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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Bill Mason
| name = Bill Mason
| honorific_suffix =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image = Bill_Mason.jpg
| image = Bill_Mason.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Associated Press wirephoto of Mason
| caption = Associated Press wirephoto of Mason
| birth_name = William Haywood Mason
| birth_name = William Haywood Mason
| birth_date = ca. 1897<!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| birth_date = ca. 1897<!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| birth_place =
| birth_place =
| disappeared_date = <!-- {{Disappeared date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (disappeared date then birth date) -->
| disappeared_place =
| disappeared_status =
| death_date = July 29, 1949 (Age 51)
| death_date = July 29, 1949 (Age 51)
| death_place = Alice, Texas
| death_place = Alice, Texas
| death_cause = Gun shot
| death_cause = Gun shot
| body_discovered =
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} -->
| other_names = Bill Mason
| other_names = Bill Mason
| occupation = Radio journalist and former newspaper journalist
| occupation = {{ubl|Radio journalist|Newspaper journalist}}
| years_active =
| years_active = 1919 – 1949
| employer = KBKI Radio
| employer = KBKI Radio
| children = Burton Mason
| children = Burton Mason
}}
}}


'''William Haywood "Bill" Mason''' (ca. 1897-July 29, 1949) was a radio journalist for KBKI in [[Alice, Texas]]. He was shot dead by the town's deputy sheriff Sam Smithwick in 1949.<ref name=arh1>{{cite news|title=KBKI staffer shot |publisher=[[Broadcasting (magazine)|Broadcasting]] |date=August 1, 1949 |accessdate=2013-11-14|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1949/1949-08-01-BC.pdf#page=66 |page=82 |editor=King, Art}}</ref><ref name=peele>{{cite news|first=Thomas |last=Peele |title=Death stalks some reporters working their beats in U.S.|url=http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/08/death_stalks_some_reporters_wo.html |publisher=Plain Dealer |date=2012-08-01|accessdate=2013-01-12}}</ref>
'''William Haywood "Bill" Mason''' (ca. 1897-July 29, 1949) was a radio journalist for KBKI in [[Alice, Texas]]. He was shot dead by the town's deputy sheriff Sam Smithwick in 1949.<ref name="arh1"/><ref name="peele"/>


==Murder==
==Murder==
Bill Mason, a radio journalist for KBKI in Alice, Texas, said on air before he was killed that he had been threatened. He responded on his program by being more vocal in his criticism of prostitution at Rancho Alegro, a dance hall that Mason had accused deputy sheriff Sam Smithwick of owning.<ref name=arh2 /><ref name="fort worth"/> On the day of the shooting, Mason had drove to the southwestern portion of Alice to investigate a report of "poor streets" he had received.<ref name="fort worth"/> Mason was heading in one direction, and Smithwick, in a red pickup, was coming towards him. When the vehicles met, Mason stopped his car and Smithwick got out of his truck and approached the car, asking him "are you Bill Mason", and then shot him.<ref name="fort worth"/> The bullet hit Mason near his heart.<ref name=prescott /> Avelino Saenz, who was sitting in the car with Mason when he was shot, identified Smithwick as the shooter.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Caller-Times News Service |title=Smithwick Examining Trial Will Resume Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-caller-times-smithwick/156576338/ |work=Corpus Christi Caller-Times |volume=67 |issue=109 |date=August 4, 1949 |page=1}}</ref>
Bill Mason, a radio journalist for KBKI in Alice, Texas, said on air before he was killed that he had been threatened. He responded on his program by being more vocal in his criticism of prostitution at Rancho Alegro, a dance hall that Mason had accused deputy sheriff Sam Smithwick of owning.<ref name="arh2"/><ref name="fort worth"/> On the day of the shooting, Mason had drove to the southwestern portion of Alice to investigate a report of "poor streets" he had received.<ref name="fort worth"/> Mason was heading in one direction, and Smithwick, in a red pickup, was coming towards him. When the vehicles met, Mason stopped his car and Smithwick got out of his truck and approached the car, asking him "are you Bill Mason", and then shot him.<ref name="fort worth"/> The bullet hit Mason near his heart.<ref name="prescott"/> Avelino Saenz, who was sitting in the car with Mason when he was shot, identified Smithwick as the shooter.<ref name="caller times"/>


