McLennan County, Texas, Obituaries - May 1914 Transcribed by Bentley Hooks ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Four Deaths in Family Within Two Years Time Stephen J. Moore, aged 24 years, died at the family residence, 825 South Fifteenth street, at 2 o'clock this morning. He leaves a wife and a 17-months-old babe, as well as a father, two brothers here and two in Galveston, to grieve over his untimely death. About two years ago the mother of the deceased passed away- during the time of the meningitis epidemic in Waco, and she was preceded to the grave by a son only a few months; in February another son and a brother of deceased died, so this death makes up a list of four mortalities in the family in a little over two years' time. Friends of the depply sorrowing family are naturally extending heartfelt condolences and sympathy. The hour of the funeral has not been arranged, as the arrival of the two brothers in Galveston is being awaited. Deceased was a member of the Leather Workers' Union, and it is stated that pallbearers will be selected from that organization, but they have not yet been named. Interment will take place some time tomorrow in Oakwood cemetery. Later- Word has been received from the two brothers in Galveston that they will arrive tonight, and the funeral exercises will occur tomorrow at 10 o'clock. The pall bearers will be: Messrs. T.E. Lundon, Frank Worden, T.M. Massey, L. Gunn, H.E. Hart and J. Robinson. The funeral exercises will be conducted by Rev. Tubley. Waco Daily Times-Herald, Tuesday, May 5, 1914 Farmer Found Dead Near Gholson Cemetery The funeral of C.E. Johnson, aged 43, who was found about 300 yards below the cemetery at Gholson, at 3:30 yesterday afternoon, took place at Ghiolson at 2:30 this afternoon, after Justice of the Peace John Moore at West had been notified. Mr. Johnson had been dead only a few minutes when the body was discovered by a peddler, who notified Sam High. A bullet from a shotgun was found just under the left jaw, the ball coming out at the back of the head. A shotgun was found close at hand. Whether the wound was self-inflicted or was the result of an accident has not been determined. Mr. Johnson had lived at Gholson for the past twenty years, and he was one of the most prominent farmers in that community. He lived one mile north of Gholson. His widow and five children survive. Waco Daily Times-Herald, Wednesday, May 6, 1914 Child Died This Morning; Three Sisters Are Ill Little Marian Johnson, 13-months-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Johnson of 1126 North Thirteenth street, died at 8:30 o'clock from the effects of a case of measles, which could not be made to break out. Funeral exercises will be held at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, Rev. Mr. Cubley officiating; interment will take place at Oakwood cemetery. There were only five children in the family and four years ago one of them died, and the three now living are all ill, apparently with measles. The mother and father have the tenderest sympathy of many good friends in their hour of sorrow and affliction, and the hope is universally expressed that three sick children will soon recover. Death Claims Two Without Warning Youth and Age Called to Reward Short Distance From Their Homes C. Bissett, aged 48 years, living on the marlin road about four and one-half miles from Waco, died very suddenly yesterday evening from heart failure. He and his son were at work in the field and were in the act of taking the harness from the teams on account of the older man saying that he was not feeling well. Before the harness was arranged, Mr. C. Bissett fell and when his son reached him he was dead. Justice of the Peace J.J. Padgett, accompanied by a physician, went to the scene as soon as notified. Upon investigating the matter Justice Padgett's finding was that deceased came to his death on account of heart failure, as stated. Deceased was survived by a wife and two sons, and a host of warm friends, who mourn his sudden demise. The funeral exercises will occur this afternoon at 3 o'clock, and will be in charge of the Woodmen of the World, interment in Greenwood cemetery. About 5:30 yesterday afternoon Mrs. F.H. Garrett, whose home was at Erath, out from Waco several miles on the China Springs road, died very suddenly while calling at the home of a neighbor, Mrs. William Webb. Mrs. Garrett was a young woman, being only 22 years of age, and leaves a young husband and