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Arlington Obituaries - 1903 (part 2 of 2)

KILLING OF I.D. COKE
      On last Sunday morning at 10 o'clock near Webb 8 miles south of here Mrs. E.H. Lane shot and instantly killed I.D. Coke a near neighbor. Marshall Douglass was telephoned of the killing and at once went out and brought Lane and wife to town and in the evening took them to Ft. Worth where they were incarcerated in jail on the charge to murder. Their 5 small children were taken to Ft. Worth with them, the smallest taken into the jail with the parents and the other sent to a boarding house. Coke was brought here Monday for burial. After reaching the city with the corpse it was decided to have the bullet taken from the body to determine whether it was fired from a 32 rifle as claimed, or from some other kind of gun. Dr. Collins performed the difficult operation and found that the ball had entered the lower point of right shoulder passed diagonally through the body and through the heart, lodging in left lung
      The ball was considerably battered up and two small slivers shaved off both of which were found. The ball was turned over to Constable Beaver and was pronounced 32 rifle ball.
      There seems to have been no special cause for the killing. At least Lane and his wife allege very little. It appears to have been wanton destruction of human life, and a wanton infliction of untold and inexpressible sorrow. Sunday evening when the mother, who in a few weeks is to again become the mother of another child, the father and 5 small children, were hustled into a crowded electric car to be carried off to prison, hundreds of hearts bled for very humanity sake. Monday as Cokes wife, five girls and one little boy wailed out their pitiful cries at the grave of a dead husband and father, the hearts of those present were touched as they have seldom been.
      The actual facts of the killing are that on Sunday morning Coke went up to Lane's to see about buying a cow. On calling at the gate, Mrs. Lane came to the door and ordered him to leave, saying she would shoot him if he did not. A few words passed and he started to leave, when she opened fire, shooting first into the ground, so she and her husband both testified the next time through the body. Death was instantaneous. The gun was a 32 Remington Rifle. Both families were very poor and both had large families of children. Coke was considered perfectly honest and honorable, was a hard working man, and very inoffensive.

PLEASANT RIDGE
      Sunday morning I.D. Coke was shot and instantly killed on Frank McKnight's farm at the home of Mr. Lane. The cause is unknown. Mr. Lane and his wife was arrested by the city Marshall of Arlington. Mr. Coke leaves a wife and 6 children, five girls and one small boy. Mr. Lane and wife have five children. Mr. Coke was laid to rest in the Arlington cemetery Monday at 4 o'clock p.m.

      A telephone message was received at 10 o'clock last night announcing the death of Dr. S.H. Thompson out near Albany where he, with friends, was traveling for his health. The remains will be brought here for interment. It is expected that the body will reach here this evening, and that funeral services will be held at the Baptist church and interment be had tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.

OBITUARY
      On May 20 the spirit of Dr. S.H. Thompson took its leave of the body and went to its abode with the Father.
      His death was not a surprise but had been expected for some weeks. Which came as a release from his sufferings for the summons found him wholly prepared.
      Dr. Thompson was born near Veal Station in Parker Co., TX., May 7, 1870 lived on the farm until about 1890 when he attended lectures and graduated in medicine in 1893. On Jan. 11, 1894 he was married to Miss Julia Collins and located in Arlington and practiced medicine with success until his health failed.
      As a son he was obedient and affectionate and as a brother kind and loving, as a husband he was devoted and true as a father he was loving and indulgent, as a neighbor he was kind and obliging. All who knew him loved him but with all these good traits of character like the young man that came to Christ he felt that he needed something more and this need was realized on April 15, 1903 when he took Christ as his all and in all. From this time until his spirit took flight, Christ was his theme. The name of Jesus was sweeter than every name; and his great desire was to be in Arlington one time more to tell his friends what great things the Lord had done for him. We would say to the dear wife, he will never come to you again but you can go to him. Why should we weep? Who would call him back? "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain."      M.C. Jackson.

      As we go to press we learn that A.D. Steph a citizen who has been prominent in the business affairs of the city died at 11 o'clock last night, after a lingering illness. Funeral at 4 o'clock from the Methodist Church.

EULESS ITEMS
      T.G. Fuller's infant baby died Sunday and was buried Monday.

JOHNSON STATION
      A child of Jack Dyer was buried here Monday and Tuesday Mr. Taylor was interred.

      J.W. Taylor one of the best citizens of the Arkansas Lane community died of fever on the 29 inst.

SAD DEATH AT ALVARADO
      Wednesday morning Mrs. C.L. Hutcheson died at her home in Alvarado after suffering terribly for two or three days with lockjaw.--Venus Times.

      Mrs. Hutcheson's death was lamented at Arlington. She was an aunt to the Luttrell boys and related to the Hutcheson's here. She had a large circle of friends at Alvarado as was evidenced by the fact that every place in town closed to attend her funeral.

