The Blytheville Courier News, June 16, 1950:
Arkansas Politico Dies at Batesville
Thornsberry Gray Won Fight to Elect Lieutenant Governor
BATESVILLE, Ark., June 16. (AP) - The man who won litigation proving that Arkansans had voted themselves the right to elect a lieutenant governor - and then lost in a contest for that office - died here last night.
He was Thornsberry A. Gray, 79, lawyer, former Independence County judge, former state representative and unsuccessful candidate for both governor and lieutenant governor.
Gray in 1926 won a Supreme Court decision holding that Arkansas voters several years earlier had legally adopted a constitutional amendment for popular election of a lieutenant governor. Previously the proposed amendment had been declared rejected.
That same year Gray sought to become the state's first elected lieutenant governor. But Harvey Parnell won - and then became governor when Gov. John E. Martineau resigned for a federal judgeship and afterward won a term on his own.
Tried for Governor
Gray tried for governor in 1930. Again he was unsuccessful.
He was county judge 1921-22 and representative in 1925 and again in 1929. Until he became ill three months ago, he continued in active law practice.
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The Hope Star, September 29, 1937:
Gray Quits Senate Race, Refusing to Be an Independent
Listing as "Greenback Democrat" Rejected - He Withdraws
BAILEY IN OPENER
Experience in 1933 Soured Him on Special Primaries, He Says
LITTLE ROCK - Declaring that he was eager for a comparison of his record with that of his opponent, Congressman John E. Miller, Gov. Carl E. Bailey opened his campaign for the United States Senate with a statewide radio address Tuesday night. The governor spoke from his home in Little Rock.
Thornsberry A. Gray of Batesville withdrew from the senate race.
Gray, who recently filed his corrupt practices pledge with the request that the secretary of state place his name on the ticket as the candidate of the "Greenback Democrat" party, in withdrawing said: "I've been informed by state officials I cannot get my name on the ticket as a "Greenback Democrat" and would have to go on as an independent and that I will not do."
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The Hope Star, February 14, 1936:
T.A. Gray Files as Candidate for U.S. Senate Post
Batesville Attorney to Oppose Robinson in August Primary
TWO OTHERS IN RACE
32 Legislators Favor Special Session for Centennial Fund
LITTLE ROCK. - (AP) - A third candidate announced Friday for the August Democratic senatorial primary in which Democratic Leader Joe T. Robinson is expected to seek re-election when Thornsberry A. Gray, Batesville attorney, filed his corrupt practices pledge.
Gray became the first candidate for the office to file his pledge.
Cleveland Holland of Fort Smith, and Ross Venable of Little Rock, have previously announced their candidacy for the office, but have not filed practices pledges.
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The Star Progress, June 5, 1930:
PLATFORM OF T.A. GRAY, CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR
I wish to present to you my platform which is my contract with the people of Arkansas:
Retrenchment
First of all I wish to say "a Business Man always finds a remedy for an existing evil." If your business becomes heavy with overhead expenses you are compelled to remove that cause or face financial ruin and as we are now burdened with taxes we cannot afford to raise them any higher but we must dig in and dig out and find a way to lessen our expenses so that we may be able to reduce them. I want to say that this can be done. Why can we not stay in the bounds of our resources instead of trying to find a way to go beyond them then issue bonds to meet the deficiency? Remember that it takes only about 17 1-2 years for a bond to double itself, and also remember that pay day is coming; and you may have a toll gate on all of the highways of the state to pay the state's debt if we do not get rid of about sixty commissions that have been created by special acts of the legislature then fix it through the I and R. amendment to the Constitution so they can not create any more at the tax payers' expense.
I Am in Favor of Free School Books
That free school books would go a long way in solving our educational problems and save the mothers and fathers of these children millions of dollars annually and would help to drive ignorance from our state.
Free Bridges
I believe that it would be the greatest advertisement for Arkansas to make all of her bridges free and take over all bridge districts as the state has taken over road districts and relieve them of their taxes, as bridges are part of the highways system.
Reduction of Auto Licenses
I believe that our auto licenses are too high compared with other states. That 50 per cent reduction would be a great inducement for thousands of small trucks and whoopees put into operation which would increase the sale of gasoline whereby we derive the greatest portion of our revenue for our roads, and the appeal of the law that places 6 different taxes on the auto or truck for hire including 4 per cent gross income.
State Bonds
I believe that it is a crime to issue any state bonds unless they be submitted to the electors for rejection or approval because you have no right to sign my name to a note until I have first been consulted.
Highway Department Should be Elective.
I think that the 1929 Legislature made a mistake when they took this away from you by Act 65 and made them appointive for the period of ten years which is undemocratic.
State Farms
I believe that the convict farms can be made self-sustaining.
Recall of All Officers
I want to say that I am very much in favor of a recall of all officers. Why not? The same power that puts a man in office should have the right to call him home.
Freedom and Liberty
The greatest blessings of mankind are freedom and liberty but every legislature takes away more or less of this and force you to buy it back in the way of license.
Too Much Money in the Campaign
I cannot afford to violate the Corrupt Practice Act and go into the office as a criminal. This law was passed for the benefit of the people which provides that candidates for governor cannot spend over five thousand dollars. Therefore we appeal to those who believe that our government should be perpetuated to stand like a rock wall until this campaign is over.
Capital and Labor
That our laws should be just to all mankind; that while labor is entitled to its share of profits so is capital entitled to its profits and our laws should be made so liberal that we might induce enterprises and by doing so we would have a nice payroll in every city. This can be done by giving capital to understand that we will not ruin them by taxation, induce them to have faith in our government and our institutions and at the same time give the consuming power of our state to understand that they must buy Arkansas products. We have the greatest state in the nation if we will make it so.
Irregular Legislation
I want it strictly understood that I will not sign any bill that has two purposes in it in violation of our constitution. For instance, the Omnibus Bill which had four purposes: First, income tax, second, occupation tax, third, privilege tax, fourth, stamp tax. I will not sign any bill that is not passed in accordance with our Constitution. There must be a separate roll call on all emergencies. Nor will I sign any bill that was passed with a bunch of bills, for instance, during the last Legislature there were thirty-nine bills passed on one roll call and at another time twenty-five on one roll call.
The State's Business
I consider that taking care of Arkansas' business is paramount to all other business in the state and that it is too great for one man. Therefore it will be my pleasure to call at least 12 good honest men with business ability to help solve some of Arkansas' knotty problems and it may be that we can restore industrial faith in our state, and too, we may be able to make the proper recommendations to the legislature.
T.A. GRAY
P.S. - Beware of Campaign Lies.
You may hear anything before this campaign comes to a close. Give it no thought, but as a patriotic citizen do your duty and if there is a half dozen men brought into this race for no other purpose but to divide my vote you need not be surprised for politics are very cunning. No doubt there will be not less than one hundred men sent our from the capital city into every nook and corner and all of them riding in automobiles owned by the state gasoline and oil furnished free at the expense of the taxpayers, telling you who you shall support in the coming election. Pay no attention to such falsehoods because they are hired to tell it; and you do know it to be a fact that I am not contaminated with that state house ring. Watch out; That bunch will pull out of the race one or two candidates and then try to throw their strength to the other ring candidate in order to defeat me. Stay with me and I will beat the State House Ring fifty thousand votes.
Since my platform went to press Mr. Cazort has withdrawn in favor of Mr. Hays. I am wondering how many votes Cazort can deliver for you know that he has not got any influence over his own vote to say nothing of his influence over you. Then according to my prophesy of February 10, there will be others withdrawn in order to elect a man that will suit this bunch of blood suckers and bear in mind it does not make any difference which one of this crowd you elect from Little rock the machine politicians will be pleased for they will have a man of their own heart. Remember that North Arkansas has not had a Governor since 1877. Time about is fair play. - T.A. GRAY, Candidate for Governor, Batesville, Ark.
-(Political Advertisement)
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The Batesville Guard, August 13, 1926:
To My Friends:
I wish to thank you from the depth of my soul for the wonderful support you gave me for Lieutenant Gov. This is an expression of confidence in my honesty and ability to serve you. And I want to say I shall ever be found trying to serve you and my country honestly whether public or in private life.
I am at your command,
T.A. GRAY
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The Madison County Record, August 5, 1926:
Vote for Judge Thornsberry Gray for Lieutenant Governor, the man who discovered the office and spent his own money and time in forcing a decision through the courts. He is the only logical candidate. Advt.
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The Batesville Guard, September 22, 1922:
THE KU KLUX KLAN MAKES STATEMENT
Batesville Guard,
Batesville, Ark.
Gentlemen:
You will find enclosed a notice which we want you to publish in the first issue of your paper (front page if possible). The article is a statement by the Batesville Klan, No. 30, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, denying writing a certain letter containing threats to Judge T.A. Gray recently.
Please give this your very careful attention as to proof-reading and see that it is published exactly as per the original.
Whatever your charge is for this service, put the amount in small figures at the bottom of the article and you will get your money at once.
BATESVILLE KLAN, NO. 30,
KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN.
Ku Klux Klan Makes Statement.
The following letter was mailed to Judge T.A. Gray, Saturday, September 16th, 1922:
Batesville, Ark., September 16th, 1922.
Hon. T.A. Gray,
County Judge,
Batesville, Ark.
Dear Sir: -
It has come to the knowledge of Batesville Klan No. 30, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, that you have received a letter purporting to have been written by said Klan, making certain threats against you. We unqualifiedly brand this letter as false and a forgery, and the use of our name and seal as unauthorized and illegal.
The Ku Klux Klan is not permitted to, and does not write such letters and any member who would do so would be immediately expelled, and in addition, every possible effort would be made by the Klan to bring him to justice in the courts.
The Ku Klux Klan is pre-eminently a law-abiding, law-enforcing organization, and while an individual member may occasionally violate his oath and do acts which are prohibited and unauthorized, he is promptly expelled from the organization upon proof of guilt. We feel positive, however, that none of our members would stoop to the perpetuation of writing such a letter as you have exhibited.
Our local organization has carefully refrained from entering politics or taking any stand for or against any candidate for office, but each member is, or course, supposed to cast his (illegible) his influence for the best (illegible) especially for the purest, most honorable candidate in the field, and if any candidate is known to be dishonorable or unclean or immoral in his private life, this fact will be made known and this organization will be opposed to the election of such a man to office.
We assure you that no fight has been made on you, nor has your candidacy for office ever been mentioned or discussed on the floor of our Klan. You have many warm, personal friends and supporters among our members who would resent and circumvent any action which might be suggested against you, even should anyone desire to attack your candidacy or take other action that might be against your interest.
We mention these things to show the absurdity of our Klan or a loyal member thereof, writing such a letter as that exhibited by you.
We regret exceedingly that anyone in the community would do such a low and cowardly act in the name of the Klan, or attempt to hide behind us in slandering or besmirching the name of any of our citizens, and we now assure you that we not only condemn this act as cowardly and unauthorized, but pledge every effort on our part to expose the guilty party and obtain a conviction in the courts, even though it should develop that he is a member of our organization. Furthermore, we pledge you protection from danger or harm from outsiders to the extent of providing a personal guard day and night if you fear harm from any source.
In order to aid us in fully investigating this matter, we ask that you please preserve the envelope and original letter received by you very carefully, and be in a position to submit same to the examination of detectives.
We regret to say that the custodian of our seal did not keep it as securely guarded as he should have done, and it is possible that the miscreant who perpetuated this cowardly act may have taken other impressions while he had access to it to be used for other cowardly purposes, so we now advise you that this seal is for use ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS ADDRESSED TO KLAN OFFICIALS ONLY, and any other use of it is UNAUTHORIZED, ILLEGAL AND A FORGERY.
Assuring you our regret that this incident has occurred, and of our desire to co-operate with you in every way in ascertaining the identity of the guilty party, we are,
Yours respectfully,
BATESVILLE KLAN, NO. 30,
KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN.
Reward.
A reward of $100 is hereby offered for the apprehension and conviction of the person who wrote a threatening letter to Judge T.A. Gray in the name and under the seal of the Ku Klux Klan.
This reward will be doubled should it develop the writer is a member of this organization.
BATESVILLE KLAN, NO. 30,
KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN.
$7.25
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The Daily Arkansas Gazette, September 10, 1922:
JUDGE WILL RUN AS INDEPENDENT
T.A. Gray Files Petition With Independence Election Commission.
Special to the Gazette.
Batesville, Sept. 9 - County Judge T.A. Gray, who was defeated for renomination for a second term at the last Democratic primary by E.R. Hooper, today filed a petition with J.O. Burns, Republican member of the county commissioners, asking that his name be placed on the ticket at the general election in October. The petition was signed by 118 voters of Independence county.
Mr. Burns, in commenting on the petition, said that Judge Gray, in filing the petition, requested that his name be placed on the ticket as the regular Democratic nominee, but that since the County Democratic Central Committee had certified Mr. Hooper as the Democratic nominee, this was not possible, but that in accordance with the election laws his name could appear on the ticket as an independent candidate.
Judge Gray, before his election as county judge two years ago, sought various offices in this county and district for a period of about 30 years, running for various offices from congressman to county judge, and finally was elected county judge by a small majority. Since his election he has been almost continuously in the limelight. His first official acts after assuming the office were to discharge the janitor at the courthouse and to refuse to allow the telephone rentals for the various county officials. This brought him statewide notoriety and since that time he has been almost constantly in the public eye. He held as illegal outstanding scrip held by the several banks of this county amounting to $65,000. In this case he was reversed by both the Circuit and the Supreme Court. He also instituted a series of suits against the ferry owners of this county; seeking to compel them to lower their rates, while the cases were being fought in the courts, he enjoined the owners from operating the ferries and sought to establish a free ferry to be operated by the county. This was abandoned later.
After his defeat by Mr. Hooper in August, Judge Gray filed a petition with the County Central Committee asking for a recount of the votes in 11 of the largest townships of the county, but failed to take the proper legal steps for a contest.
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The Batesville Daily Guard, February 23, 1921:
FROM JUDGE T.A. GRAY
My attention has been called to the fact that some overseers have been spreading the propaganda that they could not work the roads without my orders or consent. Now I want to make it clear to them and the public that I wanted them to see to it that the county and townships get value received for every dollar they expend, and that they stop paying war-time prices for labor and teams, for I feel that it is the duty of the court to take care of the taxpayers' money and not a few political friends of the overseer or myself.
"It is duty and not politics" that man owes to his country, and if every overseer will lend me their co-operation, coupled with a little patriotism and love of country, we will have a lot of good roads built and the appalling debt of the county paid off in the next two years. Gentlemen, we must follow lines of retrenchment, and the law. Now I must say that we have been called on in a thousand ways to do this or that and not a dollar to do anything with, so you merchants that are charging matches, toilet soaps, furniture varnishes and one hundred other things will be "blowed up," for nothing will go that the law does not direct - this is certain. With best wishes and love to all, friend or foe.
Yours,
T.A. GRAY
P.S.: - There has been a few friends and several others that have asked me to get the legislature to increase my salary. This I shall not do, for I contracted with the people for $1,500 per year, and I knew this when I let you elect me, so I shall do my best to fill the office with credit to myself and family and the great trusting public. You hired me to look after your business and if I fail to lay off a straight row, please come in and tell me, and I will do my best to get the crook out of it. My telephone at office is No. 129; residence 104. I am maintaining these at my own expense for my convenience and you can use them - just help yourself. When I can be of service to you, command me.
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Guard, April 8, 1921:
JUDGE T.A. GRAY MAKE EFFORT TO EFFECT SAVING
When the engineers report was filed with County Judge T.A. Gray a few days ago for the allowance of claims for surveying on road districts number 2, 3 and 4 in Independence county, the judge saw fit to do a little whittling on the claims to see if he could save the county money on the item. Judge Gray held that the claims as filed were excessive and he allowed that part of the claims that he thought to be just and equitable, and ordered that amount paid the engineers. Whether or not the engineers will accept this amount is problematic, but if they do not they will be compelled to go into court and make a showing and show that their claim is just and correct, in which case of course if found to be correct, the full amount of their claims will be allowed.
In road district number 2 from Pleasant Plains to Cave City, $7,747.76 was asked for and Judge Gray allowed $2,500.00. In road district number 3 leading from Cord to Newark, $2,944.00 was asked for and the Judge allowed $1,000.00. And in road district number 4 from Newark to Paroquet, $2,384.00 was asked for and they were allowed $250.00.
