McLennan County Newspaper Clippings
| Fort Worth Morning Register WALTER FORD KILLED HIS SWEETHEART Brutally and Wantonly Murdered Her Through Insane Jealousy Waco, Tex., Oct. 27 - Walter Ford, the 22-year-old negro, was hanged today for the murder of his sweetheart, Lucinda Moore, a 17 year old negro girl, on June 25, 1898. Ford set up a plea of insanity as a last resort, but the jury declared him to be sane. On the scaffold he was as cool as if eating a meal and said that he did not feel condemned, but was ready to go. His neck was broken and the body did not move. A rainy, dismal night was the last that Walter Ford spent on earth, and a dark and gloomy morning opened up today. When he awoke he asked Mr. Whaley the watch how many people had visited him yesterday. The answer was, "About eleven hundred." He remarked that he felt as bright as a cricket and halloed through the bars in a loud voice to some friend he saw on the outside. He sang a few bars of a son in a loud voice while getting water to bathe his face. After brushing his hair he swept the floor of his cell very industriously and then lighted a cigarette and smoked it while pacing up and down the length of his cell. Ford's counsel paid him a visit just before 10 o'clock and had a few moments, conversation with him. Ford greeted Mr. Jordan cordially and agreed that everything possible had been done to save him. A drizzling rain did not dampen the ardor of the crown outside, which was constantly increasing in numbers. Sheriff Baker came up about 10:30 and asked Walter if he had any choice of time for the execution the limit being between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ford answered that he wanted it over as soon as possible and further ore expected his relatives to take his body away on the 12 o'clock train. It was decided then that the execution should take place at 12 o'clock as it would not be possible to catch the train anyway. When everything was ready for the execution he talked about 20 minutes and then the summons came. Sheriff Baker came in at 12:05 and asked if everything was ready. The answer was yes. The sheriff retired and returned in a few minutes and with the prisoner left the jail and entered the rear yard. The prisoner was not handcuffed and ran up the steps of the scaffold nimbly. On the scaffold Ford said: Hello, Mr. Sparks. Well this is my last hour on earth. I will meet you again in heaven. Am getting along fine and am ready to go. I don't feel condemned, but the white folks say so, and I am ready. I hope to meet you all in heaven. This man here, he is all right. (Referring to H. P. Jordan, his attorney). I feel fine. Will meet you all in heaven. That's all I got to say.: Rev. J. A. Dennis offered the following prayer: We thak Thee our Heavenly Father for the great state of Texas, for our great country, for our faithful officials, for the justice that has been meted out to this one. He prayed our Heavenly Father that his soul may be received into your hands. These blessings we ask in behalf of him who stands before Thee this grand day. Amen. Ford said, Let me look at that - the black cap. How does it go, this way? Putting on the camp himself. The black cap was adjusted at 12:15 and the noose was adjusted immediately. His hands and feet were securely tied after which Sheriff Baker asked the prisoner if he was ready. He answered yes and the drop fell at 12:18 launching him into eternity. There was not a sound, not the movement of a muscle. After hanging 13 minutes Drs. C. T. Walker, N. A. Olive and C. E. Smith pronounced life extinct and the body was cut down and placed in the coffin. WALTER FORD'S CRIME On June 25, 1898, Walter Ford went to the home of Lucinda Moore, his 17 year old sweetheart on South Fourth street, for the purpose of getting some personal belonging which he had left there. Ford had been in the habit of leaving things at the girl's home and nothing was thought of his visit. Ford claimed that when he asked her for the razor the girl said, Yes I'll give you a razor and rushed at him with the sharp weapon. He said he then pulled his pistol and began shooting. He did not tell this story for a long while, however, and as no one saw it, not the least credence was placed in it. Jealousy is supposed to have