OBITUARY
      Aaron Senter the subject of this sketch was born in Grayson County Virginia, March 11, 1816, and lived there until he came to Texas December, 31st 1873, thirty years ago.
      In 1842 he found peace to his hungering soul and joined the Baptist church. In 1839 he was most happily married to his life companion, Miss Mary Gentry of Ash County N.C. They passed down life's pathway a most congenial pair and survived their golden wedding together by 4 years, when God whispered to her "thy part of this union is finished. Come up higher."
      Their marriage was blessed by 12 children, of this number 4 are dead and the following 8 still survive; vis, Amanda M. Bryson, Dora, Texas; Mattie Perkins, Johnson Station; Emma Loftin, Morris, Kansas; Richard Senter, Colorado; Jane Elliott, Dora; Mary Henderson, Johnson Station, with whom he made his home; Drvey Senter, Merkel; and his grand and great-grand children are legion.
      Brother Senter lived to the old age of 4 score and 6 years, when on Oct., 26th 1902, he passed unto "that borne from whence no traveler returns." His remains were laid to rest in Maytown cemetery, Brown county, Texas.
      He lived a consistent Christian life and often talked of the beauties of the New Jerusalem and of the savior who redeemed us and who washed our robes, and how sweet death would be and that he would be no longer blind when he passed over there. He had been temporarily blind for 14 years.
      Now to the loved ones left to mourn his loss, we would point them to their father's savior who is not only ready to open the eyes of the blind Bartimens but all who will come unto him.      (a verse)      W.L. McNeill, M.M.      His physician

      Dr. Cravens on Wednesday evening received a telegram from Bloomfield, Ind., saying his brother, Dr. S.C. Cravens had received a fatal stroke of Apoplexy. Dr. Cravens (S.C.), visited here last spring and was then in delicate health. He made many acquaintance while here that will learn with regret of this fact.

      G.W. Jopling for many years a resident of the Johnson Station Community, died at his home in Clay County last Wednesday. The remains arrived here at 11 o'clock today and were taken to Johnson Station for burial. Interment was under direction of the Masons, of which he was an honored member. Many friends, especially of the older citizens, met the corpse at the depot and accompanied it to the cemetery. Mr. Jopling leaves many friends and relatives to mourn his death, among whom is Mrs. Z.T. Melear of Johnson Station his daughter.

      Died on the 10 inst. of congestion of the lungs, a 7 months old child of Walter Leipsich.

      Infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hitt was buried at Watson Cem. Sunday evening. Funeral services were conducted by Rev D.C. Sibley.

JOHNSON STATION
      Miss Nannie Wadlington, after a lingering illness, died at this place Friday. We extend to the bereaved mother and brothers our heartfelt sympathies.

WATSON COMMUNITY
      The infant child of George Walker died Sunday.

EULESS ITEMS
      We were much grieved over the death of Miss Lizzie Wallace which occurred last Friday night.

KILLING WEST OF TOWN
      Monday just before noon James Morehead shot and killed D.C. Caldwell three miles west of town. Both were married men, both were poor men and near neighbors. Caldwell was on a load of charcoal on his way to Fort Worth when he was met and shot by Morehead. Morehead surrendered and was taken to Fort Worth, given a hearing and remained without bail. The killing was the result of a series of petty differences which have been growing worse and worse. A short time ago these men had a suit here about ones pig overturning the others slop tub which indicates the kind of differences over which one man lost his life and another his liberty. It is but fair to say that the killing comes from among a class of people that is by no means representative of the prevailing type of citizenship.

      J.B. Stevens, a saddler by trade aged 55 years, was burned to death in a hotel fire at Corsicana Sunday night.

      C. Logan Knapp went down to Blum Tuesday to be present at the funeral of his uncle J.D. Coley an old Mexican War Veteran.

      The little nineteen months old girl of Mr. and Mrs. J.H.C. Tate died Tuesday night at Marine, of acute Laryngitis after only one days sickness. The little one was conscious to the very last, being literally choked to death. The remains were brought here Wednesday morning and carried to Johnson Station for interment. No death hurts worse than when one of these innocent little prattlers that never gave a moment's pain or a heartache to anyone, is so ruthlessly and suddenly torn from loving embraces and the bereaved ones have the sympathy of all and especially of every father and mother that have little ones of their own.

      G.W. Brower a brother to our townsman C.T. Brower met with an accident on the 19 inst. at Marlow, I.T. which resulted in death. Mr. Brower was a brakeman on the Rock Island and while making a coupling was caught by the cars and so crushed that death ensued. He died on Thursday and was buried Friday at Chicksaha. C.T. Brower started up Thursday morning to be with him and at Bowie received a telegram announcing his death. He went on however to be at the funeral and burial. He expects in a few days to have the remains shipped to their old home in N.C. Mr. Brower has been here several times with his brother Charlie and made many friends especially among the young people who will regret to learn of his tragic death. The Journal in common with all Arlington joins in extending sympathy to the surviving relatives.

