Daily Advocate
Victoria, Texas
19 Oct 1914, Mon • Page 8
SON CONFESSES TO MURDER OF FATHER AN AGED RANCHER
Colonel George W. Parks, ranch man and land owner residing near Smiley, Wilson county, found dead on September 30, was killed by two negroes employed by his son, is the confession made to Deputy Chief J.W. Galbreath and Justice of the Peace Ben S. Fisk, by Lonnie Parks, the son of the aged ranchman. Parks in his confession, implicated another white man and two negroes, all under arrest.
Mr G.W. Parks had left his home to go to Nixon on business and had reached a gate opening from his pasture into the Nixon and Elm Road, a quarter of a mile from tbe house. Two shots were heard at the time, but no attention was paid to them. In a short time, a woman passing in a buggy found the body in the middle of road and notified his family.
On examination it was found that he had been shot in the back of the ear, the ball passing through the base of the brain.
Colonel Parks Is a son-in-law of Mrs. M. B. Passmore of this city. He is about 70 years old.
Surviving are a wife, two sons and several grown daughters. His land holdings were very extensive and his financial standing high.
At the time there was no tangible clue to the motive or to the murderers. Following a lengthy Investigation by Sheriff William Johnson of Gonzales county and Sheriff W. B. Wilson of Wilson county, the arrest of Parks followed.
Sheriff Johnson arrested George Hauser, said to be one of the negroes, at Gonzales, while the other negro 18 year old was arrested in this city Friday afternoon by Captain of Police Al Mussey and Dave Coy.
Parks in his confession gives, as the reason for the deed that he and another man had been selling cattle that belonged to his father. After this practice had continued for a time Colonel Parks discovered the theft and notified his son that the theft of the cattle must stop or he would send him and his comrade to the penitentiary.
Fearing that his father would make good on the threat the Parks boy immediately notified the other man of the circumstances and asked what could be done. The other man, according to Parks suggested that "We had better do away with the old man". He outlined a plan whereby two negroes were to do the actual killing.
Parks then asked what he would have to pay the other man. The accomplice replied that as he, Parks had lent him $300 some time ago, to just consider that debt settled. In consideration thereof it would not cost Parks anything.
Parks said he agreed to this arrangement and the other man then arranged for the murder of the ranchman. Parks said that the two negroes hid in the brush beside the road, and when the elder Parks got out of his buggy to open the gate, one of the negroes stepped up, and placing a gun at the side of the head of the ranchman fired. Death is said to have been instantaneous.
Parks, who was brought to this city following his arrest, in his confession implicated Chris House, city Marshal of Nixon. House is also under arrest and is being held in tbe county Jail.
NOTE: Lonnie Parks pleaded not guilty regardless of his confession and he was acquitted by a jury. Chris House was also acquitted. The two black men pleaded guilty and were convicted. Justice isn't always served!
The Austin American
Austin, Texas
01 Dec 1914, Tue • Page 3
SMILEY FARMER HELD FOR HIRING FATHER KILLED
Parks Jailed at San Antonio Upon Confession of Negroes They Did Shooting.
The murder of Colonel George W. Parks, whose body was found near his home at Smiley Sept 30, has been revealed by a confession of Johnnie Jones and George Dawson, two negroes, who say that they were hired by Lonnie Parks, the son of Colonel Parks, to commit the murder.
Johnnie Jones was arrested Wednesday at Columbus. He made a confession to Lester Holt, District Attorney at Seguln. Jones was arrested at Columbus as the result of a letter written by him from San Antonio to George Dawson at Nixon. The letter was the first trace that the officers had received of Jones being here. Jones had started back to Nixon when he was notified by friends that Parks and Dawson had been arrested. He hid out for several days, but was finally arrested. He was brought to San Antonio and Is now in the county jail, together with Dawson and Lonnle Parks. Dawson, the other negro In question, confessed that he had been hired by Parks for $1000 and had been given a note for $325 and was promised the balance after the killing.
