Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, February 8, 1950, Page 1:

“T.D. Woods, Former Madisonville Man, Dies In Texas Hospital---Funeral services for T.D. Woods, 75, who died in
Hendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene, Texas, were held Friday afternoon at Kiker-Warren Hospital, Abilene.
Dr. D.G. Reid officiated, assisted by the Rev. George E. Ray, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church of which Mr. Woods 
was a member, and the Rev. Wilson Estes. Mr. Woods was born Jan. 14, 1875 in Madisonville, and was married Sept. 25, 
1898 to Mattie E. Sparks at Decatur. He was a brother of the late Mrs. G.L. Henderson of Vonore. He was reared on 
the east side of Madisonville, and many readers will remember the Woods family. He moved to Abeline in 1919 from 
Roswell, N.M., and had operated a grocery store there from 1925 until 1927. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World.
Survivors are the widow; one daughter, Mrs. Arthur Gulley of Abilene; one son, Tom Woods of Abilene; 15 grandchildren 
and nine great-grandchildren.”

 ___________________________________________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, March 15, 1950, Page 3:

“Former Monroe Boy Writes of Passing of T.D. (Tom) Woods---I have just read of the publication of the death of T.D. 
(Tom) Woods, who passed away in Abilene, Texas. Yes, the Woods’ family home was the first home just east of my 
father’s place in Madisonville, then west was Dr. Bicknel’s and Joe Meakes, then to the north was Col. Joe Houston, 
Then east on this street was S.Y. (Sam) Minnis’ home---so we were surrounded by neighbors that could not be surpassed.
Uncle Bill Woods lost his wife when all of his children were young, but he did not re-marry, but looked after the housework 
until his girls were old enough to take their mother’s place in the home, and this family has always been in my earlier 
recollection. Regardless of what comes our way we can be real men and women as Mr. Bill Woods did then. His family is 
all grown now and scattered out over the world. I cannot remember just now who it was that Jose, the oldest girl, married. 
But Mollie married Jim Calso; then Carrie, the youngest, married G.L. (Larry) Henderson, who now lives at Vonore, northeast 
of Madisonville. So my family and Mr. Woods’ family have been friends for the past 65 years. Yes, in 1898 I was then working 
in my Uncle Tom Hunnicutt’s store at Emet, Indian Territory, and I think it was the fall of 1898 that I was out collecting 
and was up on Boggy River, just south of Stonewall, and I had stopped and was making a settlement with a full-blood Indian 
by the name of Billy Duke. I was trying to get him to sell me a spotted pony, but the old Indian did not want to let this 
one go as an Indian always liked spotted horses. And while I was there in front of this Indian’s log cabin a man rode up 
and started talking to old Billy, trying to buy his bordoc timber as he was shipping this timber out of the post. This old 
Indian said, “Well, if you will advance me enough money now to pay this man.” He agreed to do this and then he wrote a 
contract for the Indian to sign and then he asked me who to make his check payable to and when I told him Hunnicutt, Johnson 
& Company, he stopped and asked what Hunnicutt, and I told him it was my Uncle Tom and I said my name is Floyd Hunnicutt. He 
asked me if I was from Madisonville, Tennessee, and I said “shore” and then he said, “I am Jim Calso---I married Mollie Woods.”
So then he and Mollie visited us the next spring and then Uncle Bill was out to see them and he made us a visit later that year. 
Tom Woods moved to our Indian Territory town, Emet, and later moved on to New Mexico, then to Abilene, Texas. And when I saw 
where my boyhood friend had passed on I could not keep from wanting to tell your town of today what good people they were in 
the long ago; and I don’t expect to find any better people in Madisonville when I go back again on a visit than these were 
when I was a child. And now, friends, I believe in giving my flowers while a good man or woman is living and not wait until death.
And now in closing I want to say that I mourn with the few that are left and one is my friend and has been for the past 60 years 
and that is G.L. (Larry) Henderson.” ---F.L. Hunnicutt, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Tri-County Observer (Monroe Co. TN) July 27, 1977, Page 18:

