had her medicine refilled? She had 2 bettles and I had dark bettle and seme ceugh syrup. Did yeur wife usually hide her meney under the breakfast reem table? Yes.The cleth hung dewn and hide it.7 De yeuknew ef any enemies that yeu er yeurwife ever had? I don't rememberanye | Ne ene had ever threatened her life? Nes 2 Was yeur wife censervative in the wear ef her clethes? Very conservative with her clethes.She had seme clethes areund the housebeught10er12yearsage. She teek geed care ef her clethes? Very well. Did she usually change dresses every day in geing te werk? Net every day,2 er 3 times a week.| Was she a weman whe weuld usually guide a child? Yes. De yeu ever recall her threatening suicide? Never in my life. Q.Was she nerveus te the extent that sheuld semething ceme in the back doerweuldshebecemesenseless? Ae She didn't seem te be afraid ef anything.She didn't ever leck the deer.Butsincethelastfewyears,she days lecked the f rent deer and never lecked it untilafterIcamein. Q.Yeu teuched her left hand? A.I felt her left wrist er hand with my left hand. |Did yeu turn the kitchen light en er net? Ne.| Q.Had yeu er yeur wife ever missed any meney in your heme? A.Ne.| Q.Had she ever chased anyene eut ef yeur heme? A.Never in her lafe.She deean't fee]that anybedy is dishenest.If anybedydidcemeteseeher,it was all rights shé never asked anybedy te ge eut ef her heme. Q.-Did yeu find a piece ef repe the last 2 er 3 days in yeur garage? A.Inthe feed heuse 2 er 3 daysage.| Qe Whe was with yeu when yeu feund this? A.Ne bedy was with me.There was abey eutside cutting the grass. Qe What is his name? Carl Jenes. He werks fer yeu at the Bewling Alley? Yes.| Hew leng has he been empleyed with yeu eut there? It will be ayear in Jume when he first came eut there. Is he cempetent,dependable and trustwerthy? Yes.As far as I imew he is.7 Q.Have yeu ever cerrected a child in yeur Bewling Alley that weuld threwhatredtehisparents? A.Nee Q.Has any ether repe been feund areund yeur heme? A.Net that I knew ef.In the last few days,feund ene that was in the springs in the bed in the back bed reem. Q.Did yeu see this repe?- A.My sen picked it up when taking the mattress eff the bed and feund in the ceil ef theSpringsa3-plied twisted cerd which measured abeut 6'leng and knetted at each end. Q.Why were yeu felks leeking the bed ever? A.I gave the bed to my sem when he was married—I gave him ene and my daughterene,and he came after it this merning with a pickup truck, Q Is this bis nermal day of empley at his jeb? A.Yes.He gees te werk abeut 2:30. Qe What time did he ceme te yeur heme? About 8:00 er 8230.: Had yeu and he arranged fer him te ceme teday fer this bed? That's right.|| Was it a similar piece ef repe that yeu feund in yeur feed heuse? Seemed te be exactly the same.7 What did yeu use this repe fer?: Last time I used it was te lay eff a straight rew te set eut seme geraninms.I hadthe reperappedareund a 1"stick that I stuck in thegreund . Was yeur wife handy with knets? I den't knew whether she ceuld tie a knet er net. Yeu never saw her practicing knets a heme? Nee Qe Yeur wife talked with Mrs.Richbeurg in a very pleasant tene,was she Domed that way at this hour ef every day? She was seldem any ether way. Did yeu read the letter she had written? I haven't seen the letter.: At what time ef the evening dees yeur wife nermally undress? A.When I came in areund 10:00 er 10:30 she is always dressing er fixing her face. Mest ef the time she is fixing her hair er face.Otherwise usually reading a beek er writing. Q.Where did she normally write her letters‘ A.On the breakfast reem table.She ceuld see mich better by that light. Q MKnewing yeur wife fer the number ef years that yeu were married and prier te that time,her temperment,her kindness,weuld yeu say she had enough hell in her te kill herself? A.I never saw that she had anything like that in her.She was very pleasant any way yeu ge at it. Q.She never cenplained abeut yeur tracking up the heuse er leaving yeur clethes areund? Ne. If she didn't get her way,did she raise her veice te yeu? Ne.| She was a geed mether te her children? As geed as ceuld be.| Did she knew ef yeur secial activities with anether lady? Net that I knew anything abeut.| Q.Did she at any time that yeu knew ef state te yeur children that yeu wereseciallyengagedwithanetherlady? A.Never in my life. Q.I want yeu te give the name ef the lady and address with whem yeu have been keeping company. A.Jaunita Jenkins. Q.Hew leng have yeu been keeping cempany with this weman? A.First time I ever saw the lady was abeut 1915.She get married and was gene6er7yearsandIdidn't see her any mere until abeut ene year age.Her husbandleftandmarriedagainandteekeneefthechildrenawayfremher.She asked me teleanhermoneytegegetthechildandI'did.She get the bey back and she indicatedthatsheceuldn't pay it back.I didn't questien her abeut paying it backe Q Did yeu at any time lean her husband any meney? A.Never.He came te my heuse 2 different times te get me te sign a nete butIdidn't sign ite Q Did yeur wife have amy knewledge ef yeur having relafienship mxkg with this weman? A.Hee Did yeur children knew? A.Net thatIknewef. Qe De yeur children think yeur wife and their mether cemmitted suicide? A.I den't knew what they think. Q.What de yeu think? A.I den't knew.Se many things peint tewards suicide,She was@ very depressed after leesing her jeb and the wreck,they were going te held her respensible fer the cest te the ether car,and after she left Belk's Stere,she was a little mere depressed than before. Q.Whe is her eye decter? A.Dr.Beeth,Catawba Ceunty. Q.Did yeu ever see her abeut yeur heme with her glasses eff? A.Ne.She ceuldn't walk witheut her glasses. Q.Could she write witheut her glasses? A.New | Q.Ceuld she see a sheet ef paper that large within 28 reach witheut her glasses? A.She ceuldn't even see the tep line.She ceuld see the sheet ef paper but that'sallsheceuldsee. Q Had yeur wife talked with yeu the day that this death happened regarding futureempleyment? A.I asked her ene day why she didn't ge te the unempleyment effice and sign up. She phened but there wasn't anybedy in.She said she weuld ge up tuesday,but she didn't ge Tuesday. Qe Did yeu ever at any time stike yeur wife? A.Never struck her in my life.I had ne eccasien tee Q.Hew eften did she ask yeu fer money? Since she werked,she never asked fer money. Q.Did yeu ever give her any ef yeur meney after she stepped werk? A.Nee | Q.Hew much empleyment cempensatien er retirement de yeu receive? A.I receive $193.00 per menth frem Pest Office retirement and a disability pensienferwarserviceef$60.00. Q.Did yeur wife at any time draw nursing fee fer yeur disability? A.Net that I knew ef. Q.She never received any check fer your nupsing which came frem the Gevernment? A.Net that I knew ef.; Qo Hewmach inceme de yeu havefremyeur Bevd ing Alley? A.Acce te the receipts taken eut,I made eut a tax repert the etherdayandhad$5149 and semething fer 7 menths..Q.Net prefit? A.Net prefit. Q.Hew mch ef the househeld expenses de yeu pay frem yeur salary? A.TI paid it all.| Q.What did she buy with her money? A,Nething,except what she spent en the children,grandchildren and herself,that I knew @, Q.Did she have any insurance en herself? A.Nee | Q.What type ef estate is yeur wife leaving? A.She had in the bank every year through the Christmas Savings $5.00 a week and$1.00 a week and she alse had $1,000 in the bank at the time ef her deaths Qe De yeu think yeu are sterile? A.I den't knew.I weuldn't think I am very sterile. Jurer:When yeu went heme and feund yeur wife gad felt the pulse ef her hand,was.it stiff? A,That's right.It was celd. Qe Hew leng did yeu say the repe was in the beginning? A.<Abeut O er 5 feet befere it was cut er about 50,it Weuld reach areund the heuse, Qe ‘In yeur’epinien,was the repe feund in the bed spring part ef that repe? A.It was the same length ef the ether.| It was knetted at beth ends? Yes.| Was a thereugh search made ef yeur premises? Yes.| Mr.Landis,did yeu kill yeur wife? Ne,I did net.| Did yeu empley anyene te kill yeur wife? I did net.It was the biggest surprise I ever sar, Did yeu ge te Mrs.Jenkins'heme en the night this happened? A.She telephenedandwantedme te bringbyaquart ef milk andI teekitbyandwentenandgetthepin-beys. Q.Did she at any time ever pressure yeu by phene calls te remeve yeur wife?A.Never in her life.|| Qe Did she ever pressure yeu fer a diverce? A.Ne. Q.Bid she ask yeu fer money? A.Yes.: Questiened by Mr.Finch Q.Abeut this weman,Jaunita Jenkins,what ameunt have yeu centributed te her suppert? A.Abeut 10 er 11 years age when she married--abeut 195,she get married and‘stayed away 7 er 8 years.He brought her back in and left her eff and he went back te Ohie and said he would be back after her later.Then he came back and teekeneefthebeys.When he teek the child,she became suspicieus--the man had getten married in the meantime dewn there-~and she asked if I ceuld lend her $50 te ge get the bey abeut ene year age and asked if I wanted her te give a nete,and I said "Ne,I trust yeu".When she came back she said she ceuldn't pay it back. Q.Hew leng was she gene befere she came back te live here? A.She came back abeut a year age. Qe Frem the time she get back until yeur wife's death,what ameunt tewards her suppert have yeu centributed? A.Sometimes $20 a week and sometimes didn't give her anything. Q-Mr.Landis,did Yeu tell the efficers that yeu gave her $25.00 a week? A.They teld me I had.I den't knew hew they figured it.I didn’t have any specific samp ameunt te give her,didn't have any recerds. Q.Hew eften did yeu ge by her place ef residence during the last 1$years? Ae Once a week,maybe twice.They haven't get a man in the heuse and they have little things te fix.I fied the lam cerd fer her ene day and just little things like that.I never went at night,it was always afterneen er semetime in the merning. Q.Did yeu ge with anybedy? A.I went by myself.| Q.Did anybedy see yeu ge there? A.I ceuldn't say.| Q.De yeuknew if yeurwife had any knewledge ef this? A.As far as I knew,she didn't.| Q.Hew eld was Jaunita Jenkins? A.About O--clese te ite | Q.What is her cenditien relevant te being pregnant? A.I den't knew.She teld me she was.: Q.Did she tell yeu whe the father was? A.She first said she theught it was mine. Q.Did she say when she became pregnant? A.Semetime befere Christmas.First ef January is when she talked with mee + Q.When was the lasttime yeu saw her? A.Befere Christmas.| @.Was her pregnancy evident te yeu at that time? A.Nee | Q.Mr.Landis,when yeu went inte the heuse en this night,did yeu see yeur wife's glasses in yeur heme? A.Ne,I didn't see them.They wasn't en her face. Q.Did yeu see them en the steve? A.Ne,I didn't.| Q.Where did yeur wife generally write her cerrespendence? A.On the breakfast reem table right under the light.| Q.What was her custem with respect te keeping the lights en in the betes at night?, A.I ceuld always tell which reem she was in by the light.Incase the light | was en in the frent reem,she was generally fixing her face er hair.If she was reading er writing,the light was en in the breakfast reen. Q.Yeu didn't turn en er eff any lights except ene in the hall when yeu went te the telephene? A.I turned it en and alse the back yard light. Qe Mr.Landis,yeu said the letter was en the kitchen table? A.I didn't see the letter.The kitchen table was tee high te write en.Mest ef her writing was done at the breakfast reem table. Q.Mr.Landis,did yeu get a letter eut ef the breakfast reem and carry it intethekitchen? A.I never went in the breakfast reeme Qe Hew leng did yeu stay in there? A,I didn'tstay in there a half ef a minute. Qe Since the death ef yeur wife,have yeu re-mgrried? A.Ne,Sir.