Lancaster Family Obituaries -- Stone County, Arkansas ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: hermes@airmail.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Files may be printed or copied for Personal use only. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (Stone County AR) JULIUS RICHARD LANCASTER April 13, 1913 It seems to be but yesterday when three little boys near the same age, bright, intelligent, healthy and happy: the pride of three humble homes; the hope of three doting fathers; the joy of three loving mother's hearts were here, playing together, day after day. They were inseparable; as close as brothers. Winfield Nelson, Julius Lancaster and Hugh Williamson. They grew up together and on the completion of their education, each chose for himself his lifework; Winfield clerical work in railroad circles, Julius commerce and Hugh the law. It seemed that nothing could be in the way of the success of either; but, how sad to say that two of those dear boys are in eternity. Winfield answered the call Dec. 29th 1910 and Julius on April 13, 1913; just as life semed to hold it's brightest hopes and promises. On Thursday morning of last week Julius bade his young wife and sweet baby girl good bye and started for Calico Rock to buy material for his new residence. Little did Julius think then that he was taking the last look at his darling, golden haired baby girl. From Calico Rock he went to Batesville on the evening train to purchase the finishing materials and fixtures for his new house. He made all his purchases after supper, and went to his room on the second floor of the Arlington hotel. A few hours later, Mr. Lon Hix, a commercial traveler, and a close friend of the Lancaster family heard groans on the side walk below, and on going down to investigate, he found Julius in intense agony and unable to rise. He was taken to his room and a doctor summonsed immediately, and while all that medical skill and loving hands could do was done for him, he suffered intensely until 1 o'clock Sunday morn when he passed away, aged 23 years 3 months and 6 days. At the time of his death he was surrounded by his father, mother, wife, brother, sisters and other relatives, but to none of them could he explain the cause of the awful tragedy. Those who know him best are inclined to the opinion that he fell from the window during an attack of sonambulism or heart trouble, to both he was said to be subject. His remains were laid to rest in the Mountain View cemetery on Monday evening, April 14th, 1913, in the presence of about five hundred people, everyone of whom he could count his close friend. Rev. J. G. Parker conducted funeral services, assisted by Rev. L. O. Vermillion. Julius was a member of the Modern Woodmen and carried a life policy for $3,000.00 for his wife and baby girl. Julius was not a member of any church, but his heart "beat for other's woes" and he loved his fellow man; the last words he ever uttered was a plea to God for mercy, and if that plea was uttered in faith, that dear boy's soul is safe with God this day in paradise. To all the bereaved ones we offer the deep sympathy of hearts that have been torn with the same awful experience. Humanity can sympathize; it is a duty; but remember - God only can help. Stone County Arkansas Obits 1845-1925 MRS. ROBERT LANCASTER Died In Richwoods, Izard County, Arkansas on the 16th Feb. Mrs. Lancaster, consort of Robert Lancaster, Esq., aged 60 years. Mrs. Lancaster left a bereaved husband with a large circle of relations and friends to mourn her untimely loss. She was a worthy member of society, and beloved by all who knew her. But Alas! She has gone the way of all the world. Oh it is truly so, That ere long we all must go, Be our deeds what'ere they may, We all must die in a coming day. The Arkansas Banner, Little Rock, AR Wednesday Morning, March 11, 1846 ROBERT LANCASTER Batesville. September 12. Robert Lancaster, the murderer of Thomas Johnston, was born in Izard County, now Stone, in the neighborhood of Round Bottom, is about thirty-three years of age, and as fine a specimen of physical manhood as I ever saw. After receiving a good grammar school education he learned the trade of a stone mason, working in this trade when opportunity offered. He soon acquired dissipated habits, and being a man of immense physical strength, was considered a vigorous man when under the influence of liquor. He now admits that it was the desire to be thought "a big man", or "cock of the walk," which led him into the trouble which resulted in the killing of Johnston. The circumstances of the murder are as follows: On the night of December 24th, 1877, once Thomas Johnston gave a dance in an old store house, at Sylamore, Stone County, the rear end of which he adopted as a residence. Lancaster, with several other young men, came to the dance; and to get there had to cross Sylamore Creek, a stream emptying into White River, near the village, which was much swollen. All the party, except Lancaster, left their horses on the opposite side of the creek, but Lancaster had