“Mrs. Edna P. Seymour, 89, Sweetwater, died at 6 a.m. Saturday at Athens Community Hospital. Funeral services were held at 
1:30 p.m. Monday at Burris Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Joe Cansler and rev. Doug Easter officiating. Interment in 
West View Cemetery.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Tri-County Observer (Monroe Co. TN) September 3, 1976, Page 16:

“Virgil (Dude) Seymour, 61, Sweetwater, Route 3, died at 5:50 a.m. Aug. 31, at Sweetwater Hospital. Funeral services were 
held at 2 p.m., Sept. 2, at Kyker’s Chapel with Rev. Fred Wilson officiating. Interment in Lenoir Methodist Church Cemetery.”
______________________________________________________
Monroe County Citizen-Democrat, May 19, 1965, Page 8:

“Allie Moore, 74, of Sweetwater, died at 12:35 p.m. Friday at Sweetwater Hospital. Survivors: son, Bob Moore of Sweetewater; 
three daughters, Mrs. James McDaniel of Ypsilanti, Mich., Mrs. Kenneth Greenwood of Loudon, Mrs. Ed Thomas of Knoxville; 
15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Mrs. S.E. Harrison of Sweetwater. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. 
Sunday at Sweetwater First Baptist Church, Dr. D.R. Greenhoe and Rev. Anderson McCulley officiating. Burial in West View 
Cemetery. Kyker’s Funeral Home in charge.”
____________________________________________________
Tri-County Observer (Monroe Co. TN) October 27, 1978, Page 20:

“Seeks Information On Brother’s Daughters---A letter addressed to the sheriff of Monroe County seeks information about the 
whereabouts of three women “last seen in 1919.”  The letter, sent by Mrs. Gertie Lane of Memphis [TN] read as follows:
‘I am trying to locate my brother’s children as follows: three daughters, Lotus, Elmer and Helen Eva, last seen in 1919. 
I heard he bought a farm near Madisonville. His name, J.E. (Jim) McMillon. His wife’s name was Myra Lee Hicks. Not sure, 
but think she was from Polk County. I think Lotus was eight years old in 1919 and Helen Eva was born that year. Hoping you 
can shed some light on my problems. Am thanking you for same. Kindest regards.”
______________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, January 13, 1926, Page 3:

“Mrs. Barbara Forrester---Mrs. Barbara Forrester died Saturday morning after a short illness of pneumonia, at the home of her 
daughter, Mrs. Calvin Young, where she had been making her home for the past two years. Funeral services were held Sunday 
afternoon at 2 p.m. at Tellico Baptist Church, by Rev. A.S, Ulm. She was laid to rest by the side of her husband, William 
Forrester, who preceded her to the grave 11 years ago. She was a devout Christian and joined the Big Creek Baptist Church 
in early life, where she remained a faithful member until her death.
The deceased was 79 years of age. She was the mother of 12 children, of whom survive, John Forrester of Niota; Mrs. John 
Millsaps of Madisonville; Mrs. John Saffles of Akron, Ohio; Mrs. Will White of Niota, Tenn.; Charles Forrester of Sweetwater; 
Mrs. L.C. Sloan of Madisonville; Arthur Forrester of Washington, and Mrs. Calvin Young of Madisonville. 35 grandchildren and 
27 great-grandchildren.  She will be greatly missed by her relatives and friends. The children have the sympathy of all in 
their bereavement.”
____________________________________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, February 13, 1929, Page 1:

“News From Rafter---We are made sad to learn of the death of Mrs. Easter Debety, who passed away on Jan. 25, 1929.”
“Mary, the little daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Frank Debety, died Jan. 31, 1929. The family have the sympathy of all in their great loss.”

Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, March 6, 1929, Page 1:

“Tellico Plains Route Three---We feel very sad because of so many deaths in our community. Esther and little Mary Debety, Belle 
Miller and baby and Arthur Freeman’s boy were all buried at Rafter Cemetery.”
_________________________________________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, February 13, 1929, Page 1:

“News From Rafter---The death angel visited in the home of Mr. Arthur Miller, Feb. 6, 1929 and claimed for its victim his wife, 
Belle. She was a dear, sweet girl. She will be much missed by her many friends. On Feb. 10, 1929 her little nine-month old daughter, 
Imogene, passed away to be with her mother in that beautiful home where they shall know no more sorrow.”
______________________________________________________________________________
Monroe County Democrat, January 8, 1969, Page 3:
 
