Nacogdoches County Texas News

TEXAS COURT DEALS OUT SWIFT JUSTICE
Jim Buchanan Charged with Murder of Hicks Family, Arraigned Before the Judge
Pleads Guilty, Is Sentenced and Legally Hanged Two Hours After Sentence
Nacogdoches, Tex., Oct. 17 – Jim Buchanan, the Negro, the murderer of the Hicks family, was tried here today. A plea of guilty was accepted by the judge and the Negro was legally hanged within two hours after sentence had been passed. Buchanan was brought here under the protection of five companies of militia. Upon his arrival the Negro was immediately turned over to Sheriff Spradley, who told the people that he would be given a speedy trial. The town began to fill up rapidly and the excitement was intense. The telegraph wires were cut, the railroad tracks torn up for a short distance and it was announced that an attempt would be made to get possession of Buchanan. District court was at once convened, a jury was impaneled without delay and the Negro’s plea of guilty accepted by the court. The judge ordered that the death sentence be executed November 17, but many people announced that they would have no delay. Buchanan, then waived the thirty days allowed him by law and was hanged by Sheriff Spradley in the jail yard, in the presence of a large crowd.
Ten days ago the dead bodies of Farmer Hicks, his wife and daughter were found in the Hicks home, and Sheriff Spradley began a search for the murderer. A week later, Jim Buchanan was arrested and confessed of the murder.
The news of the Negro’s confession spread rapidly and a mob of several hundred people marched after the sheriff and his deputies, with the intention of securing possession of the Negro and burning him at the stake. Sheriff Spradley and his deputies refused to give over the prisoner and later they were joined by Sheriff Boers of San Augustine county. The two officers through a ruse finally succeeded in spiriting off the Negro away to the parish jail at Shreveport. Buchanan was next taken to the jail at Henderson and a company of militia was ordered out to protect him from violence. A mob formed and it was feared a collision with the troops would result in serious bloodshed. Two more companies of militia were dispatched to Henderson when the Negro came into Nacogdoches, he was guarded by five companies of militia. [Omaha World Herald, October 18, 1902, page 7, transcribed by Peggy Thompson]

Free Preacher for Marrying Young Couple in Jail
Sept. 18 -- The grand jury returned a no-bill against Rev. L. T. Shelton, 64, preacher-blacksmith and not only freed him but also granted amnesty to Hubert Cook, 31, whose courtship difficulties led to the minister-smith's incarceration for nine hours after he had married the Cook boy and a 13 year old girl at the jail. Rev. Mr. Shelton was charged in a bill of complaint with being an accessory after the fact in the case of Cook who was held on a statutory charge.
[Abilene Reporter News, September 19, 1926, transcribed by Amanda Jowers]