Nell Cropsey #8

   The Cropseys moved to Elizabeth City because their father read a pamphlet about the farming and trade there.  Everyone was against the move except Mister Cropsey and their Uncle Andrew.  They moved there and Mister Cropsey became a very successful truck farmer.  Around the time they moved there, Elizabeth City was evolving and becoming a place of trade.  Jim is telling some of his past and said he and Nell met in ’98 soon after they moved there.  They went to all the shows that came through town and went sailing a lot, but only alone twice.  When the Cropseys moved into their house, they all used to go swimming right out in front.  Jim said, “I wish old man Cropsey had come out and told all he knew.  I told Johnny Tuttle I’d like to get the old man out in a boat and tell him if he didn’t explain to me what happened with Nell that night I’d put a blowtorch to his feet.”  (pg. 79; Simpson)  When Will Cropsey, the younger brother, heard Jim was out of prison, he poisoned himself; Roy Crawford went crazy and shot himself while Jim was in prison.