Lonnie Parks, who is just 20 years of age, made a complete confession to the Justice of the Peace yesterday. "About six weeks ago I took some cattle belonging to my father and sold them," he said. "Afterwards I heard that my father was going to prosecute me for stealing cattle. I went to Chris House and told him about it, and he told me that a negro named George Dawson would kill my father. I had a note against House for $325."
Sol Parks, brother of the murdered man, also a wealthy ranchman, grieved so much over his brother's death that he died five weeks after the killing, Just as he was about to sit down to breakfast. Heart disease caused his death.
The Houston Post
Houston, Texas
25 Jul 1915, Sun • Page 21
Convicted of Parks' Death.
Gonzales , Texas, July 14.
George Dawson, charged with murder, sentenced to five years, and Johnnie Jones, charged with murder, 26 years. The last two were charged with the killing of G. W. Parks, an aged ranchman, residing near Nixon, and who death occurred on the 30th day of September of last year. Both of the parties entered a plea of guilty in court yesterday mornIng and asked for mercy from the court and jury.
Victoria, Texas
19 Oct 1914, Mon • Page 8
SON CONFESSES TO MURDER OF FATHER AN AGED RANCHER
Colonel George W. Parks, ranch man and land owner residing near Smiley, Wilson county, found dead on September 30, was killed by two negroes employed by his son, is the confession made to Deputy Chief J.W. Galbreath and Justice of the Peace Ben S. Fisk, by Lonnie Parks, the son of the aged ranchman. Parks in his confession, implicated another white man and two negroes, all under arrest.
Mr G.W. Parks had left his home to go to Nixon on business and had reached a gate opening from his pasture into the Nixon and Elm Road, a quarter of a mile from tbe house. Two shots were heard at the time, but no attention was paid to them. In a short time, a woman passing in a buggy found the body in the middle of road and notified his family.
On examination it was found that he had been shot in the back of the ear, the ball passing through the base of the brain.
Colonel Parks Is a son-in-law of Mrs. M. B. Passmore of this city. He is about 70 years old.
Surviving are a wife, two sons and several grown daughters. His land holdings were very extensive and his financial standing high.
At the time there was no tangible clue to the motive or to the murderers. Following a lengthy Investigation by Sheriff William Johnson of Gonzales county and Sheriff W. B. Wilson of Wilson county, the arrest of Parks followed.
Sheriff Johnson arrested George Hauser, said to be one of the negroes, at Gonzales, while the other negro 18 year old was arrested in this city Friday afternoon by Captain of Police Al Mussey and Dave Coy.
Parks in his confession gives, as the reason for the deed that he and another man had been selling cattle that belonged to his father. After this practice had continued for a time Colonel Parks discovered the theft and notified his son that the theft of the cattle must stop or he would send him and his comrade to the penitentiary.
Fearing that his father would make good on the threat the Parks boy immediately notified the other man of the circumstances and asked what could be done. The other man, according to Parks suggested that "We had better do away with the old man". He outlined a plan whereby two negroes were to do the actual killing.
Parks then asked what he would have to pay the other man. The accomplice replied that as he, Parks had lent him $300 some time ago, to just consider that debt settled. In consideration thereof it would not cost Parks anything.
Parks said he agreed to this arrangement and the other man then arranged for the murder of the ranchman. Parks said that the two negroes hid in the brush beside the road, and when the elder Parks got out of his buggy to open the gate, one of the negroes stepped up, and placing a gun at the side of the head of the ranchman fired. Death is said to have been instantaneous.
Parks, who was brought to this city following his arrest, in his confession implicated Chris House, city Marshal of Nixon. House is also under arrest and is being held in tbe county Jail.
NOTE: Lonnie Parks pleaded not guilty regardless of his confession and he was acquitted by a jury. Chris House was also acquitted. The two black men pleaded guilty and were convicted. Justice isn't always served!
The Austin American
Austin, Texas
01 Dec 1914, Tue • Page 3
SMILEY FARMER HELD FOR HIRING FATHER KILLED
Parks Jailed at San Antonio Upon Confession of Negroes They Did Shooting.
