Source: From the Christine L. Carlton Photograph Collection PhC.226, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC.
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Edit: Researched by Stephen P. Hall, "there is about 70% chance that this is a photo of Edward G BOONE (b. April 1884 - d. 05 Feb 1918).

He left the family farm in Stoney Creek, NC and by 1910 was living in a boarding house, in Rocky Mount, NC and working as a railroad brakeman. He was crushed and killed, between two trains cars in a railroad repair yard accident in Feb. 1918.

I checked city directories, and census records, and he is the only black man of the correct age, and location with the initials "E G B" in this area of Nash County. Edward's father Frank and other family members are listed in Rocky Mount, NC as early as 1907."