The total difference between the amount asked for and the amount allowed by Judge Gray was $9,325.76.
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The Batesville Guard, July 1, 1921:
COMMUNICATION FROM JUDGE T.A. GRAY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am called on every day to help build or prevent the building of the proposed highway running from Batesville to Mammoth Spring. I want to say that this road does not affect me in the least nor have I any jurisdiction over the sale of the bonds or how much the commissioners shall raise per mile. This is a matter that is strictly up to them and not to the County Judge. It seems as if though the Legislature in creating these special road districts did their best to take all of the County Judge's authority away from him, despite the reading of our organic law.
Now, let me say right here that the Supreme Court has been persuaded to declare the constitutional authority of the County Judges void. Of course, it would not be becoming of me to criticize these distinguished jurists who are guessing at the law when they are tinctured just a little bit no doubt with divine authority. However, two of this august body have seen fit to dissent in their opinions. But back to the building of the road.
If a majority of the citizens who have to bear the burden of this proposed highway are in favor of building it, then I ought to acquiesce. Of course, I am for good roads and am in favor of building this one from the fact that it will be one of the greatest assets to the three counties concerned, but before we place a mortgage on every man and woman in Independence County along this proposed highway, let us be honest with them and tell them the truth.
That this road is about 78 miles long and that the farmers of Independence County will have to build about two fifths which will be a little over 31 miles, when there are but 18 miles in this county. Now, 18 miles at $7,500.00 per mile equals $135,000.00, and 31 miles at $7,500.00 per mile equals $232,500.00, so you see that the farmers in this County would have to raise nearly $100,000.00 to build a road in another County; besides, I want it strictly understood that $7,500.00 per mile is too much, when you know it to be a fact that $3,000.00 per mile is ample and if you will do away with red tape and graft, we can grade this road for $500.00 per mile, gravel and bridge it for $2,000.00 per mile, then we would have $500.00 per mile left, but listen, there is $13,000.00 worth of claims filed in my Court that I will have to pay out of the County's general funds for this right-of-way, so you see this affects my whole County and it is a dead cinch that I will not pay them.
Every day a promoter drops in to see me and tells me what to do and that I need not worry about the other fellow, "just let things go along and they will take care of themselves and let us sell the bonds at 90c on the dollar and you will be alright." That is, give some buyer $50,000.00 to start with, thus bringing disgrace to the credit of every property holder in the district, when in fact our bonds are worth 100 cents on the dollar.
Now, if the people of my County are willing to pay $13,000.00 for the right-of-way out of the County's general funds and are willing to sell their bonds at 90c on the dollar and the people pay for the building of 31 miles of this road instead of 18, then there will be no doubt that this road will be built, but before I will give my consent to put a 20-year mortgage on the farmer along this right-of-way and the property owners of my town, I must know their wishes for they elected me as their guardian to look after their interests, and he who goes forth in the morning and plods his weary way until the sun has set itself in the western horizon, with his group of barefooted children and his good wife trying to prepare the meals for him and these children who are tattered in rags, then on the morrow he repeats the grind, trying to make a living for himself and the rest of the world. Ah! My friends, shall I sit here and place a 20-year mortgage on his life-blood without consulting him, when he is looking to me for protection? No, not I. This is no small matter. We need roads; but we do not need to confiscate men's property and enslave the coming and the rising generation to satisfy a few promoters and the preparatory classes, when we can build roads for less than one-half of that claim by engineers and those who are seeking a selfish purpose.
Now I repeat that I am personally in favor of building this road but do you think there would be anything wrong in consulting him, who bears (illegible) burden as to how much they want (illegible) bonds sold for and how much (illegible) the honest and industrious people. (Illegible) farmers and laboring men of this country have borne the burden with hope. Then let us be very careful and considerate of his rights that his hopes shall not be blighted, but that they may blossom into a brighter and a better day.
"Fall to us what're may fall,
The farmer must provide for all."
These are the ones most likely to be forgotten by the State and Nation. When the poor and weak cry for relief, they too often hear no answer but the echo of their cry, while the rich, the strong and the powerful are given an attentive ear. It takes from those who are least able to lose and gives to those who are least in need.
The safety of our farmers and our laborers is not in special legislation but in equal and just laws that bear alike on every man. The great masses of our people are interested not in getting their hands into other people's pockets, but in keeping the hands of others out of their pockets.
Let me in closing express the hope that you and I may be instrumental in bringing our State and Nation back to better laws, which will give equal treatment without regard to creed or conditions.
Your friend,
T.A. Gray
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The Mountain Echo, May 26, 1921:
Batesville - The bridge across Spring River which was recently washed away by the overflow, has been rebuilt by County Judge T.A. Gray. The workmen constructing the bridge were county convicts.
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The Batesville Guard, July 23, 1920:
THORNBERRY GRAY'S THANKS TO THE PEOPLE
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As good reports are coming in from every nook and corner of the county, I feel that it is my duty to express my gratitude to you for the interest that you are manifesting for me, and I want to thank you from the very depth of my soul for so many nice things you have said to me, and I must say to those farmers who contributed to my campaign expenses that I feel more than grateful to you, for I know that all of you were moved by that great spirit - "Patriotism and Love of Country" only. May the richest smiles of the Great Creator rest upon you. Gentlemen, I have $107.15 that you have given me and you said that you wanted to make me your next county judge and I told you that my name would be on the ticket; now, God Bless your souls, I believe you are going to do it in spite of all the political rings. Now this $107.15 let me give it back to you with that same gratitude that it was given, for I feel that it is my duty to do so; not that I do not appreciate your generosity.
In conclusion let me say that it would be the proudest moment of my life if every one of you should go to the polls and make my majority the greatest that any one man ever carried this county, and certainly it would be my greatest pleasure to give every man, woman and child in the county a Square Deal; or, in other words, I will FOLLOW THE LAW, and where the law fails to say I will do my best to follow the Golden Rule. You know that two years ago I advocated that the only practicable way to bridge White River is by toll bridges, giving the county an indefinite time to redeem them, then in less than five years we will have FREE bridges across White River; that it takes good roads; good schools and good churches to keep pace with the onward march of time.
Sincerely Yours,
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Daily Guard, October 6, 1915:
T.A. Gray, the Hickory Valley farmer and lawyer, was in the city today. Mr. Gray is suffering from a wound which he accidentally inflicted about his forehead Tuesday. He was helping in the work of digging a grave at Hickory Valley, using a pick. The sharp point of the pick came in contact with his forehead, lacerating an artery, occasioning much pain and a considerable loss of blood.
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The Batesville Guard, August 28, 1914:
From the Sharp County Record: "The editor spent last Saturday night at the home of Attorney T.A. Gray, a prosperous lawyer and farmer of near Hickory Valley, and had a very enjoyable time. Some people may think the watermelon season over, but surely they wouldn't after seeing the 400 or 500 big, fine melons Thornberry has stacked up in his barnyard for the sole purpose of feeding his swine. Besides being a lawyer, a farmer, a sawmiller, and a stock grower, Thornberry is a retired newspaper man, having served out his time in about six weeks on a Batesville paper last spring."
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The Arkansas Democrat, April 23, 1914:
To Establish New Paper.
Batesville, April 23. - (Special.) - T.A. Gray, defeated candidate for prosecuting attorney in this district; Ben Williamson Jr. and Hubert Cooper, now running the Stone County Democrat at Mountain View, have made arrangements to put in a newspaper at this place. Mr. Gray says that he thinks the first issue will be printed during the first week of May. The name of the new paper will be the Independence County Herald. This will make three papers in this county.
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The Batesville Daily Guard, November 26, 1913:
PLATFORM OF T.A. GRAY AND HIS CONTACT WITH THE PEOPLE
THORNSBERRY A. GRAY is a candidate for Prosecuting Attorney, and believes in clean politics. Therefore, he wishes to let the people know what he stands for.
Hence, he positively agrees, if elected, he will not PERSECUTE any one, but will PROSECUTE, and will not be blind to those who need mercy. He further agrees, when there has been a crime committed in any part of the county, that he or his deputy will go to the township where the crime was committed and let the nearest justice of the peace try the case, instead of having them summoned or dragged through the cold, heat, sleet and the rain to the county seat to give some favored individual a fat job. And he further contracts or agrees that if any one having committed an offense, and he wants to submit before a justice of the peace, that he will not claim any fee, which is the law.
He further agrees that he will not file information in order to satisfy the private spite of any individual, who has not sufficient faith in his cause to give the bond required by law, and thus prosecute at the cost of the taxpayers, and force the justice of the peace and constable to work for nothing, as often is the case.
And he also covenants that he will be a prosecuting attorney for ALL THE PEOPLE, but will not be a tool for any set of men. Gray has been accused of being a whiskey man, which is absolutely false, as he never voted for license.
The following resolution sent to the Arkansas legislature will show how he stands on this question.
"Hickory Valley, Ark., Feb., 1913.
"We, the people of Hickory Valley and surrounding county, in mass meeting assembled, do pass the following resolution.
"Whereas, we believe in local self government and a white man's domination, and that the white people of our state should control the manufacture, the sale and traffic of whiskey in Arkansas.
"Therefore, we believe that Senate Bill No. 118 should pass because we believe that it possesses every requirement that local self-government by white people could demand.
"Therefore, be it moved that the aforesaid Senate Bill be passed and be made a part of the laws of the State of Arkansas.
"This resolution was introduced by T.A. Gray and seconded my Messrs. J.T. Robertson and Rev. Samuel Adams, and the motion was unanimously passed. There were 81 present at the mass meeting.
"T.A. Gray, Chairman."
You know that it was thought for quite a while he was the nominee four years ago. Therefore he appeals to you to stand by him till the last vote is counted and that he will always have in mind the grand old motto of our State, "Regnant Populi" - let the people rule,
Yours at command,
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Daily Guard, October 25, 1913:
Hon. T.A. Gray of Hickory Valley is spending today in the city on business. He brought in two sweet potatoes weighing 7 and 4 pounds respectively, and he will send them to the state fair.
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The Batesville Daily Guard, June 8, 1911:
The very latest and most interesting bout occurred yesterday upon the somewhat famous arena between the court house and the store of Weaver-Dowdy Co., the participants being our esteemed fellow townsmen, R.M. Carter, the expert insurance man and stock salesman, and Mr. T.A. Gray, attorney at law, and the efficient proprietor of that popular hostelry, the O.K. Hotel.
The bone of contention, it is said, was a business proposition concerning a number of shares of the famous "Gradolph" stock, of which Attorney Gray is the holder of 100 shares. The discussion grew quite animated, when the stock salesman very unprettily used the "short and ugly" word over which most men fight, and which the attorney instantly resented with a left hook in the direction of the beak of the insurance man, who was sitting in his buggy. Not to be outdone, the latter gave a correct imitation of "her name was Maud," and planted a swift kick in the atmosphere intervening between him and the now thoroughly aroused barrister.
As is his usual custom, Esq. J.A. Holmes, who is fast gaining a reputation as the "watch dog of the public peace, serenity and happiness." was near and intervened with the gentle white dove, perched upon his left shoulder and an olive branch waving serenely between the combatants.
The lowering war clouds finally drifted away, and all is well along the Potomac. Pleas of guilty were in order this morning before Justice Holmes, and the participants received a mild but stern rebuke from his honor, with a little cash penalty for good measure.
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The Batesville Guard, March 25, 1910:
FOR T.A. GRAY.
To the Editor of the Guard:
I see opponents of Hon. T.A. Gray, having more wealth than he has, and not having to work both at the practice of law and tilling the soil, are trying to make it appear that he is not capable of filling the office of prosecutor.
Now, Mr. Gray has made a living without the good fortune of coming into great wealth, and judging by his practice, he has far more legal ability and more clients than his wealthy opponents, and a heap more experience. For myself, I prefer to take an Independence County man to an outsider, when I know he is just as capable as any in the race. I am for my neighbor first, and then if I have anything to give out, I'll divide with the other fellow.
One of His Neighbors.
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The Batesville Guard, March 25, 1910:
AN APPEAL.
In making my last appeal to the voters of the district , you know that Jackson county has been honored for the last four years, or two terms. Then why not have a change, as the custom has been heretofore, and honor an Independence county citizen with this office?
I want my friends everywhere to stand firm until the victory is won. I need your help, and if you cannot pull for me, please do not fight me, for I want to be your friend. I have made an honest race and will be elected on my own merits and qualifications.
My opponents are nice men; but it has been said they are very wealthy, one in particular, and if this be true, financially, it seems to me, that he does not need the office, while on the other hand, I assure you my word and honor that I do. Then let me illustrate: Suppose here is a man, worth a million dollars, and here is another, who has but little of this world's goods, and I have ten dollars to give. Which one should I give it to? Christ said to the rich man, go and sell that that thou hast and give to the poor, then come.
Consider this well. Pay no attention to false reports, but continue to roll stones and the victory is ours.
Yours,
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Guard, October 1, 1909:
T.A. GRAY
Mr. Thornberry A. Gray of Hickory Valley, Independence county, announces in this issue of the Guard for prosecuting attorney of the Third judicial district. Mr. Gray is no stranger to the voters of the district having made the rounds on two occasions before, asking for the office to which he now aspires. He was born and raised near where he now resides. He practically educated himself, and upon leaving the law school was admitted to the bar, and is now practicing in all the courts. He has been farming for a number of years, but finds time for the practice of law. Out of quite a number of cases in justice courts the past year, he has been successful in a great majority of them.
Mr. Gray promises if elected to discharge the duties of the office to the best of his ability. He had canvassed a part of the district before announcing for the office.
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The Batesville Guard, March 11, 1909:
AN ENDORSEMENT.
What the Walnut Ridge (Lawrence county) Post-Dispatch says in regard to the race of T.A. Gray, candidate for prosecuting attorney:
"Mr. Gray is one of the best known young lawyers of the district and belongs to one of the most prominent families of the state. Born a true southern democrat, he has never known any other party, and when his services are needed he is always willing to answer the call and go to the aid of the old Jeffersonian democracy which we all so dearly love.
"This is Mr. Gray's third race for prosecuting attorney, yet he could not be called a chronic office seeker. He has simply been a victim of hard luck in by-gone races, and has met defeat only by the skin of his teeth. His first race was against Mr. Oldfield for a second term, and it was by less than 200 votes that this popular campaigner defeated him. In his second race his name was maliciously left off the ticket in some counties after he had spent his hard earned money making the campaign, and thus he was again defeated.
"In this race his friends see in him a winner, and the strong endorsement from his home people, published elsewhere in this issue, show the standing he has at home and the strong fight that is being made for him all over the district shows him to be a very strong factor in this race.
"We heard a run-down politician say that the name if T.A. Gray for prosecuting attorney is not on the ticket, but we are informed that it is, and Thornberry, the 'Rail Splitter,' is going to be elected for this reason: He is a straight democrat and needs it. You can hear it said everywhere that he is the man for the place. People, democrats are tired of voting for millionaires, so go for Thornberry if you want a good man and a good democrat." adv.
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The Arkansas Democrat, January 28, 1904:
Hon. T.A. Gray of Independence county is a candidate for prosecuting attorney.
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The Arkansas Democrat, January 9, 1902:
Thornsberry A. Gray of Independence county denies that he has withdrawn from the race for congress and says that he proposes to remain in the contest till the last notch. He has issued a circular, in which he asks: "Can a farmer be elected to congress? Why not? Is it not time the toiling men should have a shake at government affairs?" He is making the race as a "man from the plow handles."
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The Daily Arkansas Gazette, December 31, 1901:
ARKANSAS POLITICS
Popular Vote to Determine Democratic Nominee for Congress in New Second District.
The Democratic committee of the new Second congressional district met at Newport and ordered a straight primary election on March 29 in the counties composing that district. The candidate who received the highest number of votes in the primary will be declared the nominee. There are three candidates, viz.: Congressman S, Brundidge, Judge J.S. McCaleb and T.A. Gray, the last named of Independence county.
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The Daily Arkansas Gazette, December 16, 1894:
THE SUPREME COURT.
Decisions Rendered and Proceedings Had, Saturday, December 15, 1894.
(Prepared for The Gazette by C.P. Harnwell of the Little Rock bar.)
...No. 2578. Forrest Hardwood Manufacturing Company vs. Alva S. Freeman; appeal from Pulaski Circuit Court; two weeks time granted to file response in motion to advance and affirm.
T. A. Gray, of Independence County, examined and enrolled.
Adjourned to Monday, December 17, 1894, at 9 a.m.
