Albert married Living. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Ernest Stapp is described as man of dark curly hair that was usually covered by a straw hat, dark complection, and blue eyes. He stood about 6 feet tall and had a slim figure. Throughout his life, Ernest had a speech impediment, in which he stuttered.

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In the April 1946 Term of Chancery Court, First District, Yalobusha County, Ernest put in for divorce from wife Robbie. In court, Robbie then pressed for a cross bill against Ernest for failure of support and in doing so, requested alimony pendente lite, alimony permanent , and solicitors fees. On 15 October, 1949, V. D. Rowe, Chancellor of First District, Yalobusha found Ernest "in contempt of court on having failed to show for such comtempt; it is ordered, adjudged, and decreed that the said Ernest Stapp be committed to the court jail of Yalobusha County, Mississippi to there be confined and held until he will lose purgered himself of such comtempt of court."

Source: Chancery Court Docket Case #4044, First District, Yalobusha County, Mississippi
It is believed that Ernest was not detained in the Yalobusha County jail, but rather that he and wife Robbie made amends and alimony was dropped.

Aaron married Living [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Although there are no known existing photos of Aaron Thomas "Tommie, A.T." Family members have stated that he was a handsome man with dark, curly hair and was dark complected. He usually wore a mustache, which was popular in his day. He must have been intelligent due to the fact that he was an supervisor of roads for his district in Quitman County, Mississippi. In January 1904, Tommie was on his way to a county meeting, when he was stranded in a storm, on horseback. He finally made his way to a local Inn on the road, and later that night he developed "double pneumonia" and died the next day. He was buried in Belen Cemetary with a Woodsman of the World marker.

Source: Christine Kelso (Smith), granddaughter of Aaron Thomas Stapp

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From research in the Quitman County Courthouse, records have provided that Aaron Thomas Stapp was elected as a supervisor and commissioner for Beat 3 and part of Beat 5. A.T. served this role until his untimely death in which a special election was held to fill his position. Land records show that he owned a considerable tract of land in Quitman County and was definitely one of the richest men in the county at that time.

Source: Board of Supervisors Minutes; Book C, and Index to Land Deeds

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QUITMAN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES BOOK A

page 292, December 1887
Beat #4, A.T. Stapp, clerk in the sum of $1.00.

page 315, August 1888
...reviewing said road to wit: Gus Sleitz, Tom Stapp, Jim Crawford, Pack Harris, Jim Brooks.

page 333, December 1888
Ordered that the report of Gus Sleitz, A.T. Stapp, J.T. Crawford, Pack Harris, J.B. Brooks, & B.B. Burlison, Commioners appointed to review and lay out a public road commencing at Joseph Hatche's place.

page 438, November 1890
Ordered that the following officers in the election of 1890 be allowed as follows one dollar each: Beat #4, A.T. Stapp, Clerk.


QUITMAN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES BOOK B

page 163, April 1894
Tom Stapp appointed as Baliff.

page 234, Year of 1895
A.T. Stapp appointed overseer of Road commencing Richberger Bridge ending at Marks- Wallace Place.


QUITMAN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES BOOK C

page 10, September 1899
A.T. Stapp appointed as a juror.

pages..., January 1900
A.T. Stapp elected as to board of supervisors for Beat 3, which he served until his death.

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QUITMAN COUNTY LAND DEEDS

26 September 1891.
Book I, Page 286. In consideration of $1200, G.C. Jones sold to Tom (A.T.) Stapp a certain tract of land described as follows: NW1/4 of NW1/4 of Section 6, Township 27, Range 1 West and the N1/2 of NE1/4, Section 1, Township 27, Range 2 West, containing one hundred and twenty acres lying and situated in the County of Quitman, evidenced by said Tom Stapp four certain promissary notes (equal to $1200).
(This title cancelled by agreement of both parties this April 4, 1892. G.C. Jones, A.T. Stapp)

16 February 1901.
Book O, Page 248. In consideration of two hundred dollars, L. Marks sold and quit claimed to A.T. Stapp all of my interest in and to the lease from the Board of Supervisors of said couty to Ben Pittman to Lots 8 & 9 in Sec 16, town 28, Range 1 west.

16 February 1901.
Book O, Page 249. In consideration of 4 promissary notes equalling $200, A.T. Stapp does hereby convey and warrant unto said L. Marks the certain lease from the Board of Supervisors of said county to Ben Pittman to lots 8 & 9 in Sec. 16, township 28, range 1 west and the crops grown thereon during the years of 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904.

14 February 1902.
Book Q, Page 306. In consideration of $64.00 and of $256.00 to be payed, the payment of which is secured by a Deed of Trust herewith on the land hereinafter conveyed the Yazoo and Miss. Valley R.R. Co. does hereby convey and warrant unto Aaron T. Stapp the following described lands situated in the County of Quitman: NE1/4 of SW1/4, Section 9, Township 28, Range 1 West, containing 40 acres more or less. There is reserved from this conveyance a right of way one hundred feet in width, measured fifty feet on each side of the center line of the track of the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R.R. Company, as now located through any part of the above described land.

April 1902.
Book Q, Page 310. In consideration of the indeptedness of $256 due by me to the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad Company, I do hereby warrant unto Edward P Skene, trustee, the following described land, situated in the County of Quitman, State of Mississippi: NE1/4 of SW1/4 of Section..."Satisfied and cancelled Feby 8, 1910. See Book Y, Page 444 for Authority."

