The Black Widow

Ella had  quite an interesting, if not tragic life.  I've learned over the years that in these days, especially for women, ages were pretty fluid. You really don't know if that date of birth on great granny's tombstone is accurate or not. In 1870, Sarah Francis, as 'Sarah', was one year old. The next sister above her was Sylvia, aged 4. Ella wasn't born yet, however, in the 1900 census, Ella is shown as 33 and Fannie 31.  

Ella is also not to be confused with their older sister, Ellen, who was born about 1855. Ellen was the second wife of Michael Hoke Hartsell who had first married their older half-sister, Martha Falkner, and had divorced her after she had given birth to a child that was obviously not his. I recently covered Martha's story in a post after exploring a confusing genetic connection. Ellen and Hoke raised a large family after settling in the Clear Creek area of Mecklenburg County. 

Ella first married James Stevenson Turner on December 23, 1886, just days before Fannie married his brother William Alexander Turner in January of 1887.  Two brothers marrying two sisters was not an uncommon occurance in those early days. She may have had a Christmas wedding complete with wreaths and a tree. Her age was given as 18, however, I believe she may have been as young as 15. James was 27. Witnesses were a J. Harrington, M. W. Marsh, who also witnessed Will and Fannie's wedding and William Alexander "W. A." Turner. I wonder why they didn't just have a double wedding. 

Jim Turner was 28 years old when he married Ella. It seems he moved his young bride, for a time, over to Union County, North Carolina, bordering Anson. The marriage would last about 9 years. Jim came down with pneumonia and died in 1895 at the age of 36. Ella was left a young widow for the first time.

Ella and Jim Turner would have one child that survived adulthood, a son, named George Washington Turner III, after his grandfather. He was born on December 4, 1894. George III developed a case of the wanderlust after being drafted in WWI. He married once, to a lady named Margaret, on Dec. 30, 1914, at the age of 20 and divorced her on August 9, 1921, in Alexandria, Virginia. There were no children to my knowledge. He trapsed the country, both as a member of the military, and as a private citizen after he retired, and settled himself in San Francisco. 

Two years after Jim Turner passed away, Ella tried again for wedded bliss. On November 17, 1897, Ella Faulkner Turner married C. M. Smith, 35, of Anson County, son of Robert and E. M. Smith, both living of Anson County. Ella reported to be the daughter of John Faulkner, deceased, and Susan Faulkner, living, of Anson County. The marriage was performed by B. F. Staton at the home of Joseph Teal in Ansonville. Witnesses were J. L. Teal, W. A. Turner, her double brother-in-law and L. A. Turner, another brother-in-law, Louis Arnold Turner.

Charles May Smith was born on January 31, 1862. His  parents, Robert Edward and Mary Ellen Tadlock Smith were from Virginia. They had migrated to Chesterfield County, South Carolina, were Charlie was born, before settling in Anson County, North Carolina. 

The year that Charlie married Ella, he had 40 acres of land in Ansonville sold for taxes.  They had one child together, a daughter named Virginia Mae Smith, but known as Virgie. Virgie was born August 14, 1899.

The couple seemed that they were off to a good start with a new baby girl and new hopes for the future. All of that changed on January 10, 1900, when Virgie was not quite 5 months old.

Charlie and Ella had settled in Peachland, Anson County, NC and that evening, Charlie had taken the train to Wadesboro to eat supper with his sister, Maria Smith Sings, who lived with her daughter, Virginia "Jenny" Sings Dobbs. Jenny's husband, Robert Hampton Dobbs, was a superintendant at the local Silk Mill. They lived near the jail in Wadesboro, and not very far from the train depot. Joining them that evening also was Franklin J. "Frank" Smith, brother of Charlie and Maria. 

Charlie ate his fill, had a good evening with his brother, sister and niece, and said his goodbyes. Maria remembered him checking his watch and that he had a good bit of money with him. Frank said his goodbyes and set off towards home in his horse and buggy. Charlie headed the other way bound for the train which was to leave in 45 minutes. He never made it home. A transcript of the trial, in September of that same year, gives an account of the details of what happened next. 

Charlie had been  attacked, robbed and left to die on his way to the train. He was found on the Depot Road in front of the McKeithan home.  The Coroner gave his account at the trial. Charlie had suffered two severe wounds, one a blow to his skull that entered to a depth of five inches, and another that broke his jaw. He had been violently attacked. 