| Jurer:Was Mrs.Landis in the habit ef drinking ceffee in the night? Ne.She always drank cefffee in the merning.: Did she drink black ceffee,nermally? Yese | At any time,have yeu ever knewn her te take an everdese ef her medicine? Net te my knowledge.| Did she at any time ever drink te excess~--alcehel? Net that I knew ef.| Did she fear anyene? She didn't ots te.| Y.\ Q.Did yourwife have my purple clothing? 4.Mot thatIeversav. Questioned by Mr.Finch Q.Mr.Lan&is,after Mra.Landis ceased her employment with Belks Department Store, G14 she @iseuss her dismissal with you? A.Only thing she said before the wreck '"I might not have a@fjfob,they called me up in the office aboutaticket?‘Then she had thewreck.3 or4days after the wreck she went bed to work and she said she haf no job. Q.Did she say it was on account of the ticket? A.Yes. Q.Did she seem to be any different afterwards? A.She seaned depressed at times--not too much at other times.She was depressed more after the wreck than anything else. WITHESS:Mr.Templeton Questioned by Coroner Raymer Q.Your full name is? Foy L.Templeton. Agaress? 913 West End Avenue,Statesville,N.C. How long have you lived at this address? Since November,1954. Were the Landis'good neighbors? Yes. Do you have any children? Yes,two, Did your children play with the Landis grandchildren? Yes,sir. Was Mrs.Lendis a god friend of your wife? Very good friend,yes. Did you see Mrs.Lendis working in the yard the day of March 12th? Ne,sir. Did you see her working in the yard at any time--working in her flowers? I noticed her working in her flovwrs. Would you sayshe is a rebust person fr her age? Yes. Reasmmably fest? Yes. ,&2?-fe?hame? an’t obsearve the house too closely because there getting ready fer bed,I do remember she eaid somehour program.It was mach of the pregren,Adout 5 minutes Danged× anf hallered“Help,help" I openedthe door and there was I felt her hand ani shei COe said “Doc*hed a heart cenditien.I ca I found Dr.Stegall's number and called Dr.Stegall.Going out over to the Landishome,I met Mr.Guy comingfrom theLandis heme Mr,Guy stated he thoughtshe was dead.Mr.Landis stated “I wonder atteck,or if she tock poisen,or took an overdose of her medicine? Q.How long was Mr.Lendis in this upset condition? A,Tran the time he came to my house to the time he Bt;he left about 2:50 Tuesdaymorning. Q,Mew mmy lights wereon at theLandis hane? A.I didn’t notice any being on.Nethingwausual showed;she would prebably have one light oa,she worked quite a bit in the kitchen. Qa What time didyou come in that evening? A,a fow minutes after 10:00 P.M. QuestionedbyMr.Finsh De you have any recollection of Mr.Landis saying whet nave I done te eause this? Yes,I aid.He asked what had he done to bring this en. You had been out of town this date? We hed been out to the Watt Femily. When did yeu leave home? 7:3 er 8:00 and returned little after 10:00 P.M. WITNESS:Mrs.MeRerke :£Qe A. Q@ A. Q. A. Q. ae Q As :E!;Q.erererererQuestioned by Corener Raymer Your full nam ist Mrs.Robert A,MeRorie. Addreas? Georgia. When were you infomed of your mother's passing? On Manday night--I guess abowt 11 or 11:15. When 444 you arrive in Statesville? About 6:00 Tussday morning,March 15, When 4id you last visit with your mother? Christmas.| Hewlong aiayouvisit at that time? A week or 10 days,approxinately. Bow often 4id you come home to see yOurmother? Just mestly at Christmas. Dean,hadyourmother ever implicated she was goingte take her ownlife? Me.| She never had to you? Mo. Did yeu have ax reasonto believe shewouldtekeherownlife? He. Did you state to anyone that she toekher own life? After hearing the facts of the case,I formed an opinion ami I 41d state that it Did you tell that to the reminder of your family? Yea. Did yeu tell it to your uncles ani aunts? only to 3 Aunts. At’what time aid you form that opinion? When I heard the facts. Hew many facts 414 you know when you formed the opinion? The fact that it mm could de done by oneself. Hadshe ever told you that she was not goingtolivetebe 60 years of age? Ho. Hedshe ever told you she dreaded becoming 60 years of age? a 4.Met 60 actually.healwayshadahorrorof being avali pendaaeerie°am i p ae betne:6 nt Have you to14 your father you thought it was suicide? Yes.|| Did you tell the pelice? I told Mr.Epley. You respected your mother? Very much. Were either of you hom at Easter’ Mo.I don*t know about ny brother. You were not? No,that Did either of you ask ubaxt an easter lily be placed on yourmother’s grave at Easter Ha,I haven't. QuestionedbyMr,Finch Mrs.McRorie,414 you inspect your mother’s personal belongings? After I was allowed te go in thehouse. When was that? Areuné 10:30 that morning. Were you femiliar with the belongings of your mother and father? Yes.I was about my mother’s size and we wre the same clothes.| Im this sear@h,41d you discover anything missing? Ma.A lot of my stuff wasin the house too. What was your mother's vision? Very poor without her glasses. WIMMESS:W,A.Landis,Ir. Questioned by Coroner Raymer Your full meme ani address is? W,4.Landis,Jr.,&nd AvenveS East,Conover. What time did you arrive in Statesville after you heard ef the death? 15 to 12--something like that. Qo Mad you ever,at any time in your lifetime,heardyourmother say shewould take her ownlife? A.Bat to myknowledge. Q.Haw eften do you comehome? A.About every Sunday. Q@.Bid you usually bring your children with you? a.I asa. Q.Om the Sunday one week prior that your mother met her death,was there any argument in your father's home? A.Not thet I know of. Q.The Sunday before she wasfound,aia you come to your father’s home? 4.Ne.They came up there. Q@ Billy,do you think your mother would commit maicide? A.I don't know what to say there because mother was a person of habit.If she had a set way of cleaning the living room,a set way of washing di shes--many people who amoke a lot do it unconsciously without thinkinge-and mother had certain ways;there are facts pro and com and it would be hard forme to gay that she did or that she didn't. Q.Billy,aid your mother enjoy life? 4.Beasonably so,yes. Qe She liked flowers? A.Yes. Q.De yeu think she was tired of living? A.Her indications is not that,I would say no. Q@.If she wrote a nommally pleasant letter and signed it at the bottam,what would you think? A.That's her usual conversation. Q.When you were a baby and your mother slept with you,aid she sleep on her side, stomach or bask--that was her normal yesition when eying down to sleep? 4.On her back. ati Mr.Finch Did you have eccasion te find any rope in the house of your father today? Yes,I found a piece today.I found it tucked in the coil spring. How far from the head or foot?| It was stuck in the corner coil. Bow long was the piece of rope? Arn‘'s length. Did you see the rope around your mother's neck? Yom How 414 it compare with that? I wuld say it was the same one.The end had been cut and knotted at both ends ef the “cord, Q,What did you do withthe rope when you found it? A,I laid it on the stool beside thebed end my fathercalledMr.Iveyand asked if he would come ever. d Didyourfather show any signs of surprise? Yea.We both did. Waeanyone else at thehouse besideyou and your father?gf¢fF2Yous,Ray Dalton,a fellew who works at Shuford Milis.I asked him Tuesday he would be willing to help me. Howmuch furniture did your father give you? That back bedroaa suit.reWhen 414 he offer te give you that bedroom suit? 3 or 4 weeks ago. Howlong afteryourmother died? Maybe a week or 2 weeks. Did youaak himfor it? Be said the back bed roomwas empty and he said he might come up to my house and spend the night and would have a place to sleep.rf?2?£Q@ Did you knew anything prior te your mother’s death about your father’s relationship with this lady?;: 4s far as my knowing,I didn’t know. Had you heard anything? Ho. Had you mispected your father in any way? Yes,I aid. Do you think your mother might have suspected? I don't know. Did you speak with her about it? Mo. WITHESS:Mr.Ivey Questioned by Mr.Raymer Q.Will you state your full name’ A.WW.TF.Ivey. Q@,Mr.Ivey,on the night of March 18th,when you left the back door,I asked yeu to bring your camera;will you state that those are pictures you took? &.I took all of the pictures there membered 1 through 15. WITNESS:Ray GarlandQuestienedby Coroner Raymer Q.Just go ahead and give report of your investigation. A.I received a call on the morning of March 13th,approximately 12:30 A.Me,tocomete917WestEndAvenue,Statesville.I immediately left my residence on Front Street and proceeded to West End Avenue,to the home of Mr.W.A.Landis and I made a factual crime scene search.Myself,Chief Ivey and Sheriff Rumple went to Iredell Memorial Hospital where the body of Mrs.Landis was.At the time we arrived at the house,the body had been removed.I continued my investigation by taking finger prints,finger nail scrapings and inspection ef the body of the victim. At the time I saw the body it was clothed in a night gown,housecoat and hair net, which was all intact,which was later removed.The first time I saw the bedy,there was a rope rapped around the neck 5 times with last rap around knotted from bottem te tep of the neck and being drawn in the back by hard knot. Item 10 is the rope or cord which was around the victim's neck.All of the factual _evidence was taken from the body of the victim as evidence and sent to our bureau laboratery in Raleigh for test and examination.The body of the victim was gone over by myself,Chief Ivey,Sheriff Rumple and Mr.Epley of our Bureau.There was no sign ef any bruise on the body with exceptienef the bruise on the forehead and ' appeared to be a small mole.The hands and arms were inspected for bruises;feet and legs were inspected for bruises.Found no bruises er scratches on the body; pessible bruise on the neck underneath the cord.There was some blood in the nestril of the victim and s@me had run down the side of her face.After completing eur investigation,we came back to the Landis home early in the morning and started finger printing.Examination with myself and Agent Epley of our Bureau was made and 59 latent finger prints were made which were sent to the Laboratery for process. Latent finger prints have been checked and sent in appreximately 50 finger prints fer comparisen.These are the pictures t aken by Chief Ivey at the home.