Nansemond County Virginia USGenWeb Archives News.....Assault, 1939 

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"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 17, No. 143, Sep. 8, 1939, p. 1 

Mrs. J. J. S. Branch Attacked At Home; 
   Two Negroes Held Men Walk Into Broad Street Home and Beat 75-Year-Old 
   White Woman; Finger Broken As Assailants Snatch For Ring 

  Willie Wheeler and John L. Blount, Negroes, arrested last night by Sergeant 
J.A. Daughtrey and Patrolman E.M. Harrell, are being held in jail today for 
investigation in connection with an assault on Mrs. John J.S. Branch, 75-year-
old wife of Constable Branch, at her Broad Street home yesterday. 

  Mrs. Branch told police she was attacked about 5:45 p.m. just after entering 
the kitchen of her home.  She had heard footsteps in the house but thought 
them to be that of her brother.  Suddenly, she said, two Negroes were upon 
her.  One hit her over the head with a blunt weapon and the other snatched at 
her hand to grasp a ring.  Her finger was broken as her hand was twisted. 

  Screams for aid sent her assailants running from the house and brought her 
brother, who summoned police. 

  Mrs. Branch was reported to be recovering her composure today and was 
resting comfortably despite her injuries.

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"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 17, No. 144, Sep. 9, 1939, p. 1 

Mrs. Branch Improving From Attack Injuries 

  The condition of Mrs. J.J.S. Branch, who was beaten over the head and 
suffered finger broken when attacked in her home by two Negro men, was 
reported today as improving. 

  Dr. F.J. Morrison, who is treating Mrs. Branch, said that she had three 
cuts on her head which were neither long nor deep.  The broken finger was 
on her left hand. 

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Additional information: 

Ella Maie (KITCHEN; Mrs. John J.S. "Hurricane") BRANCH, of Suffolk, 
b. 22 Oct 1863, Isle of Wight Co., d. 10 Apr 1947, Suffolk, 
interred in Cedar Hill Cemetery (Block F, Lot 43), Suffolk, 
   Cedar Hill list, another extension of the SCHS Cemetery Project: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/cemeteries/cedar_a.txt 

Constable "Hurricane" BRANCH 1m. Delia C. WILLIAMS (1852 - 1903). 
   His obit ("Smithfield Times," Apr. 13, 1949, p. 3) is posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/b652j12o.txt 


Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). 

file at: 
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/newspapers/19390908nh.txt