his horse put across and hitched it within one hundred yards of the house in which the dance was to be held, carrying his saddlebags into a store, remarking to the clerk that he was going to leave them there, but when he returned for them he wanted them "d__n quick." He then went to the house where dancing had already commenced. It being Christmastimes shooting of anvils and fire-crackers was being indulged in by the boys and young men, and a fire-cracker was either thrown or accidentally dropped, and exploded near Lancaster. At once he began to rage, and demanded to know who shot that pistol in the ball room, etc. Thomas Johnston, who had given the dance went to Lancaster and told him that no pistol had been fired, that it was only a fire-cracker that someone had thrown down, and as it was Christmastimes, nothing was meant by it, and he must not make so much fuss. At this, Lancaster, pealing off his coat said, "I weigh 167 pounds and cover the ground I stand on, and I can whip any three men in the house." Johnston told him he did not want any fuss with him, but he must keep quiet. Lancaster was got out of the house by his friends, and the row was thought to be over. While out he went to the store and got his saddlebags and put them across his horse, and returned to the dancing room and tried to get up a row with Johnston. Friends again interfered, and he was again got out of the house. It seems as if he was bent upon killing Johnston, as he repeated the attempt of trying to quarrel with him several times, Johnston avoiding him, and the friends of both parties succeeding in keeping them apart. About 11:00, Lancaster entered the door, passing Johnston, who was sitting near the door; walked to the rear end of the room, where the fiddler was playing; took the fiddle away from him and cut the strings, and said: "Now, by G_d, this dancing will stop; who will take it up?" He then went to Johnston and made the same banter, but not being taken up, he said to Johnston, "I understand that you said I am drunk tonight?" To which Johnston replied: "I did not say it." Lancaster then called him a "G_d d__n liar." Johnston told him that was hard to take in his own house and that he must not repeat it. At this Lancaster stepped back a little, turned from Johnston, drew his pistol and said: "You are a God d__n liar," and as he pronounced the last words, fired, shooting Johnston through the head, killing him instantly. He then left the house, mounted his horse, road out of the town, and after calling at his brother's house left the country. He is reported to have been in Kansas and in the Indian Territory for nearly a year, when he returned to Stone County country and succeeding in eluding the officers of the law until an accident compelled him to seek medical aid. On entering one of his numerous hiding places in the mountains, his pistol accidently striking a projecting rock, was discharged, the ball entering his leg inflicting a severe wound; he attempted for some time to dress the wound himself but gangrene set in and he was compelled to seek a physician, who amputated his leg, and while still under the charge of the physician, he was captured. His attorneys procurred a change of venue from Stone to Independence County, and his trial came off at the July term of the circuit court of that county. A jury was impaneled, and, after a full examination of the witnesses, for and against, and lengthy arguments by the counsel - occupying nearly two weeks of the time of the court - the jury found a verdict of murder in the first degree. A motion for a new trial was made by his attorneys, which was overruled by Judge Powell, and he was sentenced to be hung on the twelfth of September. After the sentence his attorneys forwarded a transcript of the proceedings to the supreme court for an appeal, asking that a new trial be granted him. This was also refused by Judge English, and today he has paid the penalty of his crime. THE EXECUTION. Lancaster was conveyed from the jail by the sheriff, with a guard of fifty men, to the place of execution. At 29 minutes to two, the rope was adjusted. After the black cap was placed over his face by Sheriff Case, he asked Mr. Case how he felt, Mr. Case's reply was "I expect I feel worse than you do." Mr. Lancaster replied: "Mr. Case, if you feel as good as I do, you are all right." He warned the assembly to avoid crime if they wish to escape the gallows; that crime would bring them where he was. To avoid crime, they must avoid bad company, as it was keeping bad company that brought him to this place. He expressed great hope of salvation to the Lord Jesus Christ, and that he was ready to leave a bad world for a better one. His last words to the sheriff, a moment before he was hurled into eternity, were: "False testimony brought me here, but I forgive them all." Not less than 5,000 persons witnessed the execution. They came from this and adjoining counties. Many came yesterday and campted near the gallows. Daily Arkansas Gazette: Saturday Morning, September 18, 1873 The Dance of Death. Special to the Gazette