H. F. HOOKER MURDERED
THE KEMP NEWS
Kemp. Kaufman County, Texas
July 22, 1913
One of the most dastardly crimes ever commited in Jacksonville occurred at
3:45 Tuesday morning, when Night Watchman H. F. Hooker was shot and instantly
killed by an unknown man, who made his escape and has not yet been captured.
Hooker had been notified that a drunk man had been robbed here during the
night by a stranger, who had started out of town by way of the Cotton Belt
track and was on the lookout for the robber when he was killed. He boarded a
freight train which was doubling the hill north of town, and when near the
Kickapoo street crossing, a man was sighted standing by the track for the
train to pass. The train was stopped, Hooker walked back to the man, and the
trainmen heard him ask the stranger to let him see what he had in a bundle he
was carrying. He was answered by a pistol shot, the stranger immediately
turning and running north up the railroad. When the trainmen reached Hooker
he was lying in the center of the track, opposite M. H. Fite's residence, and
was dying. "He got me", was all that he could say before he died. A bullet
hole was found in the left breast, slightly above the heart. Hooker's pistol
was lying on the track by his body, showing that he had seen the stranger draw
his gun and had attempted to shoot, but was too late. He was lying on his
back, with one foot across the rail. The murderer was standing by the side of
the track when the fatal shot was fired, and the two men were seen together.
The trainmen were very upset, of course, by the unexpected shooting, and they
ran to Hooker an called him outloud, but by the time they reached Hooker's
side he was dead.
Others cam shortly after, including Justice of the Peace, Latimore, who lead
an inquest. The body was removed to the undertake's and prepared for burial,
being taken to Kemp, deceased's former home.
The Sheriff at Rusk was notified and came through in an auto with the prison
dogs, arriving here at 6:30. An all day search of the woods north of town
followed, many citizens providing themselves with shotguns and joining in the
chase, but the search proved futile, as no definite trace of the killer could
be found. Officers are still looking for the murderer, but it is feared he
has made good his escape by this time. The trainmen who saw him think they
would be able to identify the man if caught. It is reported that another man
was seen in the vacinity of the murderer shortly before the shooting, and an
arrest was made here Tuesday of a young man employed on the sewer work, but he
was soon released, no evidence being found against him.
There are many theories as to the motive of the murderer, but it is generally
believed that the crime was committed by a desperate character who is wanted
for some serious crime elsewhere, and that he shot the officer (Hooker) to
avoid being arrested, fearing identification and punishment for other crimes.
It seems hardly probable that the man had any grudges against Hooker, and no
doubt he was a perfect stranger to him.
Mr. Hooker was made night watchman last year, and had proven a splendid
officer, being commended for his efficient service, and that no complaint was
ever registered against him. He was 31 years of age, and is survived by his
wife and two little ones. As an evidence of appreciation and sympathy,
citizens of Jacksonville contributed liberato a fund for the benefit of Mrs.
Hooker, the amount reaching $250.
It is needless to say that the town was shocked beyond measure at this
dastardly crime, and it is the earnest desire of every citizen that the
murderer be brought to justice. We believe that the Mayor should have offered
a substantial reward for the arrest and conviction of the murderer, and no
doubt the Governor could have been inducted to offer double the amount named
by the town. This should have been done on Tuesday, but no action was taken
until Wednesday night, when the council met on other business, and a
resolution was passed providing a reward of $100.00 for the murderer. Prompt
action is necessary in a case of this kind, and the reward should have been
offered while the trail of the crime was fresh.
Original article from Cherokee County Banner, Jacksonville, Cherokee County,
Texas.
A memorial marker for Cherokee Co slain peace officers is in place in front of
the Cherokee Co courthouse in Rusk, TX.
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