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How Did They Die? Murders, Suicides and Accidents

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Contributed by: Jeff and Julie Coley on 10/14/2007

It has been a few months now since I first posted on yourhub.com that I was going to write a book about murders in North Texas. Since that time, I have decided on a title for the book which will be, "How Did They Die? Murders, Suicides and Accidents in North Texas, 1907-1925." What started out in my mind to be a short, quick compilation of about 25 different murders that happened in the early 1900's, has become a much larger labor of love. Why, you ask, is it a labor of love? Because I have become attached to each of the parties involved in the murders that I have written about.
I have written 50 stories to date with many more to come and I have talked to the grandchildren and other relatives of some of these people via e mail. They have helped me add more personal information to my stories. One such story is the woman who killed her husband on Christmas Eve while he was lying in bed because she just couldn't take his abuse any longer. It was said that he would sell her body to men and wouldn't feed or clothe her or her children. The sheriff felt so sorry for her that he and his wife took her children into their home and bought them Christmas presents. After she got out of jail, he took up a collection to buy her clothes and give her some money to get home to McLennan County where her mother was. She raised her grandson and life was not easy for either of them as she was always shunned in the community for killing her husband.
Another story that became personal for me was the story of Houston Snow, who killed two special deputies in the county. After researching his family history, I discovered that he was married to my third cousin back in 1908, so I was able to add this famous murder to my own genealogy. While Snow was out on appeal from his twenty year sentence, he was shot and killed by a Texas Ranger.
Each and every story has a personal touch with information about their families and the loved ones that they left behind. My husband Jeff helps me every Saturday, sitting in front of the microfilm readers at the Kemp Public Library, sifting through months and months of newspapers, looking for the story from beginning to end, in between his pausing to look at old car advertisements or other auto related items and for anyone who knows Jeff, you will understand.
While I am still working on the book, I hope to be finished in the next few months. If you would like to be notified when the book is finished, please e mail me at neatstuffgifts@aol.com and I will put you on my list and will send you an e mail to let you know that the book is ready to go to print.

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Submitted By: vicki malone

posted on 5/27/2008 @ 11:49:29 PM

Rated Story

interesting story. do you hve any info on a murder that occured over 10yrs, ago perhaps between 91 and 93. the victims name was Melonie Stennette(sp)her body was found stuffed underher bed. she lived in near rider high . Her boyfriend was suspect it may have went to trial and later dismissed? not sure. there was rumor she may have been pregnant and that his lawyers put up his bail money? I often think of her and wonder what ever happened cause she was friends with my daughters.

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Submitted By: Brenda Grubb

posted on 11/5/2007 @ 5:07:29 PM

Rated Story

I don't know about the early 1900's, but I have watched 4 shows recently (past year) on tv showcasing murders in Wichita Falls. I think most were on American Justice and one was on Snapped. I couldn't believe one town had so many recently featured murders. I wish I could remember all the names. Good luck with your book. I'm sure it will be interesting.

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Submitted By: Tony Collins

posted on 10/16/2007 @ 1:17:32 PM

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What a great idea. I did the What Do You Know About Wichtia Falls articles a few years ago for TRN and there are so many neat stories from the past. I look forward to reading your book some day.

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Submitted By: Beverly McClure

posted on 10/15/2007 @ 8:56:27 PM

Rated Story

What a great idea for a book. I always enjoy the research and people's lives and why they did the things they did. Looking forward to hearing more about your book when it's complete.

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Showing 1-4 of 4 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Jeff and Julie Coley

Wichita Falls , TX

Jeff and Julie Coley has posted 19 stories and 18 comments since joining on 11/29/2006. Jeff and Julie Coley 's average story rating is 4.8.

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