Wash Gibbs had been married less than a year to Bessie McDowell and they had an infant daughter named Annie, when he was shot by Ed Haney. After his death Bessie married Tom Ballew. Annie was raised by the Gibbs family. This is the story of his murder and trial as reported in the newspapers at the time.

The Progressive Farmer, April 24, 1900

(l-r standing) Wash Gibbs, his sister Maggie
(l-r sitting) father, Calvin Gibbs, possibly his mother & grandfather, Robert Gibbs

Wash Gibbs gravestone
Gibbs Cemetery, Celo, Yancey County, North Carolina