been the cause of the tragedy. Lucinda Moore was a bright mulatto girl not quite 17 years old and Ford was not quite 22 when the murder was committed. He was captured at once by the officers and on his trial sentenced to death. His attorney H. P. Jordan asked for a new trial which was not granted and the case was appealed. The court of criminal appeals affirmed the decision of the lower court and Ford was sentenced by Judge Scott on June 9 to hang July 14. On July 13 Governor Savers respited him until his sanity could be inquired into. Jordan then circulated a petition asking that the death sentence be commuted to a life time term in the penitentiary setting up the grounds that Ford was crazy. In connection with the petition was a strong letter from Dr. D. R. Wallace of this city a very prominent physician and something of a scientist who stated that he had applied every known test to Ford and believed that the negro was crazy. Ford was tried for insanity but was adjudged to be sane, and his execution set for today. (October 28, 1899, page 2, transcribed by Peggy Thompson) |
Dallas Morning News Preparations for the hanging of King Sims on the 24th instant are being completed. The contractor has selected the timbers for the gallows and will begin to put them together soon. Mr. Lee Slaughter, the architect who furnished the plan, said: I have not entirely followed the model of the old scaffold used so often here. It worked well, but I did not like one feature. The trap constituted the platform upon which the condemned man, the ministers, officers, guards, doctors and the sheriff all stood until the time came for the drop and then there was a rush down the steps, which did not perhaps, reassure the poor fellow who could not run with the others. Instead of having the whole floor a trap, I will make a spacious and rigid platform with a trap sufficiently wide each way to allow an unimpeded drop. I shall take every precaution against accident and if I have time I will remain near the execution until the close. King Sims is a tall, slender man of gingerbread color, with a blotched face. Replying to questions by a News reporter, he said: I never done it. The dead man’s clothes I won from the boys along with their money. Yes, I can read a little, but I don’t want any books. They would not help me now. No, sire, no colored preacher has been to see me. Yes, I would like to have one come. I ain’t a member but I goes to Baptist meetings mostly, and Methodists, too. I sleeps pretty well after 10 or 11 of nights, and I eats, too. I smoke cigarettes, but do not chew. I have no hope of escaping the order of the judge. Them witnesses that proved it on me didn’t treat me good. I am innocent. Sheriff Ford has applied to Judge Goodrich for a change in his order so as to allow a public execution. Hitherto hangings in Waco have taken place in the jail yard. This causes a great scramble for positions of view of surrounding housetops, walls, upstairs, back balconies, trees. In some places owners charge for places, reserved seats being extra and it is thought one or two parties intended in the present instance to erect pavilions or grand stands, on near by lots, high enough to overlook the jail inclosure, which is fifteen feet high. To prevent the accidents such conditions would appear to invite most seriously the sheriff thinks the course pointed out above would be much the best, and if Judge Goodrich consents, tomorrow he will select the grounds. (June 14, 1892, page 7, transcribed by Peggy Thompson) |
Kalamazoo Gazette Waco, Tex., June 23 – King Sims, the 20 year old negro who murdered Edward Brandon, a cotton planter, for money to pay his mistress’ fine, was hanged here Friday. At 1:47 Sims mounted the gallows and after prayer made a long and rambling confession of his guilt. At 1:55 the drop fell and he was slowly strangled to death. His convulsions and gasps for a few minutes were terrible. At 2:08 he was pronounced dead and at 2:11 the body was cut down. (June 26, 1892, page 3, transcribed by Peggy Thompson) |