a small son, who will sadly miss a loving wife and a fond and faithful mother. She had complained for some time in a general way that her heart was troubling her, but the matter was not thought serious. As she arose to to leave her friend's house yesterday she fell back into the chair she had occupied, arising she stood but a second and fell back again, this time with life extinct. Deceased was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Talbert of the China Springs neighborhood, and the family on both sides of the house are well and favorably known all over that section. The sudden death caused great sorrow, as well as excitement, in the neighborhood and the family was extended every kindness possible bu numerous friends. The funeral will take place at 3 p.m. today at the family residence, after which the remains will be laid to rest in the China Springs cemetery. Rev. Luther E. Masters of South Tenth street, Waco, will officiate at the exercises. Waco Daily Times-Herald, Friday, May 8, 1914 Aged Man Found Dead Was John A. Wilson The old gentleman found dead near White City, two miles out on the Robinson road, about 6 o'clock yesterday morning, was John A. Wilson, aged 83 years, and who had been living where he passed away only a few months. Mr. Wilson had been ill for a long time, and was suffering from a bad chronic sore on one of his limbs. It was his custom to sleep at a small place he had erected, several blocks from the home of his married son. He was as well as usual Wednesday night, but when his son went to awaken him yesterday morning he found that life was extinct though the body was still warm. Interment took place at Greenwood cemetery. East Waco, yesterday afternoon at 3:30, Rev. Mr. Potter of the East Side officiating. Deceased had no relatives in this part of the country except the son who lived near him. Waco Daily News-Tribune, Sunday, May 10, 1914 Inflicts Mortal Wound in Jail With A Razor Physicians Say Horace Ballard Cannot Live- Was Arrested After He Grabbed a Purse A wound in his throat, self-inflicted, while he stood in the corridor that separates the cells on the second floor of the county jail, about 8 o'clock last night will result in the death, according to the attending physicians, of Horace C. Ballard, aged about 30 years. The wound was made with a razor just after Ballard had finished shaving himself, and he evidently stood in front of the small mirror on the cell wall, as he drew the keen steel blade across his throat. The first intimation Jailer Ed Costley had that anything was wrong was when he was aroused by the cries of the other inmates in the jail. Rushing upstairs, he found Ballard, blood pouring from his throat in great quantities. Saturday is bathing and shaving day in the county bastile, and it is customary among the prisoners to pass the razor from one to another, as each finishes his shave. Signed Two Letters One of the other inmates, George, McKay, arrested last Tuesday morning with Ballard, exhibited two letters this morning, which had been given him by Ballard to mail, he said. One of the letters began, "Dear Mother," while the other started off with "Dear Bert,". Toward the close, a paragraph stated that Ballard had not written the letters, but that he was signing them. The one addressed to his his mother said he could not face the charge against him, and she was thanked for an Easter present of $5. The one addressed to "Dear Bert," said the writer would soon be in the promised land and that he had been the black sheep in the family. None of the prisoners in the jail last night, according to their statement, had ever heard Ballard say he intended to kill himself. McKay said Ballard had given him the letters a short time before he cut his throat, and requested that they be sent to his folks. Two addresses were given by Ballard to one of the prisoners, as follows: Mrs. F.C. Ballard, 236 South Spring street, Los Angeles, the other, Mrs. R.G. Leeman, 2430 Highland Station, Denver. In parenthesis is noted the words West Twenty-ninth in connection with Mrs. Leeman's address. Last night Jailer Ed Costley showed two letters belonging to Ballard, one from a party named "Bob," 2936 Zuni street, Denver, which referred to some money that had been paid on property, which, according to the letter, Ballard owed in Denver. Another referred to some money that had been sent Ballard through the Salvation Army people, while he was in Houston. As Ballard was being removed from the