Individual Details
Edna Francis BAILEY
(20 Sep 1911 - 29 Aug 1943)
From the Williamson Daily newspaper:
Aug. 30, 1943 Williamson, Mingo Co., WV
Edna Frances Bailey, 32, divorced wife of Ernest Prater, died suddenly in the city lockup here sometime after midnight Sunday morning, according to Taylor Weddinton, Mingo county coroner. Death was attributed to natural causes. Specific cause of death will not be known untila report is received from Charleston where vital organs were sent foranalysis.
She had been arrested on a drunk charge early Saturday evening. Two men, representing themselves as a brother and husband paid the fine later in the evening. Because of the overcrowded condition of the lockup and since the woman was said to have been living in East First Avenue, not far from the city lockup, police permitted the release after the two men had promised "to look after her." Chief of Police H.H. Davis said.
Police re arrested her and Ernest Reid shortly before midnight. Bothwere charged with intoxication. Since it was alleged that Reid had struck the woman in front of the fruit stand in East Second Avenue, an assault charge was also placed against him.
Brought to the city building, the woman is said to have used abusive language while being taken from the police car. She was placed in a cell with two other women. Reid was also locked up.
Shortly before 2 o'clock Sunday morning Sgt. Andy Johnson detected smoke issuing from the lockup. Investigation showed that Reid had ignited some papers and rags. Johnson was again called to the lockup door near 3 o'clock when Reid is said to have persisted in creating "a disturbance" by kicking up at a barred window, facing East Third Avenue.
Reid is said to have pleaded with police not to place him in solitary, promising to behave. A few minutes after 4 o'clock Reid called froSgt. Johnson and informed him that he had reached through the bars ofthe cell in which the deceased was believed to be sleeping and had removed rings from her fingers, offering them as a bond until he could bring the necessary fines to police headquarters.
It was at this point, Sgt. Johnson reported, that a colored prisoner said:
"You can't let that woman go. She's dead."
Investigation verified that man's statement and Coroner Taylor
(See Story No. 7, on Page 8)
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Weddington was summoned. He said rigor mortis had set in, when he arrived at about 4:30 a.m.
The body was taken to a local hospital where seven X-ray photos failed to show any evidence of skull or spine injury. There were not bruises to indicate that she had been struck a fatal blow.
Coroner Weddington authorized an autopsy, which was performed by Drs.W.W. Scott and John W. Yost, Jr. The brain of the deceased also failed to indicate evidence that death had been caused by a blow.
Her heart and stomach were sent to the state laboratory at Charlestonfor analysis. The coroner's verdict was "death due to natural causes."
Deceased was born in Hurley, VA., August 20, 1911. She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Mary Bailey, children, Pauline, Parker and Jimmie all of this city; a daughter, Mrs. Mildred Mullins of Marvin, VA; a sister, Mrs. Flora Ooton and two brothers, Clark and Burton Bailey, all of this city.
Wednesday Afternoon, September 1, 1943
Murder Warrant Against E. Reid
Ernest Reid, 30, was charged with murder in connection with the deathof Edna Frances Bailey, 32, in a warrant sworn out in Squire Alex Bishops' court shortly before noon today, by Mrs. Mary Bailey, mother of the deceased.
Bailey is said to have been a companion of the deceased at the time of their arrests on drunk charges at 11:45 o'clock Saturday evening. It is alleged that he struck her during an argument in East Second Avenue. She died in the city lockup sometime after midnight Sunday.
Reid was taken from the city lockup and placed in the county jail pending further investigation by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney O.C. VanCamp.
Funeral services for Edna Bailey will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the home of her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. George Ooten, of Moore Street.
Rev. H.H. Tygart of the Church of God will be in charge. Burial willfollow in Fairview cemetery.
Saturday Afternoon, September 4, 1943
Murder Charge to Manslaughter
The original murder charge against Ernest Reid has been reduced to a manslaughter charge and he was released under $2,500 bond, with Sam Moran as surety, Magistrate Alex Bishop announced today.
The warrant was sworn out by Mrs. Mary Bailey, mother of the late Edna Bailey, who died at the city lockup last Sunday morning. Reid, arrested with her on an intoxication charge, is alleged to have struck the woman during an argument.
He was found not guilty on Oct. 21, 1943.
Aug. 30, 1943 Williamson, Mingo Co., WV
Edna Frances Bailey, 32, divorced wife of Ernest Prater, died suddenly in the city lockup here sometime after midnight Sunday morning, according to Taylor Weddinton, Mingo county coroner. Death was attributed to natural causes. Specific cause of death will not be known untila report is received from Charleston where vital organs were sent foranalysis.
She had been arrested on a drunk charge early Saturday evening. Two men, representing themselves as a brother and husband paid the fine later in the evening. Because of the overcrowded condition of the lockup and since the woman was said to have been living in East First Avenue, not far from the city lockup, police permitted the release after the two men had promised "to look after her." Chief of Police H.H. Davis said.
