Nashville Globe, 8 March 1907, page 7. Available from Chronicling America.
My great-great-grandmother's half-brother Thomas "Tom" Cox committed suicide in the county jail in Nashville, Tennessee on 3 May 1905, before he could be executed for killing police officer Ben Dowell. Almost two years later, the above report appeared in the Nashville Globe.
I have a copy of Tom Cox's death certificate, as well as newspaper articles about his death, including one that stated that his remains were at the home of his brother-in-law William Gatlin (my great-great-grandfather) for viewing by friends and family before his funeral at St. Mary's Cathedral. I do not think that he was still alive in 1907. It is interesting that someone reported seeing Tom in Chicago, though. My great-grandfather Henry Brown Gatlin and his brother William D. Gatlin had moved to Chicago in 1904. Henry moved back to Nashville after marrying Rose Kuenninger in December 1905, but Rose may have been from Chicago, and the couple could have returned for a visit. William was arrested for robbery and sent to Southern Illinois Penitentiary in Chester, Randolph County, Illinois. I have not yet learned the date of his arrest, but it may have been after 8 March 1907. He escaped from Southern Illinois Penitentiary twice. Maybe the person who believed that he saw Tom Cox actually saw one of Tom's nephews.
What an interesting story! And, I think there's a strong possibility that you are correct that they actually saw one of Tom's nephews. Fascinating story!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story! And, I think there's a strong possibility that you are correct that they actually saw one of Tom's nephews. Fascinating story!
ReplyDeleteTom wasn't that much older than his nephews (he was born in 1875, Henry was born in 1884, and William was born in 1886), so the difference in generations wouldn't have been obvious to someone who saw them. I think it is a fascinating find too. I'm glad you liked it!
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