Dallas Morning News Waco, Tex., June 13 – James S. Flanagan and his son Frank, who were arrested yesterday and lodged in the county jail, were visited in their cells this afternoon by a News reporter. The father proved communicative, and the son standing near listened, but said nothing which may be construed as tacitly admitting the father’s explanation. My son keeps a small store, the elder Flanagan said. He deals in general merchandise. He resides with my family, No. 1605, Edgefield addition, Waco. My daughter, Louise is 16 years old. Her mother and my son Frank who is here with me, called my attention to persistent visits of a young man to places where my daughter frequented. I saw nothing to object to in this person’s intentions to my daughter until I received a letter from a lady in Greenville, Hunt County, Tex., stating that my daughter’s admirer and visitor was the lawfully wedded wife of the writer. This caused me much pain and we took steps to stop the business. Yesterday the young man passed the house and pausing appeared to seek to attract Louise’s attention. My son, Frank, became very angry and seizing a Winchester started out to shoot the party. That he avowed to be his intention. Desiring to preserve the peace and prevent bloodshed, although equally anxious to stop the visits, I restrained Frank and endeavored to wrest the gun from him. In the struggle the gun went off. It was this disturbance that caused our arrest and incarceration. My son did not intend to shoot me, nor did I intend to hurt him. The bullet did no injury. ( June 14, 1892, page 7, transcribed by Peggy Thompson) |
Daily Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, Gila County Arizona October 3 1907 McLennan County Man Shoots Enemy to Death |
Dallas Morning News 10-06-1954 Dr. Walter Morris Sykes, 75, Former Dallas Surgeon, Dies |
M. W. Stewart A Suicide Took Carbolic Acid at the Eagle Club Rooms This Morning – Burial Takes Place at Waco M. W. Stewart lies died in this city as a result of carbolic acid poisoning, self-administered. Deceased had been drinking, and just after midnight, in the Eagle club rooms, over Branagan’s store, he called for a glass, poured the contents from a bottle into it, and drank it down. Those standing near did not have time to realize what had been done before it was all over. The man, suffering from the burns of the acid, said, “Call Dr. Parsons,” but before medical aid could be summoned he was dead. He died in about twenty minutes after taking the poison. Stewart had given no intimation that he contemplated killing himself, and so far as known, he left no note giving a reason for his act. He attended the Bradt funeral yesterday afternoon, and seemed very much affected over the death of his friend, and cried a great deal, and on his way home went by the Martin Laundry, where he worked as marker, and told his wife to wait at the door until he got a package. He returned immediately, but with nothing in his hand. The bottle from which the drug was taken was recognized as the one used on his desk in mixing ink for marking purposes. And this is supposed to be the package he stopped for on his way home from the funeral. Stewart was an Odd Fellow, A K. of P., and an Eagle. He leaves a wife and three small children. The remains will be carried to Waco for burial. Justice Dexter was called on to hold the inquest. It is asserted that Stewart had attempted suicide twice before. [Palestine Daily Herald, Palestine, Texas, December 30, 1907. Transcribed and Submitted to Dale Donlon] |
Julia Hyman Waco, Texas – Mrs. Julia Hyman, aged 63, died Friday morning at the family residence, 407 N. 4th street, after quite a lengthy illness. Services were conducted at the residence, Rabbi S. Levy officiating. Interment at Hebrew Rest. The following children survive: Mrs. L. Lipman, Mrs. J. W. Lockett, Harry Hyman, Waco; Leo Hyman, West Hoboken, N. J.; G. N. Hyman, Brenham. To these the most sincere sympathy is tendered. [The Jewish Herald, Houston, Texas, September 14, 1911. Transcribed as written by D. Donlon] |
Sarah Hart Waco, Texas – Mrs. Sarah Hart, wife of S. L. Hart, aged 49, died last Tuesday at 1:40 p.m., after a long illness. Mrs. Hart left four children and a widowed sister to mourn with her devoted husband – Messrs. Louis, Ralph and Abe Hart, Miss Goldye Hart and Mrs. Lena Aaron, and also a niece, Miss Gussie Oscar. There are many friends here and elsewhere who loved Mrs. Hart for her many virtues. The remains were carried to Calvert, the girlhood home of the deceased, and interred in the family burying ground. Rabbi Warsaw accompanied the family and performed the last rites. [The Jewish Herald, Houston, Texas. September 14, 1911. Transcribed as written by D. Donlon] |
