William Richard Thomas Obituary, Jefferson County, AR

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Submitted by: Cara Flinn<mayfly1963@hotmail.com>
              - Husband's great grandfather
        Date: 8/12/2006
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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William Richard Thomas October 26, 1938 Pine Bluff Daily Graphic

Pine Bluff Daily Graphic
Number 83, Page 12
October 26, 1938
Bill Thomas
Funeral services were held yesterday morning for Bill Thomas, 58, Kearney
farmer who was shot to death in a road near his home Sunday afternoon.
Services where held from the Baptist church of Redfield, conducted by the
Rev. Hiram Clark, of Redfield.
Burial was in Redfield cemetery in charge of Holderness-Thornhill
Mortuary.
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Page 1
Bill Thomas, 58, Killed By Youth in Kearney Area
Bill Thomas, 58, farmer, living in the Kearney-Redfield section was found
dead in a road near his home about 5 o’clock Sunday afternoon and John
Reynolds, Jr., 17, is in Jefferson county jail here on a murder charge in
connection with the shooting which sheriff’s deputies report is apparently the 
result of a family feud of lond [sic] standing.
According to Sheriff Garland Brewster, Reynolds has made a statement confessing 
the slaying of the older man, claiming self defense.  The sheriff reported that 
there has been “bad blood” between the two families for several years and the 
feud was recently renewed when sons of Thomas were said to have been “egged” by 
Reynolds and his brothers.  This case was brought to local courts but members of
the two families were sent back to their homes after being given a lecture by
Sheriff Brewster.
Thomas was shot twice with a small caliber weapon, both bullets entering
his chest.  At the time he was shot, he was on his way to a spring near
his home to get a supply of water and empty containers which he had been
carrying were lying around his body.
Discovery of his body was first reported to Deputy Sheriff Walter Wolfe
of Redfield, who in turn notified Sheriff Brewster.  The sheriff and his
deputy, C.W. Voris, immediately went to the scene where  (See No. 2 on Page 
Eight)
Page 8
they began an investigation with State Policeman J.L. Patillo, Carl Miller and 
O.V. Whitted and Deputy Wolfe. As the sheriff was familiar with the quarrel 
between the Thomas and Reynolds families, the officers went to the Reynolds 
home after failing to pick up a trail with bloodhounds.  At the Reynolds home, 
they found John Reynolds, Jr., who was 17 on June 27, hiding behind the house in
a brush pile and when he was questioned, the youth according to local officers,
made a statement in which he confessed to the shooting.
According to Sheriff Brewster the youth stated that he had been hunting
squirrel with his .22 rifle when he met Thomas in the road.  He said that
Thomas threatened him, saying, “I am going to kill you right here,” and
that he fired two shots at the man with his rifle.  Deputy Wolfe found
two empty .22 cartridges about 30 feet from the point where Thomas’
body was found.
Officers said that the “egging” of the Thomas sons which is said to have
precipitated the new outbreak in the feud between the families occurred a
few weeks ago and the case was aired our [sic.] in court here.
Funeral services for Mr. Thomas will be held at the Baptist church at
Redfield at 2 o’clock this afternoon in charge of Holderness-Thornhill Mortuary.
Services will be conducted by the Rev. Hiram Clark of Redfield.
Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Josie Irby Thomas; three sons, Calude,
Roy and Jewell, all of Redfield; two daughters, Mrs. Roy Crossey and Mrs.
L.C. Patterson of Redfield; six brothers, Luther, Calvin, San, Jim,
Buster and Elmer Thomas, all of Bruce, Miss., four sisters, Mrs. Leslie
Davis, Mrs. Edd Stanton, Misses Mary and Lottie Thomas all of Bruce; his
father, Jim Thomas of Bruce; two grandchildren and a number of other
relatives.