Grady County GaArchives Obituaries.....Deas, James A. August 3 1907
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Janet Sumner gws0675@peoplepc.com May 20, 2004, 9:46 am

Cairo Messenger, August 9, 1907
Marshal James A. Deas Horribly Murdered
On Saturday, 3rd, inst., there occurred in Cairo one of the most horrible 
tragedies ever known in this section.  Marshal James A. Deas was killed by W. 
A. Maxwell and Nim Maxwell.

Nim Maxwell was driving two mules to a buggy, he and his father, W. A. Maxwell 
having come in town together.  Young Maxwell was running his team recklessly 
around town and over sidewalks and came near driving over several people.  
Marshal Deas approached him and asked him not to drive so recklessly, and while 
speaking to him he struck his mules, causing them to jump and throw his hat 
off, which was picked up by Mr. Deas and placed back on Maxwell's head.  About 
this time, W. A. Maxwell came up and got in the buggy.  Mr. Deas shook hands 
with him.  About that time young Maxwell got out of the buggy and said it would 
take four men to arrest him and drew his knife from his pocket, his father at 
the same time drew his knife and they both assaulted him.  The young man 
wrenched Mr. Deas' club from his hand.  Then Mr. Deas retreated for some forty 
or fifty yards, both following and fighting him.  One of his jugular veins was 
cut, he was also stabbed through the lungs, and a large gash reaching into his 
abdomen.  There were six ghastly wounds in all, either one of which would have 
caused death.

The cutting was done about six o'clock p.m. and Mr. Deas died about ten 
o'clock.  

The Maxwells were arrested by night police Cargill, not until they were 
thoroughly convinced that he would use the 6-inch, which was held in their face 
until they were relieved of their blood stained weapons.

Some people say W. A. Maxwell did all the stabbing, while others say both 
engaged in the cutting.

The Maxwells were carried to Bainbridge jail where they will await trial.

We have been informed that they have employed Titus of Thomasville and Walters 
of Albany to defend them, while Mr. Deas' people have engaged Col. M. L. 
Ledford, Judge Roddenbery and Judge Harrell to assist in the prosecution.

Mr. Deas' funeral took place from his residence on Sunday at 4 p.m.  Services 
being conducted by Rev. W. C. Jones in his usual impressive manner, after which 
the remains were taken in charge by the K. of P.'s and Odd Fellows, and with 
impressive ceremonies, were interred in the Cairo cemetery.

We can think of no one whose death would be more lamented or one who would be 
more missed that Jim Deas.

He numbered his friends by the score, because a truer, nobler and braver man 
never lived.  He possessed as much true and noble manhood, as any man whoever 
trod Grady county soil.  He was always true to his friends, true to his word 
and faithful to his duty, and died a martyr to official duty.

The Messenger extends sympathy to the heart-broken wife and sorrowing kindred 
and friends. 


This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/

File size: 3.3 Kb