The murder of Colonel George W. Parks, whose body was found near his home at Smiley Sept 30, has been revealed by a confession of Johnnie Jones and George Dawson, two negroes, who say that they were hired by Lonnie Parks, the son of Colonel Parks, to commit the murder.
Johnnie Jones was arrested Wednesday at Columbus. He made a confession to Lester Holt, District Attorney at Seguln. Jones was arrested at Columbus as the result of a letter written by him from San Antonio to George Dawson at Nixon. The letter was the first trace that the officers had received of Jones being here. Jones had started back to Nixon when he was notified by friends that Parks and Dawson had been arrested. He hid out for several days, but was finally arrested. He was brought to San Antonio and Is now in the county jail, together with Dawson and Lonnle Parks. Dawson, the other negro In question, confessed that he had been hired by Parks for $1000 and had been given a note for $325 and was promised the balance after the killing.
Lonnie Parks, who is just 20 years of age, made a complete confession to the Justice of the Peace yesterday. "About six weeks ago I took some cattle belonging to my father and sold them," he said. "Afterwards I heard that my father was going to prosecute me for stealing cattle. I went to Chris House and told him about it, and he told me that a negro named George Dawson would kill my father. I had a note against House for $325."
Sol Parks, brother of the murdered man, also a wealthy ranchman, grieved so much over his brother's death that he died five weeks after the killing, Just as he was about to sit down to breakfast. Heart disease caused his death.
The Houston Post
Houston, Texas
25 Jul 1915, Sun • Page 21
Convicted of Parks' Death.
Gonzales , Texas, July 14.
George Dawson, charged with murder, sentenced to five years, and Johnnie Jones, charged with murder, 26 years. The last two were charged with the killing of G. W. Parks, an aged ranchman, residing near Nixon, and who death occurred on the 30th day of September of last year. Both of the parties entered a plea of guilty in court yesterday mornIng and asked for mercy from the court and jury.
Daily Advocate
Victoria, Texas
19 Oct 1914, Mon • Page 8
SON CONFESSES TO MURDER OF FATHER AN AGED RANCHER
Colonel George W. Parks, ranch man and land owner residing near Smiley, Wilson county, found dead on September 30, was killed by two negroes employed by his son, is the confession made to Deputy Chief J.W. Galbreath and Justice of the Peace Ben S. Fisk, by Lonnie Parks, the son of the aged ranchman. Parks in his confession, implicated another white man and two negroes, all under arrest.
Mr G.W. Parks had left his home to go to Nixon on business and had reached a gate opening from his pasture into the Nixon and Elm Road, a quarter of a mile from tbe house. Two shots were heard at the time, but no attention was paid to them. In a short time, a woman passing in a buggy found the body in the middle of road and notified his family.
On examination it was found that he had been shot in the back of the ear, the ball passing through the base of the brain.
Colonel Parks Is a son-in-law of Mrs. M. B. Passmore of this city. He is about 70 years old.
Surviving are a wife, two sons and several grown daughters. His land holdings were very extensive and his financial standing high.
At the time there was no tangible clue to the motive or to the murderers. Following a lengthy Investigation by Sheriff William Johnson of Gonzales county and Sheriff W. B. Wilson of Wilson county, the arrest of Parks followed.
Sheriff Johnson arrested George Hauser, said to be one of the negroes, at Gonzales, while the other negro 18 year old was arrested in this city Friday afternoon by Captain of Police Al Mussey and Dave Coy.
Parks in his confession gives, as the reason for the deed that he and another man had been selling cattle that belonged to his father. After this practice had continued for a time Colonel Parks discovered the theft and notified his son that the theft of the cattle must stop or he would send him and his comrade to the penitentiary.
Fearing that his father would make good on the threat the Parks boy immediately notified the other man of the circumstances and asked what could be done. The other man, according to Parks suggested that "We had better do away with the old man". He outlined a plan whereby two negroes were to do the actual killing.
