The Vernon Courier, Obituaries, 1889
Vernon, Lamar County Alabama

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1889 Obituaries from the Vernon Courier, in Vernon, Lamar County, Alabama.

ADAIR, Berry, Obituary

A Bloody Tragedy - Harvey Speck Puts three balls Into Berry Adair - The Carbon Hill Dispatch tells of a tragedy at that place; On last Tuesday evening about half past four o'clock HARVEY SPECK shot BERRY ADAIR three shots, two of them taking effect in his bowels and the other one in his left arm, from which Mr. ADAIR died about 8 o'clock the same evening. The killing of MR. ADAIR was the result of a quarrel between the two parties SPECK and ADAIR which originated from a small debt due from ADAIR to SPECK. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), August 22, 1889]

ALDRIDGE, Celia, Obituary

Mrs. Celia Aldridge, widow of Rev. ASHLEY ALDRIDGE, has also lived considerably over the allotted age. She is somewhere between eighty-seven and eighty-nine years of age, the record having been destroyed. But she says she was born in the "new hundred", her brother being born in the "old hundred", he being about two years the oldest. She has for forty years been a familiar figure at the Methodist church near her home. It is easy to see that her steps are not so fast and steady as they once were, but the same merry twinkle is in her eye and everyone knows her as "Aunt Celia." [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), April 12, 1889]

BELL, Johnnie, Obituary

The many friends of JOHNNIE BELL, son of Judge BELL, of Fayette, were pained to learn of the death of that noble young man, which took place at his father's home at Fayette on last Saturday. Rev. Mr. WIMBERLY and Esq. W. G. MIDDLETON went over to Fayette Sunday to attend the burial. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), April 12, 1889]

BROMBLEE, Thomas, Obituary

Mr. THOMAS BROMBLEE shot and instantly killed Mr. RILEY ABLES in Franklin County near the Marion County line on last Thursday. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), March 7, 1889]

COLEMAN, Bias, Obituary

HOW BIAS COLEMAN WAS KILLED – Special to the News - Eutaw, Ala. Dec. 13 – Sebe Anderson, who accidentally shot the negro Bias Coleman, near here last night, recently returned from Texas, where he was a deputy sheriff. He was showing Coleman how a Texas Sheriff could take a loaded pistol away from a man whom he wished to arrest.

Anderson took some of the cartridges out of the pistol, and though he had taken all out, and in order to have some fun with the negro, pointed the pistol at him, intending to snap if the weapon was loaded, and sent its deadly missile through the body of an inoffensive negro., who died a short while afterward. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), December 19, 1889]

CROWLEY, Obituary

A young man named Crowley living several miles from Greenville, accidentally shot himself several days ago. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), December 19, 1889]

FLEMING, Bob, Obituary

Shot Dead in His Tracks - A Young White Man Kills a Negro in an Altercation - At Crews Depot on the K. C. M. & B. railroad, on Tuesday morning about 8 o'clock, SAM HENSON shot and instantly killed BOB FLEMING, a colored man. Three hours after the killing, a Courier reporter was at the scene of the tragedy. The particulars, as given by those present are as follows: On last Friday, the two men had a fight in which the negro struck young HENSON with an iron clevis, and bruised him up slightly. On Tuesday they met at crews and the old quarrel was renewed. The two men walked off some distance together, talking in an angry manner and HENSON was seen to kick FLEMING and immediately thereafter shot him through the head. Only one shot was fired. No person was near enough to hear what was said by either party. When the negro was reached he was dead, and had the clevis in his hand, which was the only weapon found on his person. The reporter met Mr. HENSON after the killing and talked with him. His statement was that the negro put his hand to his pocket as if to get his pistol, and knowing the negro made it a rule to carry a pistol he shot the negro while he thought him attempting to draw a pistol. It is evident that neither of the parties expected a difficulty, as FLEMING had no pistol, and HENSON had only two chambers of this pistol loaded before the difficulty. FLEMING was a well-doing colored man and leaves a wife and several children. Young HENSON is well known over the entire county as one of Lamar's best young men, and his many friends regret very much his getting into such trouble. He left immediately after the killing, and at the time we go to press has not been arrested. No excitement whatever exists over the affair. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), February 22, 1889]

GIVENS, Rev. Samuel, Obituary

A Rare, Ripe Old Age - A Venerable Minister of the Gospel Dies at Caledonia, Miss. - Columbus, Miss., March 23 - Rev. SAMUEL GIVENS, the oldest man in Lowndes County died at Caledonia today. He was 97 years old, and has been a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for about seventy years. He was a native of Tennessee, but was one of the first settlers of this county, where he has lived ever since. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), March 29, 1889]

