I have spent the last week working on a project that I am excited to share with all of you. Last Sunday, my mom and I decided to ride around basically to get out of the house. As many of you know, I researched and wrote the story of the murder of Sheriff J.M. Poag. […]
Sheriff John Macon Poag Read More »
Every time I ride south on Highway 51, I always look up at a girl on the hill in Bethesda Cemetery. The elaborate monument is in a fenced-in area with a gate. It is actually quite beautifully done and it is obvious the family wanted this area protected complete with a gate signifying the ownership
Verna Salmon McKay Read More »
I have posted the entire story of the murder of Sheriff J.M. Poag from my book – Without Penalty on this website. However, if you would like a copy of the book, please feel free to email me! Chapter 1 – The Murder of Sheriff J.M. Poag “Early this morning, one of the most daring
A Sheriff Slain: The Untold Story of John Macon Poag’s Murder Read More »
As word of the murder of Sheriff J.M. Poag traveled across the country and Tate county, the small town of Senatobia was flooded with people from all sections of the county. In fact, The Senatobia Democrat reported that Sheriff Poag laid in state inside the jail where people by the hundreds came and grown men
Chapter 2 – The Aftermath Read More »
On Monday, April 17, 1905, roughly five days after the murder of Sheriff J.M. Poag, the spring term of the Tate County Circuit Court began. Due to the magnitude of recent events, Judge J.B. Boothe wasted no time in selecting the grand jury and informing them of their duties. Because of the excitement surrounding the
Chapter 3 – The Mob Trials Read More »
Sheriff Poag was killed because a mob wanted to lynch a man named James “Jim” Whitt. In order to fully understand what happened to the sheriff, it is important to know who James Whitt was and how he happened to be in the Tate County jail on the morning of April 12, 1905. The date
Chapter 4 – The Murder of O.R. Thomason Read More »
April 1904 State of Mississippi vs James “Jim” Whitt Case #1773 Judge – J.A. Boothe Prosecution – W.A. Roane Jim Whitt was arraigned on April 28, 1904 for the murder of O.R. “Buster” Thomason. He pleaded not guilty. Due to Whitt’s lack of funds or support, he was unable to hire an attorney until roughly
Chapter 5 – The 1904 Trial of James Whitt Read More »
April, 1905 State of Mississippi vs. James “Jim” Whitt Case #1773 Judge – J.B. Boothe Prosecution – W.A. Roane After the members of the mob were granted a change of venue and the court dates set for later in the year, the spring term of the Tate County circuit court continued with the second trial
Chapter 6 – The 1905 Trial of James Whitt Read More »
October 1906 State of Mississippi vs. James Whitt Case #1862 Judge – J.B. BootheProsecution – W.A. Roane On October 26, 1906, testimony began in the final trial of James “Jim” Whitt. Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain the transcripts to this particular trial. However, the Senatobia Democrat – November 2, 1906 edition reported that “the
Chapter 7 – The Final Trial of James Whitt Read More »
Unlike the trials of Jim Whitt, I was unable to acquire any of the court transcripts from the mob trials. However, I did find a very detailed article published in the September 15, 1905 edition of the Commercial Appeal. The information from that particular article allowed me to summarize the first mob trial below: The
Chapter 8 – The Mob Trials Read More »
There is honestly not an appropriate way to end this story. It began with a tragic event and ended without any justice or penalty. When I discovered the outcome of this story, I was simply sad. It seems impossible to me that no one was held accountable. However, I hope that after reading this heartbreaking
Chapter 9 – Without Penalty Read More »
“Henry had felt for a long time that the Lord had called him to preach. After much praying, he asked Ora what she thought was the thing for them to do. She told him if the Lord had called him to preach, she thought he ought to prepare himself to do what
Suffering for Victory: The story behind the book Read More »