© Kathy Duncan, 2021
Sometime before 1869, Edward Barber (1819 - 1901) divorced his first wife, Martha Giles, for in 1869 he married a widow named Sarah Tison who had two children. They were living in Worth County, Georgia at the time.
Her first husband, Francis Marion Tison, died in a senseless argument over a box of sardines. While the newspaper termed his death a homicide, it seems doubtful that any charges were filed against Robert A. Lomax. So far, I have not located a trial or reference to charges against Lomax. This account appeared in The Weekly Georgia Telegraph on 20 August 1866 and was reprinted from the Albany Patriot of 11 August 1866.
Homicide
On Thursday evening last, a difficulty occurred between Mr. Robert A. Lomax, of East Albany, and F.M. Tison, of Worth County, in which Tison was instantly killed. The circumstances which led to this unfortunate affair are these: Tison, in company with several friends, had been to Albany on busi- while there he became intoxicated, and in returning home, in company with his friends, they stopped at the store of Mr. Lomax, and Tison bought a box of sardines, and then proffered to treat the crowd to whiskey, if Lemax would credit him. Mr. Lomax replied that he did not do a crediting business, and that he (Tison) had not paid him for the sardines. This seems to have made Tison mad, and he immediately paid for the sardines, and remarked that Lomax was a damned rascal, and that he would not trust him out of sight, etc. After a few angry words being passed, Tison returned to his buggy and started home. He did not proceed but a short distance, before he proposed to turn back and make Lomax retract what he said. His friends tried to persuade him from doing so, but he heeded them not, and immediately returned to the store and commenced cursing Lomax, and drew his pistol and fired twice, the second shot merely touching the underpart of the left ear of Lomax. Lomax then returned the fire with a double-barrel shot gun, through the window of his store, the whole load taking effect in the right lung of Tison, killing him almost instantly.
Such difficulties are to be regretted, but as self-preservation is the first law of nature, Mr. Lomax was perfectly justifiable in committing the deed. - Albany Patriot, 11th.
Initially, F.M. Tison's widow Sarah administered his estate.
William Jackson Ford (Sallie's brother) was killed by their cousin...
ReplyDeleteBIRTH 12 Mar 1855
DEATH 22 Oct 1895 (aged 40)
BURIAL Isabella Cemetery, Sylvester, Worth County, Georgia, USA Show Map
The Tifton Gazette, Oct. 25, 1895
News reached Tifton early Wednesday morning of the killing at Sylvester, in Worth county, about 6 o'clock Tuesday evening, of Hon. W. J. Ford, by his cousin, Dr. Ashton T. Ford.
Dr. Ford was intoxicated, and was in his office, teasing the little seven-year-old son [Preston Brooks?] of Mr. Ford. The little fellow was crying and his father attempted to take him away from the Doctor, when the latter drew a pistol and fired twice, one ball passing through Mr. Ford's right hand, the other taking effect in the left temple, killing him instantly.
The slayer escaped, and up to this morning has not been heard of.
Rumors are plentiful, but the above seems to be about the facts in the case.
It appears that no one else was present when the shooting occurred except the little boy. The Doctor's friends claim that a heavy stick was found in the office, which Mr. Ford was seen to carry in there.
The Albany correspondent of the Savannah News says that it is supposed the difficulty originated from Mr. Ford calling in Dr. Davis, of Albany, to treat his little sick girl, not being satisfied with the progress she was making under Dr. Ford's care, and that Dr. Ford, on the train from Albany a few hours before the difficulty, made threats against his cousin's life.
Dr. Ford was a son of one of the first families of the county, and up to a year or so ago was a rising young physician, standing at the head of his profession, and giving promise of a brilliant and useful career. The excessive use of stimulants, however, was ruining his career,and is, undoubtedly, responsible for this tragedy.
Hon. W. J. Ford was one of the most prominent men of his county, owning extensive landed interest, and having represented the county in the state legislature, and held other positions of honor and trust. He was universally esteemed and respected. A wife and several small children mourn his loss.
His remains were interred at the family cemetery at 3:30 yesterday evening.
Thank you for this information. I am always interested in extended family.
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