Parks then asked what he would have to pay the other man. The accomplice replied that as he, Parks had lent him $300 some time ago, to just consider that debt settled. In consideration thereof it would not cost Parks anything.
Parks said he agreed to this arrangement and the other man then arranged for the murder of the ranchman. Parks said that the two negroes hid in the brush beside the road, and when the elder Parks got out of his buggy to open the gate, one of the negroes stepped up, and placing a gun at the side of the head of the ranchman fired. Death is said to have been instantaneous.
Parks, who was brought to this city following his arrest, in his confession implicated Chris House, city Marshal of Nixon. House is also under arrest and is being held in tbe county Jail.
NOTE: Lonnie Parks pleaded not guilty regardless of his confession and he was acquitted by a jury. Chris House was also acquitted. The two black men pleaded guilty and were convicted. Justice isn't always served!
The Austin American
Austin, Texas
01 Dec 1914, Tue • Page 3
SMILEY FARMER HELD FOR HIRING FATHER KILLED
Parks Jailed at San Antonio Upon Confession of Negroes They Did Shooting.
The murder of Colonel George W. Parks, whose body was found near his home at Smiley Sept 30, has been revealed by a confession of Johnnie Jones and George Dawson, two negroes, who say that they were hired by Lonnie Parks, the son of Colonel Parks, to commit the murder.
Johnnie Jones was arrested Wednesday at Columbus. He made a confession to Lester Holt, District Attorney at Seguln. Jones was arrested at Columbus as the result of a letter written by him from San Antonio to George Dawson at Nixon. The letter was the first trace that the officers had received of Jones being here. Jones had started back to Nixon when he was notified by friends that Parks and Dawson had been arrested. He hid out for several days, but was finally arrested. He was brought to San Antonio and Is now in the county jail, together with Dawson and Lonnle Parks. Dawson, the other negro In question, confessed that he had been hired by Parks for $1000 and had been given a note for $325 and was promised the balance after the killing.
Lonnie Parks, who is just 20 years of age, made a complete confession to the Justice of the Peace yesterday. "About six weeks ago I took some cattle belonging to my father and sold them," he said. "Afterwards I heard that my father was going to prosecute me for stealing cattle. I went to Chris House and told him about it, and he told me that a negro named George Dawson would kill my father. I had a note against House for $325."
Sol Parks, brother of the murdered man, also a wealthy ranchman, grieved so much over his brother's death that he died five weeks after the killing, Just as he was about to sit down to breakfast. Heart disease caused his death.
The Houston Post
Houston, Texas
25 Jul 1915, Sun • Page 21
Convicted of Parks' Death.
Gonzales , Texas, July 14.
George Dawson, charged with murder, sentenced to five years, and Johnnie Jones, charged with murder, 26 years. The last two were charged with the killing of G. W. Parks, an aged ranchman, residing near Nixon, and who death occurred on the 30th day of September of last year. Both of the parties entered a plea of guilty in court yesterday mornIng and asked for mercy from the court and jury.
Victoria, Texas
19 Oct 1914, Mon • Page 8
SON CONFESSES TO MURDER OF FATHER AN AGED RANCHER
Colonel George W. Parks, ranch man and land owner residing near Smiley, Wilson county, found dead on September 30, was killed by two negroes employed by his son, is the confession made to Deputy Chief J.W. Galbreath and Justice of the Peace Ben S. Fisk, by Lonnie Parks, the son of the aged ranchman. Parks in his confession, implicated another white man and two negroes, all under arrest.
Mr G.W. Parks had left his home to go to Nixon on business and had reached a gate opening from his pasture into the Nixon and Elm Road, a quarter of a mile from tbe house. Two shots were heard at the time, but no attention was paid to them. In a short time, a woman passing in a buggy found the body in the middle of road and notified his family.
On examination it was found that he had been shot in the back of the ear, the ball passing through the base of the brain.
Colonel Parks Is a son-in-law of Mrs. M. B. Passmore of this city. He is about 70 years old.