#1 is eriginal of the first phete made standing in the kitchen door.The chair sets at appreximately 45°angle.The stove was aleng east wall of the kitchen and en the stove was the victim's glasses.The glasses were placed upside dewn,glasses facing tewards room and eye pieces facing towards the wall.We latent finger prints were lifted.Second phote is phote ef victim as found by investigating officers.Helding in her left hand is the right tail of her houseceat.Houseceat is pulled up te the nose of victim.Her feet is back under the chair.left leg is against ene leg of the chair.All clothes intact.Hairnet placed en head.The third phete ia a view ef the victim's bedy taken from the pantry looking tewards the breakfast reom.Pheto view of fleer shews ne signs ef scuff marks er skid marks en the floor. Next phete is phete ef victim after her hand was pulled down from her fac®@,which exposes the cord around her neck approximately 8"en each side,left eye ef victimandalsohernose.The next photo which is #5 is phete taken from the back doer te the breakfast room facing South shows victim after she was turned over.There is seme bloed at the nose.Next photo is photo of eppesite side ef victim which is #6. There is a small amount of blood down her left cheek and the tongue is pretruded thru lips and teeth.7th phote is a ceca cola bettle found right between the kitchen deer and kitchen table.Next phote #8 is a picture of the kitchen table,enwhich is a bex which contains 3 sandwitches and 2 cigar boxes which Mr.Landis lept deposit receipts in and was brought in by Mr.Landis and set en the table.Kitchen table has legs,percelain,metal top.The next photo #9 is a phote ef the tep ef the table which shows a view of the letter,the pen which is this pen here. At the time this phote was made and before anything was moved,the ball point of this pen was retracted and laid to the left.There was 3/4 cup ef coffee and bottles ef medicine and varieus other articles:en the ttable.Phote #10 is a photo of the dining reom.The photo of the buffet shows articles of clething en the floor and the middle drawer epened.The middle drawer was ene that had been ransacked.The gmall drawerinthemiddle had not been ransacked.Phete #11 is a photo ef the back bed reem,standing in the hall.All of the drawers are epened,the clething laid out in a straight line across the bed.The bed is in erder.The cedar chest en the phete was epened and had been ransacked,appreximately half way down,re~- mainder had net been tern up.Latent finger prints lifted.The next phete is the same reem facing towards the hall which gives a better view of the dresser and clething.e Photo #13 is a copy of the letter that was found on the kitchen table.While at the hospital,from the victim's left thumb we removed a small fiber er hairandalsofromtheleftringfingeraportioneffiberorhairwhichappearedtobeblackincolerandwassenttethelaboratoryforinspection.It turned out to beabluishpurple,from the laboratery test and is identified as "Am.This fiber wasdesignatedascomingfromapieceofmaterialthatsheusedasadustmop.Finger-nailscrapingwastakenfrombothhandsofvictimandcontainednothingbutdirtandafewgrainsofsand.The hairnet removed from victim was taken thru the labsratoryandfoundtocontainnothingbutasmallamountofdandruff.Item 26 is the piece ofroperappedaroundastickapproximately1'sq.,found by Mr.Landis in his grainerylastSaturdaybackunderafeedbarrel.Item 27 is item which was found by We AeLandis,Jr.in the bed springs of the bed taken down in the back bed room of the Landishome.Item 26 was compared with item taken from around victim's neck,was sent toLaborateryinRaleighandcamefromsamerepeofathree-ply twisted cord,counted16strandsand16strand@onall3items.Item #9 which is the hair net worn by thevictimasIsawitatthehospital.The right tail of the housecoat is stained,whichthelaboraterysaysishumanbleed,corner being held to victims nose.The cut-outPieceatthebackofthehousecoatisidentifiedashumanblood.The housecoat wascheckedforotherfactualevidence,but no other factual evidence found.Item #20 is the dress shirt and blouse and skirt identified as victims clothing.:Shirt is identified as Mr.Landis'.These clothes were found near a tree at the leftsideefthehouse.Mr.Landis doesn't know when he last wore the shirt and thefamilydoesn't know when they last saw the victim wearing the clothes.=Item 8 is the house shoes victim was wearing,which was sent to the Bureau ferpossiblestains.Checked for blood=-no blood found.Items 13,ly,15,16 &17aremedicinefoundenthekitchentable.This is the gown which the victim wasWearingatthetime.No factual evidence was found on it.Smeared on the tableappearstothenormaleyetobeblood.Same stain on left chair posts;we couldn'tgetitoff.The )drawers in the buffet in the Dinette had not been ransacked.Allhhedrawersinthebackbedroomhadbeenransacked.Nothing in the bottom of thedresserwasdisturbed.The cedar chest had been opened,was still open,the clothingwasinitabout3/h way up.About 1/2 of the clothing had been folded back.| Qe Was the last piece of rope in the bed roem which had been ransacked? A.That was found in the other bed reom.There were several presents on that bedandthebedwasmadeupandhadnotbeenransacked. Q.(Mrs.McRorie)Was there any sign of a struggle in the kitchen? A.I saw no sign of a struggle in the kitchen.This is the letter found,showinginthephote,written by Mrs.Landis.You will notice the difference in the writingofthelstand2ndparagraphs,which according te our information is usual for Mrs.Landis to stop in the middle of her letter and go do Something else.The scribblingatthebottomoftheletterallegedtobe"A neg”.According te handwriting experts,this appears to be the same writing of the same persen and appears it would not havebeenwrittenwhileinfear. Q.Has it been reported to you that Mr.We A.Landis has re-married? A.Yes. Q.Bid you find any definite proef? A.Nos We checked places in Seuth Carolina and found ne place where he had beenmarried,We could find no place surrounding Statesville where he has establishedresidencedownthereandhehasnotbeenoutefStatesvillefora2)hour perieds Q.Did you establish definitely that he and this lady friend had been te the iceshow? A.We vacated that rumer.The people stated that they have never been to theiceshowandtheydidn't see Doc or Jaunita at the ice show. Q.Did Mr.Landis take the lie detector test? A.Yes. Q.Did he do so freely? Ae Yes. Q.What was the outcome?Did he successfully pass it? A.Yes.He has a heart condition which showed up on the lie detector and it would have to be classed as incenclusive.: Q.De yeu have an epinien satisfactery to yourself,after the lie detector test, that Mr.Landis didn't kill his wife? A.To myself,I am satisfied that he didn't kill his wif Q.Was the rumor true or false that there was an automebile parked en Buena Vista Avenue? A.That is true.Hewever,we have not been able te find er identify the autemebile er the eperator. Q.Is it true that peeple in the neighberhood ef Mr.Landis'home had neticed unusual happenings the night ef this eccurrence? A.yes.One persen whe lived acmss Buena Vista Avenue was said to ge te the deer of her heme several times and leek eut.Anether stated they heard a kneck but then found that what she heard was a father playing with his children.Another lady whe lives across the street stated she saw a light in the basement in a house about 10230.Stated she later looked at the same basement again and saw a light which leoked to be a flashlight.That basement was searched and the owner stated that he didn't miss anything.There was no sign of anybedy in the basement. Q.Did you hear the rumor that there was a negre seen running down Cherry Street? A.I heard it but have not been able to get anything on it.| Qe Was any bleod identified on the deer facing to the breakfast reom? No.There was no blood anywhere except en the edge of the table and left pest the chair and en the house ceat and en the victim herself. Q.About how much would yeu say this lady would weigh? Ae 100 te 195 lbs. Q This fiber was definitely classified as blue? A.Purple woel.| Q.Is it yeur epinien when this repe was placed around Mrs.Landis neck,she was sitting in the chair er standing? Ae I don't have an opinion. Q.The fountain pen was unclipped? A.This ball peint was retracted.| Q.Could the underneath sheet of this letter be traced out te be the same as the letter? A.We.It was not traced out on the paper. Q.Both cleset deors were open from the bed reom? A.Yes,at the time I was there.| Q.Ceuld it be pessible that the breakfast room was cleaned and the chairs placed ever her foot? A.Yes,it could be pessible. 25 Q.Can you explain why the glasses would be on the stove? A.No statement.; Q.Her vision,at the last time she was examined,was 20-300 7%normal vision witheut glasses and her visien was corrected to normal or 20-20 with glasses. Has Mr.Landis been cooperative with yeu in every way? Very much se. Did you hear a rumer whereby this lady had ciled Mr.Landis to dispose his wife? Yes. Could that be traced? We couldn't get anything except the rumor. Was the rumer true that he had this friend pregnant? Yes.| Did this lady admit it was Mr.Landis'child? Yes. Bid she admit that she was not legally diverced? Yes.| ’Did she admit that she hasin't any intention to marrying Mr.Landis? She said she would net marry him,she enjeyed their relationship but ‘she had no intention of matrimony. Q.De yeu believe this woman could have killed herself? A.I ceuldn't state that. Questioned by Mr.Finch Qe Mr.Garland,would you describe once again the manner in which you found the Clothes in the bed room and breakfast room? A.Starting with the dining room.In the buffet,the large drawer in the middle efthebuffethadbeenransacied.In bed room found 2 or 3 drawers en side and 2 drawersabeveenrightandleftsidehadnotbeenransacked. Were any items of clothing scattered? Noe Were there any laundered shirts? Yes. Were the ties broken? Nes | Were any whiskey bettles found areund the place where the car was mrked aroundtheLandishome? A.I don't inewe Qe De you have anyinformationregardingtheramer of 2 gareperked in herdriveway about 6:30? A.Yes. -Q@ What dia you find? 4,Imchecking that rumom that &cars hadbeen seen in her driveway,it provedtobe a lady mingto wrkfollowingMr.Landisand he turned inhis drivewaythat night,tut that was around 10:45. Bo yeu knewthe nemo of this ledy? Mrs.Ralyh Ieenhour.~ Didyou confirm the timeMr.Landis arrived heme? She drove up West End Aveme going to AbernathyMill,going to work and whenshegtthereitwas7to11:00, Q.Do you know what time the police department ws notified? A.Ho,I dom®?. Q@ Im all your experience of investigating,have you ever had a case of this tyye before? Ho,I haven't. Was all ef this evidence handled by one of your men?Vanderferd The evidence was identified by myself,by Agent Bunter,supervisor. How many @mdividuels of this fauily have informed you that this death was suicide? 3 have stated it. Would you name then? Mr.Landis,W,A.Landis,Jr.and the dmghter,Mrs,MeRoris. When did they first state this to you? S or 4 days after cata aaaatime _started. Did they ever mention to you that they thought sansone else killed her? I don’t knew.‘They haven't named anyone they thought could have done it, €n*’t think it was suicide as well as thoserfPfPtfF $2iaSiéi4;Pp§eHow manymiles have you travelled in this case?eI don’t know.I guess about 4 or 5000. Hew many hours wouldyou estimateyouput in on it? I coulén’t estimate that--about 18 houps a day. Do youhave on opinionsatisfactoryto yoursalf why “Aneg”weswaitten a8 the Lettemef the letter?freeae We,I don*t. WimwEss:Mr.Blankenship Questioned by Coroner Raymer Q.State your full neme. A,Williem Blankenship,StatEsvillePeliceDepartment. QaestionedbyMr.Finch Did you have occasion to search the premiseaf PYes,I did. Whet factual evidence did you findclose te the side of the road MGh reference wherethecar wasseen on BuenaVesta Avenue?seTheyewas a gindottlelayingright next to the hedges. Did it have any stamp on it? It hed stamp of Mecklenburg Sounty. Was it 1/5 er pint? 1/s Did it have any whiskey in it?