Jefferson Co. TX - Obits: Crockett Williams ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: D. Allan Doiron USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** Beaumont Journal, Sunday 2 July 1916 Page 1 (Nephew of Jennie NEEL and Husband of Mildred Juliet DUKE) CROCKETT WILLIAMS' BODY IS FOUND AT MIDNIGHT ON STREET; ACCIDENTALLY KILLED With a bullet in his heart, the lifeless body of Crockett Williams, prominent young attorney of Beaumont, was found shortly before midnight last night lying across the sidewalk on Forest Street between Liberty and Broadway. His 22 cal. rifle, a typewriter, and suitcase were lying by his side. Less than an hour after his wife received a telegram from him stating, "Will be home on the late train tonight." she was notified that he had been found dead. Delivery of the telegram had been delayed because Mrs. Williams and her father, Holmes Duke, and other members of the family were at the Broadway Skating rink and could not be located by the messenger boy. Mr. Williams sudden and totally unexpected death came as a terrible shock to his young wife and to his other relatives and host of friends. For the past three months Mr. Williams had been at Yoakum, Texas, securing land leases for Mayor E. A. Fletcher, S. G. Burnett, and W. E. Keith. Mrs. Williams was with him, until two weeks ago, when she returned home. Mr. Williams had taken his rifle with him and frequently went squirrel hunting. Several times while at Yoakum his wife cautioned him against being so careless with his gun. Members of his family believe that he unknowingly carried the loaded (Continued on page 7) Crockett Williams' Body Is Found (Continued from Page One) rifle all the way from Yoakum to Beaumont Going from the Southern Pacific depot to his home at 694 Forest street, he naturally went out Liberty to Forest and then turned northward. The sidewalk at the point where his body was found was broken and it was very dark, light from the next corner being excluded by large shade trees. It is believed he stumbled and , in attempting to prevent his rifle from falling, caught his finger in the trigger, causing the weapon to discharge. In addition to the gun in his arm he was carrying a typewriter and heavy suit case. The body was removed to the undertaking parlors of Pipkin & Brulin and was examined by Justice of the Peace J. B. Synnott, who declined to make a statement until he could investigate further---------------. Mayor Fletcher, Chief of Police Baker, Night Chief Johnson, and members of the family, however are confident Mr. Williams was accidently shot and not murdered, as it was thought at first. Here Ten Years Mr. Williams was born near Yoakum. He came to Beaumont ten years ago and has lived here ever since. He was a graduate of Beaumont High school and took a course at a law school at Cumberland, Tenn. He has been practicing law in Beaumont about three years and his friends predicted for him a most promising career. His familiarity with land titles and his knowledge of the country surrounding Yoakum caused Mayor Fletcher and Messrs. Burnett and Keith to send him to Yoakum to obtain leases on land where it is believed oil exists. He was 27 years old and had been married only a few years, his wife formerly being Miss. Mildred Duke. Besides his young wife, the deceased is survived by his mother and several brothers and sisters, who live at Yoakum. Arrangements for the funeral will be made today. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beaumont Journal 3 Jul 1916 WILLIAMS WILL BE BURIED AT MAGNOLIA TODAY Funeral services over the body of Crockett Williams, prominent young attorney, whose body was found shortly before midnight Saturday on Forest Street between Liberty and Broadway will be conducted at 4:30 o'clock this afternoon from the residence. Rev. E. P. Kennedy, paster of the Central Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Internment will be made in Magnolia Cemetery. The Pallbearers will be Mayor E. A. Fletcher, Will F. Keith, John L. Keith, Walter H. Stevens, George W. Carroll, and Henry Holman. That Mr. Williams met his death by the accidental discharge of his 22 cal. rifle, which he was carrying home with him from West Texas, is still the belief of his relatives and the authorities. As soon as it was learned Saturday night that the rifle belonged to him and that he had been careless with it several times while hunting squirrels with his wife near Yoakum, Texas, Mayor Fletcher, Chief of Police Baker, Assistant Chief Ben Johnson, and Holmes Duke, father-in-law of the deceased, all concurred in the opinion that he had accidentally shot himself. There was no evidence that would indicate murder. The body was prepared for burial by Pipkin & Brulin and removed to the home on Sunday afternoon. Many beautiful floral offerings were sent to the residence by friends of the family. ---