How Did They Die? Murders in N. Texas

In the summer of 2007, I began gathering newspaper articles about murders in the North Texas area. Some were prominent men and women and some were working class people working in the oil fields or farming or doing a simple job to make ends meet. Stories that I have written go as far west as Amarillo and Childress with many in the Wichita, Clay, Montague, Young, Baylor and Archer Counties plus several in Dallas County, Texas. I am writing about the murder that Burk Burnet committed, the story about the Santa Claus robbery in Eastland Co. TX which had many ties to Wichita County, TX and even the murder of Patrick Swayze's grandfather in Wichita Co. TX.

My project began as a simple one, to write about 25 stories about people who were murdered. To release some of the hidden secrets in some of our family genealogies. What started out as a simple, short book has turned into an enormous labor of love. I have become attached to each and every person involved with these murders and I have researched their family genealogy, places of burial and other interesting tidbits about their existence.

I am still in the process of writing my book and as of October 2008 I have written 96 murder stories so far with more stories to go.

Along the way, I have looked for suicides, murder/suicides and accidents that were reported in the early papers and I have included briefs on these happenings also. Locations and/or addresses are included when available.

Everything was reported in the paper in the first part of the 1900's. In some of the trials, the entire trial transcript can be found in the paper. Suicide was not hidden to the public. Details of how a person killed themselves was very explicit. These are things that were brushed under the rug and kept within an immediate family, never to be spoken about again.

Now, you can read about these deaths in my new book!

Pre-orders will be taken before the book is actually printed to determine how many books will need to be ordered in the first run.

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO READ ABOUT NORTH TEXAS HISTORY THAT IS NOT IN THE FORMAL HISTORY BOOKS!

If you would like to be put on my private mailing list so that I can notify you when the book is finished, please e mail me at neatstuffgifts@aol.com

Partial Table of Contents - NOT Complete! Work in Progress.

