her to death with the same ax and stick used on her husband. When
Cox was questioned, he told his story but swore that he had never
entered the house and had no part in the murders or rape. The 5-year=
old daughter of the Worley's pointed out, Cherry as being one of the
killers of her parents and all three men were placed on trial. Cox
testified against them and they were all convicted and sentenced to
hange The maintained their innocence up until the time the trap was
sprung. All three were hanged at Goldsboro, N. C., on June ll, 1878,
THE RALEIGH OSSERVER, Raleigh, N. C., 5-2-1878; 5-3-1878; 5-l-1878;
5-5-1878; and 6-35-1878
AMERICAN STATE TRIALS, Edited by Lawson, Volume III, pages 562-602
her to death with the same ax and stick used on her husband. When
Cox was questioned, he told his story but swore that he had never
entered the house and had no part in the murders or rape. The 5-year-
old daughter of the Worley's pointed out Cherry as being one of the
killers of her parents and all three men were placed on trial. Cox
testified against them and they were all convicted and sentenced to
hange The maintained their innocence up until the time the trap was
sprung. All three were hanged at Goldsboro, N. C., on June ll, 1878,
THE RALEIGH O3SERVER, Raleigh, N. Ons 5 ~2-18783; 5-3-1878; 5-1-1878;
5-5-1878; and 6-35-1878
(76 Up ae ae
AMERICAN STATE TRIALS, Edited by Lawson. Volume III, pages 562-602
her to death with the same ax and stick used on her husband. When
ox was questioned, he told his story but swore that he had never
entered the house and had no part in the murders or rape. The 5-year-
old daughter of the Worley's pointed out Cherry as bei:
killers of her parents and all three men were placed on trial.
testified against them and they were all convicted and sentenced
hang. The maintained their innocence up until the time th
sprung. All three were hanged at Goldsboro, 1, C., on June 1h, 1878.
THS RALEIGH O3SERVER, Raleigh, N. C,, 5-2-1678; 5-3-1878; 5-1-1878;
3
5-18783 and 6-35-1676
116 Sade GF
AMERICAN STATE TRIALS, Edited by Lawson. Volume III, pages 562-602
V6 NE Dide GF
‘svocu S0ATE PRLS, raead by Lamon, Tolan II, pages 5
ATKINSON, Harris, CHERRY, Noah and THOMPSON, Robert
Atkinson, a 38=year-old native of Johnston Co., N. ©., Cherry, a 6)-
year-old native of Bertie Co., and Thompson, a }\2-vear~old Wake Co.
native, were all black men who lived in an area of Johnston Co, known
as the Island, located in the Neuse River. The area was populated
entirely by blacks, many of whom were both desperate and dangerous,
until 1877 when James Worley, a young white man, leased same land
for farming and moved there with his wife, 4ffey Jane and their three
children, Atkinson, Cherry and Thompson were determined to drive
the Worleys away and Cherry had,on a number of occasions, expressed
a desire to have sexual relations with Mrs. Worley and said that he
would do so even if he had to kill her husband. One night early in
1878, Cherry and Jerry Cox, another black man, met Atkinson and
Thompson in front of the Worley home, Cox remained outside but was
able to see all that happened, After the three men entered the
house, James Worley attempted to tun out of the door and was struck
over the head with an ax by Cherry. He staggered on and eollapsed
by the chimney where Cherry using ans ax, and Atkinson, using a
Stick of wood, clubbed him to death. During this ti Th
was holding Mrs. Worley. The three men then raped hér and beat
ATKINSON, Harris, CHERRY, Noah and THOMPSON, Robert
Atkinson, a 38~year-old native of Johnston Coe, N. C., Cherry, a 6lj-
year-old native of Bertie Co., and Thompson, a }\2-year-old Wake Co.
native, were all black men who lived in an area of Johnston Co. known
as the Island, located in the Neuse River. The area was populated
entirely by blacks, many of whom were both desperate and dangerous,
until 1877 when James Worley, a young white man, leased some land
for farming and moved there with his wife, Affey Jane and their three
children. Atkinson, Cherry and Thompson were determined to drive
the Worleys away and Cherry had,on a number of occasions, expressed
a desire to have sexual relations with Mrs, Worley and said that he
would do so even if he had to kill her husband. One night early in
1878, Cherry and Jerry Cox, another black man, met Atkinson and
Thompson in front of the Worley home. Cox remained outside but was
able to see all that happened. After the three men entered the
house, James Worley attempted to pun out of the door and was struck
over the head with an ax by Cherry. He staggered on and aollapsed
by the chimney where Cherry using ant ax, and Atkinson, using a
sti fo Durt 3 &
ck of wood, clubbed him death. During this ti Tho
was holding Mrs. Worley. The three men then raped hér and Beat
ATKINSON, Harris, CHERRY, Noah and THOMPSON, Robert
Atkinson, a 38~year-old native of Johnston Co., N. ©., Cherry, a 6li=
year-old native of Bertie Co,, and Thompson, a l2-year-old Wake Co.
native, were all black men who lived in an area of Johnston Co, known
as the Island, located in the Neuse River, The area was populated
entirely by blacks, many of whom were both desperate and dangerous,
until 1877 when James Worley, a young white man, leased some land
for farming and moved there with his wife, Affey Jane and their three
children, Atkinson, Cherry and Thompson were determined to drive
asions, expressed
a desire to have sexual relations with Mrs, Worley and said that he
would do so even if he had to kill her lmsband. One night early in
1878, Cherry and Jerry Cox, another black man, met Atkinson and
Thompson in front of the Worley home, Cox remained outside but was
able to see all that happened. After the three men entered the
house, Janes Worley attempted to tun out of the door and was struck
over the head with an ax by Cherry, He staggered on and eollapsed
by, the chimney where Cherry, using amt ax, and Atidhson, using a
hi to death, During this tine, Thompson
was holding’ Mrs. Worley. ‘the three men then Taped hér andoBeat
sce Po se ae ae:
we Selina joe, Saat
