Charles Wilson Conner, Jr.

Notes:

After the murder of Eli Low and Kit Smith, Charles Conner was found guilty, along with his father and brothers. He was sent to prison for 25 years. He was later pardoned by Governor Ross and released.

The letter from Judge Perkins stated, "Being convinced that it is the universal wish of the people of Sabine County that Charley CONNER should be pardoned and that serious doubt of his guilt of participation in the murder for which he was convicted--most all of the people of Sabine Co. and especially those in a position to be best informed of the truth of this matter, as seen in the light of developments since the trial, I do now recommend that said CONNER be pardoned."

Source: Irene Walton, Nacogdoches, TX

(Research):

Census Listings:

1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1, Sub Dist 84
Enumerated 28 and 29 jun 1880
Page 15 SD 1 ED 84 Stamped 215
129-136
Eli and Sarah Low family
130-137
Conner, Charles W M 31 Farmer Ga
Conner, Julie W F 31 Wf Tx
Conner, Wm. A W M 3 Son Tx Ga Tx
Conner, Emeline W F 2 Dt Tx Ga Tx
Conner, Jesse W M 2/12 Mar Tx Ga Tx

Charles married Julia Ann Scruggs on 10 Dec 1874 in Texas. Julia (daughter of Jesse Thomas Scruggs, Jr. and Gracie Berintha Harper) was born on 26 Jan 1859 in Texas; died on 25 Jun 1937 in Texas; was buried in Huntington Cemetery, Angelina County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

There was a Willis Conner in the "1840 Decatur County Georgia Census Index " (Frances T. Ingmire, Mountain Press). Decatur is very near the Florida border. Could this be him?

Came to Texas in 1857 from Tattonall County, Geogia.

Was shown on the muster roll of Captain J.M. Burroughs Company of the Sabine County Volunteer Infantry, CSA, and was enlisted at Hemphill, Texas by Drury Field for 3 months duty on January 15, 1863. His headstone is marked Texas Infantry, CSA.


On his "12 to Midnight" blog, Ed Wetterman (edwetterman@hotmail.com) writes:

In the 1880's several of Sabine County's families became embroiled in an unfortunate shooting feud that disrupted the whole community. Fathers, sons, daughters and cousins became engulfed in the fighting that would ravage the county from 1883 to 1887.

It began with the murders of Eli Low and Kit Smith in Holly Bottom off Housin Bayou in the southern part of Sabine County. The bodies were found about ten feet apart and the men had been shot in the back. The funerals were quickly held and many thought it suspicious that the Conner family had not attended.

It was known that the Conner and Low families had argued in the past about free-ranging and the building of schools and roads. Apparently many angry words had been exchanged, but the situation had never erupted into violence.

After a short investigation, Willis Conner, along with his sons, Fed, William, John and Charles were indicted for the murders and held without bond. Charles and Fed's trial was held first and they were found guilty. Charles was sent to prison for twenty-five years. Fed was given life in prison, but successfully appealed his case and was retried. He was again found guilty. He would never serve, however, as the jail was broken into and Willis, Fed, William and John escaped into the countryside- where they began a running war with the law enforcement of the day.

The Texas Rangers were called in to assist in arresting the Conners, but were ambushed and one Ranger, J.H. (Jim) Moore was killed. William Conner was also killed and many others were wounded. Willis, Fed and John escaped the battle. The Rangers, having suffered a grievous defeat, left Sabine County and did not return. John Conner then abandoned Willis and Fed and according to Ruth Sibley Davis in her book "Neighbor against Neighbor," moved to start a new life in Louisiana.

The people of the county, wanting to end the violence, began to pressure local officers to arrest the Conners. Eventually, a private investigator was hired and disguised as a cattle buyer went through the county looking for clues to the Conner's whereabouts. He learned that Willis and Fed's families left food and supplies for them on a trail somewhere deep in the woods. An ambush was set up and Fed Conner was killed. Willis escaped, but was killed a few weeks later, when his young grandson, a boy of twelve, was coming to give him food. The boy had been tracked and followed by a posse and in the ensuing gunfight, Willis and the boy were killed.

This sad situation finally ended the Low-Conner Feud which had divided the county for so long. For years, no one wanted to discuss what had occurred as it was simply too divisive and the families too intermingled to be considered a worthy subject of conversation.



