From The Smithfield Herald, Tuesday, August 11, 1914:
Johnston Co. is unfortunate enough to add one more killing to her record. Last Friday Joe Edwards shot Henry Wood from the effect of which he died soon afterwards. As soon as the shooting was done Edwards made haste to Wilson Mills where he looked up an officer and placed himself under his protection. Later Constable C. B. Parrish accompanied by Mr. D. O. Uzzell and Mr. J. W. Tomlenson, brought Edwards to Smithfield, where a warrant was sworn out for him, by J. W. Stephenson, J.P.
Edwards was not ready for a hearing and Squire Stephenson sent him to jail. The hearing was set for next Saturday.
We have been unable to learn the particulars of the sad occurrence, but from the best we can learn the trouble arose over a dog belonging to Edwards which was killed last spring.
At the time the dog was killed Edwards remarked when he heard the gun fire that Henry Wood had shot his dog. Wood was told of the remark and later called his attention to it. It is said that Edwards admitted that he did make some remarks of that kind but that it was all right, that he cared nothing about it.
The matter was let drop, but last Friday morning Wood and one of his boys went to Edwards house. He had been plowing in his field, and it was when he went to the house to give his mule some water that the Woods came on the scene. There was evidence that they had had some cider or other stuff that cheers and makes lively. The matter of the dog was brought up again. This time in a fussy way. The Woods made an attack on Edwards, so rumors say, and he ran into his house. The Woods then called to him to come out, they having advance nearer the house, stating that there was no need to feud over the matter and that they should be friends.
Edwards then came out and they attempted to beat him, when he rushed into the house again and got his gun and fired on the first one he saw as the came out, which happened to be the father.
As soon as the fatal shot was fired Edwards took his gun and made his way to Wilson Mills, wading the Neuse River on the way.
This, so we are told, is Edwards side of the affair and should be taken perhaps, with a grain of salt.
Edwards lives on the land of Mr. N. E. Ward over the Neuse River from Wilson Mills and Wood lived near him. Edwards had a wife and three small children, the youngest being only 3 weeks old.
Elmon Wood being sworn says I went on Aug 7th to Joe Edwards and he ask me in pretty quick. The dog came and lay down under the bed and I said your dog is shot up pretty bad and Joe said I have heard as G_D much about that as I want to. Get out of my yard. I left and Joe went on to his lot and he said let's talk it over. We talked an hour and when I went home Henry Wood says let's go over to Joe Edwards and I will tell him who shot the dog to take the blame off you. Henry Wood and I went to Joe Edwards and Joe Edwards met us at gate and Pa said Joe I am not mad with you a bit. I came to tell you who shot the dog to keep you from thinking hard of me, or my boy. Joe began to curse and started to the house and struck at me and I threw up my arms and he struck them. When he got to the door he reached up over the door and got his gun and shot Pa and Pa walked about 15 steps and fell dead, and Joe had his gun drawn on me as I walked up to where Pa lay and I told Joe not to shoot any more no one had bothered him. Then his wife got the gun away from Joe and Joe told me to leave and I said I could not leave then I wanted to see if Pa got any better. That's all I know about it.
My father never went near the gate and was in the edge of the road about 20 steps from Edwards when he was shot and my father never spoke a harsh word to Joe before he shot.
From The Smithfield Herald, Tuesday, August 18, 1914:
Superior Court
The grand jury returned true bills as follows:
Joe Edwards for the killing of Henry Wood.
From The Smithfield Herald, Friday, August 21, 1914:
Superior Court in Session
Joe Edwards, who killed Henry Wood three weeks ago, was tried and found guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to four months in jail.
Thelma Wood Etheridge (deceased) remembers grandmother Bethany Lee. This is the story she tells Thelma when she was a little girl. Grandmother had been to town on the horse and buggy to take one of the children to the doctor. On the way home the mule or horse became uncontrollable and ran with rage. A man met her running to meet her to tell her that her husband had been shot. Also she tells of the night the undertaker brought the body home for the sitting up. She said bloody water dripped from the coffin onto the floor.
Also grandmother Bethany Lee visited her mother and daddy and mine in Duplin Co. Thelma says she was a very sweet lady with no gray hair at all.
