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Family
Marriage:
Family
Marriage: Children:
  1. Sarah Elizabeth (Lizzie) Shelton: Birth: 1867 in Paulding County, Georgia. Death: Abt 1875

  2. Tabitha Ann Shelton: Birth: 30 May 1869 in Paulding County, Georgia.

  3. Wyatt Shelton: Birth: 1871 in Georgia. Death: 1875

  4. Wadie Shelton: Birth: 1873 in Georgia. Death: 1875

  5. Leandrew Jackson Shelton: Birth: 4 Jul 1875 in Georgia. Death: in Texas

  6. William Riley Shelton: Birth: 5 Nov 1877 in Georgia. Death: 30 Mar 1947 in Texas

  7. Albert Monroe Shelton: Birth: 19 Apr 1880. Death: 6 Mar 1953 in Texas

  8. Unnamed Shelton: Birth: 1884. Death: 1884

  9. Viola Shelton: Birth: 21 Nov 1886. Death: Abt 1905


Family
Marriage: Children:
  1. Elvira Shelton: Birth: Abt 1895 in Texas. Death: Abt 1896 in Texas

  2. Blanche Shelton: Birth: Apr 1896 in Texas.

  3. Virgil Shelton: Birth: 20 May 1897 in Texas. Death: Feb 1971 in Lawton, Oklahoma


Family
Marriage: Children:
  1. Sleta Jewel Shelton: Birth: 28 Aug 1900 in Sulpher Springs, Hopkins County, Texas. Death: 19 Feb 1930 in Telephone, Lamar County, Texas

  2. Richard Lasiter\Lester Shelton: Birth: 17 May 1902 in Riley Springs, Hopkins County, Texas. Death: 8 Apr 1977 in Hugo, Chotaw County, Oklahoma

  3. Jerry Moore, Junior Shelton: Birth: 17 Jul 1903 in Riley Springs, Hopkins County, Texas. Death: 4 Jan 1971 in McKinney, Collin County, Texas

  4. Johnnie Martin Shelton: Birth: 19 Oct 1904 in Woods County, Texas. Death: 29 Mar 1982 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas

  5. Mary Ann Shelton: Birth: 28 Mar 1906 in Detroit, Red River County, Texas. Death: 10 Jan 1981 in Grand Prairie, Dallas, County, Texas

  6. Stevie Porter Shelton: Birth: 7 Mar 1908 in Detroit, Red River County, Texas. Death: 20 Feb 1969 in Farmersville, Collin County, Texas

  7. Person Not Viewable

  8. Minnie Shelton: Birth: 11 Feb 1911 in Detroit, Red River County, Texas. Death: 10 Aug 1999 in Irving, Dallas County, Texas

  9. Tollie Shelton: Birth: 11 Feb 1913 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. Death: 6 Dec 1989 in Irving, Dallas County, Texas


