Joseph was born in Polk County, Arkansas and married Ida Elzona Cheek on January 9, 1897 in Polk County, Arkansas. They had 8 children (Maudie E., Ira, Bertha, Elton, Marcus, Dona L., Helter, Evertt). Joseph lived his entire life on the homestead that his father Joseph settled when he came to Arkansas from Georgia.
In 1921, a tragedy happened to the Joseph Latch family. George, his brother who never married, was known to rustle cattle around the area. He wore two pearl handled revolvers on his side and looked quit the bandit. He was very proficient with his pistols, could trill them, flip them into his holster, and draw fast, just like displayed in many western movies. George would ride his horse around pulling a small flat bed wagon looking for a cow he could butcher and would then peddle the meat. Joseph turned his brother George in to the grand jury for his thiefs and this lead to ill feelings between the brothers which later lead to a duel between the brothers in which Joseph had to kill his brother in self defense.
As a kid, I use to visit my great grandmother Ida in Arkansas and I always loved the visit. Even the trips themselves were exciting. One time I remember a trip where a bridge had washed out and a temporary pontoon bridge was installed. This bridge was the type used in World War II where each wheel ran in a u-shaped rut and each pontoon was linked with hinges, so as you crossed the river, the car would tip back and forth like a rocking chair. We make this crossing after dark in a driving rain, so it was very scary, especially for a young boy.
Ida had an old log house with a pot belly stove to keep the house warm, but best of all, she had a feather bed and I loved to sleep in that bed. It was very warm and cozy. I use to love to set on the front porch and listen to my great uncles, Helter and Elton, tell hunting stories and listen to the dogs track deer through the woods and around the mountains. About 100 yards from the house was a creek that ran with clear cool water. I would play in the rocks alone the creek and drink the cool water and watch the cars ford the creek.
BROTHERS IN DUEL, GEORGE LATCH DIES
Victim of encounter said to have brought other's death because of alleged court testimony – no arrest made.
A duel to death between brothers was fought near Hatfield Thursday evening resulting in the killing of George Latch, a man well known in the courts of Polk county. Tib Latch a younger brother, surrendered himself to the authorities and admitted the killing, claiming that he was forced to do it in defense of his own life. Sherriff J. A. Thornton, Judge H. W. Finger, and others who made an investigation were so convinced of the truth of the slayer's statement no attempt was made to arrest him and Tib Latch was permitted to come to Mena of his own accord.
The deadly encounter between the Latch brothers took place sometime between 4 and 5 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the barn of the Tib Latch farm east of Hatfield. From evidence gathered by the officers it is believed that George Latch was lying in ambush waiting to kill his brother, and was killed himself because he was slow on the draw. A heavy caliber revolver, fully loaded and a partly emptied bottle of moonshine liquor are said to have been found on the dead man's person. Near the point where the dead man stood when the fatal shot was fired, was also found a Winchester rifle. The weapons are confiscated evidence of the murderous intent of the dead man's visit to his brother's farm.
Immediately after the shooting, Tib Latch sent word to Hatfield that he had been forced to kill his brother, and asked officers be sent out to investigate. J. C. Hebefmer, Ed Hutson, and Dr. D. W. Connally were among those who responded to the call and went to the Latch farm. They found George Latch lying dead with the contents of a double barreled shotgun in his chest. The man had fallen only a few steps away from where he stood when his brother fired.
There were no eye-witnesses to the tragedy and Tib Latch did not attempt to explain the killing until the Hatfield party arrived. To those men he explained in detail the deadly encounter and they investigated and stated the slayer's version was generally corroborated.
According to Tib Latch's story he had been warned his brother had threatened his life. The cause of the ill-feeling went back to some alleged thefts of cattle in which George Latch is said to have participated, and which be believe Tib Latch had taken before the grand jury. The two bothers lived on the old homestead and their homes were not over a quarter mile apart.
Thursday afternoon George Latch was seen to go down the road towards his brother's house and to two men he met is said to have said. "Keep away, we're going to have trouble." At the time Latch carried a rifle and was in an excited and angry mood.
Since he received his first warning of threats against his life, Tib Latch has been careful to go near his barn only in bright daylight, as he feared, he says, of being shot down from ambush. This explained why he was tending to his stock so early in the evening.
While at the barn Thursday evening, Tib Latch states that he had his double-barreled shotgun with him, a weapon he had carried on such errands since his brother made threats against him. While at work he saw his brother rise up from the clump of weeds not fifty feet distant. Believing from his brother's actions he was about to be fired upon, Tib Latch fired both barrels in rapid succession.