“Raymond Lee, Businessman, Died Sunday---Raymond (Fatty) Lee, well known Monroe County personality, died about 11:30 p.m., Sunday 
at Epperson Hospital as the result of a blood clot.  Lee had suffered two previous heart attacks and had been ill for several months. 
He was 46 years old. He had been engaged in the auction and real estate business, had operated a county fire department, and had 
sold used furniture as well as many other occupations. The home is on Tellico Street across from the coin operated laundry.
He was defeated for the Republican nomination for assessor of property by Cecil Newman in his only venture into politics.
Funeral services were to be held Wednesday (today) at 2 p.m. at South Madisonville Baptist Church with the Rev. Ed Rickman, pastor, 
and the Rev. Chester Millsaps officiating. Burial was to be in McClellan Cemetery near Rocky Springs. Survivors include the wife, 
Mrs. Nellie Lee, two sisters, Mrs. George Kyle of Madisonville, and Mrs. Rudolph Dunn of Georgia; one brother, Hubert of Madisonville, 
and his mother, Mrs. Wesley Lee of Rocky Springs.”

Monroe County Democrat, January 29, 1969, Page 3:

“Flower Robbers Hit Grave of Raymond Lee---Flowers were stolen from the grave of Raymond Lee, Sunday, Mrs. Lee said. She said they 
were taken by someone in a blue and white truck. ‘I wish whoever took the flowers would bring them back,’ she added. The grave is 
located in McClellan Cemetery in the Rocky Springs community.”
______________________________________________________________________________ 

Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, December 11, 1935, Page 2:

“Andy Young, aged about 60 years, was buried in Hopewell Springs graveyard on the 7th inst.  Mr. Young was reared in Monroe County 
near Huling, leaving here about 30 years ago. His death occurred in Knoxville, where he was making his home. He leaves a number 
of relatives who regret to hear of his demise.”
_________________________________________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, February 8, 1928, Page 3:

“G.W. Sneed---George Sneed was born March 26, 1860; died Jan. 29, 1928. He was a good Christian man and a kind, loving father. 
But God knew best and called him home. He was a sufferer of Bright’s disease for two years. He bore his sufferings with great 
patience. He was only in bed three weeks. He was married to Mary J. Raper in 1882 and to this union was born 9 children, five 
dead and four living. One son, Arthur Sneed, who lives at Athens, Ben Sneed lives near Gudger and another son who lives at 
Gudger, and one daughter, Mrs. Ray Hicks, who lived with him, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his departure. He 
lived for God the best he knew how and told his daughter and sister-in-law that he was ready to go. He will be missed by his 
wife, children and friends, for he had a kind word for everybody.”    ---His Daughter.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, February 9, 1927, Page 2:

“Notchey Creek News---Mrs. Sarah Ball, Aunt Sarah, as she was familiarly called, at the age of 75 years, was called to her 
heavenly home one day last week. Aunt Sarah was a consecrated soldier in the army of the Lord for 62 years. At the time of her 
death she was a member of the Notchey Creek Church. To mourn her flight beyond the veil of tears, she leaves three children, 
Epp King of Tellico Plains, Jake King of Chattanooga and Mrs. Brad Hicks of Big Creek; some brothers and sisters and a great 
number of other relatives and friends. At the time of her death she was residing with her daughter, Mrs. Hicks. Her body was 
laid to rest in the Notchey Creek Cemetery, Feb. 5, 1927. May God cheer the grief-stricken loved ones.”