Surviving are a wife, two sons and several grown daughters. His land holdings were very extensive and his financial standing high.
At the time there was no tangible clue to the motive or to the murderers. Following a lengthy Investigation by Sheriff William Johnson of Gonzales county and Sheriff W. B. Wilson of Wilson county, the arrest of Parks followed.
Sheriff Johnson arrested George Hauser, said to be one of the negroes, at Gonzales, while the other negro 18 year old was arrested in this city Friday afternoon by Captain of Police Al Mussey and Dave Coy.
Parks in his confession gives, as the reason for the deed that he and another man had been selling cattle that belonged to his father. After this practice had continued for a time Colonel Parks discovered the theft and notified his son that the theft of the cattle must stop or he would send him and his comrade to the penitentiary.
Fearing that his father would make good on the threat the Parks boy immediately notified the other man of the circumstances and asked what could be done. The other man, according to Parks suggested that "We had better do away with the old man". He outlined a plan whereby two negroes were to do the actual killing.
Parks then asked what he would have to pay the other man. The accomplice replied that as he, Parks had lent him $300 some time ago, to just consider that debt settled. In consideration thereof it would not cost Parks anything.
Parks said he agreed to this arrangement and the other man then arranged for the murder of the ranchman. Parks said that the two negroes hid in the brush beside the road, and when the elder Parks got out of his buggy to open the gate, one of the negroes stepped up, and placing a gun at the side of the head of the ranchman fired. Death is said to have been instantaneous.
Parks, who was brought to this city following his arrest, in his confession implicated Chris House, city Marshal of Nixon. House is also under arrest and is being held in tbe county Jail.
NOTE: Lonnie Parks pleaded not guilty regardless of his confession and he was acquitted by a jury. Chris House was also acquitted. The two black men pleaded guilty and were convicted. Justice isn't always served!
The Austin American
Austin, Texas
01 Dec 1914, Tue • Page 3
SMILEY FARMER HELD FOR HIRING FATHER KILLED
Parks Jailed at San Antonio Upon Confession of Negroes They Did Shooting.
The murder of Colonel George W. Parks, whose body was found near his home at Smiley Sept 30, has been revealed by a confession of Johnnie Jones and George Dawson, two negroes, who say that they were hired by Lonnie Parks, the son of Colonel Parks, to commit the murder.
Johnnie Jones was arrested Wednesday at Columbus. He made a confession to Lester Holt, District Attorney at Seguln. Jones was arrested at Columbus as the result of a letter written by him from San Antonio to George Dawson at Nixon. The letter was the first trace that the officers had received of Jones being here. Jones had started back to Nixon when he was notified by friends that Parks and Dawson had been arrested. He hid out for several days, but was finally arrested. He was brought to San Antonio and Is now in the county jail, together with Dawson and Lonnle Parks. Dawson, the other negro In question, confessed that he had been hired by Parks for $1000 and had been given a note for $325 and was promised the balance after the killing.
Lonnie Parks, who is just 20 years of age, made a complete confession to the Justice of the Peace yesterday. "About six weeks ago I took some cattle belonging to my father and sold them," he said. "Afterwards I heard that my father was going to prosecute me for stealing cattle. I went to Chris House and told him about it, and he told me that a negro named George Dawson would kill my father. I had a note against House for $325."
Sol Parks, brother of the murdered man, also a wealthy ranchman, grieved so much over his brother's death that he died five weeks after the killing, Just as he was about to sit down to breakfast. Heart disease caused his death.
The Houston Post
Houston, Texas
25 Jul 1915, Sun • Page 21
Convicted of Parks' Death.
Gonzales , Texas, July 14.
George Dawson, charged with murder, sentenced to five years, and Johnnie Jones, charged with murder, 26 years. The last two were charged with the killing of G. W. Parks, an aged ranchman, residing near Nixon, and who death occurred on the 30th day of September of last year. Both of the parties entered a plea of guilty in court yesterday mornIng and asked for mercy from the court and jury.
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