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Submitted: 12/15/08 • Approved: 12/16/08 • Last Updated: 2/23/13 • R123332-G123331-S3
Mae Cockrum Smith
Wife of William Smith
Daughter of Ellen & Doc Cockrum
Born around 1899
Died November 30, 1917
Ellen Cockrum and her daughter, Mae Cockrum Smith, were murdered as they were returning to their home as a severe winter storm was approaching. They had been to Hayney across the White River from where they lived, and they apparently were taking a short cut up a very steep cliff when they were ambushed. When their bodies were found four days later, it was determined that Ellen Cockrum had been shot in the face with a 12-gauge shotgun. Mrs. Cockrum's body was sitting under a ledge of rock, and apparently had been shot from above. Her daughter's body was around 50 yards away, and she had been shot in the back also with a 12-guage shotgun, and was assumed to have been running from the scene when shot. Mae Cockrum Smith's husband, William Smith, was a soldier in the U.S. Army. According to newspaper reports, he went out with one of the first increments of drafted men from Baxter County. He was stationed at Camp beauregard at the time his wife was murdered.
(The gravestone for Mae Cockrum Smith's grave was not placed until many years after her death, and the ones that placed the gravestone showed her maiden name as her surname, and spelled her first name as May instead of Mae.)
(Photo courtesy of Joyce & Larry Havner)
Contributed on 12/15/08 by maxparnell
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Record #: 123332