==Reactions==
==Reactions==
The murder of Mason upset the community, and an attorney argued that Smithwick should not seek bail for his safety.<ref name=sanmateo>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/38908945/ |title=Feeling runs high over Mason shooting |newspaper=The Times |date=July 30, 1949 |accessdate=2013-11-14 |pages=3}}</ref> The newspapers reported that Smithwick might be moved as tensions were raised the day after the murder by a shooting at a dance hall.<ref name=sarasota>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GB8hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=p2QEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2698,2953697&dq=southwick+alice+mason&hl=en |title=Dime a dance place is shot up after slaying |publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=1949-07-31 |accessdate=2013-01-12}}</ref>
The murder of Mason upset the community, and an attorney argued that Smithwick should not seek bail for his safety.<ref name="sanmateo"/> The newspapers reported that Smithwick might be moved as tensions were raised the day after the murder by a shooting at a dance hall.<ref name="sarasota"/>


==Victim==
==Victim==
Bill Mason started his journalism career as a newspaper reporter. He reported in Minnesota and then went on to be a journalist for the ''[[New York Times]]'' and the ''[[San Francisco Examiner]]''.<ref name=arh2>{{cite news|title=KBKI crusade |publisher=[[Broadcasting (magazine)|Broadcasting]] |date=August 8, 1949 |accessdate=2013-11-14 |url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1949/1949-08-08-BC.pdf}}</ref> While living in California, he worked as an investigator for [[governor of California]] [[Earl Warren]], when he was district attorney for Alameda county.<ref name="fort worth"/> He also worked as the public relations director for the General Tire & Rubber Company, and from 1938 to 1940, he worked for D. P. Brother Advertising Agency and for General Motors.<ref name="fort worth"/> He moved to Alice in 1947 and became managing editor of the ''Alice Echo'', and in December 1948, he became the program director for KBKI radio. His radio show was broadcast daily at noon, and was titled "Bill Mason Speaks".<ref name="fort worth">{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Raiders Riddle Dance Hall After Radioman's Killing |work=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]] |date=July 31, 1949 |pages=1; 8}}</ref>
Bill Mason started his journalism career as a newspaper reporter. He reported in Minnesota and then went on to be a journalist for the ''[[New York Times]]'' and the ''[[San Francisco Examiner]]''.<ref name="arh2"/> While living in California, he worked as an investigator for [[governor of California]] [[Earl Warren]], when he was district attorney for Alameda county.<ref name="fort worth"/> He also worked as the public relations director for the General Tire & Rubber Company, and from 1938 to 1940, he worked for D. P. Brother Advertising Agency and for General Motors.<ref name="fort worth"/> He moved to Alice in 1947 and became managing editor of the ''Alice Echo'', and in December 1948, he became the program director for KBKI radio. His radio show was broadcast daily at noon, and was titled "Bill Mason Speaks".<ref name="fort worth"/>


In the closing arguments phase of his murder trial, the prosecutor attorney, James K. Evetts, said, "He had the nerve to tell the truth for a lot of little people."<ref name=prescott>{{cite news|title=Slayer of radio reporter hangs self in prison cell |newspaper=Prescott Evening Courier |date=April 16, 1952 |accessdate=2013-11-14 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=897&dat=19520416&id=C7JaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CFADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6413,4578483}}</ref><ref name=victoria>{{cite news|title=New trial is sought for Smithwick by attorneys |newspaper=Victoria Advocate |date=January 26, 1950 |accessdate=2013-11-14 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19500124&id=ZiJIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6IAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6998,1644061}}</ref> Mason's tombstone reads the quote given by the prosecutor.<ref name=peele />
In the closing arguments phase of his murder trial, the prosecutor attorney, James K. Evetts, said, "He had the nerve to tell the truth for a lot of little people."<ref name="prescott"/><ref name="victoria"/> Mason's tombstone reads the quote given by the prosecutor.<ref name="peele"/>