Notes
a. Note:   Census: 1870 PAULDING COUNTY, GEORGIA - Dallas District - Enumerated June 1870 - Dallas Post Office - Page # 388A - Household # 67 Jerre Shelton, Male, 27, Farms, Owns No Property, SC Martha, Female, 22, GA Sarah E., Female, 6, GA Bytheria (Tabitha), Female, 1, GA (Lived within a few households of his sister, Mary Shelton Bone and his brother, Marcus Shelton. There were 2 black/mulatto Shelton families living in households next door to Jeremiah and Marcus. Could possibly be freed slaves of Martin Shelton?)
  Census: 1880 CARROLL COUNTY, GEORGIA - Fifth/729th Militia District - Household # 101 Jerry M. Shelton, Male, 36, Farmer, SC, NC, SC Martha L., Female, 33, Kpg Hse, GA, NC, NC, Cannot Read/Write Tabitha A., Female, 11, GA Leander J., Male, 5, GA Wm. R., Male, 3, GA Albert M., Male, 1/12, Born May, GA (Lived in the same district as Martin VanBuren Shelton, his brother)
  Census: 1900 WOOD COUNTY, Texas - Justice Precinct # 1 - Enumerated June 5th, 1900 - SD# 7 - ED# 138 - Sheet 3 B J. M. Shelton, M, Born Apr 1842, age 42 years, Married 7 years, SC, NC, SC, Farmer, Owns 27 acres Lizzie, F, Born Feb 1872, Age 28, 0 of 0 Children Living, TX, AL, AL Jack, M, Son, July 1876, Age 23, GA, SC, GA W. R., M, Son, Born Nov 1878, Age 21, GA, SC, GA A. M., M , Son, Born Apr 1881, Age 19, GA, SC, GA Blanche, F, Daughter, Born Apr 1894, Age 4, TX, SC, TX
  Census: 1910 RED RIVER COUNTY, TEXAS - Justice Precinct # 4 - Settlement Road - Enumerated May 13th, 1910 - SD# 1 - ED# 124 - Sheets # 21 A & B - Household # 319 Jeremie Shelton, M, age 96, Married 1 time, SC, NC, SC, Farmer, Owns 308 Acres Lizzie, F, 32, Married 1 time, Age 32, TX, AL, AL Blanch, F, 15, TX Saleta, F, 9, TX Richard, M, 7, SC Jeremie Jr., M, 6, TX John, M, 5, TX Mary, F, 4, TX Stover, M, 2, TX Mahaley, F, 7/12. TX
  Census: 1920 RED RIVER COUNTY, TEXAS - Justice Precinct ! 4 - Enumerated January 30, 1920 - SD# 1 - ED# 151 - Sheet # 11 B - Household # 205 Lizzie S. Shelton, F, Owns Property, 50, TN, TN, TN Richard, M, 18, TX, Farms 92 acres Jerre, M, 17, TX Johnnie, M, 16, TX Mary A., F, 12, TX Stevie, M, 10, TX Mahaley, F, 9, TX Minniem F, 8, TX Tollie, F, 6, TX Adam Gifford, M, Boarder, 17, TX, AK, TX
  Census: 1930 COLLIN COUNTY, TEXAS - Justice Precinct # 2 - Nevada & Farmersville Road - SD# 43-15 - ED# 18 - Sheet # 11 A - Household # 219 Elizabeth Shelton, F, 60, Widowed, TX, AL, AL, Farmer, Rents 207 acres Jerry, M, 27, TX, GA, AL, Farm Labor, Stevie, M, 21, TX, GA, AL, Farm labor Minnie, F, 19, TX, GA, AL Tollie, F, 17, TX, GA< AL Next door to Newell E. & Mary Ann Haire, daughter to Elizabeth & Jeremiah Shelton.
  Military: �CIVIL WAR MILITARY PAPERS� Shelton, Jeremiah M. Company �C�, 22 Georgia Infantry Confederate Private Musician Card Numbers: 45941951 2018 2083 2160 2215 2286 2396 0548 0562 7444 44349385 Number of medical cards herein: 1 Number of personal papers herein: 0 Page # 2 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton Pvt., 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry (This Company subsequently became Company C, 22nd Regiment Georgia Infantry) Appears of Company Muster Roll of the organization named above for Sept. & Oct., 1861 Enlisted: When: Aug. 31, 1861 Where: Camp McDonald By Whom: J. A. R. Hanks Period: for the war Present or absent: Not Stated L. L. Burton, Copyist Page # 3 Military: 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton Pvt., 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Company Muster Roll of the organization named above for Nov. & Dec., 1861. Enlisted: When: Aug. 31, 1861 Where: Camp McDonald By Whom: J. A. R. Hanks Period: for the war Present or absent: Present L. L. Burton, Copyist Page # 4 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton Musician, 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Company Muster Roll of the organization named above for Jan. & Feb., 1862 Enlisted: When: Aug. 31, 1861 Where: Camp McDonald By Whom: J. A. R. Hanks Period: for the war Last Paid by J. A. R. Hanks To what time: Dec. 31, 1861 Present or absent: Not Stated L. L. Burton, Copyist Page # 5 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton Musician, 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Company Muster Roll of the organization named above for Mar. & Apr., 1862 Enlisted: When: Aug. 31, 1861 Where: Camp McDonald By Whom: J. A. R. Hanks Period: for the war Last Paid by J. A. R. Hanks To what time: Feb. 28, 1862 Present or absent: Present L. L. Burton, Copyist Page # 6 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton Musician, 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Company Muster Roll of the organization named above for June, 1862 Absent enlisted men accounted for: Wounded skirmish June 27, 1862 at Genl. Hospital Richmond R. J. Walker, Copyist Page # 7 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton Musician, 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Register of General Hospital Camp Winder, Richmond, Virginia Disease: Flux Admitted: June 30, 1862 Returned to Duty: July 1, 1862 G. C. Wess, Copyist Page # 8 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton Musician, 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Company Muster Roll of the organization named above for Sept. & Oct., 1862 Enlisted: When: Aug. 31, 1861 Where: C. McDonald By Whom: Hanks Period: 3 years Last Paid by : McWherter To what time: Aug.. 31, 1862 Present or absent: Present L. L. Burton, Copyist Page # 9 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton Musician, 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Company Muster Roll of the organization named above for Nov. & Dec. 1862 Enlisted: When: Aug. 31, 1861 Where: Camp McDonald By Whom: Hanks Period: 3 Years Last Paid To what time: Present or absent: Present L. L. Burton, Copyist Page # 10 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Receipt Roll for Clothing for 2nd Qtr., 1864 Fitzgerald, Copyist Page # 11 22nd Georgia Jeremiah M. Shelton Pvt. 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Company Muster Roll of the organization named above for Sept. & Oct. 1864 Enlisted: When: Aug. 31, 1861 Where: Camp McDonald By Whom: . Hanks Period: the war Last Paid by : Keath To what time: June 30, 1864 Present or absent: x Remarks: Appointed on regimental band 28 Oct 1864 x: Name appears in Present colomn, �Names Present� L. L. Burton, Copyist Page # 12 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Receipt Roll for Clothing for 3rd Qtr., 1864 Fitzgerald, Copyist Page # 13 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton Musician, 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Field and Staff Muster Roll of the organization named above for June 30 to Oct. 31, 1864 Enlisted: When: Aug. 31, 1861 Where: McDonald, GA By Whom: Capt. Hanks Period: War Last Paid by : Capt. Keith To what time: June 30, 1864 Present or absent: Present R. J. Walker, Copyist Page # 14 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Receipt Roll for Clothing Issue Date: Dec. 6, 1864 Chenault, Copyist Page # 15 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Receipt Roll for Clothing Issue Date: Dec. 19, 1864 Chenault, Copyist Page # 16 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears of Field and Staff Muster Roll of the organization named above for Jan. & Feb., 1865 Enlisted: When: Aug. 31, 1861 Where: McDonald, GA By Whom: Capt. Hanks Period: War Last Paid by : Capt. Stone To what time: Oct. 31, 1864 Present or absent: Present R. J. Walker, Copyist Page # 16 22nd Georgia J. M. Shelton 22nd, Co. F, 22nd Reg�t Georgia Infantry Appears on a List of Prisoners of War belonging to the Army of Northern Virginia, who have been this day surrendered by General Robert E. Lee, C. S. A. commanding said Army, to Lieut. Genl. U. S. Grant, commanding Armies of the United States. Paroled at Appomattox Court House, Viriginia April 9, 1865 List Dated: April 11, 1865 E. H. Holback, Copyist
  Military: "APPLICATION FOR PENSION"; Texas State Library and Archives; Recieved November 5, 2001 Soldier's Application for Pension Name of Applicant: J. M. Shelton Red River County Postoffice: Detroit Filed: November 22, 1910 Rejected: March 1, 1911 Signature: E. A. Bolmes, Commissioner of Pensions Form A For Use of Soldiers, Who are in Indigent Circumstances County of Red River I, J. M. Shelton, do hereby make application to the Commissioner of Pensions for a pension to be granted me under the Act passed by the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Texas, and approved March 26, A. D. 1909, on the following grounds: I enlisted and served in the military service of the Confederate States during the war between the States of the United States, and that I did not desert the Confederate service, but during the said war I was loyal and true to my duty, and never at any time voluntarily abandoned my post of duty in the said service; that I was honorably discharged or surrendered at the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia in April 1865, that I have been a bona fide citizen of