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 and bloody assaults in the annals of the history of Tate County or the State of Mississippi was perpetrated at Senatobia, the county site…” The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tennessee – Wednesday, April 12, 1905
“One of the darkest and most deplorable crimes ever perpetrated in the county was committed here early Wednesday morning.” The Senatobia Democrat; Senatobia, Mississippi – April 14, 1905.
“One of the most sensational affairs in the history of the state is enacted today.” Jackson Daily News; Jackson, Mississippi – Wednesday, April 12, 1905
The date was April 12, 1905. Sheriff John Macon Poag and his wife, Bessie were asleep in their room at the Tate County Jail when a noise outside jolted the couple awake. The sheriff immediately got out of bed to investigate the sound, but not before securing his pistol.
Once the sheriff entered the hallway, he heard a voice holler, “Oh…Johnny!” from outside the locked jailhouse doors.
Sheriff Poag answered, “Who’s there?”
The voice responded, “It’s me, Bob Pickle. Open up, I have a prisoner.”
“I know Bob Pickle real well, and I feel very certain that you, sir, are not him.”
“It’s me, Sheriff. Open up!” the voice called out yet again.
The sheriff relented, “Okay, I’ll open the door to see what you want, but I know you are not who you say you are.”
Upon turning the lock and lifting the bar securing the jailhouse doors, Sheriff Poag saw a crowd of masked men and a shotgun pointed towards him. He instinctively fired his pistol into the crowd and they instantly returned fire hitting Sheriff Poag. Sheriff Poag then fell to his knees and called out in agony, “I am murdered; I am shot twice.” He staggered back into his room where his wife and children were screaming.
Sheriff Poag, his wife, Bessie and their five children were at the jail that fateful night. In addition to the sheriff’s immediate family, his wife’s brother, W.E. “Boss” Manahan was a special deputy and had stayed that night at the jail. Boss told reporters at the time that he had heard the commotion outside his door and arrived in time to witness a group of men running away. It was fortunate that he was there to help the sheriff. Boss was able to run next door to the courthouse in an attempt to call for the doctor. Unfortunately, he was unable to reach anyone by phone. Boss made the quick decision to go directly to the doctor’s home down the street. Obviously, his actions and heroics that night helped sustain Sheriff Poag longer than I am sure anyone expected. As a result, the sheriff was able to describe his assailants, order bloodhounds to assist in the search for the masked men, and actually begin the investigation into his own murder.
Several local doctors responded to the call for help. Dr. Potter was the first to arrive followed by Dr. Ellis and Dr. Rosebourgh. The trio worked diligently on Sheriff Poag throughout the night. The sheriff had been shot in the right arm and the impact of the bullet had shattered the bone. He also had a gaping wound on his right side which quite possibly penetrated his lung. Poag told the doctors that he was confident he would die. The doctors advised him to rest and be quiet. However, the sheriff kept talking. Sheriff Poag apparently felt his last moments alive would be better spent telling everyone that would listen what had happened that night.
As the morning light began to shine throughout the jail, Sheriff John Macon Poag succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 6:45 a.m.
Word spread quickly across the country of the horrific events that had occurred in the early morning hours of April 12, 1905. Not only in Tate County, Mississippi, but all across the United States. Over the next few days, newspapers from New York to California reported on the murder of Sheriff John Macon Poag in Senatobia, Mississippi.
“Sheriff killed; shot by outlaws who sought to liberate a prisoner.” The Roswell Daily Record; Roswell, New Mexico – April 12, 1905
“Sheriff gives up his life to save prisoner.” The Piqua Daily Call; Piqua, Ohio –
April 12, 1905
“In the discharge of his duty, a Mississippi Officer sacrifices his life. The masqueraders demanded he release of a murderer and the Sheriff answered with bullets.” The Charlotte News; Charlotte, North Carolina – April 12, 1905
“Mississippi Sheriff killed in the jail. Officer resists efforts to release a prisoner and is shot dead.” San Francisco Chronicle; San Francisco, California – April 13, 1905
“Sheriff dies at his post.” Roseburg Review; Roseburg, Oregon – April 13, 1905
“Masked men kill sheriff. He resisted their attempt to take a prisoner from jail.” The Washington Post; Washington, DC – April 13, 1905
“Mob kills sheriff at jail. Dying man foils their plot to rescue prisoner.” The New York Times; New York, New York – April 13, 1905
Over fifty newspapers in the United States and Canada reported on the murder of Sheriff Poag. The following list is only a few of the many newspapers that ran the story throughout April:
News-Journal – Mansfield, Ohio
Topeka State Journal – Topeka, Kansas
The Minneapolis Journal – Minneapolis, Minnesota
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – St. Louis, Missouri
Racine Journal-Times – Racine, Wisconsin
The News Journal – Wilmington, Delaware
Evening Star – Washington, DC
The Emporia Gazette – Emporia, Kansas
The Fort Wayne Sentinel – Fort Wayne, Indiana
Muskogee Times Democrat – Muskogee, Oklahoma
The Daily Signal – Crowley, Louisiana
The Butte Daily Post – Butte, Montana
Reno Gazette-Journal – Reno, Nevada
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle – Brooklyn, New York
The Scranton Truth – Scranton, Pennsylvania
The Daily Review – Decanter, Illinois
Bisbee Daily Review – Bisbee, Arizona
The Tuscaloosa Times – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The Times Dispatch – Richmond, Virginia
The Houston Post – Houston, Texas
Pensacola News Journal – Pensacola, Florida
Manitoba Morning Free Press – Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
The Baltimore Sun – Baltimore, Maryland
This list could literally go on and on. I want to emphasis that the murder of Sheriff J.M. Poag was reported throughout the country in multiple states and Canada. This was big news in April 1905!
