Taylor-Macon County GaArchives Obituaries.....Pierce, Joe July 5, 1917
************************************************
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:
Carla Miles http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002476 June 11, 2005, 5:10 pm

The Butler Herald, July 12, 1917
The Butler Herald
Thursday, July 12, 1917
Page One

Remains of Mr. Joe Pierce Buried At Bethel

Arthur Brooks at Whose Hands Mr. Pierce Met His Death, Given Preliminary Trial
and Exonerated

The remains of Mr. Joe Pierce accompanied by his family and a large number of
friends passed through Butler Thursday afternoon enroute to Bethel cemetery for
interment which took place at four o’clock, the funeral service being conducted
by Rev. J.T. Adams.

Mr. Pierce died from gun shot wounds inflicted by Mr. Arthur Brooks the tragedy
occurring at Grangerville in Macon County Thursday morning about 8:30 o’clock.

Domestic troubles in the family of Mr. Pierce seems to have been the foundation
of the whole affair.  By mutual agreement between Mr. Pierce and Mrs. Pierce
they had decided to live apart, the latter to have the custody of their four
children, and the former to re-enlist in the U.S. Army from which he received an
honorable discharge several months ago. In conformity to this agreement Mr.
Pierce moved his family on Monday previous to the tragedy to the home of his
wife’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Marshall at Talbotton.

In an effort to obtain reconciliation between husband and wife the mother of
Mrs. Pierce carried Mrs. Pierce and the children back to their home in Macon
County Wednesday afternoon.  At this time Mr. Pierce had gone to the Marshall
home at Talbotton to see his children before going to Atlanta for army
enlistment.  Being informed that Mrs. Pierce and Mrs. Marshall had returned to
Macon County Mr. Pierce took the first train back home arriving there at an
early hour Thursday morning and where he found his family had spent the night
before.

About 6 o’clock Thursday morning Mrs. Marshall and her son took Mrs. Pierce in
their car to the home of Rev. Mr. Wall, where Mr. Brooks boarded, to discuss
with the latter, who had been implicated in the estrangement of Mr. and Mrs.
Pierce, matters through which they hoped to bring about better feeling between
all persons concerned.  Mr. Brooks was called from the Wall home and was
standing on the running board of the Marshall car when Mr. Pierce unexpectedly
arrived on the scene.

The accounts of the few witnesses present as to what transpired between Mr.
Brooks and Mr. Pierce, after their meeting in the road in front of the Wall home
and prior to the shooting, vary considerably.  Mr. Pierce was shot four times
dying almost instantly.  He was unarmed except it was said he had a knife.

Mr. Brooks was arrested and carried to Oglethorpe for a preliminary trial, which
took place Thursday morning, and from the evidence submitted he acted in self
defense and was immediately released from custody.

Since the trial a warrant has been sworn out against Mr. Brooks charging him
with murder, but as it is said he has left the country the warrant has not yet
been served.

The whole affair is greatly deplored.

Mr. Pierce was 36 years old and besides a wife, leaves two sons and two
daughters, he leaves a father, several brothers and sisters and many friends to
mourn his death.

The Butler Herald
Thursday, July 12, 1917
Page Five

Card of Thanks

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many friends and neighbors for
their acts of kindness and expressions of sympathy in our recent sad
bereavement.  May God bless each and every one.

Mrs.J.E. Pierce and Children

The Butler Herald
Thursday, July 12, 1917
Page Four

Panhandle News
By Cracker Jack

Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Pierce, of Houston County, Mr. Jim Pierce, of Macon County,
Messrs. L.H. and F.G. Pierce and Mrs. J.J. Gaultney of Roberta and Miss Odell
Pierce, of Atlanta, visited Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Pierce last week having been
called here by the death of their brother, Mr. Joe E. Pierce which occurred near
Ideal Thursday morning.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/taylor/obits/p/pierce7157ob.txt

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

File size: 4.4 Kb