Arkansas Politico Dies at Batesville
Thornsberry Gray Won Fight to Elect Lieutenant Governor
BATESVILLE, Ark., June 16. (AP) - The man who won litigation proving that Arkansans had voted themselves the right to elect a lieutenant governor - and then lost in a contest for that office - died here last night.
He was Thornsberry A. Gray, 79, lawyer, former Independence County judge, former state representative and unsuccessful candidate for both governor and lieutenant governor.
Gray in 1926 won a Supreme Court decision holding that Arkansas voters several years earlier had legally adopted a constitutional amendment for popular election of a lieutenant governor. Previously the proposed amendment had been declared rejected.
That same year Gray sought to become the state's first elected lieutenant governor. But Harvey Parnell won - and then became governor when Gov. John E. Martineau resigned for a federal judgeship and afterward won a term on his own.
Tried for Governor
Gray tried for governor in 1930. Again he was unsuccessful.
He was county judge 1921-22 and representative in 1925 and again in 1929. Until he became ill three months ago, he continued in active law practice.
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The Hope Star, September 29, 1937:
Gray Quits Senate Race, Refusing to Be an Independent
Listing as "Greenback Democrat" Rejected - He Withdraws
BAILEY IN OPENER
Experience in 1933 Soured Him on Special Primaries, He Says
LITTLE ROCK - Declaring that he was eager for a comparison of his record with that of his opponent, Congressman John E. Miller, Gov. Carl E. Bailey opened his campaign for the United States Senate with a statewide radio address Tuesday night. The governor spoke from his home in Little Rock.
Thornsberry A. Gray of Batesville withdrew from the senate race.
Gray, who recently filed his corrupt practices pledge with the request that the secretary of state place his name on the ticket as the candidate of the "Greenback Democrat" party, in withdrawing said: "I've been informed by state officials I cannot get my name on the ticket as a "Greenback Democrat" and would have to go on as an independent and that I will not do."
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The Hope Star, February 14, 1936:
T.A. Gray Files as Candidate for U.S. Senate Post
Batesville Attorney to Oppose Robinson in August Primary
TWO OTHERS IN RACE
32 Legislators Favor Special Session for Centennial Fund
LITTLE ROCK. - (AP) - A third candidate announced Friday for the August Democratic senatorial primary in which Democratic Leader Joe T. Robinson is expected to seek re-election when Thornsberry A. Gray, Batesville attorney, filed his corrupt practices pledge.
Gray became the first candidate for the office to file his pledge.
Cleveland Holland of Fort Smith, and Ross Venable of Little Rock, have previously announced their candidacy for the office, but have not filed practices pledges.
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The Star Progress, June 5, 1930:
PLATFORM OF T.A. GRAY, CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR
I wish to present to you my platform which is my contract with the people of Arkansas:
Retrenchment
First of all I wish to say "a Business Man always finds a remedy for an existing evil." If your business becomes heavy with overhead expenses you are compelled to remove that cause or face financial ruin and as we are now burdened with taxes we cannot afford to raise them any higher but we must dig in and dig out and find a way to lessen our expenses so that we may be able to reduce them. I want to say that this can be done. Why can we not stay in the bounds of our resources instead of trying to find a way to go beyond them then issue bonds to meet the deficiency? Remember that it takes only about 17 1-2 years for a bond to double itself, and also remember that pay day is coming; and you may have a toll gate on all of the highways of the state to pay the state's debt if we do not get rid of about sixty commissions that have been created by special acts of the legislature then fix it through the I and R. amendment to the Constitution so they can not create any more at the tax payers' expense.
I Am in Favor of Free School Books
That free school books would go a long way in solving our educational problems and save the mothers and fathers of these children millions of dollars annually and would help to drive ignorance from our state.
Free Bridges
I believe that it would be the greatest advertisement for Arkansas to make all of her bridges free and take over all bridge districts as the state has taken over road districts and relieve them of their taxes, as bridges are part of the highways system.
Reduction of Auto Licenses
I believe that our auto licenses are too high compared with other states. That 50 per cent reduction would be a great inducement for thousands of small trucks and whoopees put into operation which would increase the sale of gasoline whereby we derive the greatest portion of our revenue for our roads, and the appeal of the law that places 6 different taxes on the auto or truck for hire including 4 per cent gross income.
State Bonds
I believe that it is a crime to issue any state bonds unless they be submitted to the electors for rejection or approval because you have no right to sign my name to a note until I have first been consulted.
Highway Department Should be Elective.
I think that the 1929 Legislature made a mistake when they took this away from you by Act 65 and made them appointive for the period of ten years which is undemocratic.
State Farms
I believe that the convict farms can be made self-sustaining.
Recall of All Officers
I want to say that I am very much in favor of a recall of all officers. Why not? The same power that puts a man in office should have the right to call him home.
Freedom and Liberty
The greatest blessings of mankind are freedom and liberty but every legislature takes away more or less of this and force you to buy it back in the way of license.
Too Much Money in the Campaign
I cannot afford to violate the Corrupt Practice Act and go into the office as a criminal. This law was passed for the benefit of the people which provides that candidates for governor cannot spend over five thousand dollars. Therefore we appeal to those who believe that our government should be perpetuated to stand like a rock wall until this campaign is over.
Capital and Labor
That our laws should be just to all mankind; that while labor is entitled to its share of profits so is capital entitled to its profits and our laws should be made so liberal that we might induce enterprises and by doing so we would have a nice payroll in every city. This can be done by giving capital to understand that we will not ruin them by taxation, induce them to have faith in our government and our institutions and at the same time give the consuming power of our state to understand that they must buy Arkansas products. We have the greatest state in the nation if we will make it so.
Irregular Legislation
I want it strictly understood that I will not sign any bill that has two purposes in it in violation of our constitution. For instance, the Omnibus Bill which had four purposes: First, income tax, second, occupation tax, third, privilege tax, fourth, stamp tax. I will not sign any bill that is not passed in accordance with our Constitution. There must be a separate roll call on all emergencies. Nor will I sign any bill that was passed with a bunch of bills, for instance, during the last Legislature there were thirty-nine bills passed on one roll call and at another time twenty-five on one roll call.
The State's Business
I consider that taking care of Arkansas' business is paramount to all other business in the state and that it is too great for one man. Therefore it will be my pleasure to call at least 12 good honest men with business ability to help solve some of Arkansas' knotty problems and it may be that we can restore industrial faith in our state, and too, we may be able to make the proper recommendations to the legislature.
T.A. GRAY
P.S. - Beware of Campaign Lies.
You may hear anything before this campaign comes to a close. Give it no thought, but as a patriotic citizen do your duty and if there is a half dozen men brought into this race for no other purpose but to divide my vote you need not be surprised for politics are very cunning. No doubt there will be not less than one hundred men sent our from the capital city into every nook and corner and all of them riding in automobiles owned by the state gasoline and oil furnished free at the expense of the taxpayers, telling you who you shall support in the coming election. Pay no attention to such falsehoods because they are hired to tell it; and you do know it to be a fact that I am not contaminated with that state house ring. Watch out; That bunch will pull out of the race one or two candidates and then try to throw their strength to the other ring candidate in order to defeat me. Stay with me and I will beat the State House Ring fifty thousand votes.
Since my platform went to press Mr. Cazort has withdrawn in favor of Mr. Hays. I am wondering how many votes Cazort can deliver for you know that he has not got any influence over his own vote to say nothing of his influence over you. Then according to my prophesy of February 10, there will be others withdrawn in order to elect a man that will suit this bunch of blood suckers and bear in mind it does not make any difference which one of this crowd you elect from Little rock the machine politicians will be pleased for they will have a man of their own heart. Remember that North Arkansas has not had a Governor since 1877. Time about is fair play. - T.A. GRAY, Candidate for Governor, Batesville, Ark.
-(Political Advertisement)
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The Batesville Guard, August 13, 1926:
To My Friends:
I wish to thank you from the depth of my soul for the wonderful support you gave me for Lieutenant Gov. This is an expression of confidence in my honesty and ability to serve you. And I want to say I shall ever be found trying to serve you and my country honestly whether public or in private life.
I am at your command,
T.A. GRAY
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The Madison County Record, August 5, 1926:
Vote for Judge Thornsberry Gray for Lieutenant Governor, the man who discovered the office and spent his own money and time in forcing a decision through the courts. He is the only logical candidate. Advt.
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The Batesville Guard, September 22, 1922:
THE KU KLUX KLAN MAKES STATEMENT
Batesville Guard,
Batesville, Ark.
Gentlemen:
You will find enclosed a notice which we want you to publish in the first issue of your paper (front page if possible). The article is a statement by the Batesville Klan, No. 30, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, denying writing a certain letter containing threats to Judge T.A. Gray recently.
Please give this your very careful attention as to proof-reading and see that it is published exactly as per the original.
Whatever your charge is for this service, put the amount in small figures at the bottom of the article and you will get your money at once.
BATESVILLE KLAN, NO. 30,
KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN.
Ku Klux Klan Makes Statement.
The following letter was mailed to Judge T.A. Gray, Saturday, September 16th, 1922:
Batesville, Ark., September 16th, 1922.
Hon. T.A. Gray,
County Judge,
Batesville, Ark.
Dear Sir: -
It has come to the knowledge of Batesville Klan No. 30, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, that you have received a letter purporting to have been written by said Klan, making certain threats against you. We unqualifiedly brand this letter as false and a forgery, and the use of our name and seal as unauthorized and illegal.
The Ku Klux Klan is not permitted to, and does not write such letters and any member who would do so would be immediately expelled, and in addition, every possible effort would be made by the Klan to bring him to justice in the courts.
The Ku Klux Klan is pre-eminently a law-abiding, law-enforcing organization, and while an individual member may occasionally violate his oath and do acts which are prohibited and unauthorized, he is promptly expelled from the organization upon proof of guilt. We feel positive, however, that none of our members would stoop to the perpetuation of writing such a letter as you have exhibited.
Our local organization has carefully refrained from entering politics or taking any stand for or against any candidate for office, but each member is, or course, supposed to cast his (illegible) his influence for the best (illegible) especially for the purest, most honorable candidate in the field, and if any candidate is known to be dishonorable or unclean or immoral in his private life, this fact will be made known and this organization will be opposed to the election of such a man to office.
We assure you that no fight has been made on you, nor has your candidacy for office ever been mentioned or discussed on the floor of our Klan. You have many warm, personal friends and supporters among our members who would resent and circumvent any action which might be suggested against you, even should anyone desire to attack your candidacy or take other action that might be against your interest.
We mention these things to show the absurdity of our Klan or a loyal member thereof, writing such a letter as that exhibited by you.
We regret exceedingly that anyone in the community would do such a low and cowardly act in the name of the Klan, or attempt to hide behind us in slandering or besmirching the name of any of our citizens, and we now assure you that we not only condemn this act as cowardly and unauthorized, but pledge every effort on our part to expose the guilty party and obtain a conviction in the courts, even though it should develop that he is a member of our organization. Furthermore, we pledge you protection from danger or harm from outsiders to the extent of providing a personal guard day and night if you fear harm from any source.
In order to aid us in fully investigating this matter, we ask that you please preserve the envelope and original letter received by you very carefully, and be in a position to submit same to the examination of detectives.
We regret to say that the custodian of our seal did not keep it as securely guarded as he should have done, and it is possible that the miscreant who perpetuated this cowardly act may have taken other impressions while he had access to it to be used for other cowardly purposes, so we now advise you that this seal is for use ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS ADDRESSED TO KLAN OFFICIALS ONLY, and any other use of it is UNAUTHORIZED, ILLEGAL AND A FORGERY.
Assuring you our regret that this incident has occurred, and of our desire to co-operate with you in every way in ascertaining the identity of the guilty party, we are,
Yours respectfully,
BATESVILLE KLAN, NO. 30,
KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN.
Reward.
A reward of $100 is hereby offered for the apprehension and conviction of the person who wrote a threatening letter to Judge T.A. Gray in the name and under the seal of the Ku Klux Klan.
This reward will be doubled should it develop the writer is a member of this organization.
BATESVILLE KLAN, NO. 30,
KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN.
$7.25
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The Daily Arkansas Gazette, September 10, 1922:
JUDGE WILL RUN AS INDEPENDENT
T.A. Gray Files Petition With Independence Election Commission.
Special to the Gazette.
Batesville, Sept. 9 - County Judge T.A. Gray, who was defeated for renomination for a second term at the last Democratic primary by E.R. Hooper, today filed a petition with J.O. Burns, Republican member of the county commissioners, asking that his name be placed on the ticket at the general election in October. The petition was signed by 118 voters of Independence county.
Mr. Burns, in commenting on the petition, said that Judge Gray, in filing the petition, requested that his name be placed on the ticket as the regular Democratic nominee, but that since the County Democratic Central Committee had certified Mr. Hooper as the Democratic nominee, this was not possible, but that in accordance with the election laws his name could appear on the ticket as an independent candidate.
Judge Gray, before his election as county judge two years ago, sought various offices in this county and district for a period of about 30 years, running for various offices from congressman to county judge, and finally was elected county judge by a small majority. Since his election he has been almost continuously in the limelight. His first official acts after assuming the office were to discharge the janitor at the courthouse and to refuse to allow the telephone rentals for the various county officials. This brought him statewide notoriety and since that time he has been almost constantly in the public eye. He held as illegal outstanding scrip held by the several banks of this county amounting to $65,000. In this case he was reversed by both the Circuit and the Supreme Court. He also instituted a series of suits against the ferry owners of this county; seeking to compel them to lower their rates, while the cases were being fought in the courts, he enjoined the owners from operating the ferries and sought to establish a free ferry to be operated by the county. This was abandoned later.
After his defeat by Mr. Hooper in August, Judge Gray filed a petition with the County Central Committee asking for a recount of the votes in 11 of the largest townships of the county, but failed to take the proper legal steps for a contest.
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The Batesville Daily Guard, February 23, 1921:
FROM JUDGE T.A. GRAY
My attention has been called to the fact that some overseers have been spreading the propaganda that they could not work the roads without my orders or consent. Now I want to make it clear to them and the public that I wanted them to see to it that the county and townships get value received for every dollar they expend, and that they stop paying war-time prices for labor and teams, for I feel that it is the duty of the court to take care of the taxpayers' money and not a few political friends of the overseer or myself.
"It is duty and not politics" that man owes to his country, and if every overseer will lend me their co-operation, coupled with a little patriotism and love of country, we will have a lot of good roads built and the appalling debt of the county paid off in the next two years. Gentlemen, we must follow lines of retrenchment, and the law. Now I must say that we have been called on in a thousand ways to do this or that and not a dollar to do anything with, so you merchants that are charging matches, toilet soaps, furniture varnishes and one hundred other things will be "blowed up," for nothing will go that the law does not direct - this is certain. With best wishes and love to all, friend or foe.
Yours,
T.A. GRAY
P.S.: - There has been a few friends and several others that have asked me to get the legislature to increase my salary. This I shall not do, for I contracted with the people for $1,500 per year, and I knew this when I let you elect me, so I shall do my best to fill the office with credit to myself and family and the great trusting public. You hired me to look after your business and if I fail to lay off a straight row, please come in and tell me, and I will do my best to get the crook out of it. My telephone at office is No. 129; residence 104. I am maintaining these at my own expense for my convenience and you can use them - just help yourself. When I can be of service to you, command me.
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Guard, April 8, 1921:
JUDGE T.A. GRAY MAKE EFFORT TO EFFECT SAVING
When the engineers report was filed with County Judge T.A. Gray a few days ago for the allowance of claims for surveying on road districts number 2, 3 and 4 in Independence county, the judge saw fit to do a little whittling on the claims to see if he could save the county money on the item. Judge Gray held that the claims as filed were excessive and he allowed that part of the claims that he thought to be just and equitable, and ordered that amount paid the engineers. Whether or not the engineers will accept this amount is problematic, but if they do not they will be compelled to go into court and make a showing and show that their claim is just and correct, in which case of course if found to be correct, the full amount of their claims will be allowed.
In road district number 2 from Pleasant Plains to Cave City, $7,747.76 was asked for and Judge Gray allowed $2,500.00. In road district number 3 leading from Cord to Newark, $2,944.00 was asked for and the Judge allowed $1,000.00. And in road district number 4 from Newark to Paroquet, $2,384.00 was asked for and they were allowed $250.00.
The total difference between the amount asked for and the amount allowed by Judge Gray was $9,325.76.