jail, he begged to be permitted to die. The man had evidently made up his mind to end his life. Arrested Tuesday In last Tuesday's Times-Herald mention was made of the arrest of Ballard and George McKay, after they had snatched a purse belonging to a woman as she was crossing the suspension bridge. Ballard, in his effort to escape jumped into the river, which was at that time more than 20 feet deep, and swam to the east side, where he was captured by residents of East Waco and turned over to the officers. If the man's confinement had made him despondent, he did not indicate this to his fellow prisoners. He never manifested any trace of being morose or downcastr, Jailer Costley said last night. The charge against Ballard was theft from the person. While the gash made by Ballard did not sever the jugular vein, it was about four inches long and very deep. Dr. J.R. Maxfield was the first physician summoned, and he was soon joined by County Physician I.A. Langston. The two did all that was possible to relieve the man's sufferings, then proceeded to sew up the wound in his throat. He had lost a vast amount of blood and this,doctors believe, will result in his death. Waco Daily Times-Herald, Tuesday, May 12, 1914 Demand $163 To Bring Boy's Body To Waco It has not yet been definitely determined whether the body of Leon Martinez, hanged yesterday at Pecos, will be brought here for burial. A message was received from the undertaking firm at Pecos, stating that it would require a guarantee of $163 to bring the body to Waco. For the first time this morning Mrs. Martinez was informed of her son's death. The news was conveyed to her as gently as possible, and she withstood the ordeal much better than had been expected. Mrs. Adelle Naylor Called To Her Reward The funeral of Mrs. Adelle Naylor, aged 64, who died yesterday afternoon at her home, 2112 Sanger avenue, following an illness of little more than a month, took place this afternoon at 3 o'clock. Interment was made at Oakwood Annex, and Rev. C.T. Caldwell officiated. Services were conducted at the family residence. The pall bearers were: J'G. Wiley, G.E. Bryson, Ed Yinger, C.A. Sherman, W.O. Lyle, and Harry Wheeler. For the past thirty-five years Mrs. Naylor had lived here, locating in Waco when this city was just a village, she being among the pioneer residents here. The death of this good woman brings sorrow and regret to hundreds of friends, for Mrs. Naylor was universally beloved and esteemed. The many acts iof kindness she had shown to others endeared her to all. It gave her the greatest pleasure to render aid and comfort to the distressed and afflicted, and her charity was so quietly and unostentatiously dispensed that often only those who were assisted knew of her benefactions. Mrs. Naylor never sought praise for her good deeds. She followed, in very truth, the golden rule. Her home was a haven of peace and rest, and in the company of her children she found the greatest pleasure and happiness. Her husband passed away nearly twenty-five years ago. The children who survive are: Mrs. Ed Morga, Corsicana; Mrs. W.A. Casseday, Guy Naylor, J.N. Kaufman and L.J. Naylor, all of Waco. They have the sincere sympathy of many in their great bereavement. Waco Daily Times-Herald, Thursday, May 14, 1914 WACO MAN SUICIDED IN DALLAS TODAY Found In Room With Throat Cut And Poison Bottle Near Him REGISTERED AS JOHNSON No Trace of the Man Could Be Found in Waco Associated Press Dallas, Tex., May 14.- A man registered at a Lamar street hotel as J.M. Johnson of Waco early today was found in his room with his throat cut and a half emptied bottle of poison by his side. He died on the way to the hospital. He left no note and local police were unable to assign any cause for his suicide, but from papers found in his pockets expressed the belief that he had registered under an assumed name. Johnson Not Known Here An effort was made by the Times-Herald to secure information relative to J.M. Johnson, but nothing could be learned here as to the dead man. Johnson is described as being five feet ten inches tall, weighs about 170 pounds, with iron gray hair and a gray mustache. He has a dark complexion. MRS JULIA PENLAND DIED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON An illness of only a few days proved fatal at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon for Mrs. Julia Penland, aged 33 years, who died in a local sanitarium. The funeral took place this afternoon at 2:30, interment