==Perpetrator==
==Perpetrator==
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| image1 = [https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-caller-times-mason-murder/156577047/ Mason murder hearing, August 3, 1949. Smithwick to the left, sitting at end of table.]
| image1 = [https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-caller-times-mason-murder/156577047/ Mason murder hearing, August 3, 1949. Smithwick to the left, sitting at end of table.]
}}
}}
Sam Smithwick had been a Texas deputy sheriff in Jim Wells county for 24 years.<ref name="abilene 1952"/> At his trial, Smithwick testified that he heard Mason's radio program the day before, and he gone to Alice to retrieve some tools from his home. When he saw Mason's car driving down his street, he approached the car and decided to talk to him, asking him; "Are you Mr. Mason"? According to Smithwick, Mason replied "yes, what in the hell do you want"?. Smithwick told the reporter he wanted him to take his name off the radio, and Mason responded by cursing him and calling him a Mexican. Smithwick further testified that Mason's hands were "around his pockets", and again referred to him being cursed at, and ultimately pulled his gun out, shooting Mason he claimed in self-defense.<ref name="gouldy 1950"/> Smithwick was found guilty of murder with malice and sentenced to life in prison.<ref name="texashandbook"/><ref name="portaltxhistory"/>
Mason was shot and killed by Sam Smithwick, a Texas deputy sheriff.<ref name=prescott /><ref name=leagle>{{Cite web|url=https://www.leagle.com/decision/1950471234sw2d2371443|title=SMITHWICK v. STATE &#124; 234 S.W.2d 237 (1950) &#124; sw2d2371443 &#124; Leagle.com|website=Leagle|accessdate=Jun 15, 2020}}</ref><ref name=daytona>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press |title=News Broadcaster Slain; Deputy Sheriff Held |newspaper=Daytona Beach Morning Journal |date=July 30, 1949 |page=1|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19490730&id=FXYoAAAAIBAJ&sjid=98cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2686,6733600}}</ref><ref name=pampadailynews>{{cite news|title=Accessible through database |newspaper=Pampa Daily News |date=August 1, 1949 |accessdate=2013-11-14 |pages=10 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/5815083/}}</ref> Smithwick was found guilty of murder with malice and sentenced to life in prison.<ref name=texashandbook>{{cite web|first=Alicia |last=Salinas |title=Alice, Texas |work=Handbook of Texas Online |publisher=Texas State Historical Association |date=|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hea01 |accessdate=2013-01-12}}</ref><ref name=ba1>{{cite web|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth133656/m1/1/ |title=Breckenridge American (Breckenridge, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 22, Ed. 1 Wednesday, January 25, 1950, Sequence: 1 &#124; The Portal to Texas History |publisher=Texashistory.unt.edu |date=1950-01-25 |accessdate=2013-11-14}}</ref> The story was that Smithwick committed suicide in his cell, but it is probable that he was murdered to keep him from speaking with Former Texas governor [[Coke Stevenson]], who had arranged to meet the prisoner on the day that the "suicide" took place. Smithwick, an associate of Duval County boss George Parr, had been the deputy who produced the famous "ballot box 13" that swayed the 1948 Texas Democratic Senatorial primary to Lyndon Johnson. Stevenson was travelling to meet Smithwick in an attempt to get to the truth of the matter. Johnson had trailed after the votes were tabulated by about 200 votes statewide, and the "found" ballot box contained enough votes to turn the election around. The new "votes", all for Johnson, had been "cast" in alphabetical order, with each signed by the same pen in the same handwriting. For sources, see Robert Caro's THE YEARS OF LYNDON JOHNSON.
===Suicide in prison===

{{external media
⚫
==Impact==
| float = right
⚫
After Smithwick's death, rumors surfaced that the "suicide" was murder, but Johnson waved aside the story and denied any knowledge of the events. The CBS television show did an episode on the events, including the killing of Bill Mason, entitled THE DUKE OF DUVAL after Parr died in 1975. In 1964, the Goldwater campaign printed copies of a book A TEXAN LOOKS AT LYNDON by J. Evetts Haly, which detailed the events of the Mason murder and Parr's connections to LBJ.
| width = 258px