this State since prior to January 1, A. D. 1880, and have been continuously since a citizen of the State of Texas. I do further state that I do not hold any national, State of county office which pays me in salary or fees one hundred and fifty dollars per annum, nor have I an income from any other employment or other source whatever which amounts to one hundred and fifty dollars per annum, nor do I receive from any source whatever money or other means of support amounting in value to the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars per annum, nor do I own in my own right, nor does any one hold in trust for my benefit or use, nor does my wife own, nor does any one hold in trust for my wife, estate or property, either real, personal, or mixed, either in fee or for life, of the assessed value of over one thousand dollars; nor do I receive any aid or pension from any other State, of from the United States, or from any other source, and that I am not an inmate of the Confederate Home, and I do further state that the answers given to the following questions are true: 1. What is your age: 70 years next April 2. Where were you born? South Carolina in April 1841 3. How long have you resided in Texas? Since the winter of 1878 4. In what county do you reside? Red River 5. How long have you resided in said county and what is your post office address? 5 years; Detroit, Texas 6. Have you applied for pension under the Confederate pension law and been rejected? If rejected, state when and where? no sir 7. What is your occupation, if able to engage in one? farmer 8. In what State did was the command in which you served organized? Georgia 9. How long did you serve? Give, if possible, the date of enlistment and discharge. 4 years; from August 1861 until the surrender in 1865 10. What is the letter of your company, number or name of battalion or regiment or battery? Company C, 22nd Georgia Infantry 11. If transferred from one command to another, give time of transfer, name of command and time of service. X 12. What branch of the service did you enlist in - infantry, cavalry, artillery or navy? Infantry 13. If commissioned direct by the President, what was your rank and line if duty? X 14. If detailed for special services, under the law of conscription, what was the nature of your service and how long did you serve? X 15. Have you transferred to others any property of any kind for the purpose of becoming a beneficiary under this law? No sir Wherefore the petitioner prays that his application for pension be approved and such other proceedings be had in the premises as are required by law. Signature of Applicant: J. M. Shelton Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 29 day of September, A. D. 1910. J. M. Deaver, County Judge, Red River county, Texas AFFADAVIT OF WITNESSES The state of Texas County of Red River Before me W. E. Riddle, County Judge of Titus County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared Bill Johnson & H. W. Chaney, who are personally known to me to be credible citizens, who, being by me duly sworn, on oath state that they personally know that the said J. M. Shelton, the above named applicant for a pension, and that they personally know that the above said J.M. Shelton has been a bona fide resident citizen of the State of Texas since prior to January 1, A. D. 1880, and that they have no interest in this claim. Not signed by witnesses or Judge CERTIFICATE OF THE STATE AND COUNTY ASSESSOR I, G, A, Winn, State and County Assessor in the County of Red River, State of Texas, do certify that J. M. Shelton or his wife, or his trustee, or trustee for his wife, whose name is signed to the foregoing application for a pension, under the Act of the Thirty-first Legislature, approved March 26, A. D. 1909, is charged on the land and personal property rolls of said county with estate, real, personal and mixed, at the assessed value of $935.00 dollars. Given under my hand, this 18th day of November, A. D. 1910. Geo. A. Winn APPRAISAL OF PROPERTY 1 horse $75 2 cows $20 2 hogs $15 ------ $115 100 Acres $750.00 2 horses 100.00 4 cattle 40.00 5 hogs 20.00 1 carriage 10.00 Unreadable 5.00 ---------- $935.00 INTERROGATORIES TO WITNESSES IN PENSION CLAIMS EX PARTE Pending in Red River County, Texas, before the Honorable County Judge of said County. The honorable County Judge of Red River County, Texas, will please take notice that, five days after the service hereof, applicant herein will apply to the Clerk of the County Court of said County and State, for a