As George Latch staggered, he said according to his brother: "It's a good thing you got me first." Tib Latch did not go near his brother until after Dr. Connally and the Hatfield men arrived. It was not until then that the weapons and moonshine were found. It was evident Dr. Connally stated, that the man had died almost instantly, as both charges of No. 4 shot had penetrated vital organs.
The body of the dead man was taken to the home where he lived with his aged mother. Funeral services were held at Hatfield Friday. The dead man was generally referred to as "Colonel", a title he obtained years ago while engaged in one of his numerous law suites. He was about 51 years old and unmarried.
When Sheriff Thornton was notified of the fatal shooting, he went to Hatfield in company with Judge Finger, John Shorter and Deputy Sheriff Amos Musgrave. After the officials had checked upon the evidence they were convinced that Tib Latch had been forced to kill his brother or be killed, and they did not place the slayer under arrest. It was not even considered necessary to put the county to the expense of a coroner's inquest. Tib Latch was directed to come to Mena Friday, where the grand jury was expected to make a more thorough investigation of the fatal shooting.
He is about 49 years old and a married man with grown children, and has always been considered a good citizen in his community and not a trouble maker.
Mena Weekly Star, October 27, 1921
In 1921, a tragedy happened to the Joseph Latch family. George, his brother who never married, was known to rustle cattle around the area. He wore two pearl handled revolvers on his side and looked quit the bandit. He was very proficient with his pistols, could trill them, flip them into his holster, and draw fast, just like displayed in many western movies. George would ride his horse around pulling a small flat bed wagon looking for a cow he could butcher and would then peddle the meat. Joseph turned his brother George in to the grand jury for his thiefs and this lead to ill feelings between the brothers which later lead to a duel between the brothers in which Joseph had to kill his brother in self defense.
As a kid, I use to visit my great grandmother Ida in Arkansas and I always loved the visit. Even the trips themselves were exciting. One time I remember a trip where a bridge had washed out and a temporary pontoon bridge was installed. This bridge was the type used in World War II where each wheel ran in a u-shaped rut and each pontoon was linked with hinges, so as you crossed the river, the car would tip back and forth like a rocking chair. We make this crossing after dark in a driving rain, so it was very scary, especially for a young boy.
Ida had an old log house with a pot belly stove to keep the house warm, but best of all, she had a feather bed and I loved to sleep in that bed. It was very warm and cozy. I use to love to set on the front porch and listen to my great uncles, Helter and Elton, tell hunting stories and listen to the dogs track deer through the woods and around the mountains. About 100 yards from the house was a creek that ran with clear cool water. I would play in the rocks alone the creek and drink the cool water and watch the cars ford the creek.
BROTHERS IN DUEL, GEORGE LATCH DIES
Victim of encounter said to have brought other's death because of alleged court testimony – no arrest made.
A duel to death between brothers was fought near Hatfield Thursday evening resulting in the killing of George Latch, a man well known in the courts of Polk county. Tib Latch a younger brother, surrendered himself to the authorities and admitted the killing, claiming that he was forced to do it in defense of his own life. Sherriff J. A. Thornton, Judge H. W. Finger, and others who made an investigation were so convinced of the truth of the slayer's statement no attempt was made to arrest him and Tib Latch was permitted to come to Mena of his own accord.
The deadly encounter between the Latch brothers took place sometime between 4 and 5 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the barn of the Tib Latch farm east of Hatfield. From evidence gathered by the officers it is believed that George Latch was lying in ambush waiting to kill his brother, and was killed himself because he was slow on the draw. A heavy caliber revolver, fully loaded and a partly emptied bottle of moonshine liquor are said to have been found on the dead man's person. Near the point where the dead man stood when the fatal shot was fired, was also found a Winchester rifle. The weapons are confiscated evidence of the murderous intent of the dead man's visit to his brother's farm.
Immediately after the shooting, Tib Latch sent word to Hatfield that he had been forced to kill his brother, and asked officers be sent out to investigate. J. C. Hebefmer, Ed Hutson, and Dr. D. W. Connally were among those who responded to the call and went to the Latch farm. They found George Latch lying dead with the contents of a double barreled shotgun in his chest. The man had fallen only a few steps away from where he stood when his brother fired.
There were no eye-witnesses to the tragedy and Tib Latch did not attempt to explain the killing until the Hatfield party arrived. To those men he explained in detail the deadly encounter and they investigated and stated the slayer's version was generally corroborated.