€Ff2ftfF>2:None at all. Q.With reference to receiving call about a light in this house,did you have eenaehan to @ over te that pasement? A,Yea. Qe Whet was the confiition ef the light when you arrivedat the house? A,At the time Iarrived,Mr.Souther was there the poeple that didlive ther® teed to Virginia,and Mx.Souther took cereef it.In the rear of the basenent there wasalight burning--about25watt bulb.At the timeIwent there it was @ mall wuld burningin back of the basement.I have been to that particular house om calls similar to this before this Landis ease happenedand since 1% happened with veference to a light buming.The leat time I waa therewas 3 nights after Mrs.Laniis died.There was a meek light burningin the basement of the house at that im. ®Was it a stationary Lighter ene swinging om 0 wiret A,It was swingingon@wire,Mr.Souther had to teke care ef it andhe opened the hase~ ment doc?, Wirmmmss:RalyhMarshall Q&Regarding your dog,M14 he do anything at any time to cive himself relies? A.Mao Q Did he chese after another dog? A.Me.They won't chase encther dee WIMtEss:Mr.Ivey Questioned by Coroner Raymer Q.Statewhat you saw that night whenyouarrived, Ae I received a eall 10 after 11:00 on Merch 12th t A police car picked mo up at my residence and I went residence of Mrs.W,A.Landis,I went in the kitchen and floer.I immediately went back and got my camera andtook explained to yeu.This picture was made fram the door leading fran the hell. We have interviewed several hundred people over the county follewing leads and yumers,and it is the most unusual case I have ever hed in myexperience,everything about it being differen$fromanycase I have everhad. Q,.Have you ever heardso many rumors in any ome case in yourexperience? a.There have been more rumors in this case than all the others put together. a VERDICT 2 Vhe Van,Adee heOd hak “mw.W A fs On met der An Vote Be Be f eo *.we osW.M.SUMMERMLLE.M.D.THOMAS H.BYRNES.M.D. PROFESSIONAL BUILDING LABORATORY 612 PROFESSIONAL BUILDING CHARLOTTE 2,N.C. Name:Mrs,W.A.Landis Service:Coroner Marvin Raymer Date:3/13/56 Path.No.1-54664 Prosector:W.M.Summerville,M.D.\ COMMENT:This autopsy was performed at Iredell County Hospital, Statesville,N.C.at 2:30 A.M.,March 13,1956.In attendance, were Coroner Raymer and two hospital nurses, EXTERNAL EXAMINATION:This is the body of a normally developed White female appearing to be approximately sixty years of age.There is a cord looped five times around the neck with a knot on the left posterio-lateral aspect of the neck.Both eyes are discolored.There is blood around the nose and in the nostrils.There is a superficial bruise of the left forehead measuring 3 cm,in diameter.The tongue is partially protruding through the lips.There is an old surgical mid-line scar in the lower abdomen.There is a small healed scar above the right eye-brow.There are no other significant external findings. NOSE:On examining the nose,there is considerable blood in the nostrils. On probing,there is encountered what appears to be a small linear fractur of the left nasal bone.ce EYES:The pupils are roundéequal.There is considerable subconjunctival hemorrhage in both eyes. TRACHEOBRONCHIAL TREE:Immediately above the larynx,the trachea is compressed and there are pinpoint hemorrhages in the mucosa.The remainder of the tracheobronchial tree is not remarkable,There is some frothy fluid present.7 PLEURAS:These are smooth throughout with exception of a few areas of adhesion over the upper right lobe.There is no fluid present. LUNGS:These are voluminous,crepitant,and of a gray-pink color with moderate carbon deposits.The cut surfaces are not remarkable, HEART:The pericardium is smooth throughout and the sac contains a normal amount of clear fluid.The myocardium,endocardium,and valves are not remarkable.The coronary vessels show scattered small athero- ‘matous plaques.No points of occlusion are demonstrated, °oW.M.SUMMERVILLE,mM.D.THOMAS H.BYRNES.M.D. PROFESSIONAL BUILDING LABORATORY 612 PROFESSIONAL BUILDING CHARLOTTE 2.N.C. Page 2 Landis THYROID:This organ is normal in size and shows no significant gross changes. ABDOMEN:The peritoneum is smooth throughout with exception of a small area of adhesion beneath the surgical scar,There is no fluid present, LIVER:This organ is normal in size.The cut surfaces present an essen- tially normal lobular architecture.The extrahepatic ducts are patent. GALLBLADDER:Negative. SPLEEN:This organ is normal in size.The cut surfaces present an essentially normal follicular architecture, PANCREAS:Negative. ADRENALS:Negative. KIDNEYS:These organs are normal in size.The capsules strip readily leaving smooth red surfaces,There is a clear line of demarcation between the cortical and medullary portion.The ureters and bladder are not remarkable. GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT:Negative. GENERATIVE ORGANS:Surgically absent. LYMPH NODES:Negative. BLOOD VESSELS:The aorta shows slight to moderate atherosclerotic change. HEAD:On reflecting the scalp,there is a small amount of hemorrhage beneath the bruise of the left forehead.The calvarium presents no fractures. The meninges are smooth and there is vascular engorgement.The surface architecture of the brain is essentially normal,On sectioning the brain, there are no areas of hemorrhage or tumor formation. ee _.W.M.SUMMERVILLE,M.D.“”THOMAS H.BYRNES.M.D. PROFESSIONAL BUILDING LABORATORY 612 PROFESSIONAL BUILDING CHARLOTTE 2,N.C. Page 3 Landis ANATOMICAL DIAGNOSIS:1-Compression of trachea with punctate hemorrhages of the mucosa. 2-Ecchymosesof periorbital tissues, 3-Subconjunctival hemorrhages. 4-Fracture of nasal bone,left side. 5-Contusion of left forehead, 6-Scar of right forehead. 7-Old surgical scar of lower abdomen, MICROSCOPIC PROTOCOL THYROID:Sections show acini of fairly uniform size containing acido- philic colloid.There is a small adenoma in one section.There is some fibrosis.° LUNGS:Sections show capillary engorgement,There are noother signi- ficant changes, HEART:Sections are not remarkable. LIVER:Normal. SPLEEN:There is some sinusoidal engorgement.There are no other significant changes. PANCREAS:Normal. ADRENALS:Normal. KIDNEYS:A few of the glomeruli are fibrosed;otherwise,there are no significant changes. BRAIN:Sections show vascular engorgement.There are no other sig- nificant findings. DIAGNOSIS:In addition to the gross anatomical diagnoses,a study of the microscopic,sections reveal capillary congestion of the viscera and a small adenoma of the thyroid. CAUSE OF DEATH:Asphyxiation due to ligature around neck, Signed Wry -M.Summe e,:ae ®.>Ww.M.SUMMERVILLE,M.D.”THOMAS H.BYRNES.M.D. PROFESSIONAL BUILDING LABORATORY 612 PROFESSIONAL BUILDING CHARLOTTE 2.N.C. Mrs,W.A.Landis Additional examinations. Blood:Blood obtained from heart typed "A" Vaginal smears and vaginal washings:Examination of smears and washings were negative for spermatazoa, Wry 0 Banat’ W.M.Summerville,M.D. DUKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE DURHAM,NORTH CAROLINA ‘DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRYsox3093 —_ Mr.Marvin Raymer,Coroner, Iredell County, Statesville,N.C. Dear Mr.Raymer; I have completed the examination of the organs of Mrs.Estelle Corpening Landis for toxic materials and the following is a report of my study: l=Poisonous gases—such as carbon monoxide,hydrogen cyanide,hydrogen sulfide,ete-negative. yo Volatile poisons—euch as alcohols,ether,chloroform,acetone,carbon tetrachloride,aniline,turpentine and other materials —~negative. Jem Acid ether oluble poisons-euch as barbiturates,acetanilide,phen-acetin,oxzlic acid,di and tri hydric phenols,salicylic acid etc -negative 4%,Alkaline ether soluble poisons-such as cocaine group,codeine group, strychnine group,aconitine Eroup,etc-negettySs 5 Ammonia chloroform group=such as norphine,apomorphine etc-negative. 6.Metallic poisons-such as arsenic,lead,mercury,thallium,barium,bis-muth,copper etc-negative, 7.Mineral acids and alkalies-negative. 8.Halogens and their salts-such as fluoride,iodide,bromides etc~negative. 9.Poisons isolated by special means-negative. I am unable to demonstrate anything of a toxic nature toaccountforthecauseofdeath, JUNo7FILED=o TIME =—-&State of North Carolina.61 Surtees commsNoCountyofIredell.i 2 ci Thomas Morris Langlois,3,Rt 1,Mt.Mourne,N.C.,came to his death at 4:15 PM 10/27/61 at the home of his parents. The undersigned was out of town at Presbyterian Assembly,Mon- treat,and Dr.L.B.MacBrayer was called to perform autopsy at Cavin Funeral Home.Pictures were taken by the empolyees of the Town of Mooresville and authorized to be charged to the Coroner. Judge Hubert Olive,resident Judge,sent the undersigned a court order to have the child disintered,and ordered Dr.Walker M.Summerville and Dr.Harry Carpenter to re-autopsy as court-appointed pathologists, since Dr.MacBrayer was liable,and due to the Medical Doctors pre- scribing in Mooresville without observing or visiting the child to treat same.Iredell County was liable also. Marbles disease was observed in autopsy,an ilbalance since birth, and copy of autopsy was sent to the resident Judge and District Solicitor. Marvin W.Raymer Coroner,Iredell County. |March 9,1961 » State‘of North Carolina.” County of Iredell. Dora Haitheox Lanier,82 oFos Statesville,white,female,came to her death at about 2:30 tnis date,deathbeind due to aneattack. The deceased was sitting in her chair,and was found ¥her daughter,Mrs.Gilbert Raymer. Ne evidence of any foul play,and no evidence of serusgie;|thevictim just died. No inquest necessary. aynerCeroner,Iredell County.. |Dh Onreteins K,Lorab,H\ Lids x eee Qr.2 asliQL rine ‘F eee ee Ae a per oak.ypfh aR PA t Ca cofasao 5 el Btn Boeyya CA q Jee Orola,gy AbntAn oebroyt Se O ALGER 00 08,ZL.tong is larVaclia4. Bare ter Ger Arco PotGerber Wy L Baek,_ = re Pa 2Dpam feet hes Apo,2)an gehiye| ech.SEL ce che CHL | *f:ro+2 >ar'i“+, Investigation of the death of Marvin Latten,infant. Marvin Lattin,16 days old,was found dead in bed this morning by it mother about 5:30 Ae Ne According to Dr. McElwee the child had mouth farmation.There being no evidence of any foul play an inquest was deemed unnecessary. Deputy Sheriff H.E.White accompanied me on this investi- gation. This the 25th day of July,1936-6AD8 LeCoroneroflredellGounty® CORONERS REPORT IN THE CASE OF: FRANK LATTIMORE,Deceased 604 N.Church St.,Salisbury,N.C. FACTS IN THE CASE:Male —Negro —Widowed-Aged 102 years. On Wednesday,June 28,1949,several men were combining wheat on the A.A.Watts farm to the left of Belmont Community about 3)miles East of Statesville,N.C.about 8:45 P.M., ene of the men,Donald Swisegood,Route #1,Statesville,N.C. noticed the deceased lmying in the wheat field.Sheriff's Department was notified,and we went to the scene. We found the deceased,identified by papers found in his brown canvas bag,laying on his back with his arms raised about one foot off the ground.His left shoe vas off his foot,a hand-made cane and brown canvas sachel Was beside him. Practically his ehtire left side of his face was destroyed, evidently by vultures.The body was in an advanced stage of utrifaction,There were no tracks or broken down wheat other han one,and he no doubt made that path,after following this path about 100 yarde,we came to a shade tree,Weeds were broken down as if he had spent the night there,The wide path from the tree to where his body was found gave evidence he had crawled this distance,possibly after water,as the creek was about 50 feet distance. FINDINGS: The men combining wheat had seen the deceased on Thursday June 23,1949,and had not been back in the field until June 20,1049,He was walking around the edge of the field. after examining the scene,we were of the opinion the deceased camé to his death froma heart atteek or stroke of paralysis. He possibly spent the night under the shade tree,suffered an attack and crawled 100 yards after water,then died.Was no evidence of foul play.Deceased was in the habit of wandering away from home,Was visiting his nephew,Nathaniel Lattimore when he wandered away from home.Was visiting his nephew Nathaniel Lattimore when he wandered away from home Thur ’ June 23,1049.No inquest was thought necessary,and the body was released to Rutledge &Bingham Funeral Home,Statesville,N.C. The deceased had been dead since ab Friday,June 24,1949. F ames E.Meacham,Coroner Iredell County. 7 November 1957 State of North Caroline. County of Iredell. Adolphus D.LawrenceStatesville,came to his deatecerebro-vaseular aecident. 