The Waco Evening News, Waco, Texas Burial of George Kittle The burial of George Kittle, who was shot by Hattie Tyree, on Tuesday morning last, and who breathed his last at 2:45 p.m., Wednesday, was buried this afternoon at 1 o’clock, Father Badelon officiating. The pall bearerers were Mina Byars, George Fields, Thomas Nason, Phil, Hogan, Abe Berlin, Ed McGuire. The deceased was born at Taylorsville, Illinois, and at the time of his death was 30 years of age. Just before his death his father was telegraphed to the above place, and an answer was received that he had moved to the state of New York, but his address was not known. |
Vernon Pioneer (Lamar County, AL), March 27, 1878 “Four handed Duel in Bryan, Texas” A terrible shooting affray and four-handed duel occurred in the streets of Bryan, Middle Texas, on the 19th ult. Their names were Hodges, Rush, Irwin, and another party whose name could not be ascertained. The cause of the difficulty is supposed to have been an old feud. All four began shooting simultaneously, and persons near the scene fled. Spectators say it looked like a small skirmish. Two men were left on the field wounded, one mortally and one dead. Fifteen shots were fired. Rush was struck in the hip by a pistol ball, and fell early in the action dangerously wounded. A man named Morrison, a citizen who drove up in a buggy at the commencement of the row, and who was merely a spectator, was shot and it was supposed, mortality wounded. Irwin was killed. The affair created intense excitement in and around Bryan.[Transcribed and submitted by Veneta McKinney] |
| Journal-Advance 9/15/1905 Judge Torbet, of Waco, Tex., has been visiting his nephew, C. S. Hedges, at Decatur for the past week or so. The Judge is quite an interesting character. He has resided in Waco 55 years, and lived in Texas when that state was a republic, was a soldier in the Mexican war and an Indian fighter when that part of the country was on the wild frontier. He had held many public offices the country in which he resides and has been quite a force in the development of the great state of which he is proud to acknowledge as his home. [Transcribed and submitted by Tina Easley.] |
| The
Vernon Courier
(Lamar County AL) April 29, 1887 Fort Worth, Texas. April 19. Two men drove up to the residence of William Tubbs, Sr., living four miles north of Crawford, and said they wished to see the man of the house, to whom they made the following disclose: In 1865, an Indian woman, fearing that she would be plundered by Yankee raiders, buried an iron vessel, containing $1000 in gold, under a corner of the house now occupied by Mr. Tubbs. Upon moving away she concluded it was safest to leave it where it was. Upon her deathbed a short time ago she revealed the secret to the two men just spoken of, and in return for kindness shown her these parties she bequeathed to them the buried treasure. Requesting Mr. Tubbs’ permission to dig under the house, they all proceeded to the spot and commenced to dig at the spot indicated by the Indian women the iron pot was unearthed. In the vessel was found a canvass bay containing a large amount of gold coin, exactly how much Mr. Tubbs is unable to state, possible $1000 or $1500. After the above facts had become generally known, Captain Bewley, who lives near Mr. Tubbs, said that on last Monday afternoon, while plowing in a field near his house he perceived sticking to the earth’s shining substance. Upon investigation it proved a $20 gold piece. He thought nothing strange of this. As he plowed on he found more gold pieces, and he was so aroused upon the subject that he called his hired help, Ed. Carpenter, from another part of the field. By nightfall they had succeeded altogether in picking up 282 $20 gold pieces, which amounts to $5,640. This startling discovery has set the country wild and every person who owns as much as ten acres of ground has gone to digging for gold. Slack Henson, who was in town Monday, says he found $35 in Confederate money in an old Bois d’Arc stump on his place, but he refused to sell. In 1849 the Tonkawa Indians sold to the Texas government a part of their reservation for $40,000 in gold. As the tribes were encamped for nine months where Captain Bewleys’ farm is, it is probable that they hid a part for all of this money where they were. Bewley thinks there is more gold hidden in his field, so he has posted his entire farm and warns any and all persons upon pain of death not to come on his place with a pick. – [Transcribed and Submitted by Veneta McKinney] |