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The Batesville Guard, July 1, 1921:
COMMUNICATION FROM JUDGE T.A. GRAY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am called on every day to help build or prevent the building of the proposed highway running from Batesville to Mammoth Spring. I want to say that this road does not affect me in the least nor have I any jurisdiction over the sale of the bonds or how much the commissioners shall raise per mile. This is a matter that is strictly up to them and not to the County Judge. It seems as if though the Legislature in creating these special road districts did their best to take all of the County Judge's authority away from him, despite the reading of our organic law.
Now, let me say right here that the Supreme Court has been persuaded to declare the constitutional authority of the County Judges void. Of course, it would not be becoming of me to criticize these distinguished jurists who are guessing at the law when they are tinctured just a little bit no doubt with divine authority. However, two of this august body have seen fit to dissent in their opinions. But back to the building of the road.
If a majority of the citizens who have to bear the burden of this proposed highway are in favor of building it, then I ought to acquiesce. Of course, I am for good roads and am in favor of building this one from the fact that it will be one of the greatest assets to the three counties concerned, but before we place a mortgage on every man and woman in Independence County along this proposed highway, let us be honest with them and tell them the truth.
That this road is about 78 miles long and that the farmers of Independence County will have to build about two fifths which will be a little over 31 miles, when there are but 18 miles in this county. Now, 18 miles at $7,500.00 per mile equals $135,000.00, and 31 miles at $7,500.00 per mile equals $232,500.00, so you see that the farmers in this County would have to raise nearly $100,000.00 to build a road in another County; besides, I want it strictly understood that $7,500.00 per mile is too much, when you know it to be a fact that $3,000.00 per mile is ample and if you will do away with red tape and graft, we can grade this road for $500.00 per mile, gravel and bridge it for $2,000.00 per mile, then we would have $500.00 per mile left, but listen, there is $13,000.00 worth of claims filed in my Court that I will have to pay out of the County's general funds for this right-of-way, so you see this affects my whole County and it is a dead cinch that I will not pay them.
Every day a promoter drops in to see me and tells me what to do and that I need not worry about the other fellow, "just let things go along and they will take care of themselves and let us sell the bonds at 90c on the dollar and you will be alright." That is, give some buyer $50,000.00 to start with, thus bringing disgrace to the credit of every property holder in the district, when in fact our bonds are worth 100 cents on the dollar.
Now, if the people of my County are willing to pay $13,000.00 for the right-of-way out of the County's general funds and are willing to sell their bonds at 90c on the dollar and the people pay for the building of 31 miles of this road instead of 18, then there will be no doubt that this road will be built, but before I will give my consent to put a 20-year mortgage on the farmer along this right-of-way and the property owners of my town, I must know their wishes for they elected me as their guardian to look after their interests, and he who goes forth in the morning and plods his weary way until the sun has set itself in the western horizon, with his group of barefooted children and his good wife trying to prepare the meals for him and these children who are tattered in rags, then on the morrow he repeats the grind, trying to make a living for himself and the rest of the world. Ah! My friends, shall I sit here and place a 20-year mortgage on his life-blood without consulting him, when he is looking to me for protection? No, not I. This is no small matter. We need roads; but we do not need to confiscate men's property and enslave the coming and the rising generation to satisfy a few promoters and the preparatory classes, when we can build roads for less than one-half of that claim by engineers and those who are seeking a selfish purpose.
Now I repeat that I am personally in favor of building this road but do you think there would be anything wrong in consulting him, who bears (illegible) burden as to how much they want (illegible) bonds sold for and how much (illegible) the honest and industrious people. (Illegible) farmers and laboring men of this country have borne the burden with hope. Then let us be very careful and considerate of his rights that his hopes shall not be blighted, but that they may blossom into a brighter and a better day.
"Fall to us what're may fall,
The farmer must provide for all."
These are the ones most likely to be forgotten by the State and Nation. When the poor and weak cry for relief, they too often hear no answer but the echo of their cry, while the rich, the strong and the powerful are given an attentive ear. It takes from those who are least able to lose and gives to those who are least in need.
The safety of our farmers and our laborers is not in special legislation but in equal and just laws that bear alike on every man. The great masses of our people are interested not in getting their hands into other people's pockets, but in keeping the hands of others out of their pockets.
Let me in closing express the hope that you and I may be instrumental in bringing our State and Nation back to better laws, which will give equal treatment without regard to creed or conditions.
Your friend,
T.A. Gray
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The Mountain Echo, May 26, 1921:
Batesville - The bridge across Spring River which was recently washed away by the overflow, has been rebuilt by County Judge T.A. Gray. The workmen constructing the bridge were county convicts.
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The Batesville Guard, July 23, 1920:
THORNBERRY GRAY'S THANKS TO THE PEOPLE
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As good reports are coming in from every nook and corner of the county, I feel that it is my duty to express my gratitude to you for the interest that you are manifesting for me, and I want to thank you from the very depth of my soul for so many nice things you have said to me, and I must say to those farmers who contributed to my campaign expenses that I feel more than grateful to you, for I know that all of you were moved by that great spirit - "Patriotism and Love of Country" only. May the richest smiles of the Great Creator rest upon you. Gentlemen, I have $107.15 that you have given me and you said that you wanted to make me your next county judge and I told you that my name would be on the ticket; now, God Bless your souls, I believe you are going to do it in spite of all the political rings. Now this $107.15 let me give it back to you with that same gratitude that it was given, for I feel that it is my duty to do so; not that I do not appreciate your generosity.
In conclusion let me say that it would be the proudest moment of my life if every one of you should go to the polls and make my majority the greatest that any one man ever carried this county, and certainly it would be my greatest pleasure to give every man, woman and child in the county a Square Deal; or, in other words, I will FOLLOW THE LAW, and where the law fails to say I will do my best to follow the Golden Rule. You know that two years ago I advocated that the only practicable way to bridge White River is by toll bridges, giving the county an indefinite time to redeem them, then in less than five years we will have FREE bridges across White River; that it takes good roads; good schools and good churches to keep pace with the onward march of time.
Sincerely Yours,
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Daily Guard, October 6, 1915:
T.A. Gray, the Hickory Valley farmer and lawyer, was in the city today. Mr. Gray is suffering from a wound which he accidentally inflicted about his forehead Tuesday. He was helping in the work of digging a grave at Hickory Valley, using a pick. The sharp point of the pick came in contact with his forehead, lacerating an artery, occasioning much pain and a considerable loss of blood.
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The Batesville Guard, August 28, 1914:
From the Sharp County Record: "The editor spent last Saturday night at the home of Attorney T.A. Gray, a prosperous lawyer and farmer of near Hickory Valley, and had a very enjoyable time. Some people may think the watermelon season over, but surely they wouldn't after seeing the 400 or 500 big, fine melons Thornberry has stacked up in his barnyard for the sole purpose of feeding his swine. Besides being a lawyer, a farmer, a sawmiller, and a stock grower, Thornberry is a retired newspaper man, having served out his time in about six weeks on a Batesville paper last spring."
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The Arkansas Democrat, April 23, 1914:
To Establish New Paper.
Batesville, April 23. - (Special.) - T.A. Gray, defeated candidate for prosecuting attorney in this district; Ben Williamson Jr. and Hubert Cooper, now running the Stone County Democrat at Mountain View, have made arrangements to put in a newspaper at this place. Mr. Gray says that he thinks the first issue will be printed during the first week of May. The name of the new paper will be the Independence County Herald. This will make three papers in this county.
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The Batesville Daily Guard, November 26, 1913:
PLATFORM OF T.A. GRAY AND HIS CONTACT WITH THE PEOPLE
THORNSBERRY A. GRAY is a candidate for Prosecuting Attorney, and believes in clean politics. Therefore, he wishes to let the people know what he stands for.
Hence, he positively agrees, if elected, he will not PERSECUTE any one, but will PROSECUTE, and will not be blind to those who need mercy. He further agrees, when there has been a crime committed in any part of the county, that he or his deputy will go to the township where the crime was committed and let the nearest justice of the peace try the case, instead of having them summoned or dragged through the cold, heat, sleet and the rain to the county seat to give some favored individual a fat job. And he further contracts or agrees that if any one having committed an offense, and he wants to submit before a justice of the peace, that he will not claim any fee, which is the law.
He further agrees that he will not file information in order to satisfy the private spite of any individual, who has not sufficient faith in his cause to give the bond required by law, and thus prosecute at the cost of the taxpayers, and force the justice of the peace and constable to work for nothing, as often is the case.
And he also covenants that he will be a prosecuting attorney for ALL THE PEOPLE, but will not be a tool for any set of men. Gray has been accused of being a whiskey man, which is absolutely false, as he never voted for license.
The following resolution sent to the Arkansas legislature will show how he stands on this question.
"Hickory Valley, Ark., Feb., 1913.
"We, the people of Hickory Valley and surrounding county, in mass meeting assembled, do pass the following resolution.
"Whereas, we believe in local self government and a white man's domination, and that the white people of our state should control the manufacture, the sale and traffic of whiskey in Arkansas.
"Therefore, we believe that Senate Bill No. 118 should pass because we believe that it possesses every requirement that local self-government by white people could demand.
"Therefore, be it moved that the aforesaid Senate Bill be passed and be made a part of the laws of the State of Arkansas.
"This resolution was introduced by T.A. Gray and seconded my Messrs. J.T. Robertson and Rev. Samuel Adams, and the motion was unanimously passed. There were 81 present at the mass meeting.
"T.A. Gray, Chairman."
You know that it was thought for quite a while he was the nominee four years ago. Therefore he appeals to you to stand by him till the last vote is counted and that he will always have in mind the grand old motto of our State, "Regnant Populi" - let the people rule,
Yours at command,
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Daily Guard, October 25, 1913:
Hon. T.A. Gray of Hickory Valley is spending today in the city on business. He brought in two sweet potatoes weighing 7 and 4 pounds respectively, and he will send them to the state fair.
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The Batesville Daily Guard, June 8, 1911:
The very latest and most interesting bout occurred yesterday upon the somewhat famous arena between the court house and the store of Weaver-Dowdy Co., the participants being our esteemed fellow townsmen, R.M. Carter, the expert insurance man and stock salesman, and Mr. T.A. Gray, attorney at law, and the efficient proprietor of that popular hostelry, the O.K. Hotel.
The bone of contention, it is said, was a business proposition concerning a number of shares of the famous "Gradolph" stock, of which Attorney Gray is the holder of 100 shares. The discussion grew quite animated, when the stock salesman very unprettily used the "short and ugly" word over which most men fight, and which the attorney instantly resented with a left hook in the direction of the beak of the insurance man, who was sitting in his buggy. Not to be outdone, the latter gave a correct imitation of "her name was Maud," and planted a swift kick in the atmosphere intervening between him and the now thoroughly aroused barrister.
As is his usual custom, Esq. J.A. Holmes, who is fast gaining a reputation as the "watch dog of the public peace, serenity and happiness." was near and intervened with the gentle white dove, perched upon his left shoulder and an olive branch waving serenely between the combatants.
The lowering war clouds finally drifted away, and all is well along the Potomac. Pleas of guilty were in order this morning before Justice Holmes, and the participants received a mild but stern rebuke from his honor, with a little cash penalty for good measure.
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The Batesville Guard, March 25, 1910:
FOR T.A. GRAY.
To the Editor of the Guard:
I see opponents of Hon. T.A. Gray, having more wealth than he has, and not having to work both at the practice of law and tilling the soil, are trying to make it appear that he is not capable of filling the office of prosecutor.
Now, Mr. Gray has made a living without the good fortune of coming into great wealth, and judging by his practice, he has far more legal ability and more clients than his wealthy opponents, and a heap more experience. For myself, I prefer to take an Independence County man to an outsider, when I know he is just as capable as any in the race. I am for my neighbor first, and then if I have anything to give out, I'll divide with the other fellow.
One of His Neighbors.
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The Batesville Guard, March 25, 1910:
AN APPEAL.
In making my last appeal to the voters of the district , you know that Jackson county has been honored for the last four years, or two terms. Then why not have a change, as the custom has been heretofore, and honor an Independence county citizen with this office?
I want my friends everywhere to stand firm until the victory is won. I need your help, and if you cannot pull for me, please do not fight me, for I want to be your friend. I have made an honest race and will be elected on my own merits and qualifications.
My opponents are nice men; but it has been said they are very wealthy, one in particular, and if this be true, financially, it seems to me, that he does not need the office, while on the other hand, I assure you my word and honor that I do. Then let me illustrate: Suppose here is a man, worth a million dollars, and here is another, who has but little of this world's goods, and I have ten dollars to give. Which one should I give it to? Christ said to the rich man, go and sell that that thou hast and give to the poor, then come.
Consider this well. Pay no attention to false reports, but continue to roll stones and the victory is ours.
Yours,
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Guard, October 1, 1909:
T.A. GRAY
Mr. Thornberry A. Gray of Hickory Valley, Independence county, announces in this issue of the Guard for prosecuting attorney of the Third judicial district. Mr. Gray is no stranger to the voters of the district having made the rounds on two occasions before, asking for the office to which he now aspires. He was born and raised near where he now resides. He practically educated himself, and upon leaving the law school was admitted to the bar, and is now practicing in all the courts. He has been farming for a number of years, but finds time for the practice of law. Out of quite a number of cases in justice courts the past year, he has been successful in a great majority of them.
Mr. Gray promises if elected to discharge the duties of the office to the best of his ability. He had canvassed a part of the district before announcing for the office.
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The Batesville Guard, March 11, 1909:
AN ENDORSEMENT.
What the Walnut Ridge (Lawrence county) Post-Dispatch says in regard to the race of T.A. Gray, candidate for prosecuting attorney:
"Mr. Gray is one of the best known young lawyers of the district and belongs to one of the most prominent families of the state. Born a true southern democrat, he has never known any other party, and when his services are needed he is always willing to answer the call and go to the aid of the old Jeffersonian democracy which we all so dearly love.
"This is Mr. Gray's third race for prosecuting attorney, yet he could not be called a chronic office seeker. He has simply been a victim of hard luck in by-gone races, and has met defeat only by the skin of his teeth. His first race was against Mr. Oldfield for a second term, and it was by less than 200 votes that this popular campaigner defeated him. In his second race his name was maliciously left off the ticket in some counties after he had spent his hard earned money making the campaign, and thus he was again defeated.
"In this race his friends see in him a winner, and the strong endorsement from his home people, published elsewhere in this issue, show the standing he has at home and the strong fight that is being made for him all over the district shows him to be a very strong factor in this race.
"We heard a run-down politician say that the name if T.A. Gray for prosecuting attorney is not on the ticket, but we are informed that it is, and Thornberry, the 'Rail Splitter,' is going to be elected for this reason: He is a straight democrat and needs it. You can hear it said everywhere that he is the man for the place. People, democrats are tired of voting for millionaires, so go for Thornberry if you want a good man and a good democrat." adv.
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The Arkansas Democrat, January 28, 1904:
Hon. T.A. Gray of Independence county is a candidate for prosecuting attorney.
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The Arkansas Democrat, January 9, 1902:
Thornsberry A. Gray of Independence county denies that he has withdrawn from the race for congress and says that he proposes to remain in the contest till the last notch. He has issued a circular, in which he asks: "Can a farmer be elected to congress? Why not? Is it not time the toiling men should have a shake at government affairs?" He is making the race as a "man from the plow handles."
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The Daily Arkansas Gazette, December 31, 1901:
ARKANSAS POLITICS
Popular Vote to Determine Democratic Nominee for Congress in New Second District.
The Democratic committee of the new Second congressional district met at Newport and ordered a straight primary election on March 29 in the counties composing that district. The candidate who received the highest number of votes in the primary will be declared the nominee. There are three candidates, viz.: Congressman S, Brundidge, Judge J.S. McCaleb and T.A. Gray, the last named of Independence county.
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The Daily Arkansas Gazette, December 16, 1894:
THE SUPREME COURT.
Decisions Rendered and Proceedings Had, Saturday, December 15, 1894.
(Prepared for The Gazette by C.P. Harnwell of the Little Rock bar.)
...No. 2578. Forrest Hardwood Manufacturing Company vs. Alva S. Freeman; appeal from Pulaski Circuit Court; two weeks time granted to file response in motion to advance and affirm.
T. A. Gray, of Independence County, examined and enrolled.
Adjourned to Monday, December 17, 1894, at 9 a.m.
