Obituaries: Roy Gorham, 1934, Winn Parish, LA Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: July 27, August 3, 10, December 7, 14, 1934 Winnfield News-American; July 26, August 2, 9, December 6, 13 Winn Parish Enterprise July 27, 1934 Winnfield News-American Body of Roy Gorham, 22, Found Near Home Wed.; Eugene Woods, Negro, Held for Murder; Gordon in Parish Jail Boy Missing Since Saturday is Victim of Stab Wounds The partially decomposed body of Roy Gorham, 22, was found Wednesday afternoon in a thicket near the farm home of his father, J. R. Gorham, two miles northwest of Winnfield. Three knife wounds were assigned as the cause of death by officers who started an immediate search for Eugene "Jabbo" Woods, 19 year old negro, reported with Gorham when he was last seen alive. Woods was arrested Wednesday night on a freight train at Calvin and taken to an unnamed jail for safekeeping, while Raymond Gordon, son of R. L. Gordon, who was also with the slain boy shortly before his death, was arrested and placed in the Winn Parish jail. O. V. Hicks, another negro known to be with Gorham before his death, has not been located, although he said when he left them that he was going to the charity hospital in Shreveport. Sheriff Sholars investigated through Sheriff Hughes of Caddo and the hospital attendants reported that Hicks had not been admitted. The youth's body, nude except for a pair of shorts, bore a stab wound in the chest and a gaping hole in the right side. His throat had been cut. His shoes, trousers, and shirt were missing as well as $4 or $5 in cash which he is known to have had on his person when last seen Saturday night. The family of the slain youth did not become alarmed until late Wednesday and reported to the sheriff's department that the young Gorham was missing. Before officers reached the Gorham farm to investigate, John Anderson, a farmer living near the Gorham home, notified Sheriff Sholars that he and several other persons had found Roy Gorham's body in a wooded section near his home. Sheriff Sholars said examining physicians were able to determine definitely that the stab wounds were the cause of the youth's death despite the decomposed condition of the body. Herman Gorham, brother of the murdered boy, took the car from his brother and took it home Saturday night, because he, Roy, with Gordon and the two negroes, had been drinking and Herman feared they would wreck the car. Shortly before midnight, it is said, the four started to go home. Gorham and the Woods negro left the other pair and Gorham was on his way home when he was murdered. August 3, 1934 Winnfield News-American Negro Sought in Death of Gorham is Arrested Fri. Says He and Gordon Left Gorham and Woods Together O. V. Hicks, negro, sought in connection with the fatal stabbing of Roy Gorham, 22, whose partially decomposed body was found near his home here Wednesday of last week, was taken into custody by Deputy Sheriff Walpole at Hodge Friday morning. He was turned over to Sheri9ff Neil Thomas at Jonesboro ad later transferred to Winn Parish jail by Sheriff Bryant Sholars. Upon being questioned, Hicks told substantially the same story that R. L. Gordon told when arrested last Wednesday. The story of Gordon was that he, Gorham, and two negroes, Hicks and Eugene "Jabbo" Woods, were drinking together in the woods Saturday night and early Sunday morning. He said that he and Hicks left Gorham and Woods together. Woods, on the other hand, said he left Gorham and Gordon together. It was learned that Woods went back Sunday morning to the place where the group had been together in the company of Hicks, telling Hicks that he wanted to find his cap which he had lost. He left Hicks to wait for him by the road while he went into the woods. When he returned Hicks said that he reported that he could not find his cap. When officers searched the woods they found that the body of Gorham had been dragged several hundred yards from the place where supposedly he had died, and near the spot they found Woods' cap. Woods is in an unnamed jail, while the other two are in jail here. The coroner's inquest was held Wednesday and Thursday when several were questioned, including the three held in the fatal stabbing. August 10, 1934 Winnfield News-American Woods Negro Says He Killed Gorham to Protect Himself Says Gorham Drew Knife to Kill Him and Dropped It Eugene "Jabbo" Woods, 20 year old negro, confessed Tuesday at the Caddo Parish Jail in Shreveport to the killing of Roy Gorham, 22, near the Gorham home here on July 22. Questioned by Sheriff Bryant Sholars and Sheriff T. R. Hughe of Caddo, the negro, transferred to Shreveport from the jail in Monroe where he had been placed for safekeeping, admitted the crime. Raymond Gordon, 26 year old white man, and O. V. Hicks, 19 year old negro, absolved of any connection with the killing by the negro's confession, are being held here, Sheriff