commission to take the depositions of A. G. Ferguson and W. W. Marable who resides in the County of Paulding in the State of Georgia in answer to the following interrogatories and such cross interrogatories as may be propounded by the County Judge of said County, which will be read in evidence upon hearing of applicant�s claim for pension in behalf of applicant; said testimony is material and indispensable to applicant in furnishing the required proof of his claim for a pension under Act of March 29, 1909, the application for which is now pending before the Honorable County Judge, and the facts necessary and required to be proven under the provisions of the said act, applicant believes can not be proven by any witnesses residing in the County of Red River and State of Texas, of which he is a bona fide resident. J. M. Shelton, Applicant DIRECT INTERROGATORIES TO BE PROPOUNDED TO THE WITNESSES A. G. Ferguson and W. W. Marable Int. 1. What is your name? Age? Present place of residence and post office address? Int. 2. Do you personally know, or did you at any time know J. M. Shelton who is an applicant for pension under Act of March 26, 1909? Int. 3. How long have you known the said J. M. Shelton and when did you first know him? Int. 4. Do you personally know that the said J. M. Shelton enlisted in the service of the Confederacy, and preformed the duties of a soldier or sailor? Int. 5. Do you personally know in what company and regiment the said J. M. Shelton enlisted and served in the Confederate Army? When? Where? And the time of service? If you personally knew and so have stated that he enlisted and served in the Confederate navy, then state: When? Where? And how long he so served? Int. 6. Do you personally know that J. M. Shelton was commissioned as an officer directly by the President of the confederate States? What was his rank and line of duty? Int. 7. Do you further know if J. M. Shelton was, under the provisions of the conscript law, detailed for any kind of special service in the field, shops, armories. Etc., of the Confederacy? What was the nature of his service, and how long did he serve? CROSS INTERROGATORIES To be propounded to A. G. Ferguson and W. W. Marable Cross Interrogatory 1. If, in answer to the foregoing direct interrogatories, you stated that you personally know or did know said J. M. Shelton and that you know that he enlisted in the service of the Confederacy and preformed the duties of a soldier or sailor, and having named the company and regiment, or special service in which J. M. Shelton so enlisted and served, then please state fully what is your source of such knowledge? And state whether or not you know or at any time you knew of any other soldier or sailor by the name of J. M. Shelton serving in the same company or regiment, or special service in which you said J. M. Shelton enlisted, if you have stated that said J. M. Shelton enlisted and served in the navy of the Confederacy, then state whether, or not you know any other solder or sailor of the same name as said J. M. Shelton applicant serving in the same command, or the special service to which he was assigned? If you say that you so know other soldiers or sailors of the same name of J. M. Shelton then can you and how do you identify and locate the one from the other or others? Cross Int. 2. Are you positively certain that said J. M. Shelton is the identical person serving as testified by you? Cross Int. 3 Do you know whether or not the said J. M. Shelton served honorably from the date of his enlistment until the close of the late Civil War between the States, or until he as discharged from said company and regiment, or the special service to which he had been assigned? Cross Int. 4 Do you know whether or not said J. M. Shelton deserted his command, or voluntarily abandoned his post of duty or the service during said war? The State of Texas County of Red River I, J. M. Deavers, County Judge of said County, in said State, do hereby waive copy of interrogatories, notice, time and issuance of commission, and it is hereby agreed that the answers to the interrogatories of the said herein named witnesses may be attached hereto. J. M. Deavers, County Judge of Red River County, Texas CAPTION IN PENSION CLAIM, WITH CAPTION AND CERTIFICATION EX PARTE In Re Applicant for Confederate Pension Under Act March 26, 1909, pending in Red River County, Texas, before the Honorable County Judge of said County. Answers and depositions of (1( A. G. Ferguson and W. W. Marable who reside in Paulding County, Georgia, to