The witnesses to the last hours of Charlies' life were his siblings and his niece, Jenny Dobbs (incorrecly recorded as Dabbs in the paper. His sister, Maria Smith Sings, testified that Charlie had a silver watch and a bit of money. He had left for the train station with 45 minutes or so until boarding and she admitted that he drank on occasion. Her daughter, Jenny, gave nearly the same testimony, except that their recollections of the time he left differed a small bit. Frank, his brother, had left before Charlie did and only knew he was supposed to have taken the train.

Goodin Freeman and Henry White were the two men accused in the murder of Charlie Smith. The remainder of  the trial concentrated on them and their actions between the 10th of January and the day of their arrest, three weeks later. Goodin Freeman had originally been recommended to hang by the jury and Henry White found guilty of second degree murder. The judge sentenced them to 30 years in prison each.

What evidence led the jury to this conclusion?

The first witness to what had happened after the murder was Cornelia McLaughlin. She lived in Rockingham, in neighboring Richmond County, NC and had heard about the murder on Tuesday, the day after it happened. Goodin Freeman had showed up at her house that day, the day after the murder, and had arrived by train. As a matter of gossip, she had asked Goodin about the murder. 

The story that Goodin told her was that the body was found between the train depot and the home of  Eugene Little. He gave a clear and detailed 'witness' account of Charlie Smiths actions while still alive. He said he saw Charlie at the depot and that he had a pint of liquor. Goodin claimed that Charlie was in the company of two other white men and that they shared the liqour. He stated that the train was late and that Charlie stated that he would go back into town and buy some whiskey and pulled out some money. For a distant witness, Goodin was very observant, as he knew Charlie had exactly $25 or $30. That doesn't sound like much, but in 1900, the value of that would be the equivalent of over $1000 today. Goodin had ended that conversation by stating that he excpected that the two white men drank Charlies whiskey and then killed him. It was if he had painted an exact picture of what happened, with the exception of the nonexistent 'white men' being instead, him and Henry White. 

Goodin had stayed at the McLaughlin house for 10 days. Henry White arrived there the Thursday following Goodin's arrival, three days after the murder. At some point during the week they stayed there, they had went to Hamlet, in Richmond County, and after staying there a week, had left for Cheraw, South Carolina, reportedly in search for work. Cornelia did not see any blood on Goodin or Henry or a watch. However, her daughter, Helen, testified that she was at home when Goodin arrived. She stated Goodin told her that a man had died, and that he had helped move him out of the road. Goodin had a watch and asked her to pawn it for him for $1.00. He had blood on his shoe, and  had told her it was cow's blood.   He explained that he had helped a Mr. Edwards kill a cow. Oddly, the paper added that Helen was a single mother of two, as if that had anything to do with the trial.

Added information at the end of every testimony seemed to be personal issues brought out by the defense to tarnish the witnesses testimony and credibility. Tillman Little, from Rockingham, testified that he saw both Goodin and Henry the Sunday following the murder on Monday, and that Goodin tried to sell him a watch for a dollar. I like Mr. Little's turn of a phrase. Goodin offered to sell him the watch, "so cheap you would think you stole it", and Mr. Little replied it was so cheap he wouldn't buy it, but gave no description of the watch.

Tim Cromartie, currently  of South Carolina, stated that he was living in Anson County that January when the murder occured. He went on to describe a night in January when the two defendants showed up at his door on a Thursday and spent the night with him. He knew them both fairly well from the sound of it. When Henry White went to bed, Goodin Freeman began talking. Goodin told him the story of a man being killed in Wadesboro who was in possession of $30 and a watch. He admitted that he was the one who had "tapped" Smith, or rather, knocked him over the head and that he had asked Henry to watch out while he did it. They attacked him between, "a fat man's house and the depot", probably referring to Eugene Little. Goodin told him of a man named Frank Reid who came to Rockingham investigating or "spicioning around", as he had suspicions that those two had committed the murder. That's when they took off to Darlington, SC, where they were later found. 

Henry also gave some information to Tim Cromartie, stating that Goodin had left Rockingham to go to Wadesboro, that he had borrowed $2 from his mother and when he returned, he paid her back $15, and told his mother that they had been gambling. The defense brought up Cromartie's past as well, saying he lived near Cheraw, had a criminal record, primarily for fighting, had been charged with rape before and had two wives, currently or consecutively.

The Cheif of Police of Darlington, SC got on the stand and testified that after he arrested the pair of fugitives from justice, that Goodin had called him aside and threw Henry under the bus, stating Henry was the one who 'tapped' Charlie Smith and robbed him. The Coroner then returned to the stand and stated that when he examined Charlie, he had no money or watch and that his pockets were turned inside out. 