Sholars said, for grand jury action. Gorham, Woods said, was stabbed to death with his own pocket knife. Woods said that he, Gorham, Gordon and Hicks went in an automobile to get some whiskey, Gordon having traded an automobile tire to a filling station worker for $5 in cash. After they had bought the whiskey the negro said Gordon and Hicks left him and Gorham on the road together. Gorham's brother had meanwhile taken the car away from them. A quarrel between Gorham and Woods began and Gorham drew a pocket knife, telling Woods he was going to kill him, the negro said. Gorham dropped the knife to the ground and the negro picked it up, cutting Gorham in the throat, he told officers. During a scuffle between them, he stabbed Gorham a second time, Woods admitted. Woods was arrested three days after the decomposed body was found. December 7, 1934 Winnfield News-American 8 Jurors Selected Jabbo Wood Case Thursday at Noon One of Trio Charged With Murder of Roy Gorham Being Tried Exhausting the regular venire and thirty tales jurymen only eight jurors had been selected up to Thursday at one o'clock in the case of Eugene "Jabbo" Wood, charged with the murder of Roy Gorham, age 22, on Sunday, July 22, and whose body was not found until the Wednesday following. The eight jurors selected are G. W. Price, J. W. Boyd, G. W. Ray, W. W. Downs, Bob Bonsell, Curtis Bishop, R. T. Shumate, and H. B. Shows. It is expected that the full twelve will be completed Thursday and testimony in the case will begin Friday. Just how long it will require for the case can not be determined at this time since it is reported that a number of witnesses on both sides have been summoned. "Jabbo" Wood and two others, O. V. Hicks, negro, and Raymond Gordon, white, were last seen with Roy Gorham on the night of July 21. The three were indicted by the grand jury on a charge of murder. Attorneys E. E. Kidd and Judge R. W. Oglesby for Gordon and Hicks filed a motion of severance in the case for them, and which motion was tried and sustained leaving Wood to stand trial alone. Phil H. Gaharan, C. C. Russell, both of Jena, Cas D. Moss, A. A. Moss, and Jas. I. Smith of local bar were appointed by the court to defend Wood, who was unable to secure counsel. After the trial of Wood the Court will then hear the joint trial of Hicks and Gordon. December 14, 1934 Winnfield News-American Eugene "Jabbo" Wood, Negro, Found Guilty Without Capital Punishment For Death of Roy Gorham, Sunday One of Three Indicted for Murder By Recent Grand Jury Eugene "Jabbo" Woods, 20 year old negro of Winnfield, one of three indicted for the murder of Roy Gorham near Winnfield the latter part of July was found guilty as charged without capital punishment. The verdict which carries a punishment of life imprisonment was rendered Sunday morning after the jury had deliberated for several hours. Four separate confessions had been made by Woods. In one of these confessions made in Shreveport before Sheriff Hughes and Sheriff Sholars he assumed responsibility for the actual killing himself stating that he and Gorham had become engaged in a scuffle while he was carrying Gorham home, and that he had stabbed Gorham while they were fighting. IN other confessions he stated that Raymond Gordon took off Gorham's clothes and not finding any money stabbed him to death, that he and O. V. Hicks, another colored boy, helped move the body a distance of 100 yards from the scene of the homicide. It was shown that all members of the party were intoxicated at the time of the killing. Because of prominence of the family of the deceased, and the monstrous brutality of the crime as evidenced by the condition of the body, the case attracted wide interest, the court room being packed throughout the trial. In the indictment all three parties were charged with murder. Attorneys R. W. Oglesby and E. E. Kidd representing Raymond Gordon, white, and O. V. Hicks, colored, asked for a separate trial from "Jabbo" Woods which was granted by the court and which trial is set for June 1935. The prosecution represented by District Attorney Harry Fuller and Vinson Mouser assistant district attorney contended that the accused "Jabbo" Woods either did the actual killing himself or actively assisted and in either case under the law was guilty as a principal and should receive the death penalty. To support their contentions the state submitted four confessions made by the accused also evidence to show that "Jabbo" Woods had blood on his shirt when he returned to the negro quarters shortly after the killing was supposed to have occurred. The defense attorneys objected strenuously to the admission of the confessions declaring particularly that the confession obtained in Shreveport was secured by intimidation and duress. This objection was overruled by the Court. The defense attorneys depended largely on the testimony of Woods who took the stand in his