GRAVES, Mose, Obituary

Another Man Killed - News reached here yesterday morning of the killing of Mr. MOSE GRAVES on Tuesday evening at his home at Jewell, 7 miles east of town. About sundown a man went to the post office and asked for a package addressed to a party unknown to MR. GRAVES, and when he turned to get the package the man shot him. Mr. GRAVES died about 9 o'clock Tuesday night. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), July 18, 1889]

HARPER, Riel & Family, Obituary

RIEL HARPER, who lived some six miles north of Gordo, died very suddenly on Saturday last. On Sunday while a number of his children and grand-children were at the house of mourning, the sorrow of the occasion was made doubly sad by the drowning of one of the deceased's grand children. It seems that the little fellow was playing about the springs near by when by some means he lost his balance, fell into the spring, and was drowned before assistance could be had. - [West Alabamian] [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), May 31, 1889]

HOLLIS, Mrs. D. D. (MINNIE), Obituary

A very sad accident occurred at Sulligent on last Friday night. A party of young had been out in the country to a social gathering, and were returning to town in a wagon. Among the party were Dr. and Mrs. D. D. HOLLIS, and while going down a slight incline a wheel struck a small stump, throwing Mrs. HOLLIS out of the wagon, killing her instantly. The bereaved husband and family have the sympathy of the entire community. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), January 4, 1889) Tribute of Respect: - Mrs. MINNIE HOLLIS, daughter of Dr. D. H. and MARY N. MILLER, was born in Pickens county, Ala., Dec 1862 and was thrown from a vehicle and killed instantly near Sulligent in Lamar County, Ala. December 29, 1888. When she was quite young her parents moved to the state of Missouri, and she was reared and educated in the same state, at Irondale, where she was united in marriage by Rev. Mr. LOVE of the Presbyterian Church to Dr. D. D. HOLLIS, Lamar County, Ala. on December 17, 1884. Sister HOLLIS was converted to the Christian religion in early life, and joined the Presbyterian Church. In 1885 she was received into the M. E. Church South by the writer at Cansler, Ala. She lived in this church as a faithful member until speedily called to go up to the church above. Sister HOLLIS was a beautiful lady, and her style of dress showed the finest taste. She was a lady of high culture and strong social ability, very entertaining and pleasant. As a Christian she was faithful, as a wife she was devoted, as a child obedient, as a neighbor useful and kind. We see her no more here for awhile. Why God took her from her husband's side into eternity so soon "we know not now, but we shall know hereafter." The dear wife was seated by her husband when suddenly thrown from her seat and killed in a moment. In an hour, when you least expect him, the Son of Man cometh." God bless the grief-stricken ones. May we meet dear MINNIE in her bright home above. GEO. L. HEWITT [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), March 8, 1889]

HOLLIS, Derrell, Obituary

Stabbed to Death: On last Saturday at Crews Depot, JAMES LINDLEY stabbed and almost instantly killed DERRELL HOLLIS. From eye witnesses the Courier gets the following facts: LINDLEY was in Hill Bros. store and had his coat off preparing to shave, when HOLLIS appeared and collared him, remarking, "Now I've got you and I'll fix you." When young Mr. HILL ordered them to get out of the house, HOLLIS threw his left arm around LINDLEY'S neck, and caught him by the right arm and dragged him from Hill'S store to about the front of the store of Crew & Stanford, which is about thirty yards. It is said that LINDLEY called for the bystanders to take HOLLIS away, but they were all afraid to interfere, believing if they did he would turn on them. HOLLIS had a knife in his hand but it was not opened; he was striking LINDLEY on the head with the jaws of the knife. About the time they reached the front of Crew & Stanford's store the fight had commenced in earnest, and LINDLEY managed to get hold of his knife, which was of the most dangerous kind, having a long keen blade with a spring back. Opening the knife, and being bent over next to HOLLIS' left side, gave it one thrust into HOLLIS' side. Esq. W. T. STANFORD ran out just as LINDLEY got his knife and rushed forward, but was too late. The struggle continued for a moment when STANFORD caught HOLLIS and pulled them apart. When the knife was drawn from the wound the blood spurted out six feet away, and HOLLIS threw up his hands and exclaimed, "Oh, Lordy, I'm gone!" The knife had pierced the heart. HOLLIS staggered and fell, scrambled to his feet and walked a few steps and fell and with a convulsive quiver his body shook, and he was dead. His life blood that only a few moments before had given force and motion to his powerful and vigorous body now lay clotted on the earth. From reliable authority we are informed that HOLLIS had left home that morning with the intention of doing some violence to LINDLEY, and had sought for him diligently all day until he found him. HOLLIS' wife and father had tried to persuade him to desist and let LINDLEY alone, but it seems that his anger had gotten above his judgment. Bad feeling seems to have existed between the parties for some time back, and some remark of LINDLEY unpleasant to HOLLIS precipitated the deadly combat. LINDLEY is on the dodge; but said to be only out of the way of HOLLIS' brother. The father of young LINDLEY was in town Monday and stated that just so soon as he thought it safe for his son to come back that he would bring him in and that he should stand his trial claiming that his son was entirely justifiable, which seems to be the opinion of the majority of the citizens of the neighborhood where the killing occurred. The deceased leaves a wife and one child, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. HUBERT HOLLIS, was about 30 years old and lived near Beaverton. LINDLEY is not 20 years of age, is the son of Mr. WM. LINDLEY, who resides near Crews. HOLLIS was brave, fearless and reckless when angry, and was much larger than LINDLEY, who was rather slender. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), June 13, 1889]