Police re arrested her and Ernest Reid shortly before midnight. Bothwere charged with intoxication. Since it was alleged that Reid had struck the woman in front of the fruit stand in East Second Avenue, an assault charge was also placed against him.
Brought to the city building, the woman is said to have used abusive language while being taken from the police car. She was placed in a cell with two other women. Reid was also locked up.
Shortly before 2 o'clock Sunday morning Sgt. Andy Johnson detected smoke issuing from the lockup. Investigation showed that Reid had ignited some papers and rags. Johnson was again called to the lockup door near 3 o'clock when Reid is said to have persisted in creating "a disturbance" by kicking up at a barred window, facing East Third Avenue.
Reid is said to have pleaded with police not to place him in solitary, promising to behave. A few minutes after 4 o'clock Reid called froSgt. Johnson and informed him that he had reached through the bars ofthe cell in which the deceased was believed to be sleeping and had removed rings from her fingers, offering them as a bond until he could bring the necessary fines to police headquarters.
It was at this point, Sgt. Johnson reported, that a colored prisoner said:
"You can't let that woman go. She's dead."
Investigation verified that man's statement and Coroner Taylor
(See Story No. 7, on Page 8)
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Weddington was summoned. He said rigor mortis had set in, when he arrived at about 4:30 a.m.
The body was taken to a local hospital where seven X-ray photos failed to show any evidence of skull or spine injury. There were not bruises to indicate that she had been struck a fatal blow.
Coroner Weddington authorized an autopsy, which was performed by Drs.W.W. Scott and John W. Yost, Jr. The brain of the deceased also failed to indicate evidence that death had been caused by a blow.
Her heart and stomach were sent to the state laboratory at Charlestonfor analysis. The coroner's verdict was "death due to natural causes."
Deceased was born in Hurley, VA., August 20, 1911. She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Mary Bailey, children, Pauline, Parker and Jimmie all of this city; a daughter, Mrs. Mildred Mullins of Marvin, VA; a sister, Mrs. Flora Ooton and two brothers, Clark and Burton Bailey, all of this city.
Wednesday Afternoon, September 1, 1943
Murder Warrant Against E. Reid
Ernest Reid, 30, was charged with murder in connection with the deathof Edna Frances Bailey, 32, in a warrant sworn out in Squire Alex Bishops' court shortly before noon today, by Mrs. Mary Bailey, mother of the deceased.
Bailey is said to have been a companion of the deceased at the time of their arrests on drunk charges at 11:45 o'clock Saturday evening. It is alleged that he struck her during an argument in East Second Avenue. She died in the city lockup sometime after midnight Sunday.
Reid was taken from the city lockup and placed in the county jail pending further investigation by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney O.C. VanCamp.
Funeral services for Edna Bailey will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the home of her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. George Ooten, of Moore Street.
Rev. H.H. Tygart of the Church of God will be in charge. Burial willfollow in Fairview cemetery.
Saturday Afternoon, September 4, 1943
Murder Charge to Manslaughter
The original murder charge against Ernest Reid has been reduced to a manslaughter charge and he was released under $2,500 bond, with Sam Moran as surety, Magistrate Alex Bishop announced today.
The warrant was sworn out by Mrs. Mary Bailey, mother of the late Edna Bailey, who died at the city lockup last Sunday morning. Reid, arrested with her on an intoxication charge, is alleged to have struck the woman during an argument.
He was found not guilty on Oct. 21, 1943.
Events
| Birth | 20 Sep 1911 | Hurley, Buchanan Co., VA |  | ||
| Census | 1920 | Stafford, Mingo Co., WV | |||
| Marriage | 3 Jan 1924 | War Eagle, Stafford Dist., Mingo Co., WV - Ernest Thomas PRATER | | ||
| Census (family) | 1930 | Stafford, Mingo Co., WV - Ernest Thomas PRATER |  | ||
| Death | 29 Aug 1943 | in city lockup, arrested for drunkeness - Williamson, Mingo Co., WV | | ||
| Burial | 1 Sep 1943 | Fairview Cemetery, Williamson, Mingo Co., WV | |||
| Obituary | 30 Sep 1943 | Daily - Williamson, Mingo Co., WV | |||
| Divorce | Ernest Thomas PRATER | |
Families
| Spouse | Ernest Thomas PRATER (1906 - 1981) |
| Child | Mildred Louise PRATER (1927 - 1999) |
| Child | Parker PRATER (1929 - 1999) |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Fritz F. PRATER (1932 - 1999) |
| Child | Pauline PRATER (1934 - 1999) |
| Father | Cline 'Cleveland' BAILEY (1884 - 1911) |
| Mother | Mary MEADE (1877 - 1911) |
Notes
Census (family)
Earnest Prater 24Edna Prater 20
Mildred Prater 3
Parker Prater 1
Divorce
From obituary.Endnotes
1. Death Certificate.
2. Marriage Certificate.
3. Death Certificate.