In my research, I found a several articles/letters written before this senseless murder. The first article that I would like to share was written by the editor of the Senatobia Democrat when Mr. Poag announced his candidacy for sheriff:
John M. Poag for High Sheriff
In this issue will be found the announcement of John M. Poag for the office of high sheriff. Mr. Poag has served as deputy during the Brooks administration and is familiar with the duties connected with the position. His fitness for the office is well known to every voter hence it is useless to dwell here.
Mr. Poag was reared and educated in the county and lived, prior to moving to Senatobia, at Thyatira. Personally he is a man of sterling qualities, high character, genial, and obliging. If the people favor him with the trust that he seeks he will make a good and faithful sheriff.
Poag was obviously well thought of throughout Tate County. He easily beat his opponents in the race for sheriff. In the primary election – August 1903, Poag received 965 votes – one of his opponents received 319 votes and the other 264 votes. After the election, Poag wrote the following letter that was published in the August, 21, 1903 edition of the Senatobia Democrat:
To my Fellow Countymen:
As I cannot see you individually and express my gratitude for the nomination of the important office of Sheriff of our county. I take this course to assure you that I hold keen appreciation for every vote cast for me and for the untiring efforts of my friends to mantle this important trust upon me. In return I assure you that my best efforts will be to give you an administration that will create harmony, good will and our general advancement.
To my former school pupils, I desire to state that it is most gratifying to me to know that you were active in bringing about my election and your interest will always stand most prominent in both my heart and mind during my life.
I have many friends in adjoining counties who were much interested in my candidacy and I wish to assure them of my full appreciation.
To the good ladies who extended hospitality to me at their homes, at picnics and used their influence for my election, I wish to assure that no one could be more grateful.
In conclusion, I desire to say that my opponents conducted their candidacies on a high plane and were at all times courteous and fair to me and our canvass began in friendship and ended likewise. It is a pleasure to make a canvass when you have gentlemen as opponents.
Yours most respectfully,
J.M. Poag
Sheriff John Macon Poag
Born September 9, 1858
Died April 12, 1905
Sheriff Poag had been married to his wife, Bessie Manahan Poag for 13 years and had five children – at the time of his death – their names and ages:
Ruby Eugene Poag – 12 years old
Mary Agnes Poag – 8 years old
Bessie Lucille Poag – 5 years old
Robert Macon Poag – 3 years old
Mabel Poag – 11 months old
Sheriff Poag is buried at Thyatria Cemetery in Thyatria, Mississippi. His monument is shared with Lizzie Aleine Poag, most likely his daughter who passed away in 1897. Unfortunately, his monument is not in the best condition especially considering this man died a hero in performance of his duty.
Final words…
One can only imagine the thoughts running through Sheriff Poag’s mind as he made his way to the jailhouse doors. Not only did he swear to defend the prisoners at the jail, his entire family lived there. His bravery to defend the prisoners, and…essentially his home and family is unparalleled. The stand he took that night saved the life of his family, countless prisoners, and one man in particular – James Whitt. Whitt was the target of the mob and his story is unbelievable at best.
Sheriff Poag deserves to be remembered and honored…certainly not forgotten as it seems to me he has. His story needs to be told. I hope to do my best to share it with dignity and honor. There is much more to this story. Stay “tuned” for more about Sheriff Poag, the impact and outcome of his murder, James Whitt, and more.
Next: Part 2 – The Aftermath