According to Tib Latch's story he had been warned his brother had threatened his life. The cause of the ill-feeling went back to some alleged thefts of cattle in which George Latch is said to have participated, and which be believe Tib Latch had taken before the grand jury. The two bothers lived on the old homestead and their homes were not over a quarter mile apart.
Thursday afternoon George Latch was seen to go down the road towards his brother's house and to two men he met is said to have said. "Keep away, we're going to have trouble." At the time Latch carried a rifle and was in an excited and angry mood.
Since he received his first warning of threats against his life, Tib Latch has been careful to go near his barn only in bright daylight, as he feared, he says, of being shot down from ambush. This explained why he was tending to his stock so early in the evening.
While at the barn Thursday evening, Tib Latch states that he had his double-barreled shotgun with him, a weapon he had carried on such errands since his brother made threats against him. While at work he saw his brother rise up from the clump of weeds not fifty feet distant. Believing from his brother's actions he was about to be fired upon, Tib Latch fired both barrels in rapid succession.
As George Latch staggered, he said according to his brother: "It's a good thing you got me first." Tib Latch did not go near his brother until after Dr. Connally and the Hatfield men arrived. It was not until then that the weapons and moonshine were found. It was evident Dr. Connally stated, that the man had died almost instantly, as both charges of No. 4 shot had penetrated vital organs.
The body of the dead man was taken to the home where he lived with his aged mother. Funeral services were held at Hatfield Friday. The dead man was generally referred to as "Colonel", a title he obtained years ago while engaged in one of his numerous law suites. He was about 51 years old and unmarried.
When Sheriff Thornton was notified of the fatal shooting, he went to Hatfield in company with Judge Finger, John Shorter and Deputy Sheriff Amos Musgrave. After the officials had checked upon the evidence they were convinced that Tib Latch had been forced to kill his brother or be killed, and they did not place the slayer under arrest. It was not even considered necessary to put the county to the expense of a coroner's inquest. Tib Latch was directed to come to Mena Friday, where the grand jury was expected to make a more thorough investigation of the fatal shooting.
He is about 49 years old and a married man with grown children, and has always been considered a good citizen in his community and not a trouble maker.
Mena Weekly Star, October 27, 1921
Joseph was born in Polk County, Arkansas and married Ida Elzona Cheek on January 9, 1897 in Polk County, Arkansas. They had 8 children (Maudie E., Ira, Bertha, Elton, Marcus, Dona L., Helter, Evertt). Joseph lived his entire life on the homestead that his father Joseph settled when he came to Arkansas from Georgia.
In 1921, a tragedy happened to the Joseph Latch family. George, his brother who never married, was known to rustle cattle around the area. He wore two pearl handled revolvers on his side and looked quit the bandit. He was very proficient with his pistols, could trill them, flip them into his holster, and draw fast, just like displayed in many western movies. George would ride his horse around pulling a small flat bed wagon looking for a cow he could butcher and would then peddle the meat. Joseph turned his brother George in to the grand jury for his thiefs and this lead to ill feelings between the brothers which later lead to a duel between the brothers in which Joseph had to kill his brother in self defense.
As a kid, I use to visit my great grandmother Ida in Arkansas and I always loved the visit. Even the trips themselves were exciting. One time I remember a trip where a bridge had washed out and a temporary pontoon bridge was installed. This bridge was the type used in World War II where each wheel ran in a u-shaped rut and each pontoon was linked with hinges, so as you crossed the river, the car would tip back and forth like a rocking chair. We make this crossing after dark in a driving rain, so it was very scary, especially for a young boy.
Ida had an old log house with a pot belly stove to keep the house warm, but best of all, she had a feather bed and I loved to sleep in that bed. It was very warm and cozy. I use to love to set on the front porch and listen to my great uncles, Helter and Elton, tell hunting stories and listen to the dogs track deer through the woods and around the mountains. About 100 yards from the house was a creek that ran with clear cool water. I would play in the rocks alone the creek and drink the cool water and watch the cars ford the creek.
BROTHERS IN DUEL, GEORGE LATCH DIES
Victim of encounter said to have brought other's death because of alleged court testimony – no arrest made.
A duel to death between brothers was fought near Hatfield Thursday evening resulting in the killing of George Latch, a man well known in the courts of Polk county. Tib Latch a younger brother, surrendered himself to the authorities and admitted the killing, claiming that he was forced to do it in defense of his own life. Sherriff J. A. Thornton, Judge H. W. Finger, and others who made an investigation were so convinced of the truth of the slayer's statement no attempt was made to arrest him and Tib Latch was permitted to come to Mena of his own accord.