(Research):

Census Listings:

1850 Census
Georgia, Tatnall County, No. 79 Subdivision
Enumerated 9 Dec 1850
(image on ancestry.com is very faint)
???-332
William and Nancy Conner
333-335
Willis Conner 28 Farmer birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
Percy Conner 25 birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
Fedrick Conner 3 birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
Charles Conner 1 birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)

1860 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Patroon Beat No. 5, PO Milam
Enumerated 7 July 1860
Page 31
231-232
Willis Conner 37 M Farmer $--- $1700 Ga
Piercey Conner 35 F Ga
Frederick M Conner 12 M Ga
Charles W Conner 10 M Ga
Leonard J Sonner 8 M Ga
Alfred H Conner 6 M Ga
William Conner 4 M Ga
Catherine P Conner 2 F Ga

1870 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Beat No 2, PO Sabine Town
Enumerated 2 August 1870
Page 24
503-504
Conner, Willis 47 M W Farmer $500 $500 Ga
Conner, Therisa (sic) 45 F W Keeping House Ga
Conner, Federick M 23 M Ga
and on a separate page (appears to have been inadvertantly seperated?)
Texas, Sabine County, Beat No. 3, PO Brookeland
Enumerated 4 Aug 1870
Stamped 19
502-502
Charles W 21 M W Ga
Leander J 17 M W Ga
Alfred H 16 M S Fl
William E 14 M W Fla
Percy D 13 F W Fla
John M 9 M W Tx
Nancy B 7 F W Tx

1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 2
Enumerated 2 July 1880
Page 19 SD 1 ED 84
168-179
Jackson and Susan Low family
169-180
Connor, Willis W M 58 Farmer Ga SC Ga
Connor, Pierce W F 55 Wf Ga Ga SC
Connor, Wm W M 25 Son Fla Ga Ga
Connor, John W M 19 Son Tx Ga Ga
Connor, Nancy W F 15 Dtr Tx Ga Ga
170-181
Connor, Alfred W M 27 Farmer Fla Ga Ga
Connor, Sarah W F 24 Wife La Miss La
Connor, Alfred W M 7 Son Tx Fla La
Connor, Stephen W M 5 Son Tx Fla La
Connor, Fanny W F 3 Dtr Tx Fla La
Connor, Riley W M 1 Son Tx Fla La

Willis married Piercy Douglas on 1 Aug 1844 in Tattnall County, Georgia. Piercy was born on 4 Apr 1824 in Tattnall County, Georgia; died on 22 Oct 1898 in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana; was buried in Conner Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Query from Tem Moody

Piercy Douglass, born 24 Apr 1824 in GA. Married (1) Willis Jackson Conner 1 Aug 1844 (2) M. J. Coleman. Willis J. Conner died 1887 in Sabine Co. TX and is buried in Conner Cemetery, Sabine Co. TX. Piercy died 22 Oct 1898 in Sabine County TX and may be buried in the Conner Cemetery or in the Douglas Cemetery in Union County FL. Attempting to verify date of death and burial place of Piercy nee Douglass.

Reply from Linda King Davenport

The Index to the Cemeteries of Sabine County Texas 1836 - 1964 copyrighted by J. B. Sanders 1964 states the burial place as Conner Cemetery with 5 unmarked graves. To quote: "Conner, Percy 15 Mar 1824 - 22 Oct 1898" I don't know if "Percy" was misspelled in Mr. Sanders' book or on the tombstone. This is not my line and I have not researched this at all. Happy hunting!

Ron McClendon noted that he is not sure of the second marriage.

She was the daughter of Frederick Douglas.

FindAGrave shows that "Piercey was the daughter of Frederick Douglas and wife, Bethamy Hannah Anderson Douglas. She was born with twin sister, Tiercey Douglas. Married Willis William Jackson Conner on 1 Aug 1844 in Tattnall County, Georgia."

Jesse married Gracie Berintha Harper before 1857. Gracie (daughter of Elmore Harper and Julia Ann Lane) was born about 1838 in Mississippi; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Information about this family was provided by Irene Walton. She forwarded a copy of a message posted by Leatha A. Betts to the Rootsweb TXSABINE-L relating the Jesse Thomas Scruggs family Bible. This Bible was copied by Blanche Toole on 17 Apr 1970 in the home of Mary Louise Vickers McGown Harvey, from the Jesse T. Scruggs Family Bible, American Bible Society, 1857.

Births
Jesse T. Scruggs was born 1 Feb. 1799 in Virginia
Mary Ann Tolan Mcguire was born 28 June 1818
Finch T. Scruggs was born 14 July 1824 Ala.
Sarah A. Scruggs was born 10 Jan. 1826
Nathaniel T. Scruggs was born 10 Dec 1827
William A. Scruggs was born 21 Mar. 1830
Nancy T. Scruggs was born 31 (sic) Sept 1832
[Note: above children were by first wife, Sarah Thornton, following by second wife Mary Ann Tolan McGuire]
Jesse T. Scruggs was born 18 Mar 1836
Laurence M. Scruggs was born 15 Dec. 1837
Hambleton M. Scruggs was born 1 Jan. 1839
George W. Scruggs was born 20 May 1842
Charles A. Scruggs was born 2 Aug. 1845
Mary Stephenson Scruggs was born 20 Oct 1846, Sabine County, Texas
Angus Griffith Scruggs was born 26 Sept 1851, Sabine County, Texas
--------------------------------------------
Mary Ann Loving was born 13 Mar 1834
[Note: Third wife, daug. of Manuel Walton Loving, widow of George Arnold]
Paralee Scruggs was born 14 Jun 1866
Emer J. Arnold was born 19 Oct 1852, Sabine Co. Texas
Elizabeth T. Arnold was born 24 Apr 1855, Sabine Co. Texas
Martha A. Scruggs was born 20 Jul 1858, Sabine Co. Texas
George B. Scruggs was born 26 November 1861, and died May 6, 1864 age 2 yrs, 5 months, 5 days
---------------------------------------------
Lavelle Harvey was born 15 Feb. 1910
Jewel Harvey was born 11 Oct 1911, Sabine Co. Texas
Luther Bill Harvey was born 28 May 1920
Doris Glynn Harvey was born 22 Jan. 1926
Mary Estelle Harvey was born 10 May 1929
[Note: Children of Perkins Harvey and his first wife]

