HINES, R.H. – (d. 1901)
Fatal Accident: Deputy Sheriff in Tennessee Shot and Instantly Killed – Deputy Sheriff R.H. Hines, of Elljay, Blount county, Tennessee, was accidentally shot and instantly killed at Maryville, the county seat, at 10 o’clock last night. With his uncle, Sheriff Pickens, he had gone to jail, on hearing noises that caused them to think prisoners were attempting to escape. The alarm proved false. As Sheriff Pickens stooped over to place coal in a stove, his pistol dropped from his pocket to the floor, one cartridge exploding and the ball entering Hines’ right breast.
Source: January 22, 1901 issue of the Columbus Daily Enquirer of Columbus, GA