Person:George Kirk (1)

06 February 1875 The Grangers have appointed Charles KIRK as their merchant at McDade. KIRK's store will be known as "The Grange Store." 11 September 1875 DIED -- Horrible murder at McDade Thursday last. At 7 1/2 o'clock, Mr. Chas KIRK was murdered by Henry CARUTHERS of Lee County in front of KIRK's wife and family. No reason is known for the killing except KIRK owed CARUTHERS some money which KIRK could not pay. It is reported that the two were on friendly terms earlier in the day. KIRK leaves a wife, and one child, and four step-children, he having married Mrs. Matt. JOHNSON about a year ago, the widow of Capt. Chauncey JOHNSON, dec'd. KIRK was buried in the Bastrop cemetery about midnight last night. 18 September 1875 Governor Richard COKE offers a $200 reward for the arrest of H. M. CARUTHERS, the murderer of Mr. Chas. KIRK of McDade, and Mr. John KIRK offers an additional $200. The citizens of McDade are raising money for a reward for CARUTHER's arrest and also for the arrest of the as yet unknown murderer of Mr. CRADDOCK. [Advertisements were also published announcing the Governor's and John KIRK's reward offers.] MURDERS -- On Monday night last, Mr. CRADDOCK, when within one-half mile of his residence on his return trip from McDade, was shot with a double-barrelled shot gun. He died in his wagon, but the horses continued the trip to his house. Mrs. CRADDOCK found him dead in the wagon. Also published was a statement made by Chas. KIRK moments before his death in which he identified Henry CARUTHERS as his murderer. James FLOYD, Mayor of McDade, and R. L. UPSHAW, W. B. FLOYD, and H. B. GARDENER witnessed the statement. Henry McDOUGLE, in a sworn statement, said that he was at the house of J. D. NASH when he heard the shot. John G. STEVENS, in a sworn statement, also heard the shot and found the gun. STEVENS said he talked to CARUTHERS earlier in the day when CARUTHERS said KIRK owed him money. Thad McLEMORE, in a sworn statement, identified the shot gun as belonging to CARUTHERS. John McDAVID, in a sworn statement, says he was driving by KIRK's and saw CARUTHERS shoot KIRK. Verdict of the jury (A. W. BEALL, Wm. JEWELL, T. W. SMITH, G. P. SLATON, W. R. JACKSON, H. A. HIGHSMITH, all of McDade): Chas. KIRK died at the hands of Henry CARUTHERS (premeditated murder) about 7 o'clock p.m. on 09 September 1875. Description of Henry CARUTHERS: about 24 years old, 5' 8" high, weighs 140-150 lbs., rather dark complexion, dark hair and eyebrows, dark hazel eyes. Has a quick flashing eye, rather peculiar. Talks tolerably fast and earnest, with slight impediment in his speech. Living with future brother-in-law Thomas A. Gill in 1870: 1870 > CALIFORNIA > SAN JOAQUIN > ELLIOTT TWP Series: M593 Roll: 86 Page: 76 Surname GivenName Age Sex Race Birthplace GILL T A 31 M W TN Farmer A. E. 24 TN Woodie 2 TX Minnie 5/12 TX James 16 TX farm labor Kirk J. W. 45 NC farm labor