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Submitted: 5/13/10 • Approved: 9/11/14 • Last Updated: 9/14/14 • R322013-G0-S3
October 14, 1855 - August 29, 1904
The Forrest City Times'
Art Souvenir-1905-Page 66:
Picture of monument dedicated June 20,1905, at the City Cemetery for W.W.Rainbolt, Sovereign of the Woodmen of the World, who was a former city marshall killed on the city streets by a desperate outlaw in 1904. General George P.Taylor was the first Consul Commander and Mr.B.R.Shade was the Secretary, both of whom have long since passed to the Supreme Camp above in the City cemetery. Sep.2,1904-Mr.J.W.Rainbolt, of Springfield, Ark., arrived Monday night to attend the funeral of his brother, and returned home the following day. Also a cousin, Mr.Will Adams of Talahatchie attended the funeral. John Williams, Negro Ex-Convict and desperado, shot to death City Marshall W.W.Rainbolt, and Chief Deputy William Murphree on last Saturday about 6:45 o'clock pm., Aug.29,1904. Williams body was riddled with bullets from revolvers of Swan, Rainbolt, and Murphree, also killing him. John Williams had lived on the Louis Pugh place south of town, and Mr.Pugh told him to leave after he had terrorized other negroes with a pistol. He reported the same to Deputy Swan when he came to town Saturday, and he notified the other offficers in town. The story is long and detailed, but essentially they attempted to arrest Williams, and the gun battle ensued. Both Murphree and Rainbolt were buried in the Forrest City cemetery on Monday under the auspices of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which both were beloved members. Rainbolt was also a member of the Woodmen of the World. Mr.Rainbolt was born in Kentucky, and removed to Arkansas with his parents when quite young. He came to Forrest City from Little Rock in 1897 and was married to Miss Rosa E.Lannan, Oct.12,1887, by whom he had three children, Annie, aged 15, James, aged 12, and Ruth, aged two years. Mr.Rainbolt was of the Catholic faith, but there was no priest available
Woodmen of the World Memorial
Photo submitted by hawkinsdonna@att.net
Contributed on 5/13/10 by pam_don202
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Record #: 322013