William Richard Thomas Obituary, Jefferson County, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Cara Flinn - Husband's great grandfather Date: 8/12/2006 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** William Richard Thomas October 26, 1938 Pine Bluff Daily Graphic Pine Bluff Daily Graphic Number 83, Page 12 October 26, 1938 Bill Thomas Funeral services were held yesterday morning for Bill Thomas, 58, Kearney farmer who was shot to death in a road near his home Sunday afternoon. Services where held from the Baptist church of Redfield, conducted by the Rev. Hiram Clark, of Redfield. Burial was in Redfield cemetery in charge of Holderness-Thornhill Mortuary. ------------------------ Page 1 Bill Thomas, 58, Killed By Youth in Kearney Area Bill Thomas, 58, farmer, living in the Kearney-Redfield section was found dead in a road near his home about 5 o’clock Sunday afternoon and John Reynolds, Jr., 17, is in Jefferson county jail here on a murder charge in connection with the shooting which sheriff’s deputies report is apparently the result of a family feud of lond [sic] standing. According to Sheriff Garland Brewster, Reynolds has made a statement confessing the slaying of the older man, claiming self defense. The sheriff reported that there has been “bad blood” between the two families for several years and the feud was recently renewed when sons of Thomas were said to have been “egged” by Reynolds and his brothers. This case was brought to local courts but members of the two families were sent back to their homes after being given a lecture by Sheriff Brewster. Thomas was shot twice with a small caliber weapon, both bullets entering his chest. At the time he was shot, he was on his way to a spring near his home to get a supply of water and empty containers which he had been carrying were lying around his body. Discovery of his body was first reported to Deputy Sheriff Walter Wolfe of Redfield, who in turn notified Sheriff Brewster. The sheriff and his deputy, C.W. Voris, immediately went to the scene where (See No. 2 on Page Eight) Page 8 they began an investigation with State Policeman J.L. Patillo, Carl Miller and O.V. Whitted and Deputy Wolfe. As the sheriff was familiar with the quarrel between the Thomas and Reynolds families, the officers went to the Reynolds home after failing to pick up a trail with bloodhounds. At the Reynolds home, they found John Reynolds, Jr., who was 17 on June 27, hiding behind the house in a brush pile and when he was questioned, the youth according to local officers, made a statement in which he confessed to the shooting. According to Sheriff Brewster the youth stated that he had been hunting squirrel with his .22 rifle when he met Thomas in the road. He said that Thomas threatened him, saying, “I am going to kill you right here,” and that he fired two shots at the man with his rifle. Deputy Wolfe found two empty .22 cartridges about 30 feet from the point where Thomas’ body was found. Officers said that the “egging” of the Thomas sons which is said to have precipitated the new outbreak in the feud between the families occurred a few weeks ago and the case was aired our [sic.] in court here. Funeral services for Mr. Thomas will be held at the Baptist church at Redfield at 2 o’clock this afternoon in charge of Holderness-Thornhill Mortuary. Services will be conducted by the Rev. Hiram Clark of Redfield. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Josie Irby Thomas; three sons, Calude, Roy and Jewell, all of Redfield; two daughters, Mrs. Roy Crossey and Mrs. L.C. Patterson of Redfield; six brothers, Luther, Calvin, San, Jim, Buster and Elmer Thomas, all of Bruce, Miss., four sisters, Mrs. Leslie Davis, Mrs. Edd Stanton, Misses Mary and Lottie Thomas all of Bruce; his father, Jim Thomas of Bruce; two grandchildren and a number of other relatives.