Grady County GaArchives Obituaries.....Tyus, D. W.  August 1907
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Janet Sumner gws0675@peoplepc.com May 20, 2004, 10:13 am

Cairo Messenger, August 23, 1907
Sheriff D. W. Tyus Has Passed Away
The citizens of Cairo were again shocked and thrown in deep sorrow last Monday 
evening when news was received the Mr. D. W. Tyus, Grady's efficient Sheriff 
had been shot and fatally wounded by a negro named Charley Williams.  From all 
that we can gather, the facts are, Sheriff Tyus went out to the turpentine 
still of Mr. J. P. Malloy, about 7 miles south of Cairo to arrest a young negro 
man by the name of Charley Williams who was wanted by Mr. John Gray for jumping 
a contract.  Armed with a warrant for the arrest of the negro the Sheriff and 
Mr. Gray went to the negro's house about one o'clock to arrest him.  On 
reaching the house, the door of which was closed, Mr. Gray walked up and 
knocked and the negro opened the door when the Sheriff who was in the yard and 
near the steps, ordered the negro to hold up his hands.  The negro who had his 
pistol in his hand behind him, raised his hand and went to firing on the 
Sheriff, shooting six times and hitting him twice, one of the bullets striking 
him on the side of the head producing a scalp wound which though painful is not 
dangerous.  The other bullet penetrated just above the left groin near the top 
of the hip bone, passing through or around and lodging somewhere near the back 
of the hip.

Mr. Henry Shores who lived nearby carried the Sheriff to his home about 1 & 1/2 
miles south of Cairo where physicians had been summoned over the phone from Mr. 
Malloy's still.

Sheriff Patterson of Bainbridge was telegraphed to come at once and bring his 
dogs.  The sheriff being out of the city, his deputy, Mr. Dean, came over 
bringing the dogs with him -- he being able to do this on account of the 1:58 
train being a couple of hours late.  On the arrival of Mr. Dean a posse joined 
in and left immediately to try and capture the negro but all efforts have 
failed so far.  However the hunt goes bravely on and it is the Messenger's hope 
that the negro will be caught and give a speedly legal trial.

Later: At 11:15 o'clock Wednesday night, our Hon. Sheriff, D. W. Tyus, died. He 
was about 56 years old.  Was a kind man, and very much beloved by those who 
lived about him.  He doubtless had his faults, for who of us have not, but a 
kinder truer man ever lived.  He had a heart as kind, tender and sympathetic as 
a woman, yet he was brave as Caesar.

The funeral services were held at the home last Thursday afternoon, conducted 
by Rev. W. C. Jones assisted by Rev. W. D Upshaw and the remains were laid to 
rest in the Baggett cemetery. 

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