The Blytheville Courier News, June 16, 1950:
Arkansas Politico Dies at Batesville
Thornsberry Gray Won Fight to Elect Lieutenant Governor
BATESVILLE, Ark., June 16. (AP) - The man who won litigation proving that Arkansans had voted themselves the right to elect a lieutenant governor - and then lost in a contest for that office - died here last night.
He was Thornsberry A. Gray, 79, lawyer, former Independence County judge, former state representative and unsuccessful candidate for both governor and lieutenant governor.
Gray in 1926 won a Supreme Court decision holding that Arkansas voters several years earlier had legally adopted a constitutional amendment for popular election of a lieutenant governor. Previously the proposed amendment had been declared rejected.
That same year Gray sought to become the state's first elected lieutenant governor. But Harvey Parnell won - and then became governor when Gov. John E. Martineau resigned for a federal judgeship and afterward won a term on his own.
Tried for Governor
Gray tried for governor in 1930. Again he was unsuccessful.
He was county judge 1921-22 and representative in 1925 and again in 1929. Until he became ill three months ago, he continued in active law practice.
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The Hope Star, September 29, 1937:
Gray Quits Senate Race, Refusing to Be an Independent
Listing as "Greenback Democrat" Rejected - He Withdraws
BAILEY IN OPENER
Experience in 1933 Soured Him on Special Primaries, He Says
LITTLE ROCK - Declaring that he was eager for a comparison of his record with that of his opponent, Congressman John E. Miller, Gov. Carl E. Bailey opened his campaign for the United States Senate with a statewide radio address Tuesday night. The governor spoke from his home in Little Rock.
Thornsberry A. Gray of Batesville withdrew from the senate race.
Gray, who recently filed his corrupt practices pledge with the request that the secretary of state place his name on the ticket as the candidate of the "Greenback Democrat" party, in withdrawing said: "I've been informed by state officials I cannot get my name on the ticket as a "Greenback Democrat" and would have to go on as an independent and that I will not do."
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The Hope Star, February 14, 1936:
T.A. Gray Files as Candidate for U.S. Senate Post
Batesville Attorney to Oppose Robinson in August Primary
TWO OTHERS IN RACE
32 Legislators Favor Special Session for Centennial Fund
LITTLE ROCK. - (AP) - A third candidate announced Friday for the August Democratic senatorial primary in which Democratic Leader Joe T. Robinson is expected to seek re-election when Thornsberry A. Gray, Batesville attorney, filed his corrupt practices pledge.
Gray became the first candidate for the office to file his pledge.
Cleveland Holland of Fort Smith, and Ross Venable of Little Rock, have previously announced their candidacy for the office, but have not filed practices pledges.
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The Star Progress, June 5, 1930:
PLATFORM OF T.A. GRAY, CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR
I wish to present to you my platform which is my contract with the people of Arkansas:
Retrenchment
First of all I wish to say "a Business Man always finds a remedy for an existing evil." If your business becomes heavy with overhead expenses you are compelled to remove that cause or face financial ruin and as we are now burdened with taxes we cannot afford to raise them any higher but we must dig in and dig out and find a way to lessen our expenses so that we may be able to reduce them. I want to say that this can be done. Why can we not stay in the bounds of our resources instead of trying to find a way to go beyond them then issue bonds to meet the deficiency? Remember that it takes only about 17 1-2 years for a bond to double itself, and also remember that pay day is coming; and you may have a toll gate on all of the highways of the state to pay the state's debt if we do not get rid of about sixty commissions that have been created by special acts of the legislature then fix it through the I and R. amendment to the Constitution so they can not create any more at the tax payers' expense.
I Am in Favor of Free School Books
That free school books would go a long way in solving our educational problems and save the mothers and fathers of these children millions of dollars annually and would help to drive ignorance from our state.
Free Bridges
I believe that it would be the greatest advertisement for Arkansas to make all of her bridges free and take over all bridge districts as the state has taken over road districts and relieve them of their taxes, as bridges are part of the highways system.
Reduction of Auto Licenses
I believe that our auto licenses are too high compared with other states. That 50 per cent reduction would be a great inducement for thousands of small trucks and whoopees put into operation which would increase the sale of gasoline whereby we derive the greatest portion of our revenue for our roads, and the appeal of the law that places 6 different taxes on the auto or truck for hire including 4 per cent gross income.
State Bonds
I believe that it is a crime to issue any state bonds unless they be submitted to the electors for rejection or approval because you have no right to sign my name to a note until I have first been consulted.
Highway Department Should be Elective.
I think that the 1929 Legislature made a mistake when they took this away from you by Act 65 and made them appointive for the period of ten years which is undemocratic.
State Farms
I believe that the convict farms can be made self-sustaining.
Recall of All Officers
I want to say that I am very much in favor of a recall of all officers. Why not? The same power that puts a man in office should have the right to call him home.
Freedom and Liberty
The greatest blessings of mankind are freedom and liberty but every legislature takes away more or less of this and force you to buy it back in the way of license.
Too Much Money in the Campaign
I cannot afford to violate the Corrupt Practice Act and go into the office as a criminal. This law was passed for the benefit of the people which provides that candidates for governor cannot spend over five thousand dollars. Therefore we appeal to those who believe that our government should be perpetuated to stand like a rock wall until this campaign is over.
Capital and Labor
That our laws should be just to all mankind; that while labor is entitled to its share of profits so is capital entitled to its profits and our laws should be made so liberal that we might induce enterprises and by doing so we would have a nice payroll in every city. This can be done by giving capital to understand that we will not ruin them by taxation, induce them to have faith in our government and our institutions and at the same time give the consuming power of our state to understand that they must buy Arkansas products. We have the greatest state in the nation if we will make it so.
Irregular Legislation
I want it strictly understood that I will not sign any bill that has two purposes in it in violation of our constitution. For instance, the Omnibus Bill which had four purposes: First, income tax, second, occupation tax, third, privilege tax, fourth, stamp tax. I will not sign any bill that is not passed in accordance with our Constitution. There must be a separate roll call on all emergencies. Nor will I sign any bill that was passed with a bunch of bills, for instance, during the last Legislature there were thirty-nine bills passed on one roll call and at another time twenty-five on one roll call.
The State's Business
I consider that taking care of Arkansas' business is paramount to all other business in the state and that it is too great for one man. Therefore it will be my pleasure to call at least 12 good honest men with business ability to help solve some of Arkansas' knotty problems and it may be that we can restore industrial faith in our state, and too, we may be able to make the proper recommendations to the legislature.
T.A. GRAY
P.S. - Beware of Campaign Lies.
You may hear anything before this campaign comes to a close. Give it no thought, but as a patriotic citizen do your duty and if there is a half dozen men brought into this race for no other purpose but to divide my vote you need not be surprised for politics are very cunning. No doubt there will be not less than one hundred men sent our from the capital city into every nook and corner and all of them riding in automobiles owned by the state gasoline and oil furnished free at the expense of the taxpayers, telling you who you shall support in the coming election. Pay no attention to such falsehoods because they are hired to tell it; and you do know it to be a fact that I am not contaminated with that state house ring. Watch out; That bunch will pull out of the race one or two candidates and then try to throw their strength to the other ring candidate in order to defeat me. Stay with me and I will beat the State House Ring fifty thousand votes.
Since my platform went to press Mr. Cazort has withdrawn in favor of Mr. Hays. I am wondering how many votes Cazort can deliver for you know that he has not got any influence over his own vote to say nothing of his influence over you. Then according to my prophesy of February 10, there will be others withdrawn in order to elect a man that will suit this bunch of blood suckers and bear in mind it does not make any difference which one of this crowd you elect from Little rock the machine politicians will be pleased for they will have a man of their own heart. Remember that North Arkansas has not had a Governor since 1877. Time about is fair play. - T.A. GRAY, Candidate for Governor, Batesville, Ark.
-(Political Advertisement)
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The Batesville Guard, August 13, 1926:
To My Friends:
I wish to thank you from the depth of my soul for the wonderful support you gave me for Lieutenant Gov. This is an expression of confidence in my honesty and ability to serve you. And I want to say I shall ever be found trying to serve you and my country honestly whether public or in private life.
I am at your command,
T.A. GRAY
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The Madison County Record, August 5, 1926:
Vote for Judge Thornsberry Gray for Lieutenant Governor, the man who discovered the office and spent his own money and time in forcing a decision through the courts. He is the only logical candidate. Advt.
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The Batesville Guard, September 22, 1922:
THE KU KLUX KLAN MAKES STATEMENT
Batesville Guard,
Batesville, Ark.
Gentlemen:
You will find enclosed a notice which we want you to publish in the first issue of your paper (front page if possible). The article is a statement by the Batesville Klan, No. 30, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, denying writing a certain letter containing threats to Judge T.A. Gray recently.
Please give this your very careful attention as to proof-reading and see that it is published exactly as per the original.
Whatever your charge is for this service, put the amount in small figures at the bottom of the article and you will get your money at once.
BATESVILLE KLAN, NO. 30,
KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN.
Ku Klux Klan Makes Statement.
The following letter was mailed to Judge T.A. Gray, Saturday, September 16th, 1922:
Batesville, Ark., September 16th, 1922.
Hon. T.A. Gray,
County Judge,
Batesville, Ark.
Dear Sir: -
It has come to the knowledge of Batesville Klan No. 30, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, that you have received a letter purporting to have been written by said Klan, making certain threats against you. We unqualifiedly brand this letter as false and a forgery, and the use of our name and seal as unauthorized and illegal.
The Ku Klux Klan is not permitted to, and does not write such letters and any member who would do so would be immediately expelled, and in addition, every possible effort would be made by the Klan to bring him to justice in the courts.
The Ku Klux Klan is pre-eminently a law-abiding, law-enforcing organization, and while an individual member may occasionally violate his oath and do acts which are prohibited and unauthorized, he is promptly expelled from the organization upon proof of guilt. We feel positive, however, that none of our members would stoop to the perpetuation of writing such a letter as you have exhibited.
Our local organization has carefully refrained from entering politics or taking any stand for or against any candidate for office, but each member is, or course, supposed to cast his (illegible) his influence for the best (illegible) especially for the purest, most honorable candidate in the field, and if any candidate is known to be dishonorable or unclean or immoral in his private life, this fact will be made known and this organization will be opposed to the election of such a man to office.
We assure you that no fight has been made on you, nor has your candidacy for office ever been mentioned or discussed on the floor of our Klan. You have many warm, personal friends and supporters among our members who would resent and circumvent any action which might be suggested against you, even should anyone desire to attack your candidacy or take other action that might be against your interest.
We mention these things to show the absurdity of our Klan or a loyal member thereof, writing such a letter as that exhibited by you.
We regret exceedingly that anyone in the community would do such a low and cowardly act in the name of the Klan, or attempt to hide behind us in slandering or besmirching the name of any of our citizens, and we now assure you that we not only condemn this act as cowardly and unauthorized, but pledge every effort on our part to expose the guilty party and obtain a conviction in the courts, even though it should develop that he is a member of our organization. Furthermore, we pledge you protection from danger or harm from outsiders to the extent of providing a personal guard day and night if you fear harm from any source.
In order to aid us in fully investigating this matter, we ask that you please preserve the envelope and original letter received by you very carefully, and be in a position to submit same to the examination of detectives.
We regret to say that the custodian of our seal did not keep it as securely guarded as he should have done, and it is possible that the miscreant who perpetuated this cowardly act may have taken other impressions while he had access to it to be used for other cowardly purposes, so we now advise you that this seal is for use ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS ADDRESSED TO KLAN OFFICIALS ONLY, and any other use of it is UNAUTHORIZED, ILLEGAL AND A FORGERY.
Assuring you our regret that this incident has occurred, and of our desire to co-operate with you in every way in ascertaining the identity of the guilty party, we are,
Yours respectfully,
BATESVILLE KLAN, NO. 30,
KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN.
Reward.
A reward of $100 is hereby offered for the apprehension and conviction of the person who wrote a threatening letter to Judge T.A. Gray in the name and under the seal of the Ku Klux Klan.
This reward will be doubled should it develop the writer is a member of this organization.
BATESVILLE KLAN, NO. 30,
KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN.
$7.25
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The Daily Arkansas Gazette, September 10, 1922:
JUDGE WILL RUN AS INDEPENDENT
T.A. Gray Files Petition With Independence Election Commission.
Special to the Gazette.
Batesville, Sept. 9 - County Judge T.A. Gray, who was defeated for renomination for a second term at the last Democratic primary by E.R. Hooper, today filed a petition with J.O. Burns, Republican member of the county commissioners, asking that his name be placed on the ticket at the general election in October. The petition was signed by 118 voters of Independence county.
Mr. Burns, in commenting on the petition, said that Judge Gray, in filing the petition, requested that his name be placed on the ticket as the regular Democratic nominee, but that since the County Democratic Central Committee had certified Mr. Hooper as the Democratic nominee, this was not possible, but that in accordance with the election laws his name could appear on the ticket as an independent candidate.
Judge Gray, before his election as county judge two years ago, sought various offices in this county and district for a period of about 30 years, running for various offices from congressman to county judge, and finally was elected county judge by a small majority. Since his election he has been almost continuously in the limelight. His first official acts after assuming the office were to discharge the janitor at the courthouse and to refuse to allow the telephone rentals for the various county officials. This brought him statewide notoriety and since that time he has been almost constantly in the public eye. He held as illegal outstanding scrip held by the several banks of this county amounting to $65,000. In this case he was reversed by both the Circuit and the Supreme Court. He also instituted a series of suits against the ferry owners of this county; seeking to compel them to lower their rates, while the cases were being fought in the courts, he enjoined the owners from operating the ferries and sought to establish a free ferry to be operated by the county. This was abandoned later.
After his defeat by Mr. Hooper in August, Judge Gray filed a petition with the County Central Committee asking for a recount of the votes in 11 of the largest townships of the county, but failed to take the proper legal steps for a contest.
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The Batesville Daily Guard, February 23, 1921:
FROM JUDGE T.A. GRAY
My attention has been called to the fact that some overseers have been spreading the propaganda that they could not work the roads without my orders or consent. Now I want to make it clear to them and the public that I wanted them to see to it that the county and townships get value received for every dollar they expend, and that they stop paying war-time prices for labor and teams, for I feel that it is the duty of the court to take care of the taxpayers' money and not a few political friends of the overseer or myself.
"It is duty and not politics" that man owes to his country, and if every overseer will lend me their co-operation, coupled with a little patriotism and love of country, we will have a lot of good roads built and the appalling debt of the county paid off in the next two years. Gentlemen, we must follow lines of retrenchment, and the law. Now I must say that we have been called on in a thousand ways to do this or that and not a dollar to do anything with, so you merchants that are charging matches, toilet soaps, furniture varnishes and one hundred other things will be "blowed up," for nothing will go that the law does not direct - this is certain. With best wishes and love to all, friend or foe.
Yours,
T.A. GRAY
P.S.: - There has been a few friends and several others that have asked me to get the legislature to increase my salary. This I shall not do, for I contracted with the people for $1,500 per year, and I knew this when I let you elect me, so I shall do my best to fill the office with credit to myself and family and the great trusting public. You hired me to look after your business and if I fail to lay off a straight row, please come in and tell me, and I will do my best to get the crook out of it. My telephone at office is No. 129; residence 104. I am maintaining these at my own expense for my convenience and you can use them - just help yourself. When I can be of service to you, command me.
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Guard, April 8, 1921:
JUDGE T.A. GRAY MAKE EFFORT TO EFFECT SAVING
When the engineers report was filed with County Judge T.A. Gray a few days ago for the allowance of claims for surveying on road districts number 2, 3 and 4 in Independence county, the judge saw fit to do a little whittling on the claims to see if he could save the county money on the item. Judge Gray held that the claims as filed were excessive and he allowed that part of the claims that he thought to be just and equitable, and ordered that amount paid the engineers. Whether or not the engineers will accept this amount is problematic, but if they do not they will be compelled to go into court and make a showing and show that their claim is just and correct, in which case of course if found to be correct, the full amount of their claims will be allowed.
In road district number 2 from Pleasant Plains to Cave City, $7,747.76 was asked for and Judge Gray allowed $2,500.00. In road district number 3 leading from Cord to Newark, $2,944.00 was asked for and the Judge allowed $1,000.00. And in road district number 4 from Newark to Paroquet, $2,384.00 was asked for and they were allowed $250.00.
The total difference between the amount asked for and the amount allowed by Judge Gray was $9,325.76.