Page 2:
“Interesting News on Route Six---This morning little Gertie came to see us and said unto me, “Mrs. Ball is dead,” and within 
a very few minutes several people came along; among the number was Mr. Ervin White, who hauled the remains of Mrs. Ball. I went 
with Mr. White and those with him to Notchey Creek Church and cemetery. After funeral and burial services were over, I came home, 
stopping a few minutes at the home of Mr. & Mrs. George Rogers, then came on and stayed awhile with Mr. Sam Torbett at his home.
Sarah Tallent, daughter of James and Fannie Webb Tallent, was born July 19th 1852 and died February 4th 1927. She was married to 
Andrew King on Sept. 4th 1866. To that union thirteen children were born, of whom, only three are living: Juriette Hicks, E.L. 
King and J.P. King. She professed faith in Christ when she was thirteen years old and united with the Notchey Creek Church, 
and remained a member of that church until her death. After Andrew King’s death, she married W.B. King and to that union one 
child was born. Mollie died while very young. After W.B. King’s death she married Henry Ball. Mr. Ball died in 1917. Mrs. Ball 
had made her home for some time with her daughter, Mrs. Juriette Hicks, and died there. Mrs. Ball was buried today in Notchey 
Creek Cemetery; funeral services were held from the Notchey Creek Church by Rev. W.G. Smiley and Rev. John T. Stakely. Among 
the large concourse of relatives and friends who attended the funeral were Mrs. Callie Cobb and two little daughters of Tellico 
Plains, who are grandchildren of Mrs. Ball, and are cousins of mine. Mrs. Ball leaves one sister, Mrs. Mary Watson and one brother, 
Mr. Jasper Tallent. She leaves twenty-six grandchildren. Funeral discoursed was from the Fifteenth Chapter of First Corinthians.”   
---Georgia Alfred Stakely, Staurday night, February 6, 1927.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, March 5, 1947, Page 1:

“Lakeside---Several deaths are reported in surrounding communities, including those of Mr. John Blankenship of Vonore, Mr. John 
Schrimpsher of near Loudon and Mr. Billy Powers of Madisonville.”
__________________________________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Thursday, June 2, 1960, Page 1:
“Madisonville Man Dies Sunday At Home---Charles Rankin Mason, 76, of Madisonville, died at 3 p.m. Sunday at Leon’s Nursing Home, 
Mentor, Tennessee. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Sallie Arp Mason; three sons, Clarence H. and Clyde Mason of Washington, 
D.C., and Roy of Blairsville, Georgia; 15 grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Lucy Roberts of West Virginia and Mrs. Jessie Oldham 
of California, and three brothers, Edgar Mason of Tellico Plains, Mose of Madisonville and Walter of West Florida. Funeral 
services were held at Macedonia Baptist Church (Rafter) at 2 p.m. Wednesday, with Rev. John Stakely officiating. Burial was in 
church cemetery.”
________________________________________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Thursday, November 10, 1955, Page 1:

“One Killed, One Hurt In Car Crash On Lee HWY Past Saturday---James Leonard Robinson, 32, of Sweetwater was killed and Sallie Harris, 
32, also of Sweetwater, was injured in a traffic crash near Ooltewah early Saturday. Hamilton County Patrolman J.S. Mathis and C.A. 
Nickens said Robinson was driving toward Sweetwater, on Lee Highway, when his car went out of control and crashed into a culvert 
10 miles east of Chattanooga at 1:30 a.m., according to information. The vehicle is said to have swerved across the four-lane highway. 
Robinson died of a broken neck and a brain injury. The car’s other occupant suffered head and face injuries and both legs were broken. 
She was taken to a Chattanooga hospital. Surviving Mr. Robinson are his wife, Mrs. Nancy Emerson Robinson; four sons, James, Benny, 
Jerry and Dwight, and a daughter, Wanda Faye of Sweetwater; his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Luther Robinson of Athens, and four brothers and 
three sisters. Funeral services and burial at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Meigs County.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, February 27, 1935, Page 3:

“Triple Murder and Robbery Near Tellico Plains---Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Shaw and Matt Hensley, all around 60 years of age, were brutally 
murdered in the Shaw home, about four miles from Tellico Plains, last Friday night. Bill Lee, described by officers as being about 
23 years old, light hair and complexion, large blue eyes, is being sought, charged with the triple murder and robbery. Lee is a 
grandson of the Shaws. He had not been in this section for several years until a short time ago. When he returned, it is reported 
he was wanted for some crime in another state. He stayed a few days with his grandparents, and on the afternoon before the killing 
he and another grandson of the Shaws went rabbit hunting, at which time he asked the smaller boy where the grandparents kept their 
money, and he informed Lee that the money was kept in a trunk. Reports have it that Hensley had planted potatoes for one of Shaw’s 
neighbors Friday and was going to plant for Shaw, Saturday, and that the Shaws had prevailed on him to spend the night in their home.
According to the small grandson, who was the only surviving witness of the tragedy, Lee and Hensley occupied one of the three beds 
in the room, Mr. Shaw another, and Mrs. Shaw and the small boy the third. About 9 o’clock Lee got up and demanded that Shaw give 
him what money there was in the house. Mr. Shaw resisted, whereupon Lee knocked him down and then shot him with an automatic shotgun.
Upon being awakened by the report of the gun, Hensley raised up in bed and Lee shot him through the body, killing him instantly.
Mrs. Shaw had gotten out of bed by this time. Lee shot her in the shoulder with a pistol, then shot her with the automatic shotgun 
(using his last shell) and she being still alive, he beat her life out with the shotgun. Lee made his small cousin get under the bed, 
telling him that if he came out before the next afternoon he would kill him also. After Lee had finished beating the life out of Mrs. 
Shaw, he hung bed clothing over the windows, barred the doors on the inside, save one; broke into the trunk and took what money he found, 
the stepped out and got Shaw’s Plymouth car and drove away. As soon as the noise of the departing automobile died away in the distance, 
the boy came out from under the bed and ran to the home of Mr. Shaw’s brother and reported what had happened. It is not known how much 
money was taken. It was generally known that Mr. Shaw had money, and it was supposed quite a large sum, which was always kept in the home.
The car in which he left is a Plymouth 4-door Sedan, Tennessee License No. 251-318, Motor No. P.D. 168882, Serial No. 2160488.”

Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, May 1, 1935, Page 3:

“Lee Captured---Bill Lee, 24, accused of the triple slaying of his grandparents and a 65-year-old man last February at Tellico Plains, 
was back in Monroe County last Thursday for the second time in 24 hours---but this time he was safely behind the bars of the county jail.
Lee’s capture came at 9 o’clock Thursday morning as the climax to a hard pushed hunt that began Wednesday night when Tellico Plains 
citizens reported they saw the fugitive in an automobile. Sheriff Hugh Webster immediately sent out the alarm and roads in all directions 
were blocked by officers. Over in Murphy, N.C., approximately 25 miles on a direct line from Tellico Plains, two Cherokee County deputy 
sheriffs received word Thursday morning that Lee was “one the run” and believed coming in their direction. The deputies, J.N. Bell and 
Bud Morrow, took up posts on the highway four miles out of Murphy and soon saw the fugitive’s car racing down the road. Bell, in a 
statement, said he and Morrow shot the tires out from under the speeding car, and unable to negotiate a curve, it swept over a 40-foot 
embankment and plunged into a creek. When the North Carolina officers ran to the spot they found Lee, dressed in woman’s clothing, 
swimming about 40 yards downstream. He was pulled to shore and two of his companions, who gave their names as Frank Bobo, 19, and 
Troy Brown, 20, were added to the “catch.” Sheriff J.C. Ramsey of Cherokee County, said Lee readily admitted his identity at Murphy, 
and waived extradition. Deputy Bell said a sawed-off shotgun, pistol and ammunition were found in the car and that Lee said he bought 
the feminine attire in Murphy, Wednesday. Bell and Morrow declared their prisoner re-enacted the details of the trouble that led to 
the triple slaying of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Shaw, and a visitor in the Shaw home, Matt “Boogerman” Hensley, last Feb. 22.
Lee, they said, insisted the entire family was drunk and that his grandfather was beating Mrs. Shaw with the help of Hensley and that 
when the pistol was produced, young Lee stepped in and began fighting for the weapon. It was in this struggle, the prisoner said, that 
the 60-year-old man was killed. Lee also claimed the North Carolina officers said, that Mrs. Shaw was beaten to death by his grandfather.
Hensley was killed in self-defense, Lee told the two officers. He declared the “scrap” lasted an hour. Fearing he would be lynched by 
his neighbors, Lee said, he took $23 from the pockets of his slain grandfather and fled to “get away until it all blew over.” He added 
he intended to come back and give himself up later. The machine he was driving today, he said, was stolen from D.A. Roche, a salesman, 
near Corbin, Kentucky, several days ago. Lee declared he was “picked up” by the salesman when he asked for a ride and admitted tying 
Roche to a tree after forcing him to stop at the point of a pistol. The gun, he said, was “no good.” Sheriff Webster and Deputy S. B. 
Latimore, who went to Murphy for the prisoners, said the two youths who accompanied Lee would be held on a charge of aiding a felon 
to escape. It also was understood here that Kentucky officers want the trio in the automobile theft charge. The officers and prisoners 
reached Madisonville about 4 p.m. and found a large crowd gathered about the jail. Special guards were brought out and no one was 
permitted to see the men.”

Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, May 8, 1935, Page 3:

“Lee Trial Set for Thursday---With an appearance of complete unconcern, youthful Bill Lee was brought into criminal court Monday to 
hear his trial set on a charge of murdering three persons. Indicted Monday by the grand jury on three counts he will go on trial 
Thursday morning, Judge John J. Blair decided. Lee had no attorney and the court appointed Frank Bratten. It is not known how Lee 
will plead. Officers say he has admitted killing his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Shaw and their friend, Matt Hensley, the night 
of February 22, near Tellico Plains.”

Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, May 15, 1935, Page 3:

“Gets Death Sentence for Mrs. Shaw’s Murder--- The trial of Bill Lee for the murder of Mrs. Jasper Shaw, on last Feb. 22, in which Jasper 
Shaw and Matt Hensley also were slain, was finished Friday of last week and arguments were completed Saturday. The jury retired after 
Judge Blair had charged them in the case. After about an hour the jury returned a verdict of murder in the first degree. The judge 
sentenced Lee to die in the electric chair on June 14, and he was taken back to jail. Lee seemed unconcerned throughout the trial, 
and even when Judge Blair pronounced the death  sentence, it is said that no perceptible change in expression or otherwise came over him.
When he was returned to his cell in the jail, it is reported that some other prisoners questioned him as to his sentence and he replied 
that the judge gave him a medal. A 13-year-old boy sat in the witness chair in Criminal Court here last week and told a Monroe County 
jury his story of watching the slaying of his grandparents and an elderly friend, from underneath a bed, where he was chased by a shotgun 
blast. The boy, Howard Shaw, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Shaw, of Tellico Plains, testified that Bill Lee, 23-year-old ex-sailor, 
killed first his grandfather, then Matt Hensley, a friend of the family, and later clubbed Mrs. Shaw to death. Deliberately, surely, 
the boy told his story of how the long absent grandson, Lee, returned to the Shaw home and asked him “where grandfather keeps all that 
money?” The trio was slain on the night of February 22. Howard Shaw said the family retired at 6:30, all sleeping in the same room, 
which contained three beds. He testified he was unable to sleep and that soon Lee arose and demanded that Mr. Shaw produce his money. 
The witness said Lee took down a shotgun and shot the old man. At this point, the youth said, he rolled off the bed as a shot from the 
automatic weapon was aimed in his direction. Hensley next raised up and was shot down, the boy said, while Mrs. Shaw went into the 
kitchen. “Bill followed her to the door and told her to come back and get the money or he’d shoot through the door,” the boy said.
Mrs. Shaw then returned to the room and under threat of being killed told Lee the money was in a dresser drawer. Lee got it and then 
started an argument over the balance, saying it was not enough. At this point, the boy declared, Lee started beating his grandmother 
with the end of the shotgun and broke off the stock. Mrs. Shaw, he said, struggled a short while and then everything was still.
Bill, the witness said, then “asked me if I was dead.” I said “no,” and he told me to stay under the bed until tomorrow afternoon and 
he’d kill me then. The boy said Lee proceeded to take the car keys out of Shaw’s pockets, together with his pocketbook and then went 
out of the home, locking the doors behind him. The boy, who was on the stand for four hours, said after hearing the car go over the 
hill near the home, he ran out to notify Frank and Floyd Shaw, brothers of Jasper Shaw. W.O. Shaw, nephew of Jasper Shaw, was the 
next witness. He said he met Bill Lee the day before the killing and Lee, in answer to a question, said “he didn’t have to work. 
He knew an old man that had plenty of money and he was going to get it.” Lee was the only defense witness. He said he went to the 
Shaw home the night before the killing to see if he couldn’t get some work “on a still.” On the night of the killing, the defendant 
said, Shaw, Hensley and himself had been drinking for some time previously. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw got into an argument over a “woman Mr. 
Shaw was going with.” Lee said he took up for his grandmother and this angered Shaw so that he grabbed his shotgun. In the scuffle 
that followed, he testified, Shaw was shot. Hensley “raised up in bed and I shot him.” Lee denied killing Mrs. Shaw, saying that his 
grandfather had “beaten her enough to kill her.” He claimed he asked young Howard Shaw to come out from under the bed to summon a 
doctor, but the boy refused. Then he said, he realized his story would not be believed and he fled after taking about $25 from Shaw’s 
pockets. Lee was tried for the slaying of Mrs. Shaw, in the first of three murder indictments against him. In rebuttal the State 
offered testimony of the coroner, J.M. Kimbrough, and the undertaker, Charles Biereley, to deny there was any whisky odor about the bodies.
Arguments started Friday afternoon and were completed Saturday morning. Judge Blair gave the jury its charge about noon and within an 
hour the above sentence was given. R. Beecher Witt, attorney general directed the prosecution, assisted by N.M. McDaniel and R.N. 
Carroll, an associate prosecutors. Attorneys appointed by the Court for the defense were W.E. Michael, Frank Bratton and Cyril Harris.”

Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, May 22, 1935, Page 3:

“New Trial Denied---The motion for a new trial in the case against Bill Lee, for the murder of his grandmother, Mrs. Jasper Shaw, was 
argued here last week. Judge Blair overruled the motion, and allowed the defense 20 days to perfect an appeal to the Supreme Court.”

Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, June 12, 1935, Page 3:
“Local Items of Interest---Bill Lee, who was tried at the May term of Criminal Court for the murder of his grandmother, Mrs. Jasper 
Shaw, and given the death sentence, has been removed from the Monroe County Jail to the state penitentiary at Nashville, for safe 
keeping. The date of electrocution was set by the court for June 14, but the defendant was allowed 30 days to perfect an appeal to 
the Supreme Court, and which time will be up on June 14. Frank Bratton, attorney for Lee, said that the papers for the perfection 
of the appeal were just about completed and the case will be decided on by the Supreme Court at Knoxville. Lee will be held in the 
penitentiary awaiting the decision of the higher court.”

Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, November 27, 1935, Page 3:
“Bill Lee to be Electrocuted Jan. 21---The Supreme Court in a recent decision upheld the judgment of the lower court in the case of
Bill Lee, charged with the murder of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Shaw, and Matt Hensley. January 21 has been set as the 
day for the electrocution of Lee, and three other persons under sentence.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, January 18, 1928, Page 3:

“Local Items of Interest---Some news had to be omitted from this week’s paper on account of Mr. Smith, our Linotype operator, being 
called to Newport, Tuesday evening by a message saying that Mrs. Smith was not expected to live.”

Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, January 25, 1928, Page 3:

“Mrs. Charles B. Smith---After many months of intense suffering, death came to the relief of Mrs. Charles B. Smith at the home of her 
mother in Newport, Tenn., on the morning of January 20, 1928. All that medical skill and loving, willing hands could do to alleviate 
her suffering was gladly done, but no human power seemed to be able to stay the grim reaper and her spirit took its flight from the 
body without the slightest tremor. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 1 o’clock, by Rev. Charles B. Tarwater, of the 
M.E. Church and Rev. Barnett of the M.E. Church, South in Newport, at the M.E. Church, after which her body was tenderly laid to rest 
in the Union Cemetery beside the body of her brother. Surviving Mrs. Smith who greatly mourn her going away are the husband, Charles 
B. Smith, four children, Herbert, Florence, Charlestine and Victor of Madisonville; her parents, Mr. & Mrs. W.E. Ketchersid of Newport; 
three brothers, George of Newport, Arthur and Frank of New Jersey, and one sister, Miss Willie Ketchersid of Newport; beside a host 
of relatives and friends in both Newport and Madisonville.” “Card of Thanks---We wish to thank the many friends for the kindness and 
help during the illness and death of our dear wife, mother and daughter, and for the beautiful expressions of esteem shown by the 
floral offerings. May our Heavenly Father bless each and every one of you.”  ---Charles B. Smith and family, W.E. Ketchersid and family.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monroe County Citizen, November 8, 1967. Page 11:
“Mrs. Stephens Dies Oct. 30---Mrs. Lucille Tuck Stephens, 53, of 206 Maple Street, Sweetwater, died Oct. 30 at her home. Survivors: 
husband, John B. Stephens, Sr.; five sons, John B. Jr. of Smyrna, Georgia; Melvin of Chattanooga; Charles, Clinton and Ralph all of 
Sweetwater. Two daughters, Catherine Stephens of Sweetwater and Mrs. Nancy Barone of Washington, D.C.; four grandchildren; two 
sisters, Mrs. Preston Vineyard of Chattanooga and Mrs. James Rupe of Oak Ridge; one brother, Virgil Tuck of Sweetwater. Funeral 
services were held Nov. 1 at Kyker’s Chapel, the Rev. Charles Hobbs and the Rev. Norman Sims officiating. Interment in Fender’s 
Cemetery.”
______________________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, September 3, 1947, Page 2:

“In Loving Memory of Milton A. Hicks---Milton A. Hicks died at Sweetwater Hospital on August 25 following a three hour illness. 
He was born July 28, 1875, being 72 years and one month of age. He professed faith in Christ at an early age and was a member of 
the Tellico Baptist Church. He was married to Lucinda Avens on July 4, 1898. To this union were born nine children---five 
daughters and four sons. Four daughters, two sons and his wife preceded him in death. Two sons, John Hicks of Belltown and 
Milton A Hicks Jr of Robbinsville, N.C. and one daughter, Mrs. W.D. Mason of Madisonville survive. In 1918 he was married to 
Berta Mason and to this union were born a daughter, now Mrs. Arnold Orr of Madisonville, and a son, James Roy Hicks of Knoxville.
Several grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive, and three stepsons, Howard and Horace Mason of Chattanooga and Lake of 
Madisonville; two sisters, Eva Townsend of Etowah and Lula Hicks of Wallace, Va,: two brothers, Ira Hicks of Athens and Grover of 
Madisonville, besides a host of other relatives and friends.”
_______________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Thursday, March 24, 1960, Page 1:

“Reed Watson, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Watson of Madisonville, died at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning. He had been a patient at 
Sweetwater Hospital for some time. In addition to his parents he is survived by four brothers, Claude, Jimmie and Alton Watson, 
all of Madisonville, and Pless of Chicago, IL; six sisters, Pauline, Margaret, Geraldine, Birdie, Margie and Maude Watson, all 
of Madisonville, and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services will take place at Notchey Creek Baptist Church, Friday 
at 2 p.m., with Revs. James Patton, Robert Maxwell and Kenneth Watson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.”
_______________________________________

Madisonville Democrat, Thursday, April 21, 1955, Page 1:

“Death Claims Rev. Cagle At Home Sunday---Rev. William Nelson Cagle, 86, died at his home on Tellico Plains, Route 2, Friday at 
4:30 p.m. He was a retired minister and for years served as pastor of various churches throughout this area. He is survived by 
his wife, Mrs. Gussie Ervin Cagle; four sons, Carroll and Marshall of Madisonville, Hobart of Tellico Plains, and Kenneth of 
Knoxville; five daughters, Mrs. Chester Sanders and Mrs. Murle Sivers of Knoxville, Mrs. Suda Morrow and Mrs. Willie White of 
Madisonville and Mrs. Opal Radford of Harrington. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at Piney Grove Baptist Church, 
Rev. Horace Atkins officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Madisonville Democrat, Thursday, June 7, 1956, Page 1:

“Widow Of Rev. Cagle Dies At Home Friday---Mrs. W.N. Cagle, widow of the late Rev. W.N. Cagle, died at 5 a.m. Friday at her home on 
Tellico Plains, Route 2. She is survived by four sons, Carroll and Marshall of Madisonville, Kenneth of Knoxville and Hobart of 
Tellico Plains; five daughters, Mrs. Merle Severs and Mrs. Chester Sanders of Knoxville, Mrs. Sudie Morrow and Mrs. Roy White of 
Madisonville, and Mrs. Opal Radford of Hampton. Funeral services and burial occurred Sunday afternoon at Piney Grove Baptist Church, 
of which she was a member.”
__________________________________________________________