1. Foster Crawford and Elmer “The Kid” Lewis Bank Robbery in Wichita Falls, Texas

2. Hattie Pearl Baxter and A.J. Sanders Poisoning in Archer County, Texas

3. Irl Dycus, J.A. Norwood and O.W. Robison Found Dead on R.R. Tracks in Wichita Falls, TX

4. Christopher C. Mills, Arthur Mills and Hiner C. Patton Axe Murder in Belknap, Texas

5. Mike J. and Emma Crowell Dead at Bottom of Stairs in Clay County, TX

6. Mrs. Walter Allen and Lillie Wheatley Shot Husband’s Mistress in Wichita Falls, TX

7. David M. Coffey and Sam Barnett Killed Brother in Law in Wichita County, Texas

8. Alvin G. Hard, Harry Brown & Deputy John Staley Killed Father in Law and Deputy In Wichita Falls, Texas

9. Ed Hardwick and Frank Rembert Stabbed in Downtown Wichita Falls

10. John Lee Hosch and John Clinton Browning Killed Brother in Law in Wichita Falls, TX

11. Frank S. Hursh and Alba Randall Hursh Shot Wife on Streets of Wichita Falls, TX

12. Charles Morgan and Jim Jones Shot Man in Electra, Texas

13. Jesse Fletcher and Jessie Burklow (Burkleo) Killed Niece’s Husband in Randlett, OK

14. Milton J. King and Essie Marie Glasscock Girl Poisoned in Byers, Texas

15. Oneta White and J.C. Hampton Halloween Night Hit and Run Near Iowa Park, TX

16. William J. Haynes and Simeon Burton Parker Killed Neighbor in Wichita Falls, Texas

17. John Beal Sneed and Albert Gallatin Boyce, Sr. Killed Father of Wife’s Lover in Ft. Worth, TX

18. Mack Taylor and Willis T. Chiles Killed Brother in Law in Holliday, Texas

19. Samuel Burk Burnett and Farley P. Sayers Killed in Men’s Room in Paducah, TX

20. Sterling White and Beulah Lee Shot Former Fiancé at Party in Clay County, TX

21. Ernest Davis and John and Jeff Loyd Teenage Boy Killed With Pipe In Clay County, Texas

22. John Beal Sneed and Al Boyce, Jr. Kills Wife’s Lover in Amarillo, Texas

23. Robert Cobb, Jr. and Sam Carter Prominent Son Killed in Bar in Wichita Falls, TX

24. Henry McCauley and Sid Thomas Prominent Son Killed in Alley in Wichita Falls, TX

25. Sterling B. Morris and Emmett B. Cox Police Officer Kills Fellow Officer in Wichita Falls, Texas

26. Abner Leonard Board and Arnold and Phillip J. Bruce Former Sheriff Killed in Baylor County, TX

27. Charles P. Yeary and Albert L. Jackson Former Constable Killed in Wichita Falls, TX

28. J.W. Roberts and Ira Black Preacher Kills Son In Law In Montague County, TX

29. Alvin McCauley “Cauley” Gillespie and Jesse Monroe Murphy Man Kills Sister’s Fiancé in Buffalo Springs, Texas

30. Delmar Stearman and Ira Moore Man Stabs Friend in Wichita Falls, TX

31. Vanis Leslie Case and Hugh Irby Night Watchman Kills Man in Electra, TX

32. George Thomas Cherryhomes, John “Pat” Carlton, Eugene W. Fry, Lesley “Pete” Fry, John Lishcke, Riley Dollins, Ed Johnson and Rufus Todd Courthouse Robbery Goes Wrong in Young County, Texas

33. Harvey F. Riggs and Mattie Branch Man Poisoned in Wichita Falls, TX

34. Lorene Shaw and Oscar P. Scott Woman Killed in Red Light District in Wichita Falls, TX

35. Sam Holland (Hollon) and Josh W. Battle Man Killed Doing a Good Deed In Wichita Falls, TX

36. Sheriff William Lewis Ellis and Stephen Brown Sheriff Killed by Escaped Prisoner in Baylor County, Texas

37. Thomas Curan Hollander and C.E. Williams Father Killed by Daughter’s Boyfriend in Wichita Falls, Texas

38. Joseph J. “Red” Mitchell, Joel B. Reed, George Douglas and Will Mitchell Series of Murders in Knox County, Texas

39. James G. Wright and Jordan Alexander “Jay” Wilson Teacher Killed by Student in Clay County, Texas

40. William G and Leander Alfred (Alford) Smith Father Killed by Son in Clay County, TX

41. Tom Ware and May Murrell Farmer’s Wife Killed by Ranch Hand in Clay County, Texas

42. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Covert Wife Kills Husband in Wichita Falls, TX

43. Sam L. Carter and Lon Pink Hammond Bar Fight Turns Deadly in Wichita Falls, TX

44. Byron and Florence Walsh Wife Kills Husband on Christmas Eve in Burkburnett, Texas

45. Enos R. Greenwood Killed in Car by Unknown Man in Ft. Worth, Texas

46. William S. “Steve” Bell and James and Myrtle Gafford in Laws Kill Each Other over Children’s Marriage in Foard County, TX

47. Charles Samuel Johnson and P.H. Karr Young Man Killed by Greek Immigrant in Wichita Falls, Texas

48. John Hamilton and Lloyd Graham Man Found Dead by Car in Wichita Falls, TX

49. Sidney E. Miller and Frank Logue Oil Field Fight in Wichita Falls, TX

50. William Sewell Fields and John Reagan Man Kills Best Friend in Wichita Falls, TX

51. William F. Suddath and Mack Perkins Man Kills Highway Robber in Clay County, Texas

52. Allen Mansfield and Carl C. Spence Drinking Party Turns Deadly in Wichita Falls, Texas

53. Archie Martin and Joe Torris Hit and Run Leaves Young Boy Dead In Wichita Falls, Texas

54. Benjamin F. Allison and Dick Hamilton Postmaster Robbed and Killed in Charlie, TX

55. William Marvin Caple, William Sherrod Toney and Houston Snow Two Special Deputies Killed By Gambler in Wichita County, Texas

56. John Whitman and Vernon Darby Evening Out With Date Turns Tragic In Wichita Falls, Texas

57. Charles M. Wagner and John William Webb Police Officer Kills Annoying Neighbor In Wichita Falls, Texas

58. Otto H. and Henry J. Toussaint Son Kills Father in Wichita Falls, Texas

59. August E. Berlin, Heine Jackson, George Bland Drunken Night in the Oil Fields Ends in Murder Newton, Wichita County, Texas

