Pike County  Georgia Newspapers - Sheriff Thomas Slade Accidentally Shot 1892
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Lynn Cunningham  lcunnin1@bellsouth.net 

Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/pike.htm
Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm

The Pike County Journal
Zebulon, Pike County, Georgia: August 19, 1892

Thos. J. Slade,
Our Faithful Sheriff,
Seriously Wounded.
Sorrow Prevails Over Pike County
The Shooting Purely Accidental - Caused by Some Degree of Carelessness
of the Posse

Zebulon and all Pike county was thrown into wild excitement and gloom
Monday morning over the accidental shooting of Sheriff T.J. Slade by
J.S. Sullivan, our town marshall.

The said accident occurred on Dr. Crawley's place near Orchard Hill in
this county Monday morning at three o'clock, where the sheriff had gone
in company with Jack Sullivan, John Ferguson and a Mr. Taylor to capture
Walt Graham, who is wanted here for the murder of his brother. They went
to a swamp on Dr. Crawley's place where it was understood the man was
hiding and separated to look for him, Slade and Ferguson entering the
swamp and Sullivan and Taylor remaining on the opposite side to watch.
Slade and Ferguson walked around over the swamp awhile and lay down
under some bushes listening. They scarcely had concealed themselves
before Sullivan and Taylor, in wandering around came in contact with
them, each mistaking the other for the man whom they were hunting.
Taylor seeing Slade's and Ferguson's pistols, snapped a Winchester rifle
at them, but, fortunately it failed to fire. Slade and Ferguson were in
the act of shooting when the other two men turned running for fear of
being killed. As they turned to run, Sullivan threw his pistol awkwardly
back and fired two shots in quick succession, one of the balls taking
effect in Slade's head an inch or two from his left ear and taking a
downward course. Several minutes had passed after the shooting before
the developments of this horrible affair come to the knowledge of the
posse.

Mr. Slade was placed in a buggy and brought to Zebulon where he remained
unconscious for nearly two days, though resting some easier. Drs. Head
and Clark were called to his bedside and did all in their power to save
his life. Dr. Westmoland [sp] of Atlanta was telegraphed for and came
down on the 6 o'clock train Monday afternoon. He pronounced the wound as
serious as possible not to have resulted in immediate death. About
one-third of the ball was extracted which had fractured the skull bone
in a frightful manner.

Sheriff Slade has made an excellent officer and a more popular man can't
be found in the county. We hope to mention his recovery in some future
issue.


The Pike County Journal
Zebulon, Pike County, Georgia: August 26, 1892

Sheriff Slade No Better

It is indeed with regret that we inform our readers that Sheriff Slade's
condition at this time is extremely serious. For several days he
improved very perceptibly, but on Wednesday night he had a serious
sinking spell, from which he has only partially rallied. Friends have
watched and prayed by his bedside both day and night, but grave fears
are apprehended that he cannot survive a few more sinking spells, such
as the one on Wednesday night.

The Pike County Journal
Zebulon, Pike County, Georgia: September 2, 1892

Hope Has Fled,
And the Friends of Sheriff Slade Give Him Up With Sad Hearts.

Last week we stated that Sheriff Slade was weaker than ever and that his
condition was growing worse. A small hope was still left, however, and
to this his dear ones clung. All that medical attention and careful
nursing could do was done, but last night the little spark of life went
out about 3:30 o'clock. Tom Slade was a true man in every relation of
life and his death was a great loss to our county as well as to his
family.

(Transcribed 10/24/02 Lynn Cunningham)