78,colored male,Rt &,Monticelle Drive,h at 12:30 am this date due to a | fhe deceased was in hie usuel health,and was found dead in dedbyhissoninlaw,Harvey I.Imes,same address. No marks were on his body,and no evidence of faul pley noted. Butledge &Bigham funeral home given the body to bury. Pawn_‘Marvin W.Raymer /,Coroner,Iredell county. No inquest necessary. State of North Carolina. County of Iredell. Arthur Lee Lawrence,colored man,46,704 Hunt Street,Statesville,N.C.,came to his death at about 2:30 AM this dateduetoacoronaryocclusion. The deceased was found by Everett Parks at about 7:30 AMthisdate,and the deceased was at the back of his house,andwasonhisbackabout20feetwestofthebacksteps. No marks were on his body,clothing was soaked due to rain,and no evidence of struggle. Capt.Tom Waugh and the undersigned investigated,and noinquestnecessary. Marvin W.WharCoroner,Iredell County. August 20,1945 Leew Lawrance was feund dead at 7:00 this merning.Mr.R.M. Perter was reening with Mr.Lawrance at 204 in the Vance Hetel.Dr.Davis was called and premagnéed death frem a heart attack. He inquest called.Sherriff Merrisen was with mo and after Dr.Davis's premeuncement,an inquest deemed unnecessary. An undertaker frem Winsten came fer the bedy. State of North Carolina. County of Iredeil. ~ ae b aeRichardLawrence,49,colored male,R.F.D.+Statesvt *N.C.came to his death at 6:45 AM this date due to multiple pistol bulletwoundsinflictedbyAlexanderHugheyMontgomery,29,colored male,Belmont Community,Statesville,N.C.in the home of Cosie Bess,colored female,Belmont Community,Statesville,HeC. Sheriff Charlie Rumple and the undersigned noted the follwoundsonthedeceasedmadebyaforeign32calibreautomaticpistol; 1.Bullet hole thru left wrist,left hip,lower abdomin,coming out right hip (apparently same bullet). 2.Bullet hole in medial chest,out right side of neck.1 3.Bullet hole in lower left thoracic,out right rear thoracic. 4.Bullet hole in right témple,out left Pareital region. Dre JeBe Henninger,HF.Long Hospital,Statesville,N.C.examinedthebodyofthedeceased,and informed that the bullet hole thru theheadwastheimmediatecauseofdeath.No other marks except thebulletwoundswerenoted.one Copper coated bullet was found in thejacketofthedeceasedwhenhisbodywasremovedfromtheBesshome,|Sherif?Charlie Rumple has the automatic pistol,the coppercoatedbullet,and the empty shells as evidence. fhe deceased was aves on his back on the bed of Cosie Besswithheadturnedtoleindicatingthatthebulletholethruhisheadwasthelastinflicted, Sheriff Charlie Rumple Deputy Sam Laws,Police Sgt.C.D.Vanstory,and Policeman Waiter Austin were called to the Ress homeat5;AM this date;the undersigned also by the Sheriff, Alexander Hughe Montgomery stated to shetirr Charlie Rumpleandtheundersignedthathekilledthedeceased,that he had thedeceased's gun borrowed to use at the Hide-~a-Way olub which heoperates,that he and the deceased got.into an argument over break-ing a coffee-table on the 15th January 1952,that a fintheKitchenbetweenhe,the deceased,and Cosie Bees and thattheyfeughttothebedroomwhereheshotthedeceased.stated that Lawrence had been Gating and spending the niCosieBess.Montgomery stated that he and his wife,GlMontgomerylivedinthehomeofCosieBess, Cosie Bess atated that the deceased came to her home at 5;40AMthisdate,that he knocked on the back door,that she let him in,Eine Montgomery'a feet hit the floor whenthe deceased identiniahimselfatthedoorpriortolettinghimin,that the fight be-~tween Montgomery &Lawrence started immedia ely ?and that she tried to keep Montgomery from fighting and shootingthedeceased.Oosie Bess stated that the deceased came by herhometepickupthegunthatvatteeantborrowedfromthede-eceasedpriortogotoworkat tesville Chair Cwherehehadbeencantemekfor25years,aoeAlexanderMontgomerywasorderedheldintheIredellGountyJailwithoutbondtobechargedwithmurdertobetriedinthetexmofSuperiorCourt,J ;wv é Marvin WW.RaymCoroner,Iredell County. NORTH CAROLINA IREDELL COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF: THE DEATHS OF ROBERT Ge LAWRENCE REx O.HENDERSON Harvey Woop ORIGINAL TRANSCRIPT IN THE SUPERIOR COURT DIRECT EXAMINATION oF MR.MASSEY,TRUCK DRIVER,Mre PETE RAYMER,CORONER Q. A. Q. Ae Q. A. Q. YOUR FULL NAME 1S? JOHN WILLIAM MASSEY. AND YOuR ADDRESS 1S? 330 S.MULBERRY STREET. YOUR OCCUPATION IS? Truck Driver,Se &Se TRUCKING COMPANY. MRe MASSEY,IN YOUR OWN WORDS SO THESE GIRLS CAN TAKE THE NOTES AND THESE ATTORNEYS CAN HEAR WILL YOU TELL WHAT YOU OBSERVED REGARDING THIS WRECK?WELL FROM THE TIME YOU LEFT HEREe We LEFT STATESVILLE GOING OuT 115 1T WAS ABOUT 63200 Aj Me NoRTH OR SOUTH? WE WERE GOING NORTHe IT WAS PARTIALLY FOGGY.IN OTHER WORDS IT WAS QUITE FOGGY.WE GOT OUT ON THE ROAD AND !T CLEARED UP AND THE BUS WENT AROUND HIM AND OUT INTO SPACEe AND HE PICKED UP SOME MORE PASSENGERS? WE WENT ON AND HE WENT BY AGAINe IN ABOUT A MILE FROM THERE,THE SUN BROKE THROUGH,AND THE FOG LIGHTENED UP.WE WENT ON AND THE BUS GOT UP AGAIN WITH ME»AsouTt 18 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR.WITH THAT GRADE THE FOG HAD RAISEDe HE CAME ON UP BESIDE ME AND HESITATED TO Go.HE SEEN THE FOG UP BEFORE HIMe |COME TO A STOP.AND THIS FORD CAME OUT OF THE FOGe IT WAS LIGHT BLUE WITH NO HEADLIGHTS ON.YOu COULD SEE HIM ABOUT 75%AHEAD. Now AFTER THE ACCIDENT WILL YOU TELL WHAT YOU OBSERVED AND WHAT YOU SAW? |GOT OUT AND GOT FLARES OUT WHERE |COLD KEEP OTHER TRAFFIC OUT OF THE WRECKe Now WAS IT FOGGY AT THE POINT OF IMPACTe WHERE THE WRECK TOOK PLACE? NO SIRe How FAR WAS IT FOGGY BACK DOWN 115? THE FOG HAD BROKEN THROUGH DOWN THERE. How DID 1!T APPEAR IN FRONT OF YOU REGAROING THE FOG? WELL ON UP THE HILL IT WAS REAL FOGGY. WHEN THE BUS STARTED AROUND YOU WAS iT FOGGY AT THAT POINT? No SIR,YOU COULD SEE THE ROAD. How FAR COULD YOU SEE THE ROAD? OUT 1 wouto say 150*To 200°wHERE HE STARTED/TO PASS. You COULD SEE THAT FAR TOO? YES SIR,|COULD. WHEN YOU FIRST SAW THE FORD AUTOMOBILE APPROACHING COULD YOU SEE IT 200%IN FRONT OF YOU? NO SIR,NOT THENe How FAR COULD YOU SEE THE FORD BEFORE THE SCENE OF THE WRECK? |wouLp say 70*to 80%. Now 70%wouto BE ABOUT TO THE BACK OF THE COURTROOMe WouLD THAT BE ABOUT THE DISTANCE YOU COULD SEE THE FORO? No IT WAS A LITTLE FARTHER THAN THAT |THINKe HE HAD COME UP FROM BEHIND ME AND HAD PROBABLY COME UP TO WHERE HE WAS ABOUT EQUAL WITH MY CABe You cOULD SEE THIS BUS TO THE LEFT ATTEMPTING TO PASS? Yes sir,|DID.|SEEN IT THOUGH THE LEFT REAR VIEW MIRROR. Dip YOU SEE THAT A WRECK WAS GOING TO TAKE PLACE? AT THE POINT,NOe BuT AS THE FORD APPROACHED YOU SAW THAT A COLLISION WOULD BE? THAT 1S MY KNOWLEDGE,IT WOULD BEe DID THE BUS STOP BEFORE THE COLLISION? YES SItRe |THINK SOs IT WAS AWFUL STILL. AND THE BUS WAS TO YOUR LEFT IN THE LANE SouTH on 115? YES SIR. DID HE BLOW HIS HORN PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING TO PASS YOU? No AS I HEARD OF. D!O0 THE BUS HAVE THE LIGHTS ON? YES SIRe DID THE CAR HAVE THE LIGHTS ON? NO SIR. WHAT WAS YOUR ESTIMATE AS TO THE SPEED OF THE CAR? |WOULD SAY TOO FAST FOR ROAD CONDITIONS. DO YOU KNOW HOWFAR THE CAR SKIDDED? YES SIR. How FAR? |BELIEVE THE STATE TROOPER SAID 50*. DID THE CAR ATTEMPT TO MISS THE BUS IN YOUR OPINION? NO SIRe DID THE BUS ATTEMPT TO MISS THE CAR? |THINK IT WAS TRYING TO GET BACK BEHIND MEe THE SCENE OF THE COLLISION WAS TO THE LEFT OF YOUR TRUCK? YES SIRe WAS THE BUS LIGHTS ON? YES SIR. THE CAR HAD ON NO LIGHTS? NO SIR. Qe Ae Qe A. Q. A Qe A. Q. Ae THE CAR WAS TRAVELING TOO FAST FOR ROAD CONDITIONS IN YOUR OPINION? YES SIR. DID ANY OF THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR MAKE ANY STATEMENT TO YOU AT THEWRECK? No sins WHO WAS THE FIRST PERSON PRESENT BESIDES YOURSELF? THE BOY RIGHT THERE WAS TRYING TO HELP ME.(Pointine TO MR.FeLKer) Do YOU RECALL THE FIRST WITNESS PRESENT AFTER THE WRECK? NO SIRe Do YoU KNOW OF ANY EYE WITNESSES THAT WERE PRESENT OTHER THAN THOSE INVOLVED AT THE SCENE. No SIRe DIRECT EXAMINATION oF Mre Massey,BY Mr.Freo WARDLOW: Qe Ae Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Qe A. Qe Ae WHEN YOU REALIZEO THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A COLLISION DID YOU SPEED UP TO LET HIM GET BACK IN BEHIND YOU? |COULON'T SPEED UP,MY TRUCK WAS IN LOW GEAR. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE SPEED OF THE BUS WAS IN AN ATTEMPT TO PASSYou? I WOULD SAY 25 To 28 MILES PER NOUR. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY YOUR SPEED WAS WHEN THE BUS ATTEMPTED TO PASS YOU? 15 To 20 MILES PER HOUR. WHAT GEAR WERE YOU RUNNING IN? |WAS IN 6TH GEAR. WHAT GEAR WAS THE 8US RUNNING IN? |FIGURE HE WAS IN LOW RANGE THE WAY IT WAS RUNNING. THERE WAS NO FOG FROM BOTTOM OF HILLe THE SUN HAD COME OUT? YES SIR. Q. A. Qe A. YOu DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS UP AT THE TOP OF THE HILL? IT WAS PRETTY FOGGY. COULD YOU SEE THROUGH THE BLANKET OF FOG IN FRONT OF YOU? No sir,|COULDN'T SEE THROUGH ITe DIRECT EXAMINATION oF Mr.MASSEY BY JURORS? Qe A. Qe A. AS YOU WERE GOING UP THIS HILL HOW FAR WERE YOU FROM THE CREST OF THIS HILL YOURSEEF? APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF MILE. DtO0 THE BUS HAVE TIME TO PASS AND GET BACK IN BEFORE REACHING TOP OF HILL? YES SIR. DIRECT EXAMINATION oF Mre MasSSey BY MR.ROBERT Ae COLLER,SR? Qe A. Qe A. Qe A. Q. Ae Os MRe MASSEY WHAT TIME OF DAY WAS IT? 63225 Ae Me WERE YOU LOADED? PARTLY IN GOING UP THE HILL YOU WERE SLOWED DOWN ON ACCOUNT OF YOUR LOAD? NO SIR,ON ACCOUNT OF FOGe AND THE FOG WAS CLEARING UP BEHIND YOUe AND IT WAS CLEAR 75*To 1J00t IN FRONT OF YOU? YES SIR,ON UP THE ROAD. AND THE BUS WAS TRAILING YOU AND WAS GOING 25 TO 28 MILES PER HOUR WITH LIGHTS ON. {FIGURE THAT WAS THE SPEED., AND THE CAR COMING THE OTHER WAY CAME OUT OF THE FOG AND DID NOT HAVELIGHTSON? YES SIR. Do YOU HAVE AN OPINION SATISFACTORY TO YOURSELF AS TO THE APPROXIMATE SPEED THE FIRST TIME YOU SAW THIS CAR COMING OUT OF THE FOG? |HAD RATHER NOT SAY.HE WAS THE SAME COLOR OF THE FOG,LIGHT BLUE. WHEN YOU OBSERVED THIS CAR IN FRONT OF YOU WOULD YOU ESTIMATE THATTHEDISTANCEFROMYOUWASAPPROXIMATELY50FEET? YES SIR. DiO HE STAY ON THE ROAD OR DID HE SKID OFF THE ROAD? HE STAYED ON THE ROAD. DiD THE BUS ATTEMPT TO GET BACK BEHIND YOU WHEN THE CAR POPPED uPOUTOFTHEFOG? YES SIR. DIRECT EXAMINATION oF Mr.MasSEY BY MRe BECKHAM: Q. Ae Q. A. Q. A. MRe MASSEY,HOW LONG WAS THIS TRAILOR TRUCK YOU WERE DRIVING? 35 FEET —TRAILOR AND CAB OVER TRACTOR WAS ABOUT 45 FEET. AND YOU SAY THAT AT THE POINT OF IMPACT THE FOG BANK WAS FROM 75? TO 80%IN FRONT OF You? UP THE HILL,YES SIRe DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION AS TO HOW LONG THE 8US WAS? |WOWD SAY THE SAME LENGTH AS A SMALL SCHOOL BUS. RE-DIRECT EXAMINATION oF Mr.MASSEY BY MRe RAYMER? Q. Ae To THE LEFT OF THE SCENE OF THE CRASH HOW HIGH 1S THAT BANKy IN YOUR OPINION? 3 OR 4 FEET I WOULD SAY. CouLD THE BUS SAFELY WITH PASSENGERS ABOARD HAVE JUMPED THAT BANK? NO SIR,HE HAD NO TIME TO GO ANYWHERE. CouLD THE CAR HAVE SAFELY JUMPED THE BANK? NO SIR,BUT THERE WAS A LITTLE DIRT ROAD THAT LEADS OFF THE RIGHT— OF THE HIGHWAY. Q.HOW MANY SECONDS WOULD YOU SAY IT WAS FROM THE TIME YOU FIRST SAW THE CAR TO THE POINT OF IMPACT? Ae |SAW IT AND IT WAS JUST AT THE TIME OF THE CRASHe Q.ONE OR TWO SECONDS? Ae|WOULD BE SCARED TO SAYe IT WAS RIGHT QUICKe Q.WITH THE SPACE INVOLVED NOW COULD EITHER THE CAR OR THE BUS GET ANYWHERE TO THEIR RIGHT? A.NO SIRe Q.You LEFT STATESVILLE AT WHAT TIME? Ae It was asouT 15 or 20 MINUTES UNTIL 6200 (Ame) @.HOW LONG HAD THE BUS TRAILED YOu? Ae WELL THE BUS HAD ALREADY PASSED ONE TIME PICKING UP PASSENGERS» Q.Now |AM A LITTLE CONFUSED AS TO THE FOG IN FRONT OF YOUs CouLp You SEE THE TOP OF THE HILL? A.No sir,|COULON*T SEE THE TOP OF THE HILL.