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The Batesville Guard, July 1, 1921:
COMMUNICATION FROM JUDGE T.A. GRAY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am called on every day to help build or prevent the building of the proposed highway running from Batesville to Mammoth Spring. I want to say that this road does not affect me in the least nor have I any jurisdiction over the sale of the bonds or how much the commissioners shall raise per mile. This is a matter that is strictly up to them and not to the County Judge. It seems as if though the Legislature in creating these special road districts did their best to take all of the County Judge's authority away from him, despite the reading of our organic law.
Now, let me say right here that the Supreme Court has been persuaded to declare the constitutional authority of the County Judges void. Of course, it would not be becoming of me to criticize these distinguished jurists who are guessing at the law when they are tinctured just a little bit no doubt with divine authority. However, two of this august body have seen fit to dissent in their opinions. But back to the building of the road.
If a majority of the citizens who have to bear the burden of this proposed highway are in favor of building it, then I ought to acquiesce. Of course, I am for good roads and am in favor of building this one from the fact that it will be one of the greatest assets to the three counties concerned, but before we place a mortgage on every man and woman in Independence County along this proposed highway, let us be honest with them and tell them the truth.
That this road is about 78 miles long and that the farmers of Independence County will have to build about two fifths which will be a little over 31 miles, when there are but 18 miles in this county. Now, 18 miles at $7,500.00 per mile equals $135,000.00, and 31 miles at $7,500.00 per mile equals $232,500.00, so you see that the farmers in this County would have to raise nearly $100,000.00 to build a road in another County; besides, I want it strictly understood that $7,500.00 per mile is too much, when you know it to be a fact that $3,000.00 per mile is ample and if you will do away with red tape and graft, we can grade this road for $500.00 per mile, gravel and bridge it for $2,000.00 per mile, then we would have $500.00 per mile left, but listen, there is $13,000.00 worth of claims filed in my Court that I will have to pay out of the County's general funds for this right-of-way, so you see this affects my whole County and it is a dead cinch that I will not pay them.
Every day a promoter drops in to see me and tells me what to do and that I need not worry about the other fellow, "just let things go along and they will take care of themselves and let us sell the bonds at 90c on the dollar and you will be alright." That is, give some buyer $50,000.00 to start with, thus bringing disgrace to the credit of every property holder in the district, when in fact our bonds are worth 100 cents on the dollar.
Now, if the people of my County are willing to pay $13,000.00 for the right-of-way out of the County's general funds and are willing to sell their bonds at 90c on the dollar and the people pay for the building of 31 miles of this road instead of 18, then there will be no doubt that this road will be built, but before I will give my consent to put a 20-year mortgage on the farmer along this right-of-way and the property owners of my town, I must know their wishes for they elected me as their guardian to look after their interests, and he who goes forth in the morning and plods his weary way until the sun has set itself in the western horizon, with his group of barefooted children and his good wife trying to prepare the meals for him and these children who are tattered in rags, then on the morrow he repeats the grind, trying to make a living for himself and the rest of the world. Ah! My friends, shall I sit here and place a 20-year mortgage on his life-blood without consulting him, when he is looking to me for protection? No, not I. This is no small matter. We need roads; but we do not need to confiscate men's property and enslave the coming and the rising generation to satisfy a few promoters and the preparatory classes, when we can build roads for less than one-half of that claim by engineers and those who are seeking a selfish purpose.
Now I repeat that I am personally in favor of building this road but do you think there would be anything wrong in consulting him, who bears (illegible) burden as to how much they want (illegible) bonds sold for and how much (illegible) the honest and industrious people. (Illegible) farmers and laboring men of this country have borne the burden with hope. Then let us be very careful and considerate of his rights that his hopes shall not be blighted, but that they may blossom into a brighter and a better day.
"Fall to us what're may fall,
The farmer must provide for all."
These are the ones most likely to be forgotten by the State and Nation. When the poor and weak cry for relief, they too often hear no answer but the echo of their cry, while the rich, the strong and the powerful are given an attentive ear. It takes from those who are least able to lose and gives to those who are least in need.
The safety of our farmers and our laborers is not in special legislation but in equal and just laws that bear alike on every man. The great masses of our people are interested not in getting their hands into other people's pockets, but in keeping the hands of others out of their pockets.
Let me in closing express the hope that you and I may be instrumental in bringing our State and Nation back to better laws, which will give equal treatment without regard to creed or conditions.
Your friend,
T.A. Gray
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The Mountain Echo, May 26, 1921:
Batesville - The bridge across Spring River which was recently washed away by the overflow, has been rebuilt by County Judge T.A. Gray. The workmen constructing the bridge were county convicts.
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The Batesville Guard, July 23, 1920:
THORNBERRY GRAY'S THANKS TO THE PEOPLE
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As good reports are coming in from every nook and corner of the county, I feel that it is my duty to express my gratitude to you for the interest that you are manifesting for me, and I want to thank you from the very depth of my soul for so many nice things you have said to me, and I must say to those farmers who contributed to my campaign expenses that I feel more than grateful to you, for I know that all of you were moved by that great spirit - "Patriotism and Love of Country" only. May the richest smiles of the Great Creator rest upon you. Gentlemen, I have $107.15 that you have given me and you said that you wanted to make me your next county judge and I told you that my name would be on the ticket; now, God Bless your souls, I believe you are going to do it in spite of all the political rings. Now this $107.15 let me give it back to you with that same gratitude that it was given, for I feel that it is my duty to do so; not that I do not appreciate your generosity.
In conclusion let me say that it would be the proudest moment of my life if every one of you should go to the polls and make my majority the greatest that any one man ever carried this county, and certainly it would be my greatest pleasure to give every man, woman and child in the county a Square Deal; or, in other words, I will FOLLOW THE LAW, and where the law fails to say I will do my best to follow the Golden Rule. You know that two years ago I advocated that the only practicable way to bridge White River is by toll bridges, giving the county an indefinite time to redeem them, then in less than five years we will have FREE bridges across White River; that it takes good roads; good schools and good churches to keep pace with the onward march of time.
Sincerely Yours,
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Daily Guard, October 6, 1915:
T.A. Gray, the Hickory Valley farmer and lawyer, was in the city today. Mr. Gray is suffering from a wound which he accidentally inflicted about his forehead Tuesday. He was helping in the work of digging a grave at Hickory Valley, using a pick. The sharp point of the pick came in contact with his forehead, lacerating an artery, occasioning much pain and a considerable loss of blood.
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The Batesville Guard, August 28, 1914:
From the Sharp County Record: "The editor spent last Saturday night at the home of Attorney T.A. Gray, a prosperous lawyer and farmer of near Hickory Valley, and had a very enjoyable time. Some people may think the watermelon season over, but surely they wouldn't after seeing the 400 or 500 big, fine melons Thornberry has stacked up in his barnyard for the sole purpose of feeding his swine. Besides being a lawyer, a farmer, a sawmiller, and a stock grower, Thornberry is a retired newspaper man, having served out his time in about six weeks on a Batesville paper last spring."
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The Arkansas Democrat, April 23, 1914:
To Establish New Paper.
Batesville, April 23. - (Special.) - T.A. Gray, defeated candidate for prosecuting attorney in this district; Ben Williamson Jr. and Hubert Cooper, now running the Stone County Democrat at Mountain View, have made arrangements to put in a newspaper at this place. Mr. Gray says that he thinks the first issue will be printed during the first week of May. The name of the new paper will be the Independence County Herald. This will make three papers in this county.
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The Batesville Daily Guard, November 26, 1913:
PLATFORM OF T.A. GRAY AND HIS CONTACT WITH THE PEOPLE
THORNSBERRY A. GRAY is a candidate for Prosecuting Attorney, and believes in clean politics. Therefore, he wishes to let the people know what he stands for.
Hence, he positively agrees, if elected, he will not PERSECUTE any one, but will PROSECUTE, and will not be blind to those who need mercy. He further agrees, when there has been a crime committed in any part of the county, that he or his deputy will go to the township where the crime was committed and let the nearest justice of the peace try the case, instead of having them summoned or dragged through the cold, heat, sleet and the rain to the county seat to give some favored individual a fat job. And he further contracts or agrees that if any one having committed an offense, and he wants to submit before a justice of the peace, that he will not claim any fee, which is the law.
He further agrees that he will not file information in order to satisfy the private spite of any individual, who has not sufficient faith in his cause to give the bond required by law, and thus prosecute at the cost of the taxpayers, and force the justice of the peace and constable to work for nothing, as often is the case.
And he also covenants that he will be a prosecuting attorney for ALL THE PEOPLE, but will not be a tool for any set of men. Gray has been accused of being a whiskey man, which is absolutely false, as he never voted for license.
The following resolution sent to the Arkansas legislature will show how he stands on this question.
"Hickory Valley, Ark., Feb., 1913.
"We, the people of Hickory Valley and surrounding county, in mass meeting assembled, do pass the following resolution.
"Whereas, we believe in local self government and a white man's domination, and that the white people of our state should control the manufacture, the sale and traffic of whiskey in Arkansas.
"Therefore, we believe that Senate Bill No. 118 should pass because we believe that it possesses every requirement that local self-government by white people could demand.
"Therefore, be it moved that the aforesaid Senate Bill be passed and be made a part of the laws of the State of Arkansas.
"This resolution was introduced by T.A. Gray and seconded my Messrs. J.T. Robertson and Rev. Samuel Adams, and the motion was unanimously passed. There were 81 present at the mass meeting.
"T.A. Gray, Chairman."
You know that it was thought for quite a while he was the nominee four years ago. Therefore he appeals to you to stand by him till the last vote is counted and that he will always have in mind the grand old motto of our State, "Regnant Populi" - let the people rule,
Yours at command,
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Daily Guard, October 25, 1913:
Hon. T.A. Gray of Hickory Valley is spending today in the city on business. He brought in two sweet potatoes weighing 7 and 4 pounds respectively, and he will send them to the state fair.
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The Batesville Daily Guard, June 8, 1911:
The very latest and most interesting bout occurred yesterday upon the somewhat famous arena between the court house and the store of Weaver-Dowdy Co., the participants being our esteemed fellow townsmen, R.M. Carter, the expert insurance man and stock salesman, and Mr. T.A. Gray, attorney at law, and the efficient proprietor of that popular hostelry, the O.K. Hotel.
The bone of contention, it is said, was a business proposition concerning a number of shares of the famous "Gradolph" stock, of which Attorney Gray is the holder of 100 shares. The discussion grew quite animated, when the stock salesman very unprettily used the "short and ugly" word over which most men fight, and which the attorney instantly resented with a left hook in the direction of the beak of the insurance man, who was sitting in his buggy. Not to be outdone, the latter gave a correct imitation of "her name was Maud," and planted a swift kick in the atmosphere intervening between him and the now thoroughly aroused barrister.
As is his usual custom, Esq. J.A. Holmes, who is fast gaining a reputation as the "watch dog of the public peace, serenity and happiness." was near and intervened with the gentle white dove, perched upon his left shoulder and an olive branch waving serenely between the combatants.
The lowering war clouds finally drifted away, and all is well along the Potomac. Pleas of guilty were in order this morning before Justice Holmes, and the participants received a mild but stern rebuke from his honor, with a little cash penalty for good measure.
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The Batesville Guard, March 25, 1910:
FOR T.A. GRAY.
To the Editor of the Guard:
I see opponents of Hon. T.A. Gray, having more wealth than he has, and not having to work both at the practice of law and tilling the soil, are trying to make it appear that he is not capable of filling the office of prosecutor.
Now, Mr. Gray has made a living without the good fortune of coming into great wealth, and judging by his practice, he has far more legal ability and more clients than his wealthy opponents, and a heap more experience. For myself, I prefer to take an Independence County man to an outsider, when I know he is just as capable as any in the race. I am for my neighbor first, and then if I have anything to give out, I'll divide with the other fellow.
One of His Neighbors.
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The Batesville Guard, March 25, 1910:
AN APPEAL.
In making my last appeal to the voters of the district , you know that Jackson county has been honored for the last four years, or two terms. Then why not have a change, as the custom has been heretofore, and honor an Independence county citizen with this office?
I want my friends everywhere to stand firm until the victory is won. I need your help, and if you cannot pull for me, please do not fight me, for I want to be your friend. I have made an honest race and will be elected on my own merits and qualifications.
My opponents are nice men; but it has been said they are very wealthy, one in particular, and if this be true, financially, it seems to me, that he does not need the office, while on the other hand, I assure you my word and honor that I do. Then let me illustrate: Suppose here is a man, worth a million dollars, and here is another, who has but little of this world's goods, and I have ten dollars to give. Which one should I give it to? Christ said to the rich man, go and sell that that thou hast and give to the poor, then come.
Consider this well. Pay no attention to false reports, but continue to roll stones and the victory is ours.
Yours,
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Guard, October 1, 1909:
T.A. GRAY
Mr. Thornberry A. Gray of Hickory Valley, Independence county, announces in this issue of the Guard for prosecuting attorney of the Third judicial district. Mr. Gray is no stranger to the voters of the district having made the rounds on two occasions before, asking for the office to which he now aspires. He was born and raised near where he now resides. He practically educated himself, and upon leaving the law school was admitted to the bar, and is now practicing in all the courts. He has been farming for a number of years, but finds time for the practice of law. Out of quite a number of cases in justice courts the past year, he has been successful in a great majority of them.
Mr. Gray promises if elected to discharge the duties of the office to the best of his ability. He had canvassed a part of the district before announcing for the office.
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The Batesville Guard, March 11, 1909:
AN ENDORSEMENT.
What the Walnut Ridge (Lawrence county) Post-Dispatch says in regard to the race of T.A. Gray, candidate for prosecuting attorney:
"Mr. Gray is one of the best known young lawyers of the district and belongs to one of the most prominent families of the state. Born a true southern democrat, he has never known any other party, and when his services are needed he is always willing to answer the call and go to the aid of the old Jeffersonian democracy which we all so dearly love.
"This is Mr. Gray's third race for prosecuting attorney, yet he could not be called a chronic office seeker. He has simply been a victim of hard luck in by-gone races, and has met defeat only by the skin of his teeth. His first race was against Mr. Oldfield for a second term, and it was by less than 200 votes that this popular campaigner defeated him. In his second race his name was maliciously left off the ticket in some counties after he had spent his hard earned money making the campaign, and thus he was again defeated.
"In this race his friends see in him a winner, and the strong endorsement from his home people, published elsewhere in this issue, show the standing he has at home and the strong fight that is being made for him all over the district shows him to be a very strong factor in this race.
"We heard a run-down politician say that the name if T.A. Gray for prosecuting attorney is not on the ticket, but we are informed that it is, and Thornberry, the 'Rail Splitter,' is going to be elected for this reason: He is a straight democrat and needs it. You can hear it said everywhere that he is the man for the place. People, democrats are tired of voting for millionaires, so go for Thornberry if you want a good man and a good democrat." adv.
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The Arkansas Democrat, January 28, 1904:
Hon. T.A. Gray of Independence county is a candidate for prosecuting attorney.
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The Arkansas Democrat, January 9, 1902:
Thornsberry A. Gray of Independence county denies that he has withdrawn from the race for congress and says that he proposes to remain in the contest till the last notch. He has issued a circular, in which he asks: "Can a farmer be elected to congress? Why not? Is it not time the toiling men should have a shake at government affairs?" He is making the race as a "man from the plow handles."
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The Daily Arkansas Gazette, December 31, 1901:
ARKANSAS POLITICS
Popular Vote to Determine Democratic Nominee for Congress in New Second District.
The Democratic committee of the new Second congressional district met at Newport and ordered a straight primary election on March 29 in the counties composing that district. The candidate who received the highest number of votes in the primary will be declared the nominee. There are three candidates, viz.: Congressman S, Brundidge, Judge J.S. McCaleb and T.A. Gray, the last named of Independence county.
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The Daily Arkansas Gazette, December 16, 1894:
THE SUPREME COURT.
Decisions Rendered and Proceedings Had, Saturday, December 15, 1894.
(Prepared for The Gazette by C.P. Harnwell of the Little Rock bar.)
...No. 2578. Forrest Hardwood Manufacturing Company vs. Alva S. Freeman; appeal from Pulaski Circuit Court; two weeks time granted to file response in motion to advance and affirm.
T. A. Gray, of Independence County, examined and enrolled.
Adjourned to Monday, December 17, 1894, at 9 a.m.