Frank Reid, the man who had came searching for the two because of suspicions, was called to the stand.  He testified that he saw Goodin at Cornelia McLauchlins house the Tuesday after the murder and that he was a boarder of Cornelia's. He testified that Goodin told him a man named Smith had been killed, that the train had been late and that Smith had walked back into town for some whiskey. He later saw Henry, and saw both of them in Darlington after they left Rockingham. He had been asked by Sheriff Gaddy to see if he could find them. Three weeks after the murder, Frank had found them in Darlington and had them arrested. Afterwards, Mr. Reid visited the two in jail and Goodin was busy throwing Henry under the bus again, stating Henry had hit Charlie with a piece of iron while Goodin watched. Trying to prevent Henry from hearing, Goodin put his arm around Frank's neck. All along, Goodin was telling the truth about what happened, he was just placing blame on anyone else other than himself. 

The defense tried to deflect on Frank Reids testimony by inferring he only wanted the reward, but all who knew Frank testfied he was a man of good charactor. 

Murrays's barroom in Wadesboro is a place I am very familiar with although I was born many decades after its existence. It belonged to John Murray, a distant relative of mine, and an arrogant bully of a man, who in the end would meet his own in an untimely manner. The next part of the trial, the evidence presented by the defense, centered around what happened in and around this bar in Uptown Wadesboro. Goodin Freeman spoke in his own behalf, talker that he was, and by this time had him a story all tied up and laid out like a buffet intended for a dignitary. It was a mistake. 

Goodin had claimed to be holed up in Joe Little's restaurant from dark on Monday until daylight the next morning. So Wadesboro had 24 hour restaurants in 1900? He stated he heard of the murder on Tuesday morning and (out of curiosity) had went to the place where the body was found. He claimed to have had a 'fuss', or arguement, with a Lid Lindsey, possibly a relative while in the restaurant on that Monday night, and then he left for Rockingham because of another 'fuss' he had with Net Kendall. So Goodin was good at getting into scraps. He denied having had the conversation with Tim Cromartie, and again threw Henry White under the bus, stating Henry told him that he had 'tapped' , or robbed and mugged, Charlie Smth. He admitted he heard Joe Little testify that he wasn't in the restaurant.

Several other people gave brief testimony as to where Goodin was and when. Mr. Redfern and Crowson said they saw Goodin on Tuesday morning where the body was found. A George Simons said he saw Goodin at Joe Little's restaurant between 7 pm and 9 or so.Two men from Rockingham testified that the character of the McLauchlins, Tillman Little and Tim Cromartie was bad, in an attempt to discredit their testimony.

Goodin's half-brother, Rupert "Purdie" Lindsey, testified he saw Goodin in Joe Little's restaurant while he was waiting on the 8 o'clock train. Oldest brother, Sanders Lindsey, said Goodin went to Rockingham on Wednesday night and left home because of the fuss with Net Kendall. Sanders had advised him to go find a job and work to help pay some bills he had acrued. Sallie Marshall Lindsey, Sanders wife, corrobarated her husbands testimony.

Goodin Freeman was a troublesome soul.  Further testimony revealed that the mud only got thicker. Ella Cromartie, Tim's daughter, along with a Henry Lilly and Rich Hammond, all said Tim Cromartie told them he knew nothing about the murder. Rich Hammond also couldn't determine the date of the arguement between Good and Lid Lindsey.

Further testimony attempted to discredit that of Tim Cromartie. A man named Will Junior backed up the testimony of Frank Reid, having witnessed the conversation in the Darlington jail. Frank Moses, of Darlington, testified that Frank Reid had asked his assistence in locating Goodin and Henry and told him of a reward, and offered to coach him on what to say to get the sizable reward. A Paul Moses stated the same thing.

Goodin Freeman kept sealing his own fate due to the fact he could not stop talking. C. B. Luther and L. H. Horton both testified that Goodin had told them both that Henry was the one who killed Smith. Then it was Henry's turn to testify.  He said he had arrived in Wadesboro about 3 in the afternoon on Monday and went to his mother's house. He left only to go to Mills barroom for a little while and had returned to his mothers house. He denied telling Goodin anything about a robbery or murder. He stated he had been out of Wadesboro around four years and that his arrival three years prior was his first time back to visit. He was asked if he had grabbed a wallet and ran with it, but he denied this having happened. Henry's mother, Nannie Williams and his sister, Beulah Williams, both testified that Henry had arrived back home from the bar about 7 and had remained there. A Caroline Little testified that she had visited Nannie Williams from 7 to 7:30 pm and that Henry was there. Several people testified that Goodwin Freeman was a bad character.