being made at Oakwood. Rev. F.L. Young of Cleburne officiated. He performed the ceremony which united Mr. and Mrs. Penland in marriage at Cleburne, and one of the last requests by the latter was that he conduct her funeral. The active pall bearers were: Cklifford McDonald, O.K. Stetler, E.E. Witt, G.W. Irwin, L.R. May and J.B. McCauley.; honorary, W.M. Manchester, John F. Rowe, Harvey Davis, Dr. J.T. Harrington, W.B. Morrison, M.A. Sullivan and R. McDaniel. Last Sunday, Mrs. Penland went to the sanitarium to undergo a very slight operation. After this had been performed it was founnd that her heart had become very weak, and she was never able to rally. She kept asking for her little boy, Buford, who was in Savoy, in north Texas, and he arrived before his mother passed away. Mrs. Penland had been a resident of Waco about two years, and she was of a very prominent family in north Texas. They came here from Sulphur, Okla. During the comparatively brief time she lived here Mrs. Penland made friends of all with whom she came in contact. She was an exceptionally brilliant woman, manifested in her conversation. Her life was devoted to the comfort and happiness of her husband and children, and it was in the companionship of her loved ones that she found the greatest pleasure. The death of Mrs. penland comes as a very decided shock to a host of friends here and in other cities. Besides her husband, R.L. Penland, she is survived by one son and two daughters. They have the sympathy of all in their great bereavement. MORRIS ANDERSON DEAD Morris, aged 21 months, son of Mr. and Mrs. I.C. Anderson died at 5:30 yesterday afternoon at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Richards, Twenty-third and Dutton streets. The funeral will take place at 4 this afternoon from the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Richards, Rev. E.E. Ingram officiating. Interment will be made at Oakwood. The parents have the sincere sympathy of many in their great loss. PROMINENT WACOAN DIED EARLY TODAY J.T. Searcy, aged 55, one of the most prominent and widely known citizens of Waco, died at his home, 1528 Austin street, at 12:15 this morning, following a lengthy illness. The funeral will take place this afternoon from the residence at 4 o'clock, Rev. C.T. Caldwell officiating. Interment will be made at oakwood. The pall bearers selected are: Stark West, J.S. Hill, Allan D. Sanford, W.W. Pryor, W.B. Brazelton and Dr. W.S. Witte. For more than a month Mr. searcy had been unable to leave his home. Several weeks ago it was decided to perform an operation, but after the incision was made, it was found the that the trouble could not be relieved by this method. It was then known that Mr. Searcy could not survive. Born in Macon, Ga., Mr. Searcy had lived here for 24 years. He had been actively identified with the commercial interests of this city, and he took active part in the growth and development of Waco. At the time of his death he was a member of West and Searcy, the partnership having been formed some years ago. Though his illness was of very painful nature, Mr. Searcy bore his sufferings uncomplainingly. Mr. Searcy had been known for his loyalty and devotion to his friends. He was generous to those in need of assistance, aiding liberally the unfortunate and those in distress. In Mr. Searcy was found a man who acquired and maintained the respect and esteem of all. His statement, relative to any proposition, was accepted without question. His widow and three children, one son, Cyrus H. Searcy, and two daughters, Misses Camille and Ruth, survive. The son is now at Fullerton, La. The bereaved relatives have the synpathy of many. FUNERAL OF MISS TOMLIN The funeral of Miss Neely Tomlin, announcement of whose death was printed yesterday, will be held from the family residence at 3 o'clock this afternoon. Rev. O.E. Bryan, pastor of Clay Street Baptist Church, will officiate. BODY MARTINEZ REACHES WACO Will Be Held A Few Days To Await Recovery Of The Mother This morning the body of Leon Cardenas Martinez, hanged at Pecos last Monday, for the murder near Saragossa, in 1911, of Miss Emma Brown, reached Waco, and was taken to the parlors of John Fall Undertaking company, which has charge of the funeral. In the event the body is in condition to permit, it is to be held awhile, this will be done to await the restoration to health of Mrs. martinez, the boy's mother, who recently gave birth to a girl baby. Her recovery has been very slow.