Arkansas Politico Dies at Batesville
Thornsberry Gray Won Fight to Elect Lieutenant Governor
BATESVILLE, Ark., June 16. (AP) - The man who won litigation proving that Arkansans had voted themselves the right to elect a lieutenant governor - and then lost in a contest for that office - died here last night.
He was Thornsberry A. Gray, 79, lawyer, former Independence County judge, former state representative and unsuccessful candidate for both governor and lieutenant governor.
Gray in 1926 won a Supreme Court decision holding that Arkansas voters several years earlier had legally adopted a constitutional amendment for popular election of a lieutenant governor. Previously the proposed amendment had been declared rejected.
That same year Gray sought to become the state's first elected lieutenant governor. But Harvey Parnell won - and then became governor when Gov. John E. Martineau resigned for a federal judgeship and afterward won a term on his own.
Tried for Governor
Gray tried for governor in 1930. Again he was unsuccessful.
He was county judge 1921-22 and representative in 1925 and again in 1929. Until he became ill three months ago, he continued in active law practice.
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The Hope Star, September 29, 1937:
Gray Quits Senate Race, Refusing to Be an Independent
Listing as "Greenback Democrat" Rejected - He Withdraws
BAILEY IN OPENER
Experience in 1933 Soured Him on Special Primaries, He Says
LITTLE ROCK - Declaring that he was eager for a comparison of his record with that of his opponent, Congressman John E. Miller, Gov. Carl E. Bailey opened his campaign for the United States Senate with a statewide radio address Tuesday night. The governor spoke from his home in Little Rock.
Thornsberry A. Gray of Batesville withdrew from the senate race.
Gray, who recently filed his corrupt practices pledge with the request that the secretary of state place his name on the ticket as the candidate of the "Greenback Democrat" party, in withdrawing said: "I've been informed by state officials I cannot get my name on the ticket as a "Greenback Democrat" and would have to go on as an independent and that I will not do."
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The Hope Star, February 14, 1936:
T.A. Gray Files as Candidate for U.S. Senate Post
Batesville Attorney to Oppose Robinson in August Primary
TWO OTHERS IN RACE
32 Legislators Favor Special Session for Centennial Fund
LITTLE ROCK. - (AP) - A third candidate announced Friday for the August Democratic senatorial primary in which Democratic Leader Joe T. Robinson is expected to seek re-election when Thornsberry A. Gray, Batesville attorney, filed his corrupt practices pledge.
Gray became the first candidate for the office to file his pledge.
Cleveland Holland of Fort Smith, and Ross Venable of Little Rock, have previously announced their candidacy for the office, but have not filed practices pledges.
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The Star Progress, June 5, 1930:
PLATFORM OF T.A. GRAY, CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR
I wish to present to you my platform which is my contract with the people of Arkansas:
Retrenchment
First of all I wish to say "a Business Man always finds a remedy for an existing evil." If your business becomes heavy with overhead expenses you are compelled to remove that cause or face financial ruin and as we are now burdened with taxes we cannot afford to raise them any higher but we must dig in and dig out and find a way to lessen our expenses so that we may be able to reduce them. I want to say that this can be done. Why can we not stay in the bounds of our resources instead of trying to find a way to go beyond them then issue bonds to meet the deficiency? Remember that it takes only about 17 1-2 years for a bond to double itself, and also remember that pay day is coming; and you may have a toll gate on all of the highways of the state to pay the state's debt if we do not get rid of about sixty commissions that have been created by special acts of the legislature then fix it through the I and R. amendment to the Constitution so they can not create any more at the tax payers' expense.
I Am in Favor of Free School Books
That free school books would go a long way in solving our educational problems and save the mothers and fathers of these children millions of dollars annually and would help to drive ignorance from our state.
Free Bridges
I believe that it would be the greatest advertisement for Arkansas to make all of her bridges free and take over all bridge districts as the state has taken over road districts and relieve them of their taxes, as bridges are part of the highways system.
Reduction of Auto Licenses
I believe that our auto licenses are too high compared with other states. That 50 per cent reduction would be a great inducement for thousands of small trucks and whoopees put into operation which would increase the sale of gasoline whereby we derive the greatest portion of our revenue for our roads, and the appeal of the law that places 6 different taxes on the auto or truck for hire including 4 per cent gross income.
State Bonds
I believe that it is a crime to issue any state bonds unless they be submitted to the electors for rejection or approval because you have no right to sign my name to a note until I have first been consulted.
Highway Department Should be Elective.
I think that the 1929 Legislature made a mistake when they took this away from you by Act 65 and made them appointive for the period of ten years which is undemocratic.
State Farms
I believe that the convict farms can be made self-sustaining.
Recall of All Officers
I want to say that I am very much in favor of a recall of all officers. Why not? The same power that puts a man in office should have the right to call him home.
Freedom and Liberty
The greatest blessings of mankind are freedom and liberty but every legislature takes away more or less of this and force you to buy it back in the way of license.
Too Much Money in the Campaign
I cannot afford to violate the Corrupt Practice Act and go into the office as a criminal. This law was passed for the benefit of the people which provides that candidates for governor cannot spend over five thousand dollars. Therefore we appeal to those who believe that our government should be perpetuated to stand like a rock wall until this campaign is over.
Capital and Labor
That our laws should be just to all mankind; that while labor is entitled to its share of profits so is capital entitled to its profits and our laws should be made so liberal that we might induce enterprises and by doing so we would have a nice payroll in every city. This can be done by giving capital to understand that we will not ruin them by taxation, induce them to have faith in our government and our institutions and at the same time give the consuming power of our state to understand that they must buy Arkansas products. We have the greatest state in the nation if we will make it so.
Irregular Legislation
I want it strictly understood that I will not sign any bill that has two purposes in it in violation of our constitution. For instance, the Omnibus Bill which had four purposes: First, income tax, second, occupation tax, third, privilege tax, fourth, stamp tax. I will not sign any bill that is not passed in accordance with our Constitution. There must be a separate roll call on all emergencies. Nor will I sign any bill that was passed with a bunch of bills, for instance, during the last Legislature there were thirty-nine bills passed on one roll call and at another time twenty-five on one roll call.
The State's Business
I consider that taking care of Arkansas' business is paramount to all other business in the state and that it is too great for one man. Therefore it will be my pleasure to call at least 12 good honest men with business ability to help solve some of Arkansas' knotty problems and it may be that we can restore industrial faith in our state, and too, we may be able to make the proper recommendations to the legislature.
T.A. GRAY
P.S. - Beware of Campaign Lies.
You may hear anything before this campaign comes to a close. Give it no thought, but as a patriotic citizen do your duty and if there is a half dozen men brought into this race for no other purpose but to divide my vote you need not be surprised for politics are very cunning. No doubt there will be not less than one hundred men sent our from the capital city into every nook and corner and all of them riding in automobiles owned by the state gasoline and oil furnished free at the expense of the taxpayers, telling you who you shall support in the coming election. Pay no attention to such falsehoods because they are hired to tell it; and you do know it to be a fact that I am not contaminated with that state house ring. Watch out; That bunch will pull out of the race one or two candidates and then try to throw their strength to the other ring candidate in order to defeat me. Stay with me and I will beat the State House Ring fifty thousand votes.
Since my platform went to press Mr. Cazort has withdrawn in favor of Mr. Hays. I am wondering how many votes Cazort can deliver for you know that he has not got any influence over his own vote to say nothing of his influence over you. Then according to my prophesy of February 10, there will be others withdrawn in order to elect a man that will suit this bunch of blood suckers and bear in mind it does not make any difference which one of this crowd you elect from Little rock the machine politicians will be pleased for they will have a man of their own heart. Remember that North Arkansas has not had a Governor since 1877. Time about is fair play. - T.A. GRAY, Candidate for Governor, Batesville, Ark.
-(Political Advertisement)
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The Batesville Guard, August 13, 1926:
To My Friends:
I wish to thank you from the depth of my soul for the wonderful support you gave me for Lieutenant Gov. This is an expression of confidence in my honesty and ability to serve you. And I want to say I shall ever be found trying to serve you and my country honestly whether public or in private life.
I am at your command,
T.A. GRAY
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The Madison County Record, August 5, 1926:
Vote for Judge Thornsberry Gray for Lieutenant Governor, the man who discovered the office and spent his own money and time in forcing a decision through the courts. He is the only logical candidate. Advt.
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The Batesville Guard, September 22, 1922:
THE KU KLUX KLAN MAKES STATEMENT
Batesville Guard,
Batesville, Ark.
Gentlemen:
You will find enclosed a notice which we want you to publish in the first issue of your paper (front page if possible). The article is a statement by the Batesville Klan, No. 30, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, denying writing a certain letter containing threats to Judge T.A. Gray recently.
Please give this your very careful attention as to proof-reading and see that it is published exactly as per the original.
Whatever your charge is for this service, put the amount in small figures at the bottom of the article and you will get your money at once.
BATESVILLE KLAN, NO. 30,
KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN.
Ku Klux Klan Makes Statement.
The following letter was mailed to Judge T.A. Gray, Saturday, September 16th, 1922:
Batesville, Ark., September 16th, 1922.
Hon. T.A. Gray,
County Judge,
Batesville, Ark.
Dear Sir: -
It has come to the knowledge of Batesville Klan No. 30, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, that you have received a letter purporting to have been written by said Klan, making certain threats against you. We unqualifiedly brand this letter as false and a forgery, and the use of our name and seal as unauthorized and illegal.
The Ku Klux Klan is not permitted to, and does not write such letters and any member who would do so would be immediately expelled, and in addition, every possible effort would be made by the Klan to bring him to justice in the courts.
The Ku Klux Klan is pre-eminently a law-abiding, law-enforcing organization, and while an individual member may occasionally violate his oath and do acts which are prohibited and unauthorized, he is promptly expelled from the organization upon proof of guilt. We feel positive, however, that none of our members would stoop to the perpetuation of writing such a letter as you have exhibited.
Our local organization has carefully refrained from entering politics or taking any stand for or against any candidate for office, but each member is, or course, supposed to cast his (illegible) his influence for the best (illegible) especially for the purest, most honorable candidate in the field, and if any candidate is known to be dishonorable or unclean or immoral in his private life, this fact will be made known and this organization will be opposed to the election of such a man to office.
We assure you that no fight has been made on you, nor has your candidacy for office ever been mentioned or discussed on the floor of our Klan. You have many warm, personal friends and supporters among our members who would resent and circumvent any action which might be suggested against you, even should anyone desire to attack your candidacy or take other action that might be against your interest.
We mention these things to show the absurdity of our Klan or a loyal member thereof, writing such a letter as that exhibited by you.
We regret exceedingly that anyone in the community would do such a low and cowardly act in the name of the Klan, or attempt to hide behind us in slandering or besmirching the name of any of our citizens, and we now assure you that we not only condemn this act as cowardly and unauthorized, but pledge every effort on our part to expose the guilty party and obtain a conviction in the courts, even though it should develop that he is a member of our organization. Furthermore, we pledge you protection from danger or harm from outsiders to the extent of providing a personal guard day and night if you fear harm from any source.
In order to aid us in fully investigating this matter, we ask that you please preserve the envelope and original letter received by you very carefully, and be in a position to submit same to the examination of detectives.
We regret to say that the custodian of our seal did not keep it as securely guarded as he should have done, and it is possible that the miscreant who perpetuated this cowardly act may have taken other impressions while he had access to it to be used for other cowardly purposes, so we now advise you that this seal is for use ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS ADDRESSED TO KLAN OFFICIALS ONLY, and any other use of it is UNAUTHORIZED, ILLEGAL AND A FORGERY.
Assuring you our regret that this incident has occurred, and of our desire to co-operate with you in every way in ascertaining the identity of the guilty party, we are,
Yours respectfully,
BATESVILLE KLAN, NO. 30,
KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN.
Reward.
A reward of $100 is hereby offered for the apprehension and conviction of the person who wrote a threatening letter to Judge T.A. Gray in the name and under the seal of the Ku Klux Klan.
This reward will be doubled should it develop the writer is a member of this organization.
BATESVILLE KLAN, NO. 30,
KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN.
$7.25
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The Daily Arkansas Gazette, September 10, 1922:
JUDGE WILL RUN AS INDEPENDENT
T.A. Gray Files Petition With Independence Election Commission.
Special to the Gazette.
Batesville, Sept. 9 - County Judge T.A. Gray, who was defeated for renomination for a second term at the last Democratic primary by E.R. Hooper, today filed a petition with J.O. Burns, Republican member of the county commissioners, asking that his name be placed on the ticket at the general election in October. The petition was signed by 118 voters of Independence county.
Mr. Burns, in commenting on the petition, said that Judge Gray, in filing the petition, requested that his name be placed on the ticket as the regular Democratic nominee, but that since the County Democratic Central Committee had certified Mr. Hooper as the Democratic nominee, this was not possible, but that in accordance with the election laws his name could appear on the ticket as an independent candidate.
Judge Gray, before his election as county judge two years ago, sought various offices in this county and district for a period of about 30 years, running for various offices from congressman to county judge, and finally was elected county judge by a small majority. Since his election he has been almost continuously in the limelight. His first official acts after assuming the office were to discharge the janitor at the courthouse and to refuse to allow the telephone rentals for the various county officials. This brought him statewide notoriety and since that time he has been almost constantly in the public eye. He held as illegal outstanding scrip held by the several banks of this county amounting to $65,000. In this case he was reversed by both the Circuit and the Supreme Court. He also instituted a series of suits against the ferry owners of this county; seeking to compel them to lower their rates, while the cases were being fought in the courts, he enjoined the owners from operating the ferries and sought to establish a free ferry to be operated by the county. This was abandoned later.
After his defeat by Mr. Hooper in August, Judge Gray filed a petition with the County Central Committee asking for a recount of the votes in 11 of the largest townships of the county, but failed to take the proper legal steps for a contest.
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The Batesville Daily Guard, February 23, 1921:
FROM JUDGE T.A. GRAY
My attention has been called to the fact that some overseers have been spreading the propaganda that they could not work the roads without my orders or consent. Now I want to make it clear to them and the public that I wanted them to see to it that the county and townships get value received for every dollar they expend, and that they stop paying war-time prices for labor and teams, for I feel that it is the duty of the court to take care of the taxpayers' money and not a few political friends of the overseer or myself.
"It is duty and not politics" that man owes to his country, and if every overseer will lend me their co-operation, coupled with a little patriotism and love of country, we will have a lot of good roads built and the appalling debt of the county paid off in the next two years. Gentlemen, we must follow lines of retrenchment, and the law. Now I must say that we have been called on in a thousand ways to do this or that and not a dollar to do anything with, so you merchants that are charging matches, toilet soaps, furniture varnishes and one hundred other things will be "blowed up," for nothing will go that the law does not direct - this is certain. With best wishes and love to all, friend or foe.
Yours,
T.A. GRAY
P.S.: - There has been a few friends and several others that have asked me to get the legislature to increase my salary. This I shall not do, for I contracted with the people for $1,500 per year, and I knew this when I let you elect me, so I shall do my best to fill the office with credit to myself and family and the great trusting public. You hired me to look after your business and if I fail to lay off a straight row, please come in and tell me, and I will do my best to get the crook out of it. My telephone at office is No. 129; residence 104. I am maintaining these at my own expense for my convenience and you can use them - just help yourself. When I can be of service to you, command me.
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Guard, April 8, 1921:
JUDGE T.A. GRAY MAKE EFFORT TO EFFECT SAVING
When the engineers report was filed with County Judge T.A. Gray a few days ago for the allowance of claims for surveying on road districts number 2, 3 and 4 in Independence county, the judge saw fit to do a little whittling on the claims to see if he could save the county money on the item. Judge Gray held that the claims as filed were excessive and he allowed that part of the claims that he thought to be just and equitable, and ordered that amount paid the engineers. Whether or not the engineers will accept this amount is problematic, but if they do not they will be compelled to go into court and make a showing and show that their claim is just and correct, in which case of course if found to be correct, the full amount of their claims will be allowed.
In road district number 2 from Pleasant Plains to Cave City, $7,747.76 was asked for and Judge Gray allowed $2,500.00. In road district number 3 leading from Cord to Newark, $2,944.00 was asked for and the Judge allowed $1,000.00. And in road district number 4 from Newark to Paroquet, $2,384.00 was asked for and they were allowed $250.00.
The total difference between the amount asked for and the amount allowed by Judge Gray was $9,325.76.