| CARRIE
BELLE LITTERAL JENNINGS Mrs Carrie Jennings, 89, of 820 Jeffrey, died Saturday morning at her home. Funeral services will be at 4 pm Monday in the Wilkirson and Hatch chapel, Rev W.G. Whitaker and Rev Ronnie McManus officiating. Burial will be in Waco Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be the grandsons. Mrs Jennings was daughter of Mr and Mrs J.L. Litteral and granddaughter of Thomas H Barron, who served as a Texas Ranger in 1836. He was one of the original Rangers who helped establish Fort Fisher. Mrs Jennings came to Waco in 1968 from Lorena, where she was a member of the Lorena Methodist Church. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs P.M. Dickson of 1809 Reuter, Mrs Earl Kincannon of Lorena and Mrs Kenneth Greer of Treasure Island, Florida; five sons, Garvice Jennings of El Paso, Smith Jennings of Tuscon, Arizona, Elmer Lee Jennings of Kerrville, James Eugene Jennings of Spencer, Oklahoma, and Ray Jennings of Houston; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. [ The Waco News-Tribune | Waco, Texas | 1 Jun 1974 - transcribed as written by Nancy Price ] |
| JOSEPHINE
JENNINGS KINCANNON Mrs Earl "Josephine" Kincannon, 98, of Waco, died Saturday October 26, 2002 at St Elizabeth's. Services will be at 1 pm Tuesday, October 29 at the Regis Chapel, 400 Austin Avenue, with Dr Ted Powers officiating. Burial will be at Waco Memorial North. Services under the direction of Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 1124 Washington. Mrs Kincannon was born January 16, 1904 in the Blevins community, Falls County to James T. and Carrie Belle Litteral Jennings. She was the granddaughter of Josephine Barron Litteral and Great-granddaughter of Texas Ranger Captain Thomas Hudson Barron. She married Ear Kincannon October 22, 1927. He preceded her in death of July 19, 1975. She was also preceded in death by sisters, Rowena Greer and Lucille Dickson; and brothers, Roland, Elmer Lee, Smith and Ray Jennings. Mrs Kincannon was a member of First United Methodist Church where she was active in the Home builders Sunday School Class. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for more than ten ears. Survivors include brothers, Garvice Jennings and wife Drue Jennings of Sugar Lane and James E Jennings and wife Robin of Lakeside, California, sister-in-law, Kathryn Jennings of Tuscon, Arizona; brother-in-law, N.K. Greer of Waco; and numerous nieces and nephew's including Carol Greer Mann of Waco. The family wishes to thank the residences, employees and volunteers at the Regis and St Elizabeth for their concern, love, and care for the past eight years. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels. [Waco Tribune Herald | Waco, Texas | 28 Oct 2002 | transcribed as written by Nancy Price ] |
| EARL
KINCANNON
Earl Kincannon, 75, of 3825 North Twenty-third, died at 11:45 pm Saturday in a local hospital. Funeral services: 10 am Monday at Wilkirson-Hatch Chapel, Rev B.C. Duggar and Rev Calvin Easterling officiating, burial in Waco Memorial Park. Survivors: Wife, Mrs Earl Kincannon of 3825 North Twenty-third; two sisters, Miss Retta Kincannon of 2500 Cumberland, Mrs Eula Harding of 1100 Camp Drive; three brothers, Claud Kincannon of 3820 Hubby, Garland Kincannon of Bruceville, R.J. Kincannon of Temple; several nieces and nephews. Active pallbearers: Thomas McBrayer, Bill Evans, Tab Huntsinger, Edward Cummings, J.R. Hunter, Harold Gretzner. [ The Waco Times-Herald | Waco, Texas | 21 Jul 1975 - transcribed as written by Nancy Price ] |
| PIERRE
MORAN DICKSON
