Killing at Courtney, Grimes County, Texas *********************************************************** Submitted by: Jill Bratcher Date: 28 Jan 2010 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** FROM: The Daily Examiner, Navasota, Texas, Thursday, January 31, 1901: KILLING AT COURTNEY --------------------------- Constable Jones slain by his son last Monday --------------------------- Courtney January 30 (1901) Page 1...."At about 6:30 a.m. Monday a tragedy occurred here in which R.H. Jones, constable at this place, was shot and instantly killed by his son Robert. Deceased is said to have been unmercifully beating his wife with a large black snake whip, when the boy interposed in behalf of his mother. It is said that the father had been belaboring his wife for quite a while that morning when the boy and a younger brother had interrupted him, and each time were struck several licks by the deceased. At a time when the mother was being beaten so severely the boy Robert interfered when the deceased hit him on the forehead with the (continued on page 4) (page 4) whip, whereupon the boy stepped into an adjoing room, picked up the gun loaded with duck shot, advanced towards the father and shot him in the head. The brain was torn from the deceased's skull and was seen scattered on the floor, the man dying instantly. Robert, the son, is 19 years of age and is a quiet, unassuming kind of a boy. After the killing he went immediately and gave himself into the officer's hands. On being asked why he had killed his father his reply was, "I could not stand to see my mother beat and abused in any such manner." The deceased, Jones, has been constable here for about the past 8 years, was a stout, robust man, about 50 years of age and over 6 feet in height, and is said to have been a man who was a tyrannical ruler in his home on quite a number of occasions for years. Mrs. Jones is a small, weakly woman, and one who was unable to perform her household duties. Her condition at present is serious; one or two ribs being broken, besides several severe bruises about the face and body. The examing trial was held the afternooon (sic) of same day the killing took place, and the son was placed under a $100 bond, which was made instantly. The concensus of opinion is that the deceased came to his death in a well deserving and meritorious manner."