the accompanying interrogations (2) and Cross Interrogatories propounded to them in the above entitled cause taken before (3)_________ in accordance with the accompanying (7) agreement. To the first interrogatory the said A. G. Ferguson, W. W. Marable, Witness, answers: A. G. Ferguson; age 67 years old; Paulding County, GA; Postoffice: Acworth, GA W. W. Marable; age 75 years; Paulding Co.; Dallas, GA, Postoffice 2nd. Yes, I know him Yes, I know him 3rd. Have known him since 1860 Have known him since 1860 4th. Yes Yes 5th. Yes, in Spring of 1863, Company C, 22nd Ga Regt. Infantry, served 4 years Yes, same as given by Mr. Ferguson 6th. No, he was not 7th. No, volunteer in Regular army Served with him 4 years 8th. No Answer To First Cross interrogation 2nd. We was members of same Company and Regt. And served with him, have personal knowledge 3rd. No, we have never known any other J. M. Shelton, no other served in same company 4th. We know no others 5th. We know the same J. M. Shelton went from this county to Texas, have seen him since he went to Texas 6th. Yes, I know he served honorably until surrender 7th. No he did not desert Sworn to and subscribed to before me, this 4 day of Oct. 1910 Signed: A. G. Ferguson W. W. (his X mark) Marable B. E. Croker, Ordinary, Paulding County The State of Georgia County of Paulding I, B, E, Croker, Ordinary of Paulding County do hereby certify that A. G. Ferguson and W. W. Marable are personally known to me to be credible citizens of said County and State, and that the foregoing answers of A. G. Ferguson and W. W. Marable, the witnesses before names, whose names appears signed to the foregoing deposition, were made before me and were sworn to and subscribed before me, by said witnesses, A. G. Ferguson & W. W. Marable. Given under my hand and official seal, this the 4 day of October, 1910. B. E. Croker, Ordinary of Paulding County, Georgia OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS State of Texas Austin (stamped Nov 22, 1910) To the Adjutant General War Department Washington, D. C. Dear Sir, I have the honor to request the military record of J. M. Shelton who is reported to have enlisted in Company C, Regiment 22d Georgia Infantry in the service of the Confederate States Army. Purpose: The person above named is an applicant for a Confederate pension granted by this State, and I desire to verify his proof of service. Very respectfully, E. A. Bolmes, Commissioner of Pensions WAR DEPARTMENT The Adjutant General�s Office Washington November 26, 1910 Respectfully returned to the: Commissioner of Pensions State of Texas Austin The records show that Jeremiah M. Shelton, private and musician, Company C, 22d Georgia Infantry, Confederate States Army, enlisted August 31, 1861, and that he was surrendered and paroled April 11, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, Virginia Signed: ?????(Unreadable), Adjutant General AFFADAVIT OF WITNESSES The State of Texas County of Red Titus Before me W. E. Riddle, County Judge of Titus County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared J. A. Hobbs & E. W. Bragg, who are personally known to me to be credible citizens, who, being by me duly sworn, on oath state that they personally know J. M. Shelton the above named applicant for a pension, and that they personally know that the said J. M. Shelton has been a bona fide resident citizen of the State of Texas since prior to January 1, A. D. 1880, and that they have no interest in this claim. J. A. Hobbs E. W. Bragg Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 16th day of November, A. D., 1910. W. E. Riddle, County Judge of Titus County, Texas
  Divorce: Divorced from Martha Jane (Mattie) Croxton Shelton 1898 in Titus County, Texas
  Sources: "NEWSPAPER ARTICLE" http://www.rootsweb.com/~gapauld2/obits/obit.HicksJohn.shtml The Daily Constitution Atlanta, GA October 4, 1879 Hicks, John A Paulding County Tragedy; From a private source was learned yesterday of the mysterious killing of John Hicks, a resident of Paulding county, who was found dead Wednesday last in the woods a few miles from Dallas. Mr. Hicks, it seems, had gone out hunting the day previous and by reason of his not returning his friends started out in search of him and found his corpse laying in the woods with a bullet hole through his body. As yet no one knows who killed him, but suspicion points to Jerry Shelton, a resident of Dallas, as the guilty party, owing to the fact that it was pretty generally known that these two men were on bad terms and that Shelton