      Miss Maggie Hiett, daughter of Rev. A. E. Hiett, died at her home out near Kennedale, Sat. night at nine o'clock of typhoid. The remains were interred at Rehoboth Sunday evening at three o'clock. Funeral services were held by Revs. W.A. Pool and J.R. Touchstone and were beautiful and impressive. Miss Hiett was a most estimable young lady from a most excellent family and her death is greatly deplored. Few persons have been followed to their last resting place by a greater number of devoted friends, few graves have been more copiously bathed with tears and adorned with flowers that was hers, and few lives have left a brighter ray of light behind to guide those left behind to nobler plains of life and broader fields of action. The family have the sympathy of a large range of friends all over this part of the state.

OBITUARY
"IN THE MIDST OF LIFE THERE IS DEATH"
      Again the grim monster of death has hovered over the earth, this time taking in his icy grasp the wife of S.J. Heard, and wafting her spirit to the land where there is no more sickness, pain or woe.
      Mrs. Heard was in the prime of life seemingly with many happy years of life before her but after an illness of only a few days she has quit this earthly life of trails and cares and gone to join her loved ones gone before. The sudden removal of such a life from among us leaves a vacancy that can never be filled and casts a shadow over our hearts that can never be lifted. Her bereaved husband and relatives have our deep sympathy in this hour of trail and we extend to them our heartfelt sympathy and we hope that so great a loss to us all may be overruled for good by him who doeth all things well.      Committee.       Webb Tex.

CHARLES SWACKHAMMER MURDERED.
      Yesterday Charles Swackhammer a young German farmer living west of here came to town and sold a bale of cotton. At 7 o'clock his team appeared at his own gate without a driver, and on examination the dead body of Mr. Swackhammer was found in the bottom of the wagon with 4 bullet holes through the body. Sheriff Honea was at once communicated with and was soon upon the scene. Deputies began scouring the country, and policemen the city, and at 1 o'clock this morning Rufus Martin a young yellow Negro was arrested in Ft. Worth suspected of the terrible crime. Martin left Cobbs store yesterday evening on the wagon with Swackhammer for whom he had been picking cotton. When arrested he had $23 and a pistol on his person and it is believed that he did the deed for the purpose of robbery. It is but another evidence of the Negro's total depravity and the rope could not be used too soon. Mr. Swackhammer was a hard working responsible farmer and such a wanton murder as his for a few petty dollars is disgusting as well as deplorable.

A GOOD MAN GONE.
      Dr. J.A. Ducket is dead and all Arlington mourns. For several years the doctor has been in declining health, due to the arduous labors incident to his profession and later to a complication of diseases from which he has been a great sufferer. His death occurred Thursday evening at his home, where he was surrounded by his wife, 4 daughters and a great many friends. The doctor though only 54 years of age had a very elderly an venerable appearance, his hair and beard being almost white, cause from the suffering of the last 10 years. Though shattered and racked with disease he always maintained a remarkably upright posture of body, and a deep rich voice, and a amiable disposition. His appearance on our streets for the last several months has touched many hearts with compassion as his heroic struggle for life has been witnessed.
      Dr. Ducket was a native of north Alabama, was a practicing physician for 25 years, the last 16 in Texas. He was a Mason and a prominent member of the Baptist church. Not a man in Arlington was more highly or more universally respected during life and now that the kind hearted white haired, tender voiced old doctor is gone from among us, he is remembered with the deepest veneration by all who knew him. He leaves behind a family of cultured and useful children, and the memory of a life spotless and pure, and these are the very richest legacies that any one can bequeath to the world. He was the father of 8 children, 5 of whom, and his wife, survive him. Funeral services conducted by his pastor Rev. M. C. Jackson were held in the Baptist church Friday at 1 o'clock after which interment took place in Arlington cemetery. The Journal joins the whole community in extending to the surviving relatives and friends sincere sympathy in this sad hour.

JOHNSON STATION
      The citizens of Johnson Station were shocked last Thursday by the news of the death of Dr. J.A. Ducket who was at one time resident of this place. He had a host of friends here who deplore his death and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to his bereaved family.

      Miss Sarah Lewis a young lady about 27 years old died of consumption at Handley last Tuesday and was buried Wednesday afternoon. Miss Lewis was a daughter of J.C. Lewis of this place but for some time has lived with an aunt at Handley.

A FAMILY EXTERMINATED.
      Amos Wynne died at the Sanitarium in Dallas Tuesday, of consumption. The remains were shipped to relatives here Wednesday, and after funeral services conducted by Rev. W.B. Fitzhugh at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Cravens were interred in Arlington cemetery. There were three of the Wynne brothers all bright promising young men, and all have succumbed to that dread disease consumption, within the last two years. They were related to the McKnights, Burneys, Coulters and other prominent families of Arlington. Amos was for several years an employee in the general land office at Austin.

      O.L. Norman was called up to Spanish Fort in Montague Co. last week on a very sad mission. His brother while handling a gun discharged it, and the contents struck his 12 year old daughter in the head, from the effects of which she died after a few days suffering. It was a terrible blow and the father was well nigh crazed with grief. Mr. Norman reports the country dry up that way, crops poor and all out and stock turned into the fields.

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