Grady County GaArchives Obituaries.....Whitfield, Miles January 30 1918
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Janet Sumner http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002510 May 30, 2004, 4:52 pm

The Cairo Messenger, Friday, February 1, 1918
Mr. Miles Whitfield Killed Wednesday
Mr. Miles Whitfield, one of Grady County's most prominent farmers, was shot and 
instantly killed Wednesday afternoon about five o'clock, at the home of his 
son, Robert Whitfield, twelve miles south of Cairo and about two miles of Reno, 
the fatal shot being fired by the son.

From Robert Whitfield's statement at the coroner's inquest, the son had gone to 
his father's home to see about hauling some longs over there to have sawed.  
The father ordered him to leave the place, "and stay over there on his own d--- 
little hill."  Words ensued between the two, the son leaving for home, the 
father following.  Robert went into the house, ordering his father to stay out 
as his folks were sick.  Mr. Whitfield replied by cursing his son and family 
and saying that he was going to "get" him, advancing on the son with an open 
knife.  Young Whitfield stated that he had locked the door to keep the father 
out, who was trying to force his way in, and had knocked the glass out of the 
front door, he fired on the old man with a shot gun, the load entering his 
father's check just above the heart.  Death was instantaneous.

Sheriff Perkins was immediately notified and went to the scene. There being no 
eye witnesses, the coroner was notified and an inquest held, their verdict 
being that the killing was justifiable.

It is said that trouble has been brewing in the family, Mr. and Mrs. Miles 
Whitfield having been living apart for several months. It is also said that the 
old man had threatened to kill the entire family several times, and was 
arrested last December for an assault on one of his children.  At the time of 
the killing, it is stated the old man was under the influence of whiskey.  He 
was about 65 years of age, while his son was 37 years old.  Mr. Whitfield is 
survived by his wife, several sons and daughters, besides numerous relatives 
and friends.  The whole matter is regretted by everyone.      

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