|COULON’T SEE THROUGH THE FOG IT WAS COMING UP IN A BLANKETe RE-DIRECT sy Mre COLLIER: Q.IF HE HAD HAD HIS LIGHTS ON WOULD IT HAVE ENABLED THE BUS TO HAVE SEEN HIM? A.YES SIR»IT WOULD HAVE. RE-DIRECT sy MRe BECKHAM? Q.How FAR BACK DOWN THIS HILL WAS IT POSSIBLE TO SEE THE FOG BANK? Ae UP THERE ABOUT THE STORE»REI0*S STORE |BELIEVEe HE HAD THE NAME OF IT THERE.(MRe MASSEY POINTS TO MRe Cottier) Q.AND YOU ALSO SAID |BELIEVE THAT THE SUN WAS COMING THROUGH BUT IT WAS STILL MISTY? Ae IT WAS KIND OF A MISTe YESe DIRECT EXAMINATION oF Rosert Knox BY Mr.PETE RAYMER,CORONER? Q.YOUR FULL NAME 1S? Ae ROBERT KNOX. Qe Your ADORESS 1S? A.Route #|,MT.ULLA. Qe.YOUR OCCUPATION IS? A.LABORER.| Qe WITH WHOM? A.G.Le WiLson. Q.ROBERT,IN YOUR OWN WORDS TELL WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS WRECK? A.WeLL,|DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT ITe ALL I KNOW IS WHEN THE nus WAS STOPPING AND WHEN THE BUS STARTED STOPPING |SEEN THE TRUCK ON ONE SIDE. You SAW THE TRUCK ON YOUR RIGHT?YOU WERE A PASSENGER ON THE Bus? YES SIR. WHICH LANE WAS THE BUS IN WHEN IT WAS PASSING THE TRUCK? IT WAS IN THE LEFT LANE WAS IT FOGGY THAT MORNING? YES SIR WHAT POSITION WERE YOU ON THE BUS AS A PASSENGER? |WAS ABOUT MIDDLE WAYS OF THE BUS. HOW MANY PASSENGERS WERE ON THE BUS THAT MORNING?WAS THE BUS HALFFULL?. ABOUT HALF FULL. DiO YOU SEE THE BUS PULL TO THE LEFT TO ATTEMPT TO PASS THE TRUCK? No sir,|!DION'T SEE IT. WHAT CONVERSATION DID YOU HAVE WITH MR»FELKER PRIOR TO THE IMPACT? NONE. YOU HAD NO CONVERSATION WITH HIM WHATSOEVER? NO SIRe ; DID YOU HEAR HIM HAVE ANY CONVERSATION WITH ANYONE ELSE? No SIR. Now ROBERT,|WANT TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY JUST A LITTLE BIT.DioMReFELKERASKYOUIFTHEROADWASSTRAIGHTPRIORTOTHETIMEOFHIMPASSING? NO SIRe HE DID NOT ASK YOU THAT? NO SIR- Did YOU TELL HIM THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT? NO SIR. NOW THERE WAS NO CONVERSATION?THERE WAS NOCONVERSATION BETWEEN you &Mre FELKER WHATSOEVER? NO SIR. HE MADE NO STATEMENT TO YOu? NO SIRe | Dib HE ASK ANYONE ANY QUESTIONS? Not AS |KNOW OF. You DON'T RECALL ANY? NO SIR-e Q. Ae Q. A. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER PRIOR TO THE SCENE OF THE WRECK? |WAS ON THE BUS I WASN'T PAYING ANY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD OR NOTHINGs WHO WERE YOU SITTING BESIDE? THERE WASN'T ANYONE BESIDE MEe DIRECT EXAMINATION oF RoBeERT KNOX BY ARTHUR S.BECKHAM,JRe? Qe A. We A. ROBERT,HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR WILSON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY? |WOULD SAY AROUND TWO YEARS~ Now ROBERT HAVE YOU TALKED TO ANYBODY ABOUT THIS ACCIDENT SINCE THE WRECK EXCEPT THE PATROLMAN WHO INVESTIGATEDe HAVE YOU DISCUSSED THIS.WITH ANYONE? No StRe DIRECT EXAMINATION oF Lewis Martin Myers BY Mr.Pete RAYMER,CORONERS Qe Ae Qe A. Qe MrRe MYERS,YOUR FULL NAME 1S? Lewis MARTIN MYERSe- Your ADDRESS IS? UNION GROVE. Mre MYERS,FOR THE GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY AND FOR A MANNER OF RECORD WILL YOU IN YOUR OWN WORDS STATE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS WRECK,PLEASE? WELL,|AM SORRY TO SAY BUT SOME PART OF THE WRECK JUST KNOCKED MY MIND OUTe |JUST REMEMBER LEAVING HOMEe |REMEMBER FORGETTING MY LUNCHe HENDERSON JUST LIVES A QUARTER OF A MILE FROM ME AND | DON'T REMEMBER PICKING HIM UP.AS FAR AS KNOWING |WAS IN A WRECK 1 CAN'T SWEAR THAT. HAS YOUR MIND BEEN CLEAR THIS WEEK? YES SIRe YOU ARE CLEAR AT THIS TIME? YES SIRe I HAVE TRIED SO HARD TO THINK WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT MORNING BUT I JUST CAN'T PLACE ITe BuT YOUR MIND HASMBEEN CLEAR SINCE THE TIME OF THE WRECK? YES SIR. WHEN DID YOU RECALL ANY INCIDENTS?THE NEXT DAY? ON WEDNESDAY —WELL TUESDAY NIGHT |WANTED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.|ASKED MY WIFE WHAT HAPPENED AND SHE KEPT STALLING AROUND ANDONION?T TELL ME.SO FINALLY SHE TOLD ME ABOUT MY FATHER-IN-LAWANDEVERYBODYGETTINGKILLED.|REMEMBERED THEN. DO YOU KNOW WHICH POSITION YOU WERE SITTING IN THE CAR THAT MORNING? |WAS SITTING BEHIND HENDERSON,OPPOSITE THE DRIVER IN THE BACK SEAT. IN THE FRONT SEAT WAS MRe LAWRENCE DRIVING AND WAS IN HIS CARs WHOWASTOTHERSGHT? REX HENDERSON WAS IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEATe IN THE BACK SEAT WHO WAS SITTING THERE?/ MRe HARVEY WOOD WAS SITTING BEHIND MR.LAWRENCE. AND YOU WERE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE? YES SIRe Do YOU RECALL WHETHER IT WAS FOGGY WHEN YOU LEFT HOME? |yUST DON'T KNOW. Do YOU RECALL ANYTHING UNTIL YOU SAW YOUR WIFE OR UNTIL YOU BECAMECONSCIOUSORSEMI-—CONSCIOUS? |REMEMBER AFTER THE WRECK |WAS BEGGING SOMEBODY TO HELP ME,MY ARMWASHURTING.|REMEMBER A GUY TALKING TO ME.Tom MILSAPS WAS THENAME|BELIEVE.HE SAID yYUST TAKE IT EASYs SUDDENLY|HEARD THESIRENSCOMINGANDITWASASORTOFARELIEFTOMEANDAFTERTHAT|DON'T REMEMBER ANYTHING UNTIL THAT NIGHT. BuT YOUDON'T REMEMBER ANY CONVERSATION COMING DOWN 115? |DON'T REMEMBER ANY CONVERSATION OF THEPASTe Do YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS WHEN YOU LEFT HOME? |COULON'T SAY THAT DAY BUT USUALLY IT WAS ABOUT 6215 YOU LIVE RIGHT AT UNION Grove? |Live past Grassy KnoB CHURCH ABOUT FOUR MILES FROM UNION Grove. A®OUT THREE OR FOUR MILES FROM UNION GROVE BY THE MASONIC LoDGE? YES SIR. HOw FAR #§S TT FROM YOUR HOME TO STATESVILLE? Aeout 22 MILES |THINK. AND YOU USUALLY LEFT AT ABOUT 62157 YES SIR. WHEN DO YOU GO TO WORK? 72:00 A.Me WHAT TIME DID MRe Wood GO TO WORK? 7300 A.Me WHAT TIME DID Mr.HENDERSON GO TO WORK? 7300 Ae Me MR.LAWRENCE? 7300 A.M. YOUR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT WAS? SIMINOLE MILLS. WAS THERE ANYONE IN YOUR GROUP UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ACOHOL OR NARCOTIC? NO SIR. Do YOU KNOW WHETHER OR NOT Mre LAWRENCE HAD HIS LIGHTS ON WHEN HE PICKED YOU UP? No SIR. WAS IT DAYLIGHT? YES SIR. WAS THE SUN SHINING? |DON'T REMEMBER. Do YOU REMEMBER WHAT YOUR WIFE SAID TO YOU THAT DAY? YES SIR-|GOT OUT THE DOOR AND SHE TOLD ME TO Get HY LUNCH. How MANY CHILDREN DO YOU HWE? THREE. HOW MANY CHILOREN DID MR.LAWRENCE HAE? TWO. Mre Wooo? Five. Mre HENDERSON? THREE. HOW MANY OF THOSE CHILDREN ARE MINORS? THEY ALL ARE EXCEPT IN THE LAWRENCE FAMILY. ARE YOU ABLE TO GO BACK TO WORK AS YET? No SIR,NOT YETe WAS YOUR ARM BROKEN? |THINK IT WAS OUT oF JOINT. How MUCH BLOOD DID THEY GIVE YOU AT THE HOSPITAL? SEVEN PINTS.». WAS YOUR SKULL FRACTURED? Ae NO SIR. DIRECT EXAMINATION sy Mr.FreoWaroLow oF Mr.MYERS? Q.Mr.MYERS HOW LONG DOES IT USUALLY TAKE AFTER WU LEAVE THE HOUSE UNTIL THE TIME YOU GET TO STATESVILLE? A.WE USUALLY GET THERE ABOUT 5 TIL 7200.(A.Me) Q.WerRE You TO PICK UP ANY OTHER PASSENGERS ON THE WAY? A.No SIR. DIRECT EXAMINATION oF Mr.Myers sy RoBerRT A~COLLIeER,Sr. Qe.YOU WERE THE LAST ONE THAT GOT IN THE CAR? Ae NO SIR,HENDERSON WAS. Qe WAS HE READY THAT MORNING? A.|WAS AND |DOoNtT KNOW Bout HENDERSONe |DON*T REMEMBER PICKING HIM UP THAT MORNINGs DIRECT EXAMINATION sy Mr.Pete RAYMER OF FRED WaRDLOW: Q.YOUR FULL NAME 1S? A.FREDERICK WILLIAM WARDLOW. Q.Your OCCUPATION? A.NewsPAPER REPORTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER. Q.YOuR ADDRESS 1S? A.8035 NorTH Race STREET,STATESVILLE,NORTH CAROLINAs (Mrs.WARDLOW SHOWED PICTURES HE HAD TAKEN AT SCENE OF WRECK TO JURORS, _AND EXPLAINED CAREFULLY WHAT EACH ONE WAS-) DIRECT EXAMINATION oF Mre Ce We WARREN,INVESTIGATING OFFICER BY PETE RAYMER,CORONERS Q.YouR FULL NAME 1S? A.Co We WARREN’ Q.YOUR POSITION 1S? Ae STATE HIGHWAY PATROLMAN. Q.MRe WARREN IF YOU WILL READ YOUR COMPLETE REPORT AS IS IN YOUR INVESTIGATION PLEASE REGARDING THESE THREE DEATHS OF MRe HENDERSON, MReLAWRENCE,AND Mr.WOOD,WE WILL ASK QUESTIONS AFTERWARDS.|WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO READ YOUR STATEMENT CLEARLY SO THESE GENTLEMEN CAN HEAR. On May 16,1961 aT 6245 Ae Me |RECEIVED A CALL FROM MOORESVILLE Potice Dept.BY TELEPHONE ADVISING ME OF A WRECK ON Ne.Co 115 NORTH OF STATESVILLE.AT APPROXIMATELY 8300 As Mey |ARRIVED AT THE SCENE OF THIS ACCIDENT APPROXIMATELY 14 miLes NORTH OF STATESVILLE,APPROXIMATELY 200*NorTH OF Je Le.ReEio's Store |FouND G.Le Wiksons BuiLoING ComPaANy's Bus,A 1956 CHEVROLET BUS —SCHOOL BUS TYPE,IN THE LEFT ERAFFIC LANEe DIRECTLY IN FRONT AND EMBEDDED IN THE GRILL OF THE BUS WAS A 1956 Two DOOR GREEN FORD PASSENGER CARe MRe ROBERT GARFIELD LAWRENCE, WHITE MALE,53,OF Route #|,UNION GROVE,Ne Ceo WAS SITTING UNDER STEERING WHEEL DEAD (SHEET WAS THROWN OVER HIS BODY)AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BADLY BENT.THREE FEET FROM THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR OF THIS GREEN 1956 TWO DOOR FORD LYING PARTIALLY ON THE SEAT ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY (WHITE SHEET THROWN OVER BODY)WAS A MAN NAMED REX OVADEAN HENDERSON,WHITE,MALE, 27,918 4TH STREET,STATESVILLE,Ne Coy WAS BELIEVED TO BE LIVING AT Route |,Unton Grove,Ne Co AT THIS TIME. APPROXIMATELY 100'NORTH OF THIS BUS AND CAR WAS AN Se &Se TRANSFER TRACTOR TRAILOR TRUCK PARKED ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER.THIS TRUCK WAS BEING OPERATED.BY JOHN WILLIAM MASSEY,WHITE,MALE, 330 S.MuLBERRY STREET,STATESVILLE,Ne Ceo THIS 1S THE STATEMENT MrRe JOHN WILLIAM MASSEY MADE TO ME CONCERNING WHAT HE SAW AT THE WRECKS MRe MASSEY STATED THE WRECK OCCURED APPROXIMATELY 6325 Ae Me THAT THIS BUS STARTED TO PASS HIMe THAT IT WAS FOGGY AND THE FOG GOT HEAVY JUST LIKE RUNNING INTO A CLOUD BANKe HE STATED THAT THE BUS WAS UP TO HIS LEFT DOOR AND THE BUS HAD ITS PARK LIGHTS ON AND CLEARANCE LIGHTS ONe AND AT THIS SAME TIME HE SAW THE CAR WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 50%AHEAD OF HIM TRAVELING SOUTH IN THE WEST SIDE OF THE ROADe HE HEARD THE TIRES ON THE CAR START "SCREECHING AND THEN HE HEARD THE CRASH,AND PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER TO STOP.|ASKED MASSEY IF HE KNEW WHETHER THE PASSENGER CAR HAD ITS LIGHTS ON OR NOT,HE WOULD NOT MAKE A OEFINITE STATEMENT AS TO WHETRER THE LIGHTS WERE ON ON THE CAR OR NOTe HE SAID HE WASN'T SURE,HE JUST WOULDN'T SAYe THAT THEY COULD HAVE BEENe THE NEXT MAN |TALKED WITH CONCERNING THIS WRECK WAS MRe CLYDE KETCHIE FELKER,DRIVER OF THE Ge Le WILSON ConsTRUCTION COMPANY BUS,WHITE MALE,27,Route #1,Box 30,STATESsviLte,Ne Co AND THIS WAS HIS STATEMENT?HE STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN PICKING UP WORKERS EN ROUTE TO A CONSTRUCTION JOB IN WILKESBORO AFTER LEAVING STATESVILLE,AND WAS FOLLOWING THIS TRACTOR TRAILOR (Se.&Se TRUCKING COe)AND AT THIS POINT HE ASKED ROBERT KNOX, COLORED MALE,25,Route #1,MT.ULLA,Ne Co IF THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AT THIS TIME ANO HE AOVISED HIM THAT THE ROAD,WAS STRAIGHT, AND THEN HE STARTED PASSING THE TRACTOR TRAILORe THAT THE FOG WAS HEAVY AT THIS TIME.HE FURTHER STATED THAT WHEN HE FIRST SAW THE CAR IT WAS APPROXIMATELY SO?FROM HIM (NoRTH)»THAT AT SAME TIME THAT HE SAW THE CAR THE FRONT OF THE CAR WENT DOWN AS IF HE HAD APPLIED THE BRAKESe THAT HE ONLY HAD TIME TO PUT HIS FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL BUT NOT TO APPLY BRAKES.THAT BY THE TIME HE GOT HIS FOOT.ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR HAD HIT HIMe THEN |@&ASKED HIM HOW FAST HE THOUGHT HE WAS DRIVING,AND HE STATED AROUND 30 To 35 MILES PER HOUR.