| topic = via [[Substack]] Texas To The World newsletter
| image1 = [https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Frp.liu233w.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28c2870e-af3b-4906-9cde-49bd978f9fa1_2400x3103.jpeg Copy of letter Smithwick wrote to former Texas governor Coke Stevenson]
}}
On April 15, 1952, Smithwick committed suicide by hanging himself in his cell at the Huntsville state penitentiary.<ref name="lubbock 1952"/> Two Texas Rangers who investigated his suicide, said in their opinion, that in the "last few days of Smithwick's lifetime, he had become mentally ill".<ref name="lubbock 1952"/> While in prison, Smithwick had written a letter to former Texas governor [[Coke Stevenson]], alleging that he knew the whereabouts of a [[Box 13 scandal|stolen precinct 13 polling box]] which Stevenson had maintained cost him the [[1948 United States Senate election in Texas|1948 United States senatorial election]].<ref name="austin 1952"/> [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] had narrowly defeated Stevenson by eighty-seven votes.<ref name="austin 1952"/> Johnson biographer [[Robert Caro]] made the case in his 1990 book that Johnson had stolen the election in Jim Wells County.<ref name="caro 2011"/> Smithwick's son told a [[Houston Press (Scripps Howard)|Houston Texas newspaper]] in 1952, that he believed his father was killed because "he knew too much" about a disputed election.<ref name="mexia 1952"/> His son alleged that his father "knew things that went on in Jim Wells county and Duval county".<ref name="mexia 1952"/> Around the same time, a journalist for the ''[[Houston Press (Scripps Howard)|Houston Press]]'' reported there were "strange physical circumstances" surrounding Smithwick's death.<ref name="mexia 1952"/>
⚫
<!-- unsourced==Impact==
⚫
After Smithwick's death, rumors surfaced that the "suicide" was murder, but Johnson waved aside the story and denied any knowledge of the events. The CBS television show did an episode on the events, including the killing of Bill Mason, entitled THE DUKE OF DUVAL after Parr died in 1975. In 1964, the Goldwater campaign printed copies of a book A TEXAN LOOKS AT LYNDON by J. Evetts Haly, which detailed the events of the Mason murder and Parr's connections to LBJ. -->
==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Journalism|Texas}}
{{Portal|Journalism|Texas}}
* [[List of journalists killed in the United States]]
* [[List of journalists killed in the United States]]
{{clear}}

== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
{{Reflist}}
<ref name="arh1">{{cite news|title=KBKI staffer shot |publisher=[[Broadcasting (magazine)|Broadcasting]] |date=August 1, 1949 |accessdate=2013-11-14|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1949/1949-08-01-BC.pdf#page=66 |page=82 |editor=King, Art}}</ref>

<ref name="peele">{{cite news|first=Thomas |last=Peele |title=Death stalks some reporters working their beats in U.S.|url=http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/08/death_stalks_some_reporters_wo.html |publisher=Plain Dealer |date=2012-08-01|accessdate=2013-01-12}}</ref>

<ref name="sanmateo">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/38908945/ |title=Feeling runs high over Mason shooting |newspaper=The Times |date=July 30, 1949 |accessdate=2013-11-14 |pages=3}}</ref>

<ref name="sarasota">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GB8hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=p2QEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2698,2953697&dq=southwick+alice+mason&hl=en |title=Dime a dance place is shot up after slaying |publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=1949-07-31 |accessdate=2013-01-12}}</ref>

<ref name="arh2">{{cite news|title=KBKI crusade |publisher=[[Broadcasting (magazine)|Broadcasting]]|editor=King, Art |date=August 8, 1949 |accessdate=2013-11-14 |url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1949/1949-08-08-BC.pdf#page=29|page=29}}</ref>
<ref name="fort worth">{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Raiders Riddle Dance Hall After Radioman's Killing |work=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]] |date=July 31, 1949 |pages=1; 8}}</ref>

<ref name="prescott">{{cite news|title=Slayer of radio reporter hangs self in prison cell |newspaper=Prescott Evening Courier |date=April 16, 1952 |accessdate=2013-11-14 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=897&dat=19520416&id=C7JaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CFADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6413,4578483}}</ref>

<ref name="victoria">{{cite news|title=New trial is sought for Smithwick by attorneys |newspaper=Victoria Advocate |date=January 26, 1950 |accessdate=2013-11-14 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19500124&id=ZiJIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6IAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6998,1644061}}</ref>

<ref name="abilene 1952">{{cite news |title=Sam Smithwick Hangs Self In Prison Cell |work=Abilene Reporter-News |agency=United Press |date=April 16, 1952 |page=1}}</ref>

<ref name="texashandbook">{{cite web|first=Alicia |last=Salinas |title=Alice, Texas |work=Handbook of Texas Online |publisher=Texas State Historical Association |date=|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hea01 |accessdate=2013-01-12}}</ref>

