Anderson County, TXOBITS FROM - Palestine Daily Herald

Extracted from microfilm and submitted by Gladys Stovall Armstrong
ImaBR@aol.com
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Submitted By ; Gladys Stovall Armstrong

Palestine Daily Herald (Anderson Co)
1 August 1921
----Cannot read first several paragraphs.

Charles BRANSON and Mr. CORNWELL And Cornwell's son went to a Black man's
house ,named NORMAN, to claim an axe they said belonged Cornwell. Norman
did
not leave his hut, but with a shot gun in his hands proceeded to cuss them
out and told them they were not going to get the axe - words passed between

them and finally, it is related, one of the men in the car remarked that if

Norman did not quit his meanness the KU KLUX would get him. At That,
according to the story told MR. Davidson and told the officers, Norman
began
shooting. The elder Cornwell and BRANSON were shot and killed. Young
Cornwell
attempted to get out of the car and was shot also. After he was wounded it
is
said the young man made a plea that Nomen not kill him, that he had done
nothing to be killed for. Norman then asked him if he was KU KLUX and
Cornwell told him "NO".

And when people began to gather about Norman's place , it is said he
indicated that he believed them members of the KU KLUX who had come for
him.
The neighborhood was much excited over the killings and threats were made
against Norman. On arrival of Officers he indicated he was ready to
surrender, but instead that he be permitted to keep his gun to protect
himself against a possible mob. Sheriff Rogers and deputies commanded him
to
lay down his gun, which he reluctantly did.

Norman in jail admits the killing and boasts that he didn't lose a shot;
that
they all found their mark. He insist however, that one of the men -
BRANSON,
shot at him first. Apparently the two dead men were shot before they left
their car, as there was considerable blood on the seats and the car was
shot
up. Norman used a twelve a twelve gauge pump gun, loaded five times and
young
Cornwell declares Norman emptied a load of shot into the body of BRANSON,
after the victim was dead.

The younger Cornwell admits shooting at Norman, but says he shot after
Norman
had killed both his father and BRANSON. He emptied his pistol at Norman he
said. Norman then took the boys pistol and made him give him shells for it
and then reloaded it. He had this victims pistol when he was arrested.
Norman apparently was afraid a mob would form and get him away from the
officers and this is the reason he made a plea to retain his gun - to
defend
himself.

The tragedy has created a great deal of excitement here as well as over the

county. And in the upper part of the people are greatly worked up over the
tragedy.

Very little is known of Norman. He has been on the river about a year;
Spending his time fishing, trapping, etc., and he lived to himself. At the
jail it was stated they did not know his full name , but the Herald has
learned his name is J. NORMAN. And that he claims he came from Missouri to
Texas