|ASKED HIM IF HE HAD HIS LIGHTS GN AND HE STATED HE HAD HIS PARKING LIGHTS AND CLEARANCE LIGHTS ONe |ASKED HIM ABOUT THE PASSENGER CAR AS TO WHETHER IT HAO’ LIGHTS ON GR NOT,AND HE WOULD NOT MAKE A DEFINITE STATEMENT AS TO WHETHER THE CAR HAD ITS LIGHTS ON OR WHETHER IT DION'T, STATED THAT HE COULON'T BE SURE |MEASURED THE SKID MARKS OF THE PASSENGER CAR,THEY WERE IN THE SOUTH LANE LEADING UP TO THE BUS WHICH MEASURED 50%.THE WIDTH OF HIGHWAY WAS 20°AT THE SGEBE OF THE CRASH,SHOULDER WAS 4°,RIGHT FRONT BUS WHEEL WAS 4 INCHES FROM THE CENTER LINE IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANE HEADING NORTHe |TALKED TO CLYDE KETCHIE FELKER THE NEXT EVENING AT THE HIGHWAY PATROL OFF LE IN STATESVILLE AND HE POINTED OUT A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 100%to [50%THAT HE COULD SEE AROUND THE TRACTOR TRAILOR AND THE REST OF THE CONVERSATION WITH REFERENCE TO THIS WRECK WAS NOT CHANGED ANYe DIRECT EXAMINATION sy “PP PETE RAYMER,CORONER OF MRe WARRENS Q.THAT 1S YOUR COMPLETE INVESTIGATION THERE? Ae YES SIRe Q.Do you HAVE ANY STATEMENTS FROM ANYONE REGARDING THIS WRECK? A.NO SIR. Q.CAN MiSs RUTH BORROW YOUR REPORT TO TYPE uP? Ae YES SIRe , Q.NOW AFTER BEEING THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND HEARING MRe WARREN'S STATEMENT AND INVESTIGATION ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE INMIND? QUESTIONS BY yURORS? Qe.MRe WARREN,APPROXIMATELY WHAT TIME DID YOU ARRIVE AT THE SCENE? Ae IT WAS AROUND 8300,APPROXIMATELY.| Q.Dip You OBSERVE ANY WEATHER CONDITIONS FROM STATESVILLE NORTH? IT WAS CLEAR THEN. WHAT 1S THE WIOTH OF THE HIGHWAY THERE? 20%,SHOULDER 4°WIDE. HOW DEEP ARE THOSE DITCHES IN YOUR OPINION? |wouLp say 2°. HOW HIGH WAS THE BANK? RoucHiy 2-241/2 FEET. DID YOU SEE THE SKID MARKS? SK1O0 MARKS RAN IN A SOUTH DIRECTION IN THE WEST—BOUND LANE 50*To IMPACT OF BUS.BUS SITTING DIRECTLY IN THE WEST=BOUND LANE OF TRAFFIC HEADING NORTHe THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT IT KNOCKED THE FRAME OF THE CAR BACK ON BUS APPROXIMATELY 4 ANO THE REAR OF THE CAR STOPPED AT AN ANGLE WITH REAR OF CAR OFF HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 3%ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. DIRECT EXAMINATION oF Mr.WARREN BY MRe COLLIER? Qe A. WHAT WAS THE DISTANCE OF SKID MARKS? 50*THAT WAS WITH TAPE MEASURE. RE-DIRECT EXAMINATION BY Mr.PETE RayMER,CORONER: Qe Ae DID ANYONE TELL YOU AS TO AN OPINION AS TO THE SPEED OF THE FORD AUTOMOBILE? No SIR,MRe MASSEY ATATED THAT IT WAS GOING PRETTY FASTe MRe FELKER STATED THAT HE WAS TRAVELING 30-35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN HE STARTED PASSING TRUCKe DO YOU RECALL ANY ONE STATING WHETHER THEY WERE INF IRSTy SECOND, OR THIRD GEAR? NO SIRe ee Dio MRe MASSEY STATE HOW FAST HE WAS TRAVELING? AS BEST |REMEMBER HE STATED HE WAS TRAVELING 20 MILES PER HOURs |DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY. Dido Mre MASSEY OR MRe FELKER STATE HOW FAR THEY COULD SEE CLEARLY IN FRONT OF THEIR VEHICLE? NO SIRe MRe FELKER STATE ED IT WAS FOGGY AND THAT HE TURNED AROUND AND ASKED ROBERT KNOX IF THAT WAS A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD.HE TOLD HIM IT WAS AND HE PULLED OUT TO PASSe MR.MASSEY STATED THAT IT WAS A FOG BANK THAT THE CAR CAME OUT OFe MRe FELKER POINTED OUT AT THE PATROL OFFICE THE NEXT EVENING THAT HE COULD SEE A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 100%To [50%arRoOuND THE TRACTOR &TRAILOR.} Ae Q. AT 35 MILES PER HOUR HOW MANY FEET WILL A CAR GO? |WOULD HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT.RIGHT OFF HAND |DON'T KNOW.IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST HALF A MILE TO PASS IT.IT 1S 7/IOTHS OF A MILE TO CREST OF THAT HILL OF CLEAR VISIONe (MRe WARREN GOES TO BLACKBOARD TO DIAGRAM)THE DISTANCE FROM HERE TO THE CREST OF HILL (POINT OF IMPACT TO TOP OF HILL)1S APPROXIMATELY4/\OTHS OF A MILE. To GET IT CLEAR IN MY MIND AGAIN HOW MUCH VISION 01D MR.MASSEY SAY HE HAD FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT TO THE FOG BANK? HE SAIO IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 50%IN FRONT OF HIMe HE STATED THAT WHEN HE FIRST SAW THE CAR IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 50°FROM HIM. How FAR DID MRe FELKER STATE THE CAR WAS FROM HIM THE FIRST TIME HE SAW IT? HE STATED !T WAS APPROXIMATELY 50%. WHAT DID MRe FELKER STATE THAT HE DID AT THAT TIME? HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES BUT ONLY GOT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKESe PARK LIGHTS AND CLEARANCE LIGHTS WERE ON TRUCKe How FAR FROM CENTER LINE OF RQAD WAS IT TO THE RIGHT PORTION OF BUS? 4"|BELIEVE THAT*S WHAT I MEASURED. Dio Mre FELKER STATE WHY HE WAS PASSING THE TRUCK? HE WAS GOING TO WORK,HE HAD TO BE IN WILKESBORO AT 7300 ON THE JOBe THEY WERE WORKING ON A SHOE FACTORY BEING BUILT AT WILKESBORO. How FAR 1S IT FROM THE SCENE OF THE WRECK TO NORTH WILKESBORO? IT 1S APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 28 MILESe I DION*T CHECK ITe |AM JUST GUESSING AT ITe . How FAR FROM THE CITY LIMITS OF STATESVILLE WAS IT TO THE SCENE OF THE WRECK? APPROXIMATELY 14 MILES. HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS BUS DRIVER? OBJECTION BY MR.COLLIER Q. Ae HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS BUS DRIVER? NOT PARTICULARLY THIS BUS DRIVER,NO AR. Q. Ae Q. Ae HAVE YOU HAD ANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING ANY BUS DRIVERS OF THIS EQUIPMENT? YES SIR. How MANY? WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF Ge L.WILSON BuUSSsESs#. OPERATOR UNKNOWN. QUESTIONS BY JURORS: Q. A. Q- A. Q. Ae Q. A. Q. Ae WAS THIS THIS DRIVERS FIRST TRIP ON THIS ROUTE? No SIRs WHAT TIME DID YOU RECEIVE THE CALL? 6:45 A.Me : WHAT TIME 01D THE WRECK OCCUR? Arouno 25 past 6:00 (A.M.) HOW MANY WORKMEN DID HE PICK UP BETWEEN STATESVILLE AND WILKESBORO? THERE WERE I6 ON THE BUS INCLUDING THE DRIVERe Does HOW ABOUT THIS BOY THAT LIVESIN MT.Utta./He coME FROM MT ULLA TO STATESVILLE OR DOES THE BUS PICK HIM uP? 1 DON'T KNOW. DIRECT EXAMINATION OF Mr.WARREN,BY ARTHUR Se.BECKHAM,JRe? Q. Ae Q. Ae Q. A. OFFICER WARREN,YOU HEARD MR.MASSEY TESTIFY EARLIER TONIGHT? YES SIRe Dip YOU HEAR HIM AT THAT TIME STATE THAT THE BUS HAD STOPPED AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT? YES SIRe DID HE MAKE ANY SUCH STATEMENT TO YOU AT THE TIME OF THE WRECK? NO SIR,HE SAID THAT THE BUS WAS UP BESIDE THE LEFT DOOR OF HIS TRUCKe FURTHER QUESTIONS JURY WENT OUT. We,THE CORONERS JURY,IN THE DEATHS OF ROBERT Ge LAWRENCE, REx OVADEAN HENDERSON,AND HARVEY Woop on May 16,1961 FIND THAT SUFFICIENT NEGLIGENCE 1S NOTED FOR GRAND JuRY ACTION. s/Te We DEAL s/Joe GILLEY s/RALPH A.SIGMON s/JAMES Ce TORRENCE s/Henry SINK s/JOHN A.McLEAN CERTIFIED TRUE AND CORRECT MARVIN We Raymer,CORONER,IREDELL Co. STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF IREDELL CERTIFICATE We,JOHNSIE WHITE ANDO RUTH ROBERTSON,STENOGRAPHERS,DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT SAIO INQUEST WAS TAKEN AND TRANSCRIBED BY US AND A THAT THE FOREGOING PAGES ARE/TRUE AND ACCURATE TRANSCRIPT OF THE TESTIMONY OF THE AFORESAID PARTIES.WE DO FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE PARTIES WERE PRESENT AS STATED IN INQUEST. WE DO FURTHER CERTIFY THAT WE ARE NOT OF COUNSEL FOR OR IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF EITHER OF THE PARTIES TO THIS ACTION,NOR ARE WE INTERESTED IN THE RESULTS OF THIS ACTION. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF,we HAVE HEREUNTO SUBSCRIBED OUR NAMES THis Jf vay of Juy,1961. JOHNSIE WHITE,STENOGRAPHER 9 STENOGRAPHER SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME THIS LE DAY OF JuLY,1961. Mhhken CZYor” NoTARY PuBLIc MY COMMISSION exrinestSasMor Feem 8Di 349.196NorthCarolinaDepartmentofMotorVehicles |ae —en =iG Week Tnesday ofS AM ae mM:=v8voli Accident occurredne a ic ce :;os iy County -Ired-42 Troop 8 District 2 a7eccidentoccurredoutsidecitylimits,a Center Indicate distonce from neorest town _-a3 _Miles #y Y ,of Statesville es 2 City |bewitsCry@TouHighwayorstreetwhere occident occurred ___98.135 =O its intersection with =-:. ‘Give come (us Mame wrtervestingstrert@We)ns. Hf not ot intersection,,aes =a oe"of Jala Redd Store =_ Show neorest imtermcting strest @ highwey,ewe ne.true 2 8 |es aca ReneSeaaseRe A |resting citer.grrweny.melee.emapect wndeye,@ othe tentmart a Pees . CIDENT 1 Pedestrien Other motor vehidie 3 Rg R tran 4 School bus 5 Animol drawn vehicle 6 Bicycle 7 Fixed biect &Anime!(ridden,herded INVOLVED arene y.overturned inas©eeeeey 10 Ron off roadway tt ‘Oeher nor collision (fell from vebucie.fire.etc}12 Other explain in cmneene -SE nn eeeeee Sees =.eee.ses +- a Driver:-Cyle HetehiePalher ia 2 ‘tr.”ee ae Ravenel |Pirie td Stee Ie )Yes City and See Choutteur’s{j Ne Oreee Oriver's1NotDeteofBirth_:"Experience.J License.RG meu Gomer OtherStoted; Tt zEucotioni)Ne ot 2 JORKs WH cea neSamritecastpositionhows~Tyeret]wera]Soft |Stetion Vehicle:ae Vehicle Registration ___cy 8 at ey ’LICC.Number.—~-in 1. =.[i tie INSURED 0D YesC)No 0Not saab———Vehicle Number_ trians) pai =me119s a Cee Os 6 oe.er BSaolen.wTotalveda,ote .U)Ne Distance Vehicle Amount Bea.ei écape ,+Mrecber taaertey 10)oe8=:meeamagetoProperty;:s .Cther Then Vehicle —_a ao i .=-:$ NomeofOwner ot ObjectSerwck =.-Be ee Pfc Ll ck Sener See<aemenaaee Suet ©weaeyf=ss -Sent SS et eh ae 22 ee =Mettoe Sos EH aSect19-to4y —8Tayhen,BUH 5 |8 eT gavef'6 we :i =]|2 DRIVERS .boy ro4 ot) |Indieote on diagram bocation of all noroamallyseatedoccupontsestullow.- 1 Not injured Dead before report mode Visible sign of injury a8 bleeding swound,distorted member or had 1 be carried from scene Other wisible injury os brusses ehrosions,swelling,limping,etc No visible injury but complcint of Pain or momentory unconsciousnessOCCUPANTS(eaty) +First AidGivenBy-T-— :5 .i -seattle .5 >=Sa SSeSaS =~s <2 SSSPabceoe:Whot was the Source Accidere OPM otf Accident intormetien”.Activity:Tine Notitied of nana Arrests:Neme_‘_—..Chorge . .Cherge__ .Kin®OF LOCALITY (chech one) 1 tMenufactunng of mdustnel 2.ShoppengofBusness 3 Resdertia!(apts &oneformityhomes) 4 Schoolendplayground Open country (formsnotdeveloped) TRAPPICCONTROL (check oneor mere) .Step gnorsignet .Sopendgosono Officererwatchman RR gotesofugnals .Wernng sign or wgnoi .Other (specify)__- thetds,ssesease ooo Centro!rot tunctionmne,iwedequote of ebscured (docerbe)___._ ee trofte contre!present PEDESTRIAN WAS BOINGSer=(check one) Vy Crosung et intersection—with signa! Crossing at intersection—.erat Crpceing at mterectien—no -enol Crossing at intersection—diagonoty not gt’intersecton from behind perked cors wow.wae rable aman iN reedwey with—ediaweths not avolabteWolkiayorroodten,a;ainsst5622283228ge.=5.~—-(etreet or highweyRetged) ROADCHARACTER(checkone)13.Getting on or off vehueie 14,Pathing of workingonvehicie 95.Gener workingmreedwoy 16.Playinginreodegy 17.Lying9roedwey Exceeding stoted lit —to yield oo - Vimcis CongTen(Check one o more) Defective brekes Detective headlights .Defective rear honts Detective = Oefective Other defective equip-ment (specify). Notknownifdetective =ab ad No Gefects—_=.=o. APPARGHT >PHYSICAL eoneiriononeormore) Oriver 6 Restriction on Kcense not sn with(het) mon ae npree gah a ei 2 ee ©}Chermce out BenECcTIONAL“ANALYSIS ahaa one)smarter “ 0!Car going straght enteringertervection02Corgetngstraghtwithinintersection 03 Cer going straight teevingintersection04Coroo-ngnt entering os co sanenhrming ngne wither os co's roe een ung. weer0?Car turmung ‘eft entering 08 Cor ‘left withinwrwernacttonoeCorleftleqving 10 Cari entenng inte "cowvanine within mter-section12 3 entering wtér- 16 2S =ary c.WON-INTERSECTION AACCIOUNTS 36 3” 78 39 40 41 42 43 “ “6 a? 49 $0. Ss! $2 33 34 $s ee ee eee©.ALL OTHER ACCIDENTS Entering at angie—ollrsFromsome“cirection Doth gorg wt From some direction.