Murder charged

Mother of man missing for six years said she knew he must be dead, remains excavated

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

For Ellen Miller, it has been a six-year wait to finally find out for sure happened to her son.

“I kept telling everybody for years that he’s dead,” she said. “People asked, ‘How do you know?’ I said, ‘A mother has an instinct about things like that.’ A momma just knows.”

On Monday, investigators began unearthing what is believed to be the remains of Kenneth Ray Miller, who was 34 when he went missing in May 2002. Skeletal remains have been found in an unmarked grave at a location adjacent to a private family cemetery in northwestern Wilkes County, according to Wilkes Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Chris Shew.

A murder warrant has been issued on Kenneth Miller’s ex-wife, Margaret Diane Miller Johnson, 34, of Thurmond, according to Wilkes Sheriff Dane Mastin.

 Margaret Johnson’s husband, Robert Johnson, is in custody with no bond allowed, also charged with murder in connection with Miller’s death, Mastin said.

As of press time Tuesday, authorities were still searching for Margaret Johnson, Shew said.

“It appears that she’s either running or hiding,” Mastin said, adding that information on her has been entered in nationwide crime data bases.

The Johnsons were charged with murder late Friday afternoon. As for how the charges came about, Mastin said,  “We received some information and followed it up with interviews.”

When asked if Mr. Johnson had made any kind of confession or statement in connection with the case, Shew declined comment. He also declined comment on the possibly method of the alleged murder. On Monday Mastin said there’s no clear motive connected with the murder charges.

According to reports, Mr. Johnson has a lengthy criminal record, which includes assault.

Investigators with the sheriff’s department and State Bureau of Investigation remained at the gravesite on Tuesday as excavation continued, Shew said. The remains  will be sent to the Medical Examiners Office in Chapel Hill for identification, Mastin said, adding, “Based on information we’ve received, we believe it is the remains of Kenneth Miller.”

There has been talk in the community for the past couple of weeks that there was a break in the old case.

That’s when Ellen Miller starting hearing the news. She cried when she recounted details she’s heard about the alleged murder.

“He was a good son,” she said. “He’d do anything for anybody that he could. He was just a good person. He promised his daddy (Fred Miller), when he was real sick with cancer, that he’d take care of me. Fred died six years ago in Kenny’s arms at home. Six months later, Kenny was gone.”

Kenneth Miller and Margaret Johnson had been married only a year or two before they separated, according to Mrs. Miller. The couple had one daughter, who is now 15.

The girl, who lived with her mother, would visit the Millers some weekends.

The relationship between Kenneth Miller and Margaret Johnson was rocky at best. “He loved her and he loved that little girl,” Ellen Miller said. “He loved Margaret, but, she didn’t want anything to do with him.”

She continued, “When he first went missing, I worked at Carolina Mirror. I was off that evening. I was sitting at home watching a movie. Margaret knocked on the door. She asked if Kenny was there. I said he was in the bed, but he’s asleep. She said she needed to talk to him real bad. She went in bedroom and got him.”

Mrs. Miller said her son left with his ex-wife. “It was around 10:30 at night,” she said. “I think she was by herself, but I couldn’t see inside the car. She came back and said to me, ‘Don’t tell anybody I was here.’ I said, ‘OK.’ Then, I sat down and finished watching my movie. Around one o’clock he wasn’t home yet. I went to bed.”

The next day, after he hadn’t returned, Ellen Miller filed a missing persons report.

Kenneth Miller went to elementary school at Fairplains and C.C. Wright. He attended Wilkes Central High School for a short time before he left school to go to work. He held several jobs in his lifetime. His last employer was TriStar Satellite in North Wilkesboro.

Ellen Miller said she’s pleased that there seems to be a resolution to the case.

“I’m glad it’s opened up,” she said. “I’m glad this is finally come to a head. I just hope they find Margaret. If she did the crime, she needs to be punished.”

 

 

Plenty of ghostly happenings in Old Wilkesboro

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

You don’t have to travel very far to have supernatural experiences.

Otherworldly voices and unexplained orbs have been captured on recordings and photographs in Historic Wilkesboro.

Heather Osborne, a volunteer for Old Wilkes, Inc., has been giving ghost tours since 2006. During that time, she has seen, heard and felt several strange phenomenon.

The most recent of these came last Saturday, while giving a tour.

It was while Osborne was in the cemetery of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church that she, along with members of the Winston-Salem Paranormal Society (WSPS), began to snap photos with their digital cameras.

“We caught a lot of orbs (on camera) in the graveyard,” Osborne said. “The graveyard usually isn’t on the tours since the walk up the hill is so steep, but we went since members of WSPS were here. The orbs usually can’t be seen except on camera, but one of the members of WSPS saw one with her naked eye.”

According to some, orbs are believed to be disembodied spirits of the dead.

The strange, ball-shaped lights have also been photographed at the graveyard of the old Presbyterian Church. Other orbs, along with a ghostly face in the mirror, have been photographed in the Cleveland Cabin.

And, members of the Eastern Paranormal Investigators came to Wilkesboro in the winter of 2007. They captured EVP’s (electronic voice phenomenon) in the Old Wilkes Jail. One was what sounded like a grunt in the cell in which Tom Dooley was held and the other a female voice in the cell that Dooley’s lover, Anne Melton, had been held.

Other noises have been heard and captured on tape in the old Smithey Hotel, according to R.G. Absher, chairman of Old Wilkes Inc.

A short distance up the street, at the Brown-Cowles House, there is a cold spot in the driveway where a woman was said to have been killed when a buggy fell on top of her, Osborne said. She added that orbs have also been photographed at two smaller buildings behind the house – one which was used as a slave quarters and the other as a kitchen during the time before the Civil War.