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The Batesville Guard, July 1, 1921:
COMMUNICATION FROM JUDGE T.A. GRAY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am called on every day to help build or prevent the building of the proposed highway running from Batesville to Mammoth Spring. I want to say that this road does not affect me in the least nor have I any jurisdiction over the sale of the bonds or how much the commissioners shall raise per mile. This is a matter that is strictly up to them and not to the County Judge. It seems as if though the Legislature in creating these special road districts did their best to take all of the County Judge's authority away from him, despite the reading of our organic law.
Now, let me say right here that the Supreme Court has been persuaded to declare the constitutional authority of the County Judges void. Of course, it would not be becoming of me to criticize these distinguished jurists who are guessing at the law when they are tinctured just a little bit no doubt with divine authority. However, two of this august body have seen fit to dissent in their opinions. But back to the building of the road.
If a majority of the citizens who have to bear the burden of this proposed highway are in favor of building it, then I ought to acquiesce. Of course, I am for good roads and am in favor of building this one from the fact that it will be one of the greatest assets to the three counties concerned, but before we place a mortgage on every man and woman in Independence County along this proposed highway, let us be honest with them and tell them the truth.
That this road is about 78 miles long and that the farmers of Independence County will have to build about two fifths which will be a little over 31 miles, when there are but 18 miles in this county. Now, 18 miles at $7,500.00 per mile equals $135,000.00, and 31 miles at $7,500.00 per mile equals $232,500.00, so you see that the farmers in this County would have to raise nearly $100,000.00 to build a road in another County; besides, I want it strictly understood that $7,500.00 per mile is too much, when you know it to be a fact that $3,000.00 per mile is ample and if you will do away with red tape and graft, we can grade this road for $500.00 per mile, gravel and bridge it for $2,000.00 per mile, then we would have $500.00 per mile left, but listen, there is $13,000.00 worth of claims filed in my Court that I will have to pay out of the County's general funds for this right-of-way, so you see this affects my whole County and it is a dead cinch that I will not pay them.
Every day a promoter drops in to see me and tells me what to do and that I need not worry about the other fellow, "just let things go along and they will take care of themselves and let us sell the bonds at 90c on the dollar and you will be alright." That is, give some buyer $50,000.00 to start with, thus bringing disgrace to the credit of every property holder in the district, when in fact our bonds are worth 100 cents on the dollar.
Now, if the people of my County are willing to pay $13,000.00 for the right-of-way out of the County's general funds and are willing to sell their bonds at 90c on the dollar and the people pay for the building of 31 miles of this road instead of 18, then there will be no doubt that this road will be built, but before I will give my consent to put a 20-year mortgage on the farmer along this right-of-way and the property owners of my town, I must know their wishes for they elected me as their guardian to look after their interests, and he who goes forth in the morning and plods his weary way until the sun has set itself in the western horizon, with his group of barefooted children and his good wife trying to prepare the meals for him and these children who are tattered in rags, then on the morrow he repeats the grind, trying to make a living for himself and the rest of the world. Ah! My friends, shall I sit here and place a 20-year mortgage on his life-blood without consulting him, when he is looking to me for protection? No, not I. This is no small matter. We need roads; but we do not need to confiscate men's property and enslave the coming and the rising generation to satisfy a few promoters and the preparatory classes, when we can build roads for less than one-half of that claim by engineers and those who are seeking a selfish purpose.
Now I repeat that I am personally in favor of building this road but do you think there would be anything wrong in consulting him, who bears (illegible) burden as to how much they want (illegible) bonds sold for and how much (illegible) the honest and industrious people. (Illegible) farmers and laboring men of this country have borne the burden with hope. Then let us be very careful and considerate of his rights that his hopes shall not be blighted, but that they may blossom into a brighter and a better day.
"Fall to us what're may fall,
The farmer must provide for all."
These are the ones most likely to be forgotten by the State and Nation. When the poor and weak cry for relief, they too often hear no answer but the echo of their cry, while the rich, the strong and the powerful are given an attentive ear. It takes from those who are least able to lose and gives to those who are least in need.
The safety of our farmers and our laborers is not in special legislation but in equal and just laws that bear alike on every man. The great masses of our people are interested not in getting their hands into other people's pockets, but in keeping the hands of others out of their pockets.
Let me in closing express the hope that you and I may be instrumental in bringing our State and Nation back to better laws, which will give equal treatment without regard to creed or conditions.
Your friend,
T.A. Gray
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The Mountain Echo, May 26, 1921:
Batesville - The bridge across Spring River which was recently washed away by the overflow, has been rebuilt by County Judge T.A. Gray. The workmen constructing the bridge were county convicts.
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The Batesville Guard, July 23, 1920:
THORNBERRY GRAY'S THANKS TO THE PEOPLE
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As good reports are coming in from every nook and corner of the county, I feel that it is my duty to express my gratitude to you for the interest that you are manifesting for me, and I want to thank you from the very depth of my soul for so many nice things you have said to me, and I must say to those farmers who contributed to my campaign expenses that I feel more than grateful to you, for I know that all of you were moved by that great spirit - "Patriotism and Love of Country" only. May the richest smiles of the Great Creator rest upon you. Gentlemen, I have $107.15 that you have given me and you said that you wanted to make me your next county judge and I told you that my name would be on the ticket; now, God Bless your souls, I believe you are going to do it in spite of all the political rings. Now this $107.15 let me give it back to you with that same gratitude that it was given, for I feel that it is my duty to do so; not that I do not appreciate your generosity.
In conclusion let me say that it would be the proudest moment of my life if every one of you should go to the polls and make my majority the greatest that any one man ever carried this county, and certainly it would be my greatest pleasure to give every man, woman and child in the county a Square Deal; or, in other words, I will FOLLOW THE LAW, and where the law fails to say I will do my best to follow the Golden Rule. You know that two years ago I advocated that the only practicable way to bridge White River is by toll bridges, giving the county an indefinite time to redeem them, then in less than five years we will have FREE bridges across White River; that it takes good roads; good schools and good churches to keep pace with the onward march of time.
Sincerely Yours,
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Daily Guard, October 6, 1915:
T.A. Gray, the Hickory Valley farmer and lawyer, was in the city today. Mr. Gray is suffering from a wound which he accidentally inflicted about his forehead Tuesday. He was helping in the work of digging a grave at Hickory Valley, using a pick. The sharp point of the pick came in contact with his forehead, lacerating an artery, occasioning much pain and a considerable loss of blood.
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The Batesville Guard, August 28, 1914:
From the Sharp County Record: "The editor spent last Saturday night at the home of Attorney T.A. Gray, a prosperous lawyer and farmer of near Hickory Valley, and had a very enjoyable time. Some people may think the watermelon season over, but surely they wouldn't after seeing the 400 or 500 big, fine melons Thornberry has stacked up in his barnyard for the sole purpose of feeding his swine. Besides being a lawyer, a farmer, a sawmiller, and a stock grower, Thornberry is a retired newspaper man, having served out his time in about six weeks on a Batesville paper last spring."
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The Arkansas Democrat, April 23, 1914:
To Establish New Paper.
Batesville, April 23. - (Special.) - T.A. Gray, defeated candidate for prosecuting attorney in this district; Ben Williamson Jr. and Hubert Cooper, now running the Stone County Democrat at Mountain View, have made arrangements to put in a newspaper at this place. Mr. Gray says that he thinks the first issue will be printed during the first week of May. The name of the new paper will be the Independence County Herald. This will make three papers in this county.
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The Batesville Daily Guard, November 26, 1913:
PLATFORM OF T.A. GRAY AND HIS CONTACT WITH THE PEOPLE
THORNSBERRY A. GRAY is a candidate for Prosecuting Attorney, and believes in clean politics. Therefore, he wishes to let the people know what he stands for.
Hence, he positively agrees, if elected, he will not PERSECUTE any one, but will PROSECUTE, and will not be blind to those who need mercy. He further agrees, when there has been a crime committed in any part of the county, that he or his deputy will go to the township where the crime was committed and let the nearest justice of the peace try the case, instead of having them summoned or dragged through the cold, heat, sleet and the rain to the county seat to give some favored individual a fat job. And he further contracts or agrees that if any one having committed an offense, and he wants to submit before a justice of the peace, that he will not claim any fee, which is the law.
He further agrees that he will not file information in order to satisfy the private spite of any individual, who has not sufficient faith in his cause to give the bond required by law, and thus prosecute at the cost of the taxpayers, and force the justice of the peace and constable to work for nothing, as often is the case.
And he also covenants that he will be a prosecuting attorney for ALL THE PEOPLE, but will not be a tool for any set of men. Gray has been accused of being a whiskey man, which is absolutely false, as he never voted for license.
The following resolution sent to the Arkansas legislature will show how he stands on this question.
"Hickory Valley, Ark., Feb., 1913.
"We, the people of Hickory Valley and surrounding county, in mass meeting assembled, do pass the following resolution.
"Whereas, we believe in local self government and a white man's domination, and that the white people of our state should control the manufacture, the sale and traffic of whiskey in Arkansas.
"Therefore, we believe that Senate Bill No. 118 should pass because we believe that it possesses every requirement that local self-government by white people could demand.
"Therefore, be it moved that the aforesaid Senate Bill be passed and be made a part of the laws of the State of Arkansas.
"This resolution was introduced by T.A. Gray and seconded my Messrs. J.T. Robertson and Rev. Samuel Adams, and the motion was unanimously passed. There were 81 present at the mass meeting.
"T.A. Gray, Chairman."
You know that it was thought for quite a while he was the nominee four years ago. Therefore he appeals to you to stand by him till the last vote is counted and that he will always have in mind the grand old motto of our State, "Regnant Populi" - let the people rule,
Yours at command,
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Daily Guard, October 25, 1913:
Hon. T.A. Gray of Hickory Valley is spending today in the city on business. He brought in two sweet potatoes weighing 7 and 4 pounds respectively, and he will send them to the state fair.
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The Batesville Daily Guard, June 8, 1911:
The very latest and most interesting bout occurred yesterday upon the somewhat famous arena between the court house and the store of Weaver-Dowdy Co., the participants being our esteemed fellow townsmen, R.M. Carter, the expert insurance man and stock salesman, and Mr. T.A. Gray, attorney at law, and the efficient proprietor of that popular hostelry, the O.K. Hotel.
The bone of contention, it is said, was a business proposition concerning a number of shares of the famous "Gradolph" stock, of which Attorney Gray is the holder of 100 shares. The discussion grew quite animated, when the stock salesman very unprettily used the "short and ugly" word over which most men fight, and which the attorney instantly resented with a left hook in the direction of the beak of the insurance man, who was sitting in his buggy. Not to be outdone, the latter gave a correct imitation of "her name was Maud," and planted a swift kick in the atmosphere intervening between him and the now thoroughly aroused barrister.
As is his usual custom, Esq. J.A. Holmes, who is fast gaining a reputation as the "watch dog of the public peace, serenity and happiness." was near and intervened with the gentle white dove, perched upon his left shoulder and an olive branch waving serenely between the combatants.
The lowering war clouds finally drifted away, and all is well along the Potomac. Pleas of guilty were in order this morning before Justice Holmes, and the participants received a mild but stern rebuke from his honor, with a little cash penalty for good measure.
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The Batesville Guard, March 25, 1910:
FOR T.A. GRAY.
To the Editor of the Guard:
I see opponents of Hon. T.A. Gray, having more wealth than he has, and not having to work both at the practice of law and tilling the soil, are trying to make it appear that he is not capable of filling the office of prosecutor.
Now, Mr. Gray has made a living without the good fortune of coming into great wealth, and judging by his practice, he has far more legal ability and more clients than his wealthy opponents, and a heap more experience. For myself, I prefer to take an Independence County man to an outsider, when I know he is just as capable as any in the race. I am for my neighbor first, and then if I have anything to give out, I'll divide with the other fellow.
One of His Neighbors.
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The Batesville Guard, March 25, 1910:
AN APPEAL.
In making my last appeal to the voters of the district , you know that Jackson county has been honored for the last four years, or two terms. Then why not have a change, as the custom has been heretofore, and honor an Independence county citizen with this office?
I want my friends everywhere to stand firm until the victory is won. I need your help, and if you cannot pull for me, please do not fight me, for I want to be your friend. I have made an honest race and will be elected on my own merits and qualifications.
My opponents are nice men; but it has been said they are very wealthy, one in particular, and if this be true, financially, it seems to me, that he does not need the office, while on the other hand, I assure you my word and honor that I do. Then let me illustrate: Suppose here is a man, worth a million dollars, and here is another, who has but little of this world's goods, and I have ten dollars to give. Which one should I give it to? Christ said to the rich man, go and sell that that thou hast and give to the poor, then come.
Consider this well. Pay no attention to false reports, but continue to roll stones and the victory is ours.
Yours,
T.A. GRAY
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The Batesville Guard, October 1, 1909:
T.A. GRAY
Mr. Thornberry A. Gray of Hickory Valley, Independence county, announces in this issue of the Guard for prosecuting attorney of the Third judicial district. Mr. Gray is no stranger to the voters of the district having made the rounds on two occasions before, asking for the office to which he now aspires. He was born and raised near where he now resides. He practically educated himself, and upon leaving the law school was admitted to the bar, and is now practicing in all the courts. He has been farming for a number of years, but finds time for the practice of law. Out of quite a number of cases in justice courts the past year, he has been successful in a great majority of them.
Mr. Gray promises if elected to discharge the duties of the office to the best of his ability. He had canvassed a part of the district before announcing for the office.
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The Batesville Guard, March 11, 1909:
AN ENDORSEMENT.
What the Walnut Ridge (Lawrence county) Post-Dispatch says in regard to the race of T.A. Gray, candidate for prosecuting attorney:
"Mr. Gray is one of the best known young lawyers of the district and belongs to one of the most prominent families of the state. Born a true southern democrat, he has never known any other party, and when his services are needed he is always willing to answer the call and go to the aid of the old Jeffersonian democracy which we all so dearly love.
"This is Mr. Gray's third race for prosecuting attorney, yet he could not be called a chronic office seeker. He has simply been a victim of hard luck in by-gone races, and has met defeat only by the skin of his teeth. His first race was against Mr. Oldfield for a second term, and it was by less than 200 votes that this popular campaigner defeated him. In his second race his name was maliciously left off the ticket in some counties after he had spent his hard earned money making the campaign, and thus he was again defeated.
"In this race his friends see in him a winner, and the strong endorsement from his home people, published elsewhere in this issue, show the standing he has at home and the strong fight that is being made for him all over the district shows him to be a very strong factor in this race.
"We heard a run-down politician say that the name if T.A. Gray for prosecuting attorney is not on the ticket, but we are informed that it is, and Thornberry, the 'Rail Splitter,' is going to be elected for this reason: He is a straight democrat and needs it. You can hear it said everywhere that he is the man for the place. People, democrats are tired of voting for millionaires, so go for Thornberry if you want a good man and a good democrat." adv.
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The Arkansas Democrat, January 28, 1904:
Hon. T.A. Gray of Independence county is a candidate for prosecuting attorney.
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The Arkansas Democrat, January 9, 1902:
Thornsberry A. Gray of Independence county denies that he has withdrawn from the race for congress and says that he proposes to remain in the contest till the last notch. He has issued a circular, in which he asks: "Can a farmer be elected to congress? Why not? Is it not time the toiling men should have a shake at government affairs?" He is making the race as a "man from the plow handles."
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The Daily Arkansas Gazette, December 31, 1901:
ARKANSAS POLITICS
Popular Vote to Determine Democratic Nominee for Congress in New Second District.
The Democratic committee of the new Second congressional district met at Newport and ordered a straight primary election on March 29 in the counties composing that district. The candidate who received the highest number of votes in the primary will be declared the nominee. There are three candidates, viz.: Congressman S, Brundidge, Judge J.S. McCaleb and T.A. Gray, the last named of Independence county.
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The Daily Arkansas Gazette, December 16, 1894:
THE SUPREME COURT.
Decisions Rendered and Proceedings Had, Saturday, December 15, 1894.
(Prepared for The Gazette by C.P. Harnwell of the Little Rock bar.)
...No. 2578. Forrest Hardwood Manufacturing Company vs. Alva S. Freeman; appeal from Pulaski Circuit Court; two weeks time granted to file response in motion to advance and affirm.
T. A. Gray, of Independence County, examined and enrolled.
Adjourned to Monday, December 17, 1894, at 9 a.m.
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