HOWARD, Mrs. Mary A., Obituary

Mrs. MARY A. HOWARD, wife of THOS. G. HOWARD, aged 74 years departed this life on the night of the 21st of June, near Canaan in this county. Her last days were spent in much suffering, which she bore with Christian fortitude and patient endurance. Her mind was clear until near the last. She expected a perfect satisfaction and even anxiety to cross over the River and receive her everlasting reward, which awaits all the faithful. She leaves a son and three daughters to mourn her loss, but not as those who have no hope. May God sanctify their bereavement to the good of their never dying souls. That they may one day meet where there is no parting. FRIEND [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), July 4, 1889]

HOWEL, Ethel, Obituary

Tribute of Respect: On the 17th day of April 1889, near the close of day little ETHEL HOWEL, one of earth's brightest jewels, was called home after many days of suffering. When she felt that death was near she called her loving parents to her bedside to bid them farewell; told them that she was soon to leave them and told her mama to dry her tears and meet her in heaven, and to bring papa. She then said, "Grandma will you come too?" And as if going to sleep she died. She was only eight years old, but a bright and loving child; loved by all who knew her. While we will miss her in the Sunday School and her dear parents when they gather around, their fireside will see her vacant chair that cannot be filled. But what a consoling thought to know that she is now a bright angel in heaven and that at it will not be long ere they will meet their child again. God help the bereaved parents to be faithful until death, that they may join their own little ETHEL in the mansions of glory. Mrs. J. N. MCNEIL Mrs. S. E. WIER [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), May 10, 1889]

ISBELL, Hugh, Obituary

A Tribute of Respect - Died at his home in Lamar County on the 24th day of February last, HUGH ISBELL, after an illness of about ten days. He was born in Jackson County Tenn., where he lived until about 16 years of age, then moved to St. Clair County, Ala., where he married Miss ELIZA HOMES (sic) about the year 1849 (? - very light can't read) and shortly afterward joined the Baptist Church. About twenty years later he moved to this county and it being more convenient joined the Methodist Church and continued a faithful member of the same. He was buried by the Farmer's Alliance, of which he was a worthy member. The funeral was attended by a large crowd of sad and mourning friends. A FRIEND, Crews Depot, Ala, March 27, 1889. Rev. J. R. BAKER, will preach the funeral of HUGH ISBELL, on the fourth Sunday in August next, at Mt. Hebron, near Crews' Depot. All parties desiring to be present will please remember the date. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), Mar. 29 & June 27, 1889]

ISBELL, Son, Obituary

The infant son of Prof. and Mrs. R. G. ISBELL died on Saturday evening, and was buried this evening at 4 o'clock. - Millport, Ala., April 14. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), April 19, 1889]

JERNIGAN, Comer J., Obituary

TERRIBLE ACCIDENT - Greenville, Dec. 14 – The terrible accident occurred here this evening. Comer J. Jernigan, a young man, 19 years of age, is one of a party employed hauling timber to Greenville for shipment. While sitting on his timber cart, near the depot, something broke or came unfastened and he was hurled in midair, and thrown at least fifty feet to the ground.