was a man of bad character and has not been seen since the murder was committed. Hicks was considered a peaceable man and a good citizen. He leaves a wife, whom we learn was insulted a few days since by Shelton. This was the cause of the hard feeling that existed between the two. The deceased and Shelton had a meeting a few days before the mysterious death of the former which came very near being a serious affair. Shelton, it seems, has a very bad record in the community in which he lives. A few years since he and his brother, Poke Shelton, had a difficulty with Bud Puckett in a saloon in Dallas, which culminated in the killing of Puckett. The two men were arrested and sent to jail, where they remained only a short while when they gave a sufficient bond and were released from custody. When the cases of these two men were called, Poke Shelton was tried and found guilty and sentenced to five years imprisonment in the penitentiary service. He is now working on the Cartersville and Van Wert railroad with a number of convicts at work there. In some way counsel for the defense in the case against Jerry Shelton managed to stave off the trial, and the defendant remained on bond until a few weeks since, when he was arrested for carrying concealed weapons, tried and fined for the offense. He remained in the jail about ten days before he was able to pay his fine, and was out about one week previous to the time of the killing of Hicks. It is said that it was during this interval of one week that he made the insulting remarks to Hicks�s wife, which is said to have been the cause of the enmity that existed between the two men. The residents of Paulding, and especially those in the vicinity of Dallas, feel highly incensed at the murder, as Hicks was much liked by every one. Every effort will be made to solve the mystery and find out the guilty party. If it is ascertained that Shelton did the killing, efforts will be made to secure his arrest, and if arrested, he will have to defend himself in the criminal prosecution for murder at the next term of Paulding superior court.
  Sources: 11 Oct 1879 (The Daily Constitution - Atlanta The Killing of Hicks in Paulding; We learn from parties who are in the city from Paulding county that it is a thought that Mr. Hicks, who was killed a few days ago in the woods in that county, shot himself accidentally, and that Mr. Jerry Shelton had nothing to do with it. It appears from their statement that Mr. Shelton, at the time of the shooting was nowhere near the place. While there had been a difference between them, it was not sufficient, so it is reported, to cause any serious breach between them. It is thought by many that Mr. Hicks accidentally shot himself while in the woods gathering chinquapins.
  Sources: NEWSPAPER Issue of Friday, OCTOBER 17, 1879 CARD FROM JERRY SHELTON, ABOUT MURDER OF JOHN HICKS To Editor of the Times; Please allow me space in your journal to refute a false rumor which is now going the rounds, maliciously accusing me of murder of Mr. John Hicks of Paulding county. The account makes out that John Hicks was murdered some time ago in Paulding county; that the residents of Dallas are highly incensed at this murder; that they are trying to solve the mystery, and that they have got it solved making out the suspicion that Jerry Shelton is the murderer. The rumor as it is published purports to be an affair of great notoriety, and that the residents of Dallas and vicinity are my accusers, and yet the tale comes from a "private source" and is anonymous. In the first place, there is no mystery to solve as Hicks shot himself accidentally; and in the second place, I was over fifty miles from the place of the tragedy, at the time it occurred. To substantiate this, reference can be made to R.M. Rainey and his son J.R.T. Rainey, both of Altoona, Ga., and to Mid Baker of Acworth, Ga., who were with Hicks at the time he shot himself. It was about the 15th of last September and was some where on the line of Paulding and Polk, some twenty miles from Dallas. My neighbors will testify that I was at my home, near Whitesburg, Carroll County, at the time. When I heard that I was accused of this fictitious murder, I hastened to Dallas to see if I could "solve the mystery" but I have failed so far to even find out who was my accuser. Every circumstance of the Hicks' affair is falsely stated, and that I think, not by mistake, but by design, in order to slander me, because I am already implicated in a criminal case. My accuser entirely omits to mention