<ref name="portaltxhistory">{{cite web|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth133656/m1/1/ |title=Breckenridge American (Breckenridge, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 22, Ed. 1 Wednesday, January 25, 1950, Sequence: 1 &#124; The Portal to Texas History |publisher=Texashistory.unt.edu |date=1950-01-25 |accessdate=2013-11-14}}</ref>

<ref name="caller times">{{cite news |author1=Caller-Times News Service |title=Smithwick Examining Trial Will Resume Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-caller-times-smithwick/156576338/ |work=Corpus Christi Caller-Times |volume=67 |issue=109 |date=August 4, 1949 |page=1}}</ref>

<ref name="caro 2011">{{cite book |last=Caro |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Caro |title=The Years of Lyndon Johnson: Means of Ascent |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K7YEteQuN3IC&pg=PA399 |pages=398-400 |publisher=Alfred A. Knopf |year=1990 |isbn=978-0394528359}}</ref>

<ref name="gouldy 1950">{{cite news |last1=Gouldy |first1=Mabel |title=He Cursed Me, I Shot Him, Smithwick Says |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=January 24, 1950 |page=1}}</ref>

<ref name="lubbock 1952">{{cite news |last1=Allee |first1=Alfred |last2=Peoples |first2=Clinton |title=Smithwick Mentally Ill At Time of Death, Investigators Say |work=Lubbock Morning Avalanche |date=July 8, 1952 |page=13}}</ref>

<ref name="austin 1952">{{cite news |title=Rangers Find Sam Smitwick Took Own Life |work=[[Austin American-Statesman]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=July 7, 1952 |page=8}}</ref>

<ref name="mexia 1952">{{cite news |title=Son Of Murderer Believes Father Killed In Prison |work=The Mexia Daily News |agency=[[United Press]] |issue=126 |date=May 27, 1952}}</ref>
}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==

Revision as of 19:47, 5 October 2024

Bill Mason
File:Bill Mason.jpg
Associated Press wirephoto of Mason
Born
William Haywood Mason

ca. 1897
DiedJuly 29, 1949 (Age 51)
Alice, Texas
Cause of deathGun shot
Other namesBill Mason
Occupations
  • Radio journalist
  • Newspaper journalist
Years active1919 – 1949
EmployerKBKI Radio
ChildrenBurton Mason

William Haywood "Bill" Mason (ca. 1897-July 29, 1949) was a radio journalist for KBKI in Alice, Texas. He was shot dead by the town's deputy sheriff Sam Smithwick in 1949.[1][2]

Murder

Bill Mason, a radio journalist for KBKI in Alice, Texas, said on air before he was killed that he had been threatened. He responded on his program by being more vocal in his criticism of prostitution at Rancho Alegro, a dance hall that Mason had accused deputy sheriff Sam Smithwick of owning.[3][4] On the day of the shooting, Mason had drove to the southwestern portion of Alice to investigate a report of "poor streets" he had received.[4] Mason was heading in one direction, and Smithwick, in a red pickup, was coming towards him. When the vehicles met, Mason stopped his car and Smithwick got out of his truck and approached the car, asking him "are you Bill Mason", and then shot him.[4] The bullet hit Mason near his heart.[5] Avelino Saenz, who was sitting in the car with Mason when he was shot, identified Smithwick as the shooter.[6]

Reactions

The murder of Mason upset the community, and an attorney argued that Smithwick should not seek bail for his safety.[7] The newspapers reported that Smithwick might be moved as tensions were raised the day after the murder by a shooting at a dance hall.[8]

Victim

Bill Mason started his journalism career as a newspaper reporter. He reported in Minnesota and then went on to be a journalist for the New York Times and the San Francisco Examiner.[3] While living in California, he worked as an investigator for governor of California Earl Warren, when he was district attorney for Alameda county.[4] He also worked as the public relations director for the General Tire & Rubber Company, and from 1938 to 1940, he worked for D. P. Brother Advertising Agency and for General Motors.[4] He moved to Alice in 1947 and became managing editor of the Alice Echo, and in December 1948, he became the program director for KBKI radio. His radio show was broadcast daily at noon, and was titled "Bill Mason Speaks".[4]

In the closing arguments phase of his murder trial, the prosecutor attorney, James K. Evetts, said, "He had the nerve to tell the truth for a lot of little people."[5][9] Mason's tombstone reads the quote given by the prosecutor.[2]

Perpetrator

External image
via Corpus Christi Caller-Times
image icon Mason murder hearing, August 3, 1949. Smithwick to the left, sitting at end of table.