own behalf and repeated substantially the confession made in Jonesboro to the effect that Raymond Gordon, the other white man in the party, had actually killed the Gorham boy, and that he, Woods, had no knowledge of and took no part by aiding or abetting in the actual inflicting of the knife wounds which resulted in Gorham's death. The defense counsel also contended that there was no motive for Woods slaying Gorham since the robbery, if any, was committed before the knife wounds were inflicted there being neither blood or cut places on any of the deceased clothing. They also contended there was no malice existing on the part of Woods toward Gorham. While not shown by direct evidence defense counsel in their closing argument insinuated that there was a woman in the case and that rivalry between Gorham and Gordon in their courtship of this woman gave rise to the malice which resulted in the crime. It was pointed out in the argument that a nameless mutilation of the body supported this theory. The district attorney sought to disprove the fact that a nameless operation had been performed by the killer in an act of fiendish revenge by the gruesome condition of the body when found, it being nude except for one piece of underwear and practically devoured by the vultures. The body had lain on the open ground undiscovered for more than three days. Attorneys A. A. Moss, C. D. Moss, Phillip Gaharan, C. C. Russell, and James I. Smith represented the defense. It is stated that no appeal will be taken by the defense counsel from the verdict rendered. July 26, 1934 Winn Parish Enterprise Two Held In Gorham Murder Body of Young Man Found Short Distance From Home Negro and White Man Held Following Discovery of Corpse by Lad Looking for Cows Gone Since Sunday Evidence of Struggle Found in Several Places Near Corpse The body of Roy Gorham, 22 years of age, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Gorham, who live two miles northwest of Winnfield, was found about 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon by Huey Hobdy, negro, who discovered the body while searching for a missing cow. The corpse was almost unrecognizable due to the decomposition caused by the intense heat and the depredations of numerous scavenger birds who had discovered the body. The youth had been missing since early Sunday morning but had not been the object of anxiety because of his frequent absences from his home. Brothers Search For Boy Jules (Julius) and Herman Gorham, brothers of the murdered youth had instituted a search about noon Wednesday and had met with no success. After the negro, Huey Hobdy, had reported the finding of the corpse to Bryant Sholars, parish sheriff, members of the family hastened to the spot and identified the corpse, which was only partially clothed. Coroner J. F. Faith, after making his examination, reported that death was evidently due to numerous stab wounds. Two Companions Arrested Eugene Woods and O. V. Hicks, negroes, and Raymond Gordon, a young white man, were reported by Herman Gorham, brother of the slain boy, as the companions who were with him about 1 a.m. Sunday morning when he, Herman Gorham, reclaimed his care which the deceased had used during the evening. Eugene Woods was arrested at Calvin on a Louisiana and Arkansas railway freight train Wednesday night by Sheriff Sholars and his deputies. The young white man, Raymond Gordon, was arrested at his home in Winnfield and was being held in the parish jail in connection with the case. Charges have not as yet been preferred but it seemed likely Thursday morning that capital charges would be preferred against all three companions of the murdered young man. Brothers Question Negro During their search for the missing youth Wednesday afternoon, his brothers, Jules and Herman, interrogated the Woods negro at his home. It was reported that he was reluctant to give any information and seemed to be very nervous. When the report of the discovery of the body was made public Woods disappeared and was only apprehended several hours later as he was apparently attempting to make his escape on a freight train. A Rock Island freight train was searched by deputies earlier in the night when it was reported that Woods was planning to escape by this means. Party Had Been Drinking Information from Herman Gorham indicated that the four men were under influence of liquor when he left them Sunday morning after repossessing his car. Subsequent actions of the quartet were not available, conflicting stories being given to the queries of Sheriff Sholars. It seems entirely possible, however, that all three may be implicated. O. V. Hicks, the fourth member of the party, who had not been apprehended Thursday morning, was reported to be in Shreveport where he allegedly was seeking admission to the Charity Hospital there for treatment. A call to Sheriff Tom Hughes of Caddo Parish, and a check of