The deadly encounter between the Latch brothers took place sometime between 4 and 5 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the barn of the Tib Latch farm east of Hatfield. From evidence gathered by the officers it is believed that George Latch was lying in ambush waiting to kill his brother, and was killed himself because he was slow on the draw. A heavy caliber revolver, fully loaded and a partly emptied bottle of moonshine liquor are said to have been found on the dead man's person. Near the point where the dead man stood when the fatal shot was fired, was also found a Winchester rifle. The weapons are confiscated evidence of the murderous intent of the dead man's visit to his brother's farm.
Immediately after the shooting, Tib Latch sent word to Hatfield that he had been forced to kill his brother, and asked officers be sent out to investigate. J. C. Hebefmer, Ed Hutson, and Dr. D. W. Connally were among those who responded to the call and went to the Latch farm. They found George Latch lying dead with the contents of a double barreled shotgun in his chest. The man had fallen only a few steps away from where he stood when his brother fired.
There were no eye-witnesses to the tragedy and Tib Latch did not attempt to explain the killing until the Hatfield party arrived. To those men he explained in detail the deadly encounter and they investigated and stated the slayer's version was generally corroborated.
According to Tib Latch's story he had been warned his brother had threatened his life. The cause of the ill-feeling went back to some alleged thefts of cattle in which George Latch is said to have participated, and which be believe Tib Latch had taken before the grand jury. The two bothers lived on the old homestead and their homes were not over a quarter mile apart.
Thursday afternoon George Latch was seen to go down the road towards his brother's house and to two men he met is said to have said. "Keep away, we're going to have trouble." At the time Latch carried a rifle and was in an excited and angry mood.
Since he received his first warning of threats against his life, Tib Latch has been careful to go near his barn only in bright daylight, as he feared, he says, of being shot down from ambush. This explained why he was tending to his stock so early in the evening.
While at the barn Thursday evening, Tib Latch states that he had his double-barreled shotgun with him, a weapon he had carried on such errands since his brother made threats against him. While at work he saw his brother rise up from the clump of weeds not fifty feet distant. Believing from his brother's actions he was about to be fired upon, Tib Latch fired both barrels in rapid succession.
As George Latch staggered, he said according to his brother: "It's a good thing you got me first." Tib Latch did not go near his brother until after Dr. Connally and the Hatfield men arrived. It was not until then that the weapons and moonshine were found. It was evident Dr. Connally stated, that the man had died almost instantly, as both charges of No. 4 shot had penetrated vital organs.
The body of the dead man was taken to the home where he lived with his aged mother. Funeral services were held at Hatfield Friday. The dead man was generally referred to as "Colonel", a title he obtained years ago while engaged in one of his numerous law suites. He was about 51 years old and unmarried.
When Sheriff Thornton was notified of the fatal shooting, he went to Hatfield in company with Judge Finger, John Shorter and Deputy Sheriff Amos Musgrave. After the officials had checked upon the evidence they were convinced that Tib Latch had been forced to kill his brother or be killed, and they did not place the slayer under arrest. It was not even considered necessary to put the county to the expense of a coroner's inquest. Tib Latch was directed to come to Mena Friday, where the grand jury was expected to make a more thorough investigation of the fatal shooting.
He is about 49 years old and a married man with grown children, and has always been considered a good citizen in his community and not a trouble maker.
Mena Weekly Star, October 27, 1921
In 1921, a tragedy happened to the Joseph Latch family. George, his brother who never married, was known to rustle cattle around the area. He wore two pearl handled revolvers on his side and looked quit the bandit. He was very proficient with his pistols, could trill them, flip them into his holster, and draw fast, just like displayed in many western movies. George would ride his horse around pulling a small flat bed wagon looking for a cow he could butcher and would then peddle the meat. Joseph turned his brother George in to the grand jury for his thiefs and this lead to ill feelings between the brothers which later lead to a duel between the brothers in which Joseph had to kill his brother in self defense.
As a kid, I use to visit my great grandmother Ida in Arkansas and I always loved the visit. Even the trips themselves were exciting. One time I remember a trip where a bridge had washed out and a temporary pontoon bridge was installed. This bridge was the type used in World War II where each wheel ran in a u-shaped rut and each pontoon was linked with hinges, so as you crossed the river, the car would tip back and forth like a rocking chair. We make this crossing after dark in a driving rain, so it was very scary, especially for a young boy.