Final testimony was that of several citizens of Wadesboro, who saw Charlie Smith at Trexlers bar between 7 and 8. Others had seen Goodin Freeman in Mills bar. Another claimed the fight between Goodin and Lid Lindsey was on Saturday night, not Monday. Others testified that they had been at Little's restaurant and had not seen Goodin. Mr. Ellis P. Gaddy testified that several months after the murder, Tim Cromartie had reported to him what Goodin had said.

The full picture of what happened on that fateful night seemed to be a crime of opportunity. While poor Ella was home tending to her new baby daugther, Charlie had taken the opportunity to visit his brother and sister in Wadesboro. He had a few dollars in his pocket when he had left for the train home. As it was late, he walked back into town to stop in at Murray and Trexlers bar for a drink or two before the long ride home. He had made the mistake of flashing his money in front of a couple of hooligans, one who happened by, and another, a wayward teen who seemed to have just been born bad. His fate was sealed. 

So who were these  two derelict misfeasors with no respect for life?  The 1900 census found 'Goodwin' Freeman, only 17, and Henry White, 30, languishing in the Anson County jail. Henry White, so much older, would be expected to have had a much worse criminal background than 'Goodin', who was just a teenager. But no, I couldn't find anything on Henry White prior to the murder to suggest such a life. Henry White was born in  Virginia and had come to Wadesboro with his mother, Nannie Williams and sister, Beulah.

However, this was not the case for Goodwin Freeman. Goodwin was the younger son of Malissa Lindsey, born in 1845 in Anson County, probably. He had two older half-brothers, Sanders J. Lindsey and Rupert "Purdie" R. Lindsey. His brothers were law-abiding, sensible fellows who tried to keep the young whippersnapper in line, but obviously, failed miserably.  In 1899, at age 16, a year before the murder, Goodin had been jailed for drunkeness. 

Goodin showed signs of criminal behavior early on. When he stole a watch from a jewler in 1893, he was 10 years old. This attraction to watches may have triggered his desire for Charlie Smith's watch when he was drunk and showing off that fated night.

So what became of Henry and Goodin? They escaped, both of them,  and hid away for the remainder of their lives. Justice was not served and Charlie Smiths murder remains unavenged. In August, 1904, Goodin Freeman was among a group of convicts who escaped from a prison camp road crew while returning to camp after a day of working on the 'chain gang'. He was described as ,"Goodin Freeman, black, from Anson County, 20 years for murder in the second degree, Received September 18, 1900, Age 20, height 5 feet 5 inches, weight 165 lbs." Goodin was a small fellow. A reward of  25 dollars each was offered for information on the escapees.

Henry White also escaped from prison, but in 1911. From what I could discover, neither of them were ever captured.

Goodin Freeman served 4 years and Henry White, 11 years, for the murder and robbery of Charlie Smith. They afterwards were absorbed into the anonymous fabric of early 20th Century America.

Goodins' brother Sanders Lindsey relocated to New York City and worked there as a Carpenter. He died in the Bronx in 1948, at the age of 77 and his remains were sent back to Wadesboro for burial. He had married Sallie Marshall and had a large family with her.

Rupert "Purdie" Lindsey relocated to Philadephia, PA after all of the drama in Wadesboro. He had married Hallie Pearl White, daughter of George and Ellen Tillman White. Any relationship to Henry White is unknown. Purdie also worked as a carpenter and worked for the City of Philadelphia in that capacity. He died fairly young, before age 50, and his wife Hallie was remarried by 1930. They had one son, Rupert Jr. and Hallie died in Philly in 1959. If Goodwin escaped and took refuge among his famly in the north, there is no record. He likely changed his name and may have continued his criminal ways. His fate remains unknown.

During the course of the trial, Ella and her baby daughter, Virgie, made their home in Albemarle, in Stanly County, with her sister, Fannie, and brother-in-law, Will Turner. Here they are on June 11, 1900, living in North Albemarle precinct. Ella revealed that she had given birth to 5 children, but only two were living. The missing three were probably born during her marriage to Jim Turner, as her marriage to Charlie Smith was very brief.

Her son, George W. Turner III, age 8,  was sent to live with Will and Jim's siblings, headed by another brother, Robert Johnson Turner. They were living in the family homestead, after the recent deaths of their parents, in Ansonville, where George was attending school.

Ella, still a young woman, did not stay single long.