----------------------------------------------

Marriages

Jesse T. Scruggs and Mary Ann Tolan McGuire was married on the 2nd say (sic) of April 1835 in the town of Grenada, Mississippi, by Reverand Thomas F. Davidson

Jesse T. Scruggs and Martha A. Arnold was married on the first day of October 1857 in Sabine County, Texas

---------------------------------------------

Deaths

James M. McGuire, son of L. McGuire departed this life on 3rd day of April at his residence in Haywood Co. Tenn. A.D. 1839

Margaret McGuire, consort of Dr. L. McGuire, departed this life on the 9th day of April 1839 in Sabine County, Texas

Arabella E. Harvey departed this life 16 March 1852, Sabine County

Dr. L. McGuire departed this life 16 September at 20 minutes past 10 o'clock in the evening in Sabine County, Texas 1853

Sabine County, Texas, Finch P. Scruggs departed this life 11 Jan. 1853. His death was accasioned by a fall from a horse, his body was entered on the bank of the Patroon at Dr. McGuire's Burying Ground, there to remain until the morning of the resurrection

Emma J. Arnold departed this life 30 December 1864 Sabine County

Jesse T. Scruggs, Sr. departed this live 16 November 1882 age 83 years, at the house of his oldest child Sarah Harvey in Sabine County, Texas 15 minutes past 3 o'clock in the morning, this note by his youngest son, A.G. Scruggs

Laurence M. Scruggs departed this life Teusday (sic) 15 September 1851 Sabine County, Texas

Jesse T. Scruggs, Jr. departed this life 17 Jul 1860 at his residence in Sabine County, Texas. 24 years of age.

Aprial the 6th day of 1857 a severe frost and freze bitting fruit and maes. Then on the 12th Knight a snow some storm in the snow was some 2 in. deep on the ground recorded Aprial 12th by Jesse T. Scruggs

George W. Scruggs departed this life 29 September 1860 in the State of Virginia in the service of the Southern Confederacy

George B. Scruggs departed this life 6 May 1864 age 2 yrs 5 months and 5 days

Mary A. T. Scruggs, consort of Jesse T. Scruggs departed this life the 4th day of March 1856 in Sabine County, Texas half past one o'clock in the morning, her remains deposited at thr burying ground on Patroon there to remain until the morning of the resurrection

Jesse married Mary Ann Tolan McGuire on 2 Apr 1835 in Grenada County, Mississippi. Mary (daughter of Lawrence McGuire and Margaret Tolan) was born on 28 Jun 1818 in Kentucky; died on 4 Mar 1856 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in McGuire Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The daughter of Lawrence McGuire and Margaret Tolan.

"Mary A. T. Scruggs, consort of Jesse T. Scruggs departed this life the 4th day of March 1856 in Sabine County, Texas half past one o'clock in the morning, her remains deposited at thr burying ground on Patroon there to remain until the morning of the resurrection."

From the Jesse Thomas Scruggs family Bible. This Bible was copied by Blanche Toole on 17 Apr 1970 in the home of Mary Louise Vickers McGown Harvey, from the Jesse T. Scruggs Family Bible, American Bible Society, 1857.

Notes:

Married:
"Jesse T. Scruggs and Mary Ann Tolan McGuire was married on the 2nd say (sic) of April 1835 in the town of Grenada, Mississippi, by Reverand Thomas F. Davidson"

From the Jesse Thomas Scruggs family Bible. This Bible was copied by Blanche Toole on 17 Apr 1970 in the home of Mary Louise Vickers McGown Harvey, from the Jesse T. Scruggs Family Bible, American Bible Society, 1857.

Notes:

The son of James Harper. He enlisted in the 11th Texas Inf. at Camp Clough. By October 31, 1862, he was stationed at Camp Nelson, Arkansas. After the war, he returned to Sabine County and married the widow of his former friend and neighbor, Isaac Hickman Low. Elmore was a member of the Littleton Fowler Masonic Lodge in Hemphill and worked as a farmer. (White and Toole, p 40).

Kay Parker McCary shows that a military marker only is in the Spring Hill Cemtery of Sabine County, showing Co. F 11th Reg Texas Inf, CSA. His wife was shown as Julia Ann Lane.

Elmore married Julia Ann Lane before 1836. Julia was born about 1817 in Georgia; died about 1860. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]