Ida had an old log house with a pot belly stove to keep the house warm, but best of all, she had a feather bed and I loved to sleep in that bed. It was very warm and cozy. I use to love to set on the front porch and listen to my great uncles, Helter and Elton, tell hunting stories and listen to the dogs track deer through the woods and around the mountains. About 100 yards from the house was a creek that ran with clear cool water. I would play in the rocks alone the creek and drink the cool water and watch the cars ford the creek.
BROTHERS IN DUEL, GEORGE LATCH DIES
Victim of encounter said to have brought other's death because of alleged court testimony – no arrest made.
A duel to death between brothers was fought near Hatfield Thursday evening resulting in the killing of George Latch, a man well known in the courts of Polk county. Tib Latch a younger brother, surrendered himself to the authorities and admitted the killing, claiming that he was forced to do it in defense of his own life. Sherriff J. A. Thornton, Judge H. W. Finger, and others who made an investigation were so convinced of the truth of the slayer's statement no attempt was made to arrest him and Tib Latch was permitted to come to Mena of his own accord.
The deadly encounter between the Latch brothers took place sometime between 4 and 5 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the barn of the Tib Latch farm east of Hatfield. From evidence gathered by the officers it is believed that George Latch was lying in ambush waiting to kill his brother, and was killed himself because he was slow on the draw. A heavy caliber revolver, fully loaded and a partly emptied bottle of moonshine liquor are said to have been found on the dead man's person. Near the point where the dead man stood when the fatal shot was fired, was also found a Winchester rifle. The weapons are confiscated evidence of the murderous intent of the dead man's visit to his brother's farm.
Immediately after the shooting, Tib Latch sent word to Hatfield that he had been forced to kill his brother, and asked officers be sent out to investigate. J. C. Hebefmer, Ed Hutson, and Dr. D. W. Connally were among those who responded to the call and went to the Latch farm. They found George Latch lying dead with the contents of a double barreled shotgun in his chest. The man had fallen only a few steps away from where he stood when his brother fired.
There were no eye-witnesses to the tragedy and Tib Latch did not attempt to explain the killing until the Hatfield party arrived. To those men he explained in detail the deadly encounter and they investigated and stated the slayer's version was generally corroborated.
According to Tib Latch's story he had been warned his brother had threatened his life. The cause of the ill-feeling went back to some alleged thefts of cattle in which George Latch is said to have participated, and which be believe Tib Latch had taken before the grand jury. The two bothers lived on the old homestead and their homes were not over a quarter mile apart.
Thursday afternoon George Latch was seen to go down the road towards his brother's house and to two men he met is said to have said. "Keep away, we're going to have trouble." At the time Latch carried a rifle and was in an excited and angry mood.
Since he received his first warning of threats against his life, Tib Latch has been careful to go near his barn only in bright daylight, as he feared, he says, of being shot down from ambush. This explained why he was tending to his stock so early in the evening.
While at the barn Thursday evening, Tib Latch states that he had his double-barreled shotgun with him, a weapon he had carried on such errands since his brother made threats against him. While at work he saw his brother rise up from the clump of weeds not fifty feet distant. Believing from his brother's actions he was about to be fired upon, Tib Latch fired both barrels in rapid succession.
As George Latch staggered, he said according to his brother: "It's a good thing you got me first." Tib Latch did not go near his brother until after Dr. Connally and the Hatfield men arrived. It was not until then that the weapons and moonshine were found. It was evident Dr. Connally stated, that the man had died almost instantly, as both charges of No. 4 shot had penetrated vital organs.
The body of the dead man was taken to the home where he lived with his aged mother. Funeral services were held at Hatfield Friday. The dead man was generally referred to as "Colonel", a title he obtained years ago while engaged in one of his numerous law suites. He was about 51 years old and unmarried.
When Sheriff Thornton was notified of the fatal shooting, he went to Hatfield in company with Judge Finger, John Shorter and Deputy Sheriff Amos Musgrave. After the officials had checked upon the evidence they were convinced that Tib Latch had been forced to kill his brother or be killed, and they did not place the slayer under arrest. It was not even considered necessary to put the county to the expense of a coroner's inquest. Tib Latch was directed to come to Mena Friday, where the grand jury was expected to make a more thorough investigation of the fatal shooting.
He is about 49 years old and a married man with grown children, and has always been considered a good citizen in his community and not a trouble maker.
Mena Weekly Star, October 27, 1921
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