When your representative reached the spot, a throng of at least 200 persons had congregated around the young fellow. The crowd was quickly dispersed by the police officers, however who stood guard until a litter could be procured, and removed the boy to Mr. John Newton’s

Everything possible will be done for him, but from all indications there is no hope for him and he may not survive the night. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), December 19, 1889]

KUYKENDALL, Mrs. Lodicie, Obituary

Died, on last Sunday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John D. McCluskey, Mrs. LODICIE KUYKENDALL. In the 67th year of her age, after a long and painful illness of about one year. The deceased was a sister of Rev. T. W. SPRINGFIELD and has a number of relatives in the county. The deceased was laid to rest with the impressive and solemn ceremonies of the Methodist Church, of which she had long been a consistent member. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), April 5, 1889]

LANGLEY, Nellie Ann, Obituary

Miss NELLIE ANN LANGLEY, daughter of Mr. W. R. LANGLEY who lives two miles north of town, died on August 2nd, from fever. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), August 15, 1889]

LAWRENCE, Martin, Obituary

Died: On Friday the 6th last, MARTIN LAWRENCE, at his home six miles southwest of town, after a long and painful illness. "Uncle" MARTIN was one of Lamar's oldest and best known citizens, and was a citizen of Vernon in its earlier days. His death, though not unexpected, is greatly deplored.

"Uncle" MARTIN LAWRENCE, one of Lamar's oldest citizens was buried at the cemetery in town Saturday. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), Dec. 12, 1889]

LEROY, Isadore

Warrior, May 3 – This morning a white miner, Isadore Leroy was found dead in the woods back of Red Row. From all the evidence he had grown melancholy and tired of life and put an end to his life by placing the muzzle of a pistol in his mouth and sending a ball into his brain. Leroy was a native of France, and leaves a wife and two children in Belgium. This is the first suicide ever committed in Warrior. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), May 10, 1889]

McNEAL, William L.

Inquiry is made for the relatives of WM. L. MCNEAL who died at Brownsborough Texas in Oct. 1888. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), July 11, 1889]

MOBLEY, Ben, Obituary

OFF ON A LARK – Talladega, Sept. 15 – Pleas Morris and Ben Mobley both colored, left town last hilarious on account of bug juice. When about eight miles out, a quarrel arose, Plaes severed the artery of Ben’s left arm, and Ben went off to glory. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), September 19, 1889]

MORTON, Jane, Obituary

The funeral of JANE MORTON, who departed this life April 8, 1889 will be preached on the first Sunday in October by Rev. E. BONMAN and DANIEL PERKINS, colored. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), Sept. 29, 1889]

NOLER, Mrs. Anna, Obituary

Mrs. ANNA NOLER, a most estimable lady, died near Crews Depot last week at the ripe old age of 84. The deceased was born in North Carolina but removed to this country many years ago and leaves a large number of children and grand children in the county. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), April 5, 1889]

OLDSHUE, James, Obituary

Died: On Sunday last, at his home in Sulligent, Mr. JAMES OLDSHUE, from a paralytic stroke. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), Nov. 7, 1889]

SANDERS, Mrs. Green B., Obituary

Died: On Saturday the 2nd inst., Mrs. SANDERS, wife of GREEN B. SANDERS, at her home three miles north of town, after a painful illness. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), Nov. 7, 1889]

SHELTON, Zuella, Obituary

A Construction Foreman Killed - Zul Shelton Meets his Death Near Corona on the Georgia Pacific - ZUELLA SHELTON, a white construction foreman on the Western Division of the Georgia Pacific Railroad was killed at Corona, fifty-five miles west of this city yesterday. He was standing on the lever car, which was on a side track, when a train came by and struck the car knocking SHELTON off and inflicting wounds from which he died three hours afterwards. The car on the siding had not fully cleared the main track which was the cause of the accident. SHELTON was struck on the head by a falling beam. SHELTON lived at Kennedy, a station only a few miles away, where his body was taken for burial. He was a married man and had been in the employ of the road for several months. [Birmingham News] [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), May 31, 1889]

