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Source:  Tennessee State Library & Archives Microfilm  — States Graphic — Brownsville, Tennessee — Volume 49 No. 31 — Friday, July 10, 1908

THE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE — met Tuesday, including Dr. W. H. MOODY, J. G. GOODMAN, Emory BATCHELOR, Ben BURLISON, and R. W. COX.

NEGRO ESCAPES ARGRY MOB; SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — Clergy BALLARD of this city was cut to pieces by a wild negro early this morning while he was defending his home from a fiendish brute who had been caught in his daughter’s room. The negro, Joe JAMES, was captured at daylight and was rescued from a mob of infuriated people by the police. His identification is complete. The crime was one of the most cold blooded ever committed in this city. BALLARD and family, who live in a modest home in the northern part of the city had retired about midnight. A short time later Blanche, the sixteen old daughter, was awakened by the presence of someone in the room. A shout awakened the father, who sprang from the bed and started for the front door. As he stepped out he met the negro coming around the corner. The negro had a small knife in his hand and with this stabbed BALLARD, who was unarmed, thirteen times. The wounded man was rushed to the hospital, where he died at 11 a. m. this morning.

“UNCLE REMUS” LAID TO REST; ALTANTA, GA. — During a heavy thunderstorm, with the rains coming down in torrents, the remains of Joel Chandler HARRIS, the author and journalist, who was so well known as “Uncle Remus, “was laid to rest in West View Cemetery, on the outskirts of this city today. Previous to the interment, brief psalm services were held at Mr. HARRIS’ late residence, followed by the obsequies at St. Anthony’s Chapel, where Father JACKSON officiated. Shortly before 4 p. m., the hour set for the funeral, a heavy thunderstorm began, with sharp lightening and a downpour.

NEWS OF THE WEEK —

The Rev. T. H. FEAGIN, a leading Baptist preacher, of Texas, was killed by lightening while conducting a revival meeting at China, Texas. He had just called upon sinners to repent.

An indictment charging murder in the first degree has been returned against C. B. MEADOWS, the Fort Worth, Texas engineer, held as as a suspect in the Houston’s alleged trunk murder mystery.

LOCAL NEWS —

Peter BELL, a well known and industerious negro residing seven miles west of town, died Sunday and was buried Monday in the Mercer cemetery.

J. L. WINDROW, residing two miles from town, is confined to his room with a broken leader in his left leg. His horse fell down with him and caused the injury.

Columbus FLOWERS, age 12 years, son of Samuel FLOWERS, residing near Tibbs, was struck by lightening Monday afternoon and instantley killed, while working in the field.

O. D. RUSSELL & Co. doing a grocery and hardware business here, made an application Saturday to be declared bankrupt. The reason of this was on account of poor collections.

Edward CLEMENS died at his home in the Sixth district on the 4th inst, last and was buried at the Taliaferro burying ground on Sunday, Elder AIKEN conducting the service. He was well known in the county, at different times being employed as clerk in several of the stores here. He was a member of the Christian church and 43 years old. He married a Miss WHITELAW, who survives him.

Floyd PARKS, son of John PARKS, residing eleven miles north of Brownsville, came home from Mayflower, Ark., in a wounded condition, as a result of a shotgun accident. On July 4th, he and his brother-in-law were handling a gun and by some means it exploded. The explosion glazed Floyd’s knee and inflicted a painful, but not serious wound.

Mrs. Maria L. McKAY, who was a girl reared here and married to Maj. Gil McKAY in 1855, died at her home in Marshall, Texas on June 20th. As a girl, and young matron, she was noted for her lovely disposition and beautiful person as well as accomplishments. Major McKAY was killed at the battle of Mansfield in 1863 and his widow, loyal to his memory, never married again. She leaves a son and daughter, both married in Texas, and several relatives here.

We clip the following from the Grant (Okla) Democrat; “Perhaps the friends and acquaintances of Mr. Geo. D. RUDD will be very much surprised to learn of his death. Mr. RUDD moved from Stanton, Tenn., to Grant in February 1906, and while there made many friends, he lived in Grant for about four months, when his health began to fail, then he moved to the mountains, near Ozark, Ark., where he resided up till Saturday June 20th, at 3 p. m. when the death angel called for him and told that time was to be no more. “Mr, RUDD was for years a magistrate in the Third district of this county. His death will be deeply deplored by his many friends here.

A negro, signing his name as Julius GLENN, forged the name of W. T. BULLIFIN, a local capitalist, to two checks last week and succeeded in obtaining merchandise and money on them before the fraud was discovered.

MR. WILLIAM T. SHERMAN — once well known in this city and county, died at his residence in Sheffield, Ala., on Thursday last, aged about 60 years. The remains were brought here and buried Oakwood Cemetery, on Sunday last, the Woodsmen of the World and Rev. H. G. HENDERSON conducting the services. Thirty years ago few men were better known in town than Will SHERMAN, first as city marshel and later as mayor, both of which offices he filled honorably and well. As a man, he had many friends and was popular with all classes, and his memory will long be cherished. About twenty years since he moved to Alabama and since he made his home there. After leaving here he married his second wife, who with a grown son survive as well as two children by his first marriage, Mrs. J. M. COX, of this place and Walter SHERMAN of Sheffield.

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL —

Mr. Will SCOTT and Miss Ethel SUMNERS were married Monday afternoon at the residence of Mr. Sam MULHERON, Rev. C. O. N. MARTINDALE officiating, and left immediately on the 6:30 train for their wedding tour.

John W. EZELLE and Miss Adolie Justine CASTELETON were married at the home of the bride’s parents in Sealy. Texas, June 4th. Mr. EZELLE is the manager of the telephone company at Sealy.

Traprather WELLS, of Hickman, Ky., spent the fourth with his mother, Mrs. J. O. RYAN.

Abb SANGSTER, of Memphis, was the guest of his sister, Mrs. M. L. DAVIS, last week.

J. RAINES was called to Shelbyville on account of the serious illness of his mother.

Mrs. J. A. DUPREE and Mrs. John CROWDER are visiting their brother, Rev. Jas. ANDERSON, in Conway, Ark.

Miss Ethel King PATE, of Lauderdale County, is attending the bedside of her grandmother, Mrs. J. D. SUDDATH, who while walking in her garden, fell and broke one of her limbs.

Mrs. Robson RELFE and two children, Nicholson and Mary Dell, and little niece, Martha HENLEY, have been visiting Mrs. R. Y. MOSES, left Monday for their home in Alabama.