the hospital records by that officer failed to reveal the presence of the missing negro. Sheriff Sholars was confident, however, that he would be picked up shortly. Feeling Running High Woods was being held in an unnamed jail pending filing of charges due to intense local feeling about the matter. Prospect of an early trial were not very good because of the interval between now and the fall term of court. Raymond Gordon, young white man, was being held in the local parish jail with charges open pending further developments. Evidence Of Struggle There was evidence of a considerable struggle about 200 feet from where the corpse was found. The ground was disturbed, bushes beat down and bent for a considerable area. Here searchers found the shirt worn by the youth, intact, showing no signs if wounds, cuts or bloodstains. A cap, discovered underneath a bush, was later identified as the property of Eugene Woods, one of the suspects. A few feet from this spot there was evidence of another struggle and a large quantity of blood where the youth had fallen after being wounded. After lying for some time at this spot the youth either rose himself and staggered further in the direction of his home, or was carried by his assailant. His shoes were discovered in yet another position, across the road from where the body was found. One shoe was not unlaced and was probably torn from his foot. Evidence of a struggle was evident here also. The coroner was unable to determine just how many wounds he had suffered. The body had been almost entirely eaten away by the scavengers, leaving only a portion of the right arm, on which he was lying, a portion of his left hand and other small pieces of flesh and tissue practically indistinguishable in their puetrefication. One small piece of tissue on his side was found to be punctured in several places and it was thought that these might possibly be wounds. Was Probably Sober The extensive evidence of struggle indicated that the youth could not have been very much under the influence of liquor. His assailants, likewise, must have been relatively sober, to have persisted in so strenuous a battle. Two theories were held regarding the absence of clothes on the corpse, which was found to be attired only in a pair of shorts. One is that his assailants removed his clothes from him forcibly. This theory is evidenced by the shoe found to be still laced and tied. The other is that he removed his clothing himself for some reason, possibly in order that he might have greater freedom in fight. The trousers belonging to the young man had not been found late Thursday, these, it is reported, having contained a small sum of money. Funeral Held Today Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. in Gorhamtown with interment in the Gorhamtown Cemetery. The Rev. W. D. Sherwood officiated. The deceased is survived by, besides his parents, four sisters: Audrey, May, Aline, Louise, and Mrs. Ruby Edmonds; four brothers, Herman, Julius, Howard, and John Robert and numerous other relatives. From: August 2, 1934 Winn Parish Enterprise Expect Indictment of All Three Implicated in Death of Gorham Last Week End Inquest Continues Today As Many Witnesses in Gorham Murder Case Are Subpoenaed With the coroner's inquest continued over Thursday after a four hour session Wednesday, the ultimate findings in the Gorham murder case were a matter of conjecture. The findings of the initial session were inconclusive, although previous indications as to the course of action were sustained as testimony was heard. Second Negro Surrenders O. V. Hicks, the second of the negroes implicated surrendered to the sheriff of Jackson Parish late Friday at Jonesboro. He was arrested and returned to the parish jail following notification of Sheriff Sholars. The surrender of Hicks was the final act of local law enforcement officers. Further action hinges on the findings of the coroner's jury and the decision of the district attorney. Stories Coincide It was rumored this week that stories given by Raymond Gordon and O. V. Hicks coincided in all important details. Their story was reported to be about as follows: Gordon claimed to have been with Gorham during the afternoon of the night on which the murder was perpetrated. The two men were riding in a truck, allegedly the property of Herman Gorham, the dead man's brother. They made a trip out to the home of Tom Pennington, where they purchased whiskey. Following this they returned to Winnfield and attempted to purchase more whiskey at the store of a negro in the quarters. After failing to buy any there, they picked up the two negroes, Woods and Hicks, who assisted them in getting the truck started. Later in the night they drove out of town. Herman Gorham attempted to stop the quartet on the highway but they refused to halt. He then trailed them to the airport where they left the truck. He managed to get the truck and