P.M. (Dick) Dickson, 75, of 1809 Reuter died at a local hospital Wednesday morning. Services will be at 2:30 pm Friday at Wilkirson and Hatch Funeral Home, the Rev W.G. Whittaker officiating. Burial will be in Waco Memorial Park. Mr Dickson was born and reared in Moody. He attended Four-C Business School. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Home Builders Bible Class. He married Lucille Jennings March 28, 1928 in Eddy. He worked at Cogdell's from 1936 until his retirement in 1965. Survivors include his wife; a sister, Mrs R.E. Stone of Midland; and a brother M.I. Dickson of 3408 Bagby. The family has designated the organ fund of the First United Methodist Church for memorials.[ The Tribune Herald | Waco, Texas | 28 Feb 1979 - transcribed as written by Nancy Price ] |
| JAMES
ELMER DICKSON James Elmer Dickson, 46, of 1809 Reuter died Wednesday morning. Services will be at 1 pm Thursday at Wilkirson and Hatch Funeral Home, the Rev Dick Freeman and the Rev W.G. Whitaker officiating. Burial will be in Waco Memorial Park. Mr Dickson was born in Blevins and moved in Waco in 1939. He attended Waco schools and was a member of First United Methodist Church. He is survived by his parents, Mr and Mrs P.M. Dickson of 1809 Reuter.[ Waco Tribune-Herald | Waco, Texas | 2 Nov 1977 - transcribed as written by Nancy Price ] |
| LUCILLE
JENNINGS DICKSON
Lucille Dickson, 95, of Regis Retirement Center, died Friday, October 18, 2002, at St Elizabeth's. Services will be held at 1 pm Tuesday, October 22 at the Regis Chapel, 400 Austin Avenue, with Dr Ted Powers officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial North. Mrs Dickson was born May 15, 1907, in the Blevins community in Falls County to James T. and Carrie Belle Litteral Jennings. she was the granddaughter of Josephine Barron Litteral and great granddaughter of Texas Ranger Captain Thomas Hudson Barron. she married P.M. Dickson March 24, 1928. He preceded her in death on February 28, 1979. She was also preceded in death by her son, James Elmer Dickson; a sister, Rowena Greer; and four brothers, Roland, Elmer Lee, Smith and Ray Jennings. Mrs Dickson was a member of First United Methodist Church where she was active in the Home Builders Sunday School Class from 1936 to 1995. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for more than ten years. Survivors include a sister, Josephine Kincannon of Waco; two brothers, Garvice Jennings and wife, Drue, of Sugar Land and James E Jennings and wife, Robin, of Lakeside, California; sister-in-law Kathryn Jennings of Tucson Arizona; brother-in-law, N.K. Greer of Waco; numerous nieces and nephews including Carol Greer Mann and Richard and Doris Stone, all of Waco. The family wishes to thank the residents, employees and volunteers at the Regis for their concern, love and care for the past eight years. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels.[ Waco Tribune Herald | Waco, Texas | 20 October 2002 | transcribed by Nancy Price ] |
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Dallas
Morning News
West, McLennan County , Tex. , June 24. – Mrs. Hettie, wife of J. A. Harrell, died at her home six miles east of this place Tuesday. She was buried Wednesday at Bold Springs Cemetery , Elder R. D. Smith conducting the funeral services. Mrs. Harrell underwent an operation last Monday in Waco for appendicitis and death followed as a result. She was 62 years old and leaves a husband and several children to mourn her loss. [Transcribed and Submitted by Marla Zwakman] |
| Dallas
Morning News 26 Oct. 1918 Waco , Texas , Oct. 25. – The funeral of Mrs. Martha E. Ellisor, aged 71, who died yesterday afternoon at her home here, took place this afternoon. She was born in South Carolina , but had been a resident of Waco for forty-seven years. She is survived by two sons and four daughters. One of the daughters is Mrs. John Racugno of Dallas . [Transcribed and Submitted by Marla Zwakman] |
| Dallas
Morning News 26 Oct. 1918 Waco , Texas , Oct. 25. – Mrs. Edna Katz, aged 28, died early yesterday afternoon. Spanish influenza with pneumonia, was the cause of death. She had been ill less than a week. Mrs. Katz was born and reared in Gainesville , but had lived here for the last ten years. She is survived by her husband, Louis S. Katz, a little daughter, and other relatives. [Transcribed and Submitted by Marla Zwakman] |
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Dallas
Morning News
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