RUDESILL JR, SIMON PETER - White County, Arkansas | SIMON PETER RUDESILL JR - Arkansas Gravestone Photos

Simon Peter RUDESILL JR

Fredonia (Holly Grove, Stevens Creek) Cemetery
White County,
Arkansas

Birth: Nov. 20, 1869
Death: Sep. 18, 1920

He was born in Wayne County, IL and
he was murdered in White County, AR
Husband of Lillie Mangis Rudesill


I received this data by e-mail from Kenneth Graham, a family member of the Rudesill's. He also shared the attached photos of him and his stone. Along with newspaper clippings of his murder.


Below is transcription of one of the clippings:
Cigarette Causes Fatal Shooting

Constable Knocks Cigarette From Boy's Mouth, Is Killed By Smoker's Father

S.P.Rudesill lost his life at the end of a gun. On the other end of the 30-30 Winchester was a man by the name of Lee A. Woodall.

It all started the night before; on the 17th of September when at a prayer meeting Mr. Woodall's son (name unknown) was smoking in the presence of women. Mr. Rudesill ask that the smokes be put out, but after returning outside again everyone had put the smokes out, with exception of Mr. Woodall's son. S.P. Rudesill walked over and knocked the smoke out of the young man's mouth.

Later while walking home, the sister of the young Woodall, said as they walked up the driveway "don't tell papa" Mr. Lee Woodall was sitting on the front porch and over-heard the conversation, and ask "don't tell papa what", and everyone's life changed forever in that moment!

The next morning Saturday September 18, 1920 Mr. Rudesill was in the field cutting corn, it was an unusual cool in the air that morning. As he made his way out of the cornfield, he was confronted by Mr. Woodall and his 30-30 rifle. It is un-clear what was said if anything, but four shots rang out and S.P. Rudesill was shot four times in the face, stomach and arms.

From the doorway Mr. Rudesill's daughter (Goldie) began shooting with a pistol at Mr. Woodall as he was leaving and missed. He returned fire at her, hitting the door facing on the house where she was standing!

Contributed on 1/8/09 by clinefam
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Record #: 133090

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Submitted: 1/8/09 • Approved: 1/9/09 • Last Updated: 9/14/12 • R133090-G0-S3

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