drive it ________. The four, in the meantime, had made another visit to the Pennington home, where they purchased more whiskey. Gorham was said to have had five dollars in bills and to have asked Pennington if he cold change a twenty dollar bill. Subsequently the three left. Hicks and Gordon thereafter, both maintained, left Woods and Gorham as the four were walking in the vicinity of the airport and made their way ultimately to Machen's Filling Station on the outskirts of town. Hicks returned to the intersection of the country road and paved road and assisted Woods up the highway, then left Gordon asleep in a truck at Williams' Filling Station. Confession Reported No one was able to verify a report Thursday morning that Woods had confessed to implication in the crime, involving the other two, and placing the major blame on Gordon. If this confession actually exists and is sustained in court a blanket indictment charging murder may be returned against the three. Return For Cap Woods and Hicks are alleged to have returned to the scene of the crime to search for Wood's cap, subsequently discovered by the officers. Hicks maintained that he remained on the highway and let Woods search alone. The missing trousers of the dead youth were found last Friday hidden in a stump near the place where the body was found by officers searching the vicinity. Woods' knife, which was reported to be the weapon with which Gorham was killed, was found in possession of a Winnfield negro. Claim Stripped Man Woods' story, it was alleged, claimed that all three stripped Gorham, in an effort to find the money he is supposed to have had. Subsequently the actual murder is reported to have been done. From: August 9, 1934 Winn Parish Enterprise Coroner's Jury Advises Holding Three Suspects Confession of Woods Absolves Others Now In Jail The coroner's jury assembled to sit in the inquest held last weekend, investigating the death of Roy Gorham, young Winn parish man, whose remains were found a few miles from Winnfield on Wednesday, July 25, returned a report Monday of this week advising that charges of complicity in the murder of the young man be filed against the three defendants, Eugene Woods and O. V. Hicks, negroes, and Raymond Gordon, white man. The jury further recommended that they be held in custody to await action of the grand jury. The report of the jury reads that Roy Gorham came to his death from wounds inflicted by a knife or sharp-edged instrument on the night of July 22. Woods Negro Confesses Eugene "Jabbo" Woods, who is being held in the Shreveport jail is reported to have confessed to the crime Tuesday, absolving the two other defendants. This report was substantiated Thursday by the Winn Parish sheriff's office. Woods stated that Gordon and Hicks did leave himself and Gorham walking along the road, as the two latter involved stated under questioning by local officers. Gorham then drew a knife and threatened to kill him during a quarrel, Wood's confession states, and when Gorham dropped the knife, he, Woods, picked it up and inflicted cuts on the young white man. Other points of his story coincided with what was already known from other testimony. From: December 6, 1934 Winn Parish Enterprise (Only a portion of this story is given as much of it pertains to a separate case) Wednesday and Thursday morning a jury was being selected for the case of the State of Louisiana vs. Eugene Wood, O. V. Hicks, and Raymond Gordon. Wood and Hicks, negroes, and Gordon, white, are charged with the death of Roy Gorham, last summer. The trial is expected to last several days. From: December 13, 1934 Winn Parish Enterprise Eugene Woods, Negro, Is Found Guilty Murder Raymond Gordon and O. V. Hicks Will Be Tried Later Eugene Woods, 20 year old negro, was found guilty of a charge of murder without capital punishment by a jury at the regular term of court last Sunday morning. The trial had been in progress since Wednesday. Woods was charged with the murder of Roy Gorham, white, 22 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gorham, last July 22. Sentence was not passed at this time but the charge carries a penalty of life imprisonment. Woods made an unsuccessful attempt to repudiate a confession made in Shreveport last July. His testimony, when he was put on the stand Saturday, conflicted with his signed statement. Saturday, he not only implicated himself, but also Raymond Gordon, white, and O. V. Hicks, negro, who were accused jointly with him, but who were successful in getting a severance of trials. Their cases are scheduled for trial in June, 1935. The three men were arrested soon after the finding of the body of Roy Gorham on an unfrequented road near the local airport after a three day search for the missing youth. They were the last persons in his company. It was stated he wielded the knife. He said that all had been drinking and that Gorham attacked him.