Absher, who also organizes and leads ghost tours, said that Wilkesboro is becoming a popular place for investigators of the paranormal.

And, interest in the ghost tours have grown. Participant numbers average between 10 and 12 persons, Osborne said.

“This has been a really good year,” she said.

The next ghost tours are set for Saturday, Aug. 9, and Saturday, Sept. 13. All tours start at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per person.

When Osborne was asked: ‘Do you believe in ghosts?’ She answered, “I’ve always been skeptical, but I’ve experienced too much stuff not to believe in them.”

 

 

Cultural Arts Council of Wilkes to sponsor rock concert at Benton Hall

The Cultural Arts Council of Wilkes will sponsor a free rock and roll concert at Benton Hall on Saturday, July 19.

Two bands, Crusher Run and Anna’s Deeper Roots, will be performing in Critz Auditorium on the upper level of the Benton Hall, the home of Wilkes Playmakers, on D Street in North Wilkesboro.

Admission is free. Seating will be first come first serve in the 200-seat auditorium. Concessions will be available.

The Southern and classic rock stylings of Crusher Run will take the stage around 7 p.m. for a two-hour concert. The band, which made its debut at ChickenFest, features Bill Ellis (vocals and lead guitar), Jerry Lankford (guitar), Richie Feimster (drums and vocals) and Andy Rhodes (bass and vocals). The band will also have copies of its self-titled CD for sale.

About Crusher Run, local music promoter and co-owner of Minton Pawn & Music Mike Palmer said, “It’s rock and roll at its best. It’s the most authentic rock and roll music I’ve heard in Wilkes County in 15 years.”

The evening of music will begin around 6 p.m. with Anna’s Deeper Roots. The group features Anna Lankford (vocals, guitar), Rick Brockner (vocals, guitar and harmonica) and Rick Gaughan (vocals and bass). The band’s new CD, which was released at MerleFest 2008, will also be available for sale. The group performs original acoustic folk rock.

Speaking of Anna’s Deeper Roots, Palmer said, “It’s some of the most soothing, energetic music I’ve heard on harmonica, guitar and vocals. As for Gaughan’s bass playing…how can you get more enthusiastic playing from a musician? Some of the stuff Rick and Anna do remind me of some of the stuff Crosby, Stills Nash and Young put out back in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Anna, being as young as she is, being able to perform like she does, just amazes me.”

This is an alcohol-free family event.

This event is sponsored by the Cultural Arts Council of Wilkes through Grassroots Funding from the North Carolina Arts Council, who believes a great nation deserves art.

For more information call Bill Ellis at 667-3465 or Jerry Lankford at 667-0134.

 

 

Community Happenings

The East Wilkes High School varsity cheerleaders will have a Cheerleading Camp for all interested 3-8 grade students on Saturday, July 26, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at East Wilkes High School gym.  A dance, cheers, and chants will be taught.  The cost is $25 per child registered by July 18th.  Lunch will be provided at no additional cost.  T-shirts will be available to purchase for $12.00 each.  Same day registration of $30 per child will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Saturday morning.  To preregister or for more information, please call Lindsey Gregory at 336-244-8727.

 

Pleasant Home Baptist Church in Miller's Creek will have Vacation Bible School the week of July 20th through the 24th.  Classes are from 6:30 to 9:00 nightly. This year's theme is Outrigger Island. Everyone is invited to attend. There will be classes for all ages, including adults.  

 

A reunion will be held for all former members of Troy Oak Twirlers dance club.  All who have ever participated in western dance are invited to an ice cream social as the guest of the present members of the Troy Oak Club Western Square Dance club Friday, July 18 at 6 p.m. at the First Methodist Church in North Wilkesboro.  The club will furnish ice cream and cookies.

 

Need revival or healing? Come see us at Wilkes County Outpouring and Impartation, located at The House of Worship, Highway 18 N, three blocks above Pizza Hut. Service every Friday night at 7:00 p.m. All denominations welcome.

 

Learn more above global and local conservation issues through Wilkes Community College's Continuing Education Program.  Sessions begin July 10 to August 2, twelve sessions total.  Call 336-838-6203 for more information.

 

Upcoming Library Events: Monday, July 14: Steve Somers Bugs and Stuff at 10:00 a.m. All ages. Join Steve for lots of fun with stories, magic, puppets and more.

Monday, July 14: Monday Movies at 2:00 p.m. "Charlotte's Web"

Monday, July 14: Teen Game Tourney 6:00-7:30 p.m. This month we are hosting a Dance, Dance Revolution Tourney with prizes for the winner and first 2 runners up. There will be Pizza, Snacks and Drinks. So teens ages 13 and up grab your friends and chill out at the Library!

Tuesday, July 15: Story Time for ages 2 & Up with Special Guest "Lucky the Plott Hound!" Come learn about the Plott Hound, North Carolina's State Dog and meet Lucky and his handler Libby.

Thursday, July 17:  Field Trip to Rendezvous Mountain from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Monday, July 21: Teen Monday Movie from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 22: Red Herring Puppets! Puppet Show 2:00 p.m. Kids of all ages bring your whole family for a wonderful time watching unique handmade puppets of all sizes and shapes as they tell Aesop's Fables! Red Herring Puppets is a professional puppet troupe that has worked with Jim Henson Productions, Lucasfilm, PBS, UNC-TV, and Disney.

July Events at the Traphill Branch Library

Tuesday, July 15: 2:00 p.m. is Water Safety presented by one of the Rangers from Kerr Scott Lake. This program is open to all ages.

Tuesday, July 29: 2:00 Nature Ranger Program featuring one of the Rangers from Kerr Scott Lake and some special live animals.