Hopkins Co., TX - Obituary - Talton Parker ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: June E. Tuck USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** From the files of June Tuck PARKER, TALTON - Sat. night of last week Talton Parker, a negro who resided with his family on Roger Harris' farm near Como, was shot in the head with a load of number six bird shot, from the effects he died six hours later. Sheriff Lewis, Deputy Stacy, Esq. Ferguson, and Co. Attorney Clyde Sweeton talk the Talton's wife. About ten o'clock Sat. night the door of the cabin was suddenly and without warning broken and five men, wearing masks and armed, entered the room; Talton was setting in a chair dozing; the noise woke him up and he started to get up; three shots were fired; one lodged in the ceiling of the room, another struck him in the top of the head. Also one of the intruders was accidentally shot in the arm. She claimed that she recognized one member of the party. They found tracks in the mud around the house and a line of blood drops on the roadway. Following the trail they were led to the house of Dennis Formby, whom they placed under arrest. Later they arrested Marshall and Jim Buck Formby, brothers of Dennis. Then they arrest Ben Simms as a suspect. He was in bed at home of his mother, suffering from a gunshot wound in his right arm. The cause leading up to the affair is somewhat indefinite. It was reported that no negro would be allowed to live in Bethel school district during 1906. Talton had received a letter telling him to leave the community. He did not leave. On the same night Parker was killed a party of men went to the cabin of occupied by Joe Williams, a negro, on Dr. Lynch's farm about 200 yards from Parker's. They knocked the door down, put a guard over Joe's wife and son, and took Joe outside. He told them he had not received a notice to leave, but he would leave. Upon making this promise they allowed him to return to the cabin. (S.S. Gazette, Fri., Jan. 5, 1906)