—one roht turn,one straightFromsamedretton—oneleftturn,ome straightFromsomedirection-—one stoppedFromsame directon——ol!otherFromopposite drection—hoth straight From opposite direction —oneett‘urn one straightFromoppositedirection—-one eght turn,one straignt From opposite drectian-— oll others {two of more veh cies) Opposite sirec tion—heod-on contsionOpgositedirection~--.deswpecoftisionSamedrectioncollisionSomeJrection-dew pe CollisionOnecor porked---propertocet.on,One cor porked -impreper tocationOnecorstopped in troftic One cor forward trom parkedposition ‘ear erd One car buckword from parkedpositionOnecarintoperkedposition ne car entenng of «eevingolteyOnecorenteringerleaving Collsion with non-motorvehicle,train,beycle.etc at wtersection|Collis:en with non-motorvenicle,tran,Beyche,@c..not et interwetionCorianwithfinedobsectroadwayatintersectionCaliiwonwithfixedobjectwnnotofintersectionOxertuvednreedwoy--et Intersex tronOverturnedin roatway—-not ot intersectionLeftoadefintersection—- then overturnedLefttv0dofintenection—fren struck fined objectLeftread@twtersection—then struck offer vehicteLeftroedonéerrectionthenstruckpedestrianLeftroneweyotcurve——then °Left roodway on strenght rood— Ren struck fined objectLettonstrerzh! then ofr:other vehicle rood-— Left?roadway on straight road--then struck pedestrian Oriveriase moving vetycie Occupont fell from vehicle in——we or alighting on Oceupant fell trem vehicie notmn INDICATE ON THIS DIAGRAM WHAT HAPPENED 1.Deew Neovy fines te show Roedweyts) 2.tdeneityReedwey(s) 3.Showven ONS ped.thus INDICATE nNoRTHBYAR ii aire oe oc =oS;. =of excatgnts sev.ceasesWR Tein ; el ce te rie Lelk ah te eee ee am I f a 3 PS.veSes=DoWa aa a;a PA ie PORE rh ekeaLieeepale1TSeH s eho -RivetySPIeEVA% *.mS’‘ fel ae lt 004 ot intersection, ACCIDENTINVOLVED: INSURED ¥.Pedestrian:Kotence ase 3.R.‘ynattended)©=browwendin poadesy 10. Bicycle,7.FixedVoter‘nrvilan(it om vila,fs,ee.train 4.Schaol burt 5.Animol-drewn‘vehicle faeoe ‘:’i v "Eoctien,BRN cn Gata Packer’,Education No Occupati utyGeomtnamaelpoorten Vehicle:Veo 2096.1.Pama—__Vehicle Registration 1963 ,- »Motor Vehicle Number___ICC Number (ForiP8190°"v2aoeSeen...TeaiaateweSEtae —eaAlitey,rewey,te.TW.TeE.'sede.et :Vieleting O Neo“D Vehics : Amount tome)Trovelle -t inpect QVEHICLENO.2Owned By:sty,RahatGarfieldLarrence ,Gurelina Hater Co. eens ae aps ge = Omer |Cab im.Vetwcie {1s.uu. Describe Trailer lf Any 1 taden Greve <__— a8)o Oriveodle ,Bameonject andshsteasturetad semant of damage Mis ACS BRS.MS ACS Indicate on diagramlocation of all nor-rea seated o¢cuponts os follow:* Not injured.Dead before report made..Visible sign of injury os bleeding-wound,distorted member or hod to be carried fram scene.Other visible injury as bruises, ebrasions,swelling,limping,etc No visible injury but complcint of pain or momentary unconsciousness. Activity:Time Notified of Arrests:Nome. NorOtherAction Token_ Sign Here. F:om opoowrte direction—ee C.NON-INTERSECTION ACCIDENTS(two of more vehicies) Opposite directicn—head-ancottision —\:‘35.Opposite direction—a.deswipePEDESTRIANWASDOINGeophysics!collision ie (check one)2 iapairment (list)face eosin ee erd Ol «rCrowing ef intersection—with signa!a re erent Some direction—-ciderwipe 02.Crossing at intersection—pie (eyesignt.heoring.efe.collisionagqeinstsigna!__1S.NormatGB.Crossing ot mtenection—no ugnol {6 Conditian act known 04.Crossing ot intersection—diagonaity aes 7 Restriction on license .O&Comirg notot’intersection eeied with 06.Coming from pehind perked cars Er @ Restriction on license One tor forward from parkedroodwoywithposition =“==evailabie .Ore car dbackword from parked_Walking in roadway with SOBRIETY (check one for each)position.tratft—sidewatks not avoilabte Driver One car into parked position 12 'One car enterie)cr ‘eavinghootleyFT)[jt tattase Suating :One cor entering or loving Unde wewoy |bm Had ecg,@inking AREcrweBeSich)keeeal ALL OTHER ACCIDENTS '"}?Coltsion with non-mortor13.Getting on or off vehicle 7 check 'f apolcabie)Ta,Aabing of working on vehicie st Cremica)_sest_given a wneriechen;'15.Other working in readway DIRECTIONAL ANALYSIS icheck one}.Legit oe Tecate,16.Playingin roodwey A.PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS AT we.not of‘intersection-17.Lying ie roedwey Collision with fixed object38.Other in roadway 0!Car a oe entering in roadway at intersection a mtersec',..Collision with fixed object im19.Motif coneuay 02 Car going straight within ee roadway not of intersectionroodway—at ;intersection Overturned in vss of eel 1 Amon 03 Car going straight leaving intersectionwitersectionSpeedofvehicle2npnC4 a VIOLATION INDICATES 05.Car turing right within 4 :;wntersection Left rood of intersection—>(emgchome or morefor eaxh driver!08 Car night leaving then struck Plxed object Driver witer Left read at intersection07Carturning‘eft entering then struck otner venhicie12intersection:56.Left road et intersection1.Excueding stated limit 08 Cor turning left within then struck trian2.Feied to yield oe:€tga nin gg ening Left curve—then ar .ofey oesPa 58 focdway at curve—then3.Ovove left of center 10.Car dacking entenng inter-struck fixed object4.Improper overtoning section Le S.Pressed stop sign :11.Car backing within inter- of,&Maes Bathe 12 Car backing leaving imter- 2.Fottewed too closely 3 autos entering intér- &Mede imapropertum section ;.Left roodwayonstroightrood— i 0.Improper ‘er no ugnol Ve a within intr.a then struck ‘ned oblect 10.Imdroper parking 1S.All ethers leaving iter- location sectionVW. eyesHttig : |Left roadway om straight rcad---Other then struck pedestricn(descrite'MOT_AT_INTERSECTION Oriveriess moving vetycie 12.No vielation indicated .Car going straight Occupont fell from vehicte in 3 —-or alighting intraffic(checkoneor moreforeach driver).Occupantfellfromvehicienot Oriver :boarding or alighting in;trafficInjuredwithin vehicle (no Mechanical failure ino other @vert)Fie (na other event) An others —eeINDICATEONTHISDIAGRAMWHATHAPPENED =INDICATE 1,Drew Reavy finesto showRoadweyts)—. 2.Identity Roadwoy(s)a °we i 3.Show veh!Ghdged.thus:oS :a e - RlShowreed end shouiderwidthe'on diagramin Wes mDoesbed Investigation of the death of Dallas Herman Lawson Dallas Herman Lawson,age 62,is thought to have had a heart attack at his home in Troutman last night and was brought to the Davids Hospital.When they reached the hospital he had died.Since he died before entering the hospital it was thought to be a Coroner's case.The call came to me from the Bunch Funeral Home.Dr.Wellman of the Davis Hospital thought he died of a heart attack.No inquest was held as the Dr.W,llman thought he died from anginia- pectoris which is a disease of the muscles of the heart. *his the 8th day of November,1946, Coroner of lredell County. State of North Carolina, County of Iredell. Calvin Lazenby (Col)came to his death by self-~wound in upper left thoracic region at 1wasestablishedbyMamie Lacenby was yard by policemen Reid &Barrow,Was taken to H.F.Long Hospital,Statesville,y.ci by ambulance and Dr.JeBe Honninger pronounced Lazenby dead upon arrival,Lazenby was takenbyJohnsonambulance‘to Rutlecge &Bigham Funeral Home,Statesville,N.C.Lazenby had no dog-tags upon himself,however,he was dressed inanU.S.Army uniform.He was orderéd embalmed by undersigned coronerforcompliancetopublichealthregulations. After confering with Sheriff Charlie Rumple,Police Captain Reid,and hearing the testimony of above named witnesses,the undersignedcoronerfeltinguestnotnecessaryandthatdeathwasaClearcaseofsuicide, t & Marvin Ws RaymerCoronerIredellCounty12/27/1950 Sept.29,1962 State of North Carolina County of Iredell. Daniel Arthur Lazenby,56,colored male,908 Rickert Street, Statesville,N.C.,came to his death at 10:00 PM this date,death being due to a heart attack. The Statesville Policemen,Capt.H.P.Lackey and Lieut Marvin Henderson and the undersigned checked this case,and the deceased was lying upon the couch in his living room with full pulmonary edema purging and in a sianotic coloring.No marks upon his body,and no evidence of foul play noted. Death due to natural causes,and heart attack. Marvin W.Raymer Coroner,Iredell County. State of North Carolina. County of Iredell. Dr.Glenn Alexander Lazenby,Sr.,62,of 222 North Race Street,Statesville,N.C.came to his death 1 May 1951 3 miles south west ofStatesville,N.C.200 yards to the Tight of the Buffalo Shoals Roadin@woodedareabesidearoadpossiblyusedasaloggingroadasaresultofa20guageshotgunblastthrutheheart. Dre Lazenby's auto,a 1950 Buick sedan was parked to the right oftheloggingroad.Dr.Lazenby got out of his auto with gun and self-inflictea wound ten feet from auto. Dre Lazenby's brother Edgar fT.Lazenby and Rdgar 7.Lazenby'’s son,Bobby,witnessed the fatal shooting.Kdgar T.Lazenby and Son BobbyweredispatchedbytheLazenbyFamilytolookforpr,Lazenby about6:00 PM 1 May 1951 upon the return of the Lazenby family from therocerystoreandfindingDr.Lazenby missing,also a gun missing.gar T.Lazenby selected the Buffalo Shoals road due to pr.Lazenby'spreviousattemptonhislifeashorttimepriortofatalshootinginthatgenerallocality.When Edgar T.Lasenby and Son spotted theBuickSedaninthewoodedarea,they rushed up the logging road to trytopreventDr.Lagenby from killing himself.Bobby stopped the carquicklyandEdgar7.Lazenby rushed towards his brother and got withinafewfeetofhimwhenpr.Lazenby pulled the trigger.Dr.LazenbyspokeandthrewuphishandstoEdgarfT.Lazenby and Son and said"HiPellows"prfor to pulading the trigger.Edgar f.Lazenby and Son toldSheriffCharlieRumpleandtheundersignedcoronerthatDr.LazenbyPlacedthemuzzleoftheguntohischestandleanedoverandpulledthetriggerbeforetheycouldgetthegunawayfromhim.Rdgar ?,Lazenby and Son said that after adi of shotgun that Dr.Lazenbytooktwostepsbackwardsandfellonhisback,and that the shootingOccuredat6:22 PM.The undersigned coroner was called at 6:30 PM1May1951byEdgar@.Lazenby. A note "No one igs responsible for this deed but myself.I havesufferedmentallyallmylife.G.A.Lazenby,Sr."was found in thetriggerguardofthepump£0 ga shotgun.the note was written ininkonthebackofabridgetally.the handwriting and SignaturewerecheckedbySheriffCharlieRumpleandtheundersignedcoronerwithDr.Lazenby's personal handwritten letters at his home to de-termine or establish the note to be the personal handwriting of thedeceased.Dr.Lazenby had suffered from monoleucocytosis for over&year pryor to his death. Sheriff Charlie Rumple and the undersigned coroner decided that .Dr.Lazenby came to his death by self-inflicted gunshot wound due tothenotethatwasfoundwiththegun;also by the observance of the Marvin W.RaymerCoroner,Ir6édell County.2 May 1951 State of North Carolina, County of Iredell. ildred Millsaps Lasenby,cOlored,came to her death at 11;00 AM12/26/50 by gunshot wounds inflicted by Calvin Lazenby,colored;her. husband who shot her from street (North Mulberry)in Roosevelt Millsaps! colored,yard.One discharge from 20 guage shotgun inflicted 100 odd shot in deceased's body,another discharge at very close range entered upper left thoracic region.Deceased ran into home of Roosevelt Millsaps into kitchen and fell dead face down.Identity was established by .Roosevelt Millsaps,Mildred Nixon,Glenn Anthony,Mamie Holt,PatsyMillsaps,and ®heodus Lazenby (Ali were colored and eye witnesses except Roosevelt Millsaps,who saw Calvin Lazenby shoot the deceased. Mildred Millsaps Lazenby was removed to Rutledge &Bigham FuneralHome,Statesville,N.C,Dx.Je Be Henninger,Statesville,N.C.observed and examined the remains of the deceased. After hearing the testimony of the witnesses and confering withPoliceCaptainReidandSheriffCharlieRumple,the undersigned coroner felt no inquest was necessary and save the taxpayers thatexpgnce. Marvin W.RaymerCoroner,Iredell County12/27/1950 |af pees Gre,the Cart GD arte ,OC OL ater2r2 By Ze ee oF wg a 9 Underlhealed. 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