Sam Smithwick had been a Texas deputy sheriff in Jim Wells county for 24 years.[10] At his trial, Smithwick testified that he heard Mason's radio program the day before, and he gone to Alice to retrieve some tools from his home. When he saw Mason's car driving down his street, he approached the car and decided to talk to him, asking him; "Are you Mr. Mason"? According to Smithwick, Mason replied "yes, what in the hell do you want"?. Smithwick told the reporter he wanted him to take his name off the radio, and Mason responded by cursing him and calling him a Mexican. Smithwick further testified that Mason's hands were "around his pockets", and again referred to him being cursed at, and ultimately pulled his gun out, shooting Mason he claimed in self-defense.[11] Smithwick was found guilty of murder with malice and sentenced to life in prison.[12][13]

Suicide in prison

External image
via Substack Texas To The World newsletter
image icon Copy of letter Smithwick wrote to former Texas governor Coke Stevenson

On April 15, 1952, Smithwick committed suicide by hanging himself in his cell at the Huntsville state penitentiary.[14] Two Texas Rangers who investigated his suicide, said in their opinion, that in the "last few days of Smithwick's lifetime, he had become mentally ill".[14] While in prison, Smithwick had written a letter to former Texas governor Coke Stevenson, alleging that he knew the whereabouts of a stolen precinct 13 polling box which Stevenson had maintained cost him the 1948 United States senatorial election.[15] Lyndon B. Johnson had narrowly defeated Stevenson by eighty-seven votes.[15] Johnson biographer Robert Caro made the case in his 1990 book that Johnson had stolen the election in Jim Wells County.[16] Smithwick's son told a Houston Texas newspaper in 1952, that he believed his father was killed because "he knew too much" about a disputed election.[17] His son alleged that his father "knew things that went on in Jim Wells county and Duval county".[17] Around the same time, a journalist for the Houston Press reported there were "strange physical circumstances" surrounding Smithwick's death.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ King, Art, ed. (August 1, 1949). "KBKI staffer shot" (PDF). Broadcasting. p. 82. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Peele, Thomas (August 1, 2012). "Death stalks some reporters working their beats in U.S." Plain Dealer. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  3. ^ a b King, Art, ed. (August 8, 1949). "KBKI crusade" (PDF). Broadcasting. p. 29. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Raiders Riddle Dance Hall After Radioman's Killing". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Associated Press. July 31, 1949. pp. 1, 8.
  5. ^ a b "Slayer of radio reporter hangs self in prison cell". Prescott Evening Courier. April 16, 1952. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  6. ^ Caller-Times News Service (August 4, 1949). "Smithwick Examining Trial Will Resume Today". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Vol. 67, no. 109. p. 1.
  7. ^ "Feeling runs high over Mason shooting". The Times. July 30, 1949. p. 3. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  8. ^ "Dime a dance place is shot up after slaying". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. July 31, 1949. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  9. ^ "New trial is sought for Smithwick by attorneys". Victoria Advocate. January 26, 1950. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  10. ^ "Sam Smithwick Hangs Self In Prison Cell". Abilene Reporter-News. United Press. April 16, 1952. p. 1.
  11. ^ Gouldy, Mabel (January 24, 1950). "He Cursed Me, I Shot Him, Smithwick Says". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 1.
  12. ^ Salinas, Alicia. "Alice, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  13. ^ "Breckenridge American (Breckenridge, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 22, Ed. 1 Wednesday, January 25, 1950, Sequence: 1 | The Portal to Texas History". Texashistory.unt.edu. January 25, 1950. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  14. ^ a b Allee, Alfred; Peoples, Clinton (July 8, 1952). "Smithwick Mentally Ill At Time of Death, Investigators Say". Lubbock Morning Avalanche. p. 13.
  15. ^ a b "Rangers Find Sam Smitwick Took Own Life". Austin American-Statesman. Associated Press. July 7, 1952. p. 8.
  16. ^ Caro, Robert (1990). The Years of Lyndon Johnson: Means of Ascent. Alfred A. Knopf. pp. 398–400. ISBN 978-0394528359.
  17. ^ a b c "Son Of Murderer Believes Father Killed In Prison". The Mexia Daily News. No. 126. United Press. May 27, 1952.

Further reading

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