SMITH, Terry, Obituary

Murder in Aberdeen - An Engineer Shot by a Section Foreman - The Particulars - A special of the 14 to the Age-Herald from Aberdeen gives the following account of the murder of Engineer SMITH. During the quiet of this morning a fearful tragedy was enacted at the Kansas City Depot, in which TERRY SMITH, one of the best engineers on the road, was shot and killed by C. C. EAKER, the section master on the Aberdeen branch of the road. SMITH had complained to EAKER and also the officials of the railroad about the condition of a portion of the track, and this complaint resulted in a quarrel. This morning about 7 o'clock, while SMITH was on his engine at work EAKER approached him and the quarrel was at once renewed. Because of EAKER'S violent abuse, SMITH stopped off the engine and they both stepped upon the platform in front of the office odor. At this juncture EAKER knocked SMITH off the platform, when he retreated to his cab and at once returned with a coal pick in his hand. Just as he stepped upon the platform, EAKER, who was standing the office door, shot him through the right lung, the ball passing entirely through the body. A second shot was fired, taking effect in the left shoulder. The killing was witnessed by GEORGE W. MILLER, the fireman and others. SMITH had been three or four years in the employment of this company and was regarded as one of its faithful and official employers. He was a native of Illinois, was about 38 years old and unmarried, was sober and very quiet. EAKER lives at the Junction near Amory and has a wife and eight children. He surrendered to the city officials and is now in jail. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), June 20, 1889]

STOUGH, G. W. "Deek", Obituary

People coming to town from Newtonville neighborhood Thursday morning, reported the tragic death of G. W. STOUGH, commonly called "Deek" which occurred in Hico beat Wednesday night. The particulars are as follows: STOUGH was on his way home from Fayette where he had spent the day. When a mile or so below Newtonville he decided to test the speed of the horse he was riding, and started off at a gallop. Before he had gone far, he leaned to one side, his head struck a tree and he was knocked from this horse. When he was picked up, he was dead. {Fayette Sentinel} [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), March 22, 1889]

VAUGHN, W. H., Obituary

Mr. W. H. VAUGHN, an excellent citizen and good Mason who lived in the vicinity of Anniston, was run over and killed by a late Georgia Pacific mail train Wednesday night. Mr. Vaughn was crossing the trestle near Eastaboga when the train ran over him and knocked him into the ravine underneath. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), December 12, 1889]

WALTERS, Son, Obituary

BOILED IN MOLASSES - Union Springs, Dec. 14 – Handy Walters and his 19-year old son were last night engaged at their home hear here in boiling cane syrup in a huge old-fashioned molasses kettle. The boy was leaving over the kettle to sniff the aroma, which grew more and more welcome as the cane juice thickened into molasses, when suddenly his balance was lost and he tumbled heard foremost into the boiling liquid. He was taken literally preserved to death, and though alive, he soon breathed his last in great agony. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), December 19, 1889]

WHITE, Mrs. Lovie, Obituary

Mrs. Lovie White died near Kellyton, Coosa County, a few days ago, aged 96 years. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), August 1, 1889]

WILLIAMS, Wiley, Obituary

Geneva, Dec. 17 – John Carter, a young white boy aged about 19 years, shot and killed Wiley Williams Friday night last during the progress of a dance at the house of the latter five miles from Geneva in his county. Carter escaped to Florida. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), December 26, 1889]

WOODS, Jennie, Obituary

Died: On Monday evening at 4 o'clock of slow fever, JENNIE, daughter of Mrs. and Rev. W. C. WOODS, aged 9 years. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), October 17, 1889]

YOUNG, Mr. J. R., Obituary

The entire community was sadly shocked by the receipt of a telegram last Friday from Tupelo announcing the death of Mr. J. R. YOUNG. His remains followed on Saturday's train and was interred at Wesley Chapel Sunday. Mr. YOUNG was born and reared near here. He grew up a model man, married one of the best young ladies in the community, moved to Lee County, Miss. a few years since where he has been successful farmer and one of the best citizens of the county, loved by his neighbors, as was proved by the number that followed his remains to the grave. He leaves a wife and two small children who will spend a while with her father Squire M. L. DAVIS, before she returns to her desolate home and it is to her and the aged parents that we especially extend our sympathy. "CLIP" Detroit, Ala. August 15, 1889 [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), August 22, 1889]

YOUNG, William, Obituary

On last Friday WILLIAM M. YOUNG, son of Mr. and Mrs. JOHN A. YOUNG, died at his father's home nine miles west of town, at the age of twenty-three years. He was a young man of splendid business qualifications and with bright prospects in life, which were cut short by consumption. He had for several years spent the winter in Columbus, Mississippi, where he had the friendship and confidence of many of the most prominent business men. In the winter of 1887 he began to fear the disease was fastening upon him and went to Florida, there to find that the climate seemed to aggravate instead of cure the disease, and with a sad heart returned to his home to die with those he loved. Long did the hopes inspired by his youth and prospect in life cause him to hold on to life, when his friends, who have felt many heartaches at his untimely death. A large number of friends gathered at the family burying place on last Saturday to see that which was mortal of him laid to rest. [Vernon Courier, (Vernon, Ala.), April 5, 1889]