that Hicks had a gun and that he was hunting with some others who were nearby when he shot himself. On the contrary, he intimates that Hicks had no gun, and that he was by himself. He does not mention even the possibility of the affair being an accident, but makes it a murder without giving one item of evidence, or introducing a single witness. It is charged that I have a "bad record". If such malicious accusations as the "private source" makes against me were true, then, indeed, I would have a bad record. I acknowledge that myself and Hicks were not on good terms, but I could not help the accident of him killing himself. I am sorry he did kill himself, but I will not omit this opportunity of stating that the difference which existed between us, did not arise from my insulting his wife, but from the fact that I was a witness against him in a criminal case of his beating a negro woman. I scorn to detract from the character of a dead man, and would not have mentioned this, if it had not been necessary to explain the whole matter. Respectfully, Jerry M. Shelton, Carroll county, Oct. 14, 1879.
  Sources: "NEWSPAPER ARTICLE" Paulding-Haralson County GaArchives News.....The Paulding County Tragedy October 21, 1879 http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000645 March 11, 2006, 1:13 am The Atlanta Weekly Constitution October 21, 1879 Dallas, Ga., October 6.--Editors Constitution: I see an article in your daily issue of the 4th Instant, headed "Shot by Shelton," which does Mr. Shelton as well as the people of Paulding a great injustice. The whole piece is a misrepresentation of facts. The truth of the affair is about as follows: Mr. Hicks in company with some of his neighbors were in Haralson county on a camp hunt, Mr. Hicks wandered off and while gathering some chinquepins was shot by his own gun accidentally, and Mr. Shelton on that day was in Carroll county attending to his daily avocations. There is not a man in this county that believes or suspects that Jerry Shelton shot John Hicks. Besides, Mr. Shelton is not the rascal made out to be by the article referred to, but is a peaceable good citizen unless imposed on, and then like all other human beings he defends himself. I hope that in justice to Jerry Shelton and the people of this county you will publish the above. George ? Harper
  Sources: Georgia, Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath Books, 1867-1869" href="http://www.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1857&amp;enc=1">Georgia, Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath Books, 1867-1869</A><BR> STATE of GEORGIA COUNTY of PAULDING No. 65 Personally appeared before me this 6th day of July, 1867, J. M. Shelton who states that he resides in the 1080 Precinct of Paulding County, Georgia, and who makes oath as following: I, J. M. Shelton, in the Presence of Almighty God, am a citizen of the State of Georgia, that I have resided in said State for twelve months next preceding this day, and now reside in the County of Carroll in said State, that I am 21 years old, that I have not been disfranchised for participation in any rebellion or civil war against the United States, nor for felony committed against the laws of any State or the United States; that I have never been a member of any State Legislature nor held any executive or judicial office in any State, and afterwards engaged in any insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or given aid or comfort, to the elements thereof; that I have never taken an oath as a member of Congress of the United States or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State Legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, and afterwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof; that I will faithfully support the Constitution and obey the laws of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, encourage others so to do . The said J. M. Shelton further swears that he has not been previously registered under the provisions of � An Act supplementary to, an act to provide for the more efficient government of the Rebel States - passed March 2, 1867 - and to facilitate restoration �, under this or any other name, in this or any other Election District; and further, that he was born in S. Carolina and naturalized by birth on the 4th day of April, 1843 in the Greenville Dist. Signature: J. M. Shelton Sworn to and subscribed by S. A. Tidwell; W. Bevel Register of the 38th Registration District


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