60. Loma Conn and William “Shorty” Penrod Girl Kills Boyfriend at Picture Show In Iowa Park, Texas

61. Jack Hollingsworth and Arthur Clark Carpenter Argument Turns Into A Shooting In Wichita Falls, TX

62. Lambert Brannon and Chester Smith Escape From Police Ends In Shooting in Bridgetown, Wichita County, Texas

63. George H. Gentry and Dan Bennett Recluse Robbed and Killed In His Home in Wichita Falls, Texas

64. Robert Hugh Taylor and Luster “Lon” Griffin Former City Marshall Killed in Burkburnett, TX

65. Alonzo “Lon” Sullins and Aaron Hester Overtaken by Robbers in Clay County, TX

66. Raymond H. and Noma Earl Young Andrews Underwood Woman Kills Husband in Wichita Falls, Texas

67. John Adolphus and Mary (Cotton) Whitaker Woman Kills Husband While He Sleeps In Wichita Falls, Texas

68. James Oliver Colvin and Tom R. Shook Former Police Officer Killed by Officer In Wichita Falls, Texas

69. Eddie Lewis Phalen and Johnnie Lee Fuller Night of Drinking Turns to Murder In Clay County, Texas

70. Bud Ballew and James W. McCormick Police Chief Kills Former Deputy In Wichita Falls, Texas

71. William and Ena Saylor and Robert Fletcher Car Wreck, Explosion and Murder? Archer County, Texas

72. Joseph D. Turner and Wayne Adams Man Killed with Biscuit in Hand In Newton, Wichita County, TX

73. Wood Barton, Claud B. B. Berry and John Beal Sneed A Shooter Kills a Fighter in Baylor County, Texas

74. Ida (Jennie) Bell and George A. Demoss Married Women Kills Lover in Electra, Texas

75. Perry C. Stroud and P.A. Tate Charged with the Murder of a Living Man In Childress, Texas

76. Major W. Leon Culberson and Morton C. Lamar Killed Wife’s “Man Friend” In Wichita Falls, TX

77. Jim and Mack Robinson Son Kills His Father in Young County, TX

78. Perry Pickett and Earnest Williams Fired Cotton Picker Killed By Boss In Wilbarger County, Texas

79. Carl F. Kinnamon and Frank Suddath Night Watchman Kills His Boss In Clay County, Texas

80. Addie Maxwell and Pearl Whiteside Woman Kills Her Husband’s Mistress Childress, Texas

81. Sheff H. Melugin and Robert Earnest Andrews Murder at a Filling Station in Archer County, Texas

82. Robert Fletcher and Lewis A. Snider Suspected Murderer Killed in Archer County, Texas

83. Wesley Ashmore and M.T. Williams 13 Year Old Boy Killed by Robber In Wichita Falls, Texas

84. Hugh Reilly Jr. and Herbert Griffin Property Line Dispute Leads to Murder In Archer County, Texas

85. J.B. Watson Murdered After Stealing Car In Wichita Falls, Texas

86. Frank and Lorenzo Noel and Ryan Adkins and Walter Latour Milstead “Black Terror” Serial Killers In Dallas County, Texas

87. Bertha and Christopher Columbus Wade Woman Kills Husband at Rooming House In Burkburnett, Texas

88. Charles E. and Robert Lee Glenny Son Kills Father to Protect Family In Clay County, Texas

89. Mayor Frank Collier and Elzie “Buster” Robertson Mayor Kills Son In Law In Wichita Falls, Texas

90. Robert and Emma “Bessie” Whitfield Man Kills Wife and Hides Body In Bushes In Wichita Falls, Texas

91. Jesse Elijah “Bud” Swayze and James Levi Marshall Man Murder Over Loose Cows In Wichita County, Texas

92. William J. Glasscock and John J. Stokley Lewd Remark To Wife Gets Man Killed In Wichita Falls, Texas

93. Herbert Griffin and Elijah “Lige” Griffith Acquitted of Murder But Feared by Many In Archer County, Texas

94. Elijah H. Ikard, Frank Looney And Charles Crabtree Cigarette Thieves Shoot Sheriff In Archer County, Texas

95. History of Walker Hargrove and his Gun Slinging Years in Montague and Tarrant Counties, Texas