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Note: 1. Copied from the Mexico Evening Ledger of 31 Jan 1931: "HUNDREDS AT SERVICES FOR SAM WALLACE Capacity of Methodist Church Taxed As Final Tributes Paid To One Of City's Friendliest Men --- City Officials Attend Enmasse. A funeral tribute such as is paid to few men in the history of a community, was paid to the late Chief of Police Sam Wallace, as hundreds of friends gathered at the Mexico Methodist Church to pay their final respects to him. From all walks of life came friends, white and black, to hear the ministerial comments by Dr. Robin Gould, pastor of the church, of which the late chief was a member, to hear the songs, given impressively by members of the Methodist men's quartette, and to pass by the bier of their friend, so lately one of them, and so suddenly taken from them. Later, at the Elmwood Cemetery, several hundred persons stood with heads bowed, joining silently in bereavement with members of the family, as Dr. Gould completed the conmittal service. From the church to the cemetery, as the city hall bell tolled, a police escort led the way for the mile-long funeral procession, the entire city administration joining in attending the services, as honorary pallbearers. Floral remembrances were profuse and beautiful, and the capacity of the church was taxed during the services, with a section reserved for the colored friends of the late chief. One of the best known officers in this part of the state, peace officers were in attendance at the services from Moberly, St. Louis, and other cities. The Methodist men's quartette, composed of Dr. Fred Griffin, Dr. R. W. Van WynGarden, Lester J. Miller and P.A. St. Vrain, sang with John D. O'Rear accompanying. Among the out of town relatives present for the services were Mrs. Ceylon Lewis of Muskogee and Mrs. E.F. Peterson of Kansas City, cousins; Mrs. Harry Putman and Mr. and Mrs. James Wallace, of Paris." 2. Copied from Centennial History of Audrain County (1937): William Samuel Ellis Wallace, who probably had as many friends as any resident of Mexico, was head of the Mexico police department for thirteen years. A lifelong resident of Mexico, he was born on May 28, 1884, the son of William H. Wallace, well known and prominent stock dealer, and once city collector here, who died in 1925. His mother, Mrs. William H. Wallace of Mexico, and a sister, Miss Maude Orita Wallace, director of music in the Mexico Public Schools, survive. Educated in the Mexico schools, and at the Missouri Military Academy and joining the Mexico Methodist Church when a young man, during the ministry here of the Rev. W.A. Hanna, early in life he became interested in law enforcement work. When a young man of 21, he went to work in the constable's office, with J.W. Barnett, in 1905, serving in that capacity for seven years. In January, 1913, he became deputy sheriff for the newly elected Sheriff Barnett, which office he held until his election as marshal the following year. He was then but thirty years of age and was one of the youngest police chiefs in Missouri. He served continu- ously in this capacity from that time until his death of January 29, 1931, with the exception of two terms when he was with the Wabash Railroad Detective Staff, with headquarters at Moberly. A fitting tribute to this congenial and efficient officer of the law was paid in a Mexico Intelligencer editorial of the date of his passing: "Sam Wallace was a friend to many, and his friends were many." 3. His death was due to heart failure.
SOURCES INCLUDE: Missouri Death Certificate #59.
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