5 July 1902
Book R, Page 54. Deed of Trust, whereas A.T. Stapp is indebted to W.T. Covington in the sum of $158.23, and in consideration of $10 payed to him (A.T. Stapp) by W.V. Turner, Trustee, does hereby bargain, sell, assign, set over and convey to the said Turstee the following property: Lot 5, Section 14, Township 28, Range 1 West. In trust, however, that if said A.T. Stapp shall on or before the first day of January, 1903, pay what may be due said W.T. Covington for money advanced, and supplies and merchandise sold and delivered him as aforesaid, then the Deed of Trust will be void.

9 July 1902
Book R, Page 54. In consideration of $208.23, fifty dollars of which has been paid and $158.23 evidenced by the promissory note of A.T. Stapp due and payable, I convey and warrant specially to A.T. Stapp, the land described as Lot 5, of Section 14, Township 28, Range 1 West, situated in Quitman County, Mississippi.

25 July 1902.
Book R, Page 94. For the purpose of securing the prompt payment when due of our four certain promissory notes herewith payable to L. Marks, totalling $210, we, A.T. & S.E. Stapp convey and warrant unto said L. Marks, Lots 8 & 9 in Section 16, Township 28, Range 1 West. "THis is to authorize you to cancel and mark satisfied a Deed of Trust in my favor and executed by A.T. and S.E. Stapp April 14, 1902, and of record in Book R at page 94, as the indebtedness therein mentioned has been fully paid. (signed) L. Mark"

7 May 1902.
Book R, Page 108. This day came the petition of S.E. Stapp to lease lots 8 & 9 in Section 16-T.28-R-1-W., in Quitman County for a term of 7 years in consideration of the improvements hereinafter set forth and for a further term of 15 years in comsideration of an annueal rental of $150.00 And it appearing to the satisfaction of the board that the trustees of Township 28-R-1-W in said County gave notice of a meeting to be held by the heads of families of said Township called the same by givng notice that siad meeting would be held at Riverside Schoolhouse 29 March 1902, and that day the heads of families of said township voted that the said section 16 should be leased for a term of more than one year and said vote is recorded in the minutes of this board. Now therefor it is ordered that said Lots 8 & 9 in said section 16 should be leased to Mrs. S.E. Stapp for a term of 7 years commencing on Jan 1, 1903 and ending 31 Dec 1909 in consideration that she put 60 acres of said land in a good state of cul

25 September 1902.
Book R, Page 242. Deed of Trust; In consideration of the indebtedness of $384.00, due by me, A.T. Stapp, to the Yazoo and Miss. Valley R.R. Company, which is for the purchase money of the realty herein described and evidenced by my six promissory notes, I do hereby convey and warrant unto Edward P. Skene, Trustee, the following described land: SE1/4 of SW1/4 and SW1/4 of SE1/4 of Section 9, Township 28, Range 1 West. This conveyance is made in trust to secure the payment of the aforesaid notes, and if the same are romply paid at maturity, then this conveyance is to be void. "Cancelled. See Book Y, Page 50."

5 October 1903.
Book T, Page 50. In consideration of sixty four dollars, cash in hand paid, and two hundred and fifty six dollars to be paid to Joseph F. Titus and Franklin Fairman, Trustees, the payment of which is secured by a deed of trust of even date herewith. The Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad Company does hereby convey and warrant unto Aaron T. Stapp the following lands in Quitman County: Lot #8 of section 15, township 28, Range 1 west; containing 40 acres more or less.

5 October 1903.
Book T, Page 52. In consideration of the indebtedness of $256.00 due by the undersigned A.T. Stapp, to Joseph F. Titus and Franklin Fairman, trustees, I, A.T. Stapp, hereby convey and warrant unto Edward P. Skene, Trustee the following described land: Lot 8, Section 15, Township 28, Range 1 West. it is also to be taken and understood as a strict condition of this agreement and as limiting and controlling the rights of the grantor that no timber standing on the above premises shall be cut or removed, execpting suah as may be necessary for and actually used in the erection of houses, sheds, and fences, or for the necessary fuel for the use of the grantor or his family until full payment has been made of the money hereby secured. This conveyance is made in trust to secure the payment of the aforesaid notes, and if the same are promply paid at maturity, then this conveyance is to be void.

11 July 1903
Book T, Page 179. In consideration of $950 dollars, A.T. Stapp and wife hereby convey and warrant unto W.T. Covington, the land in Quitman County, described as Lot 5, Section 14, Township 28, Range 1 West.

20 January 1904.
Book T, Page 225. In consideration of $300.00 cash in hand paid to us, and in further consideration of the agreement of I.C. Denton to pay off and discharge our indebtedness to the Y & M Valley R.R. Co. for the balance of the purchase money to be paid to us on the following described land; we, A.T. Stapp and his wife S.E. Stapp, hereby convey and warrant to I.C. Denton the land described as SE1/4 of SW1/4 and the SW1/4 of SE1/4 and NE1/4 of SW1/4, all in Section 9, Township 28, Range 1 West in Quitman County and containing 120 acres, more or less.

2 May 1904
Book T, Page 494. In consideration of $545.00, I, W.T. Covington convey and forever quit claim unto Mrs. S.E. Stapp the land described as Lot 5, in section 14, Township 28, Range 1 West situated in Quitman County, Mississippi.

16 November 1908.
Book Y, Page 50. The purchase money agreed to be paid by Aaron T. Stapp having been paid in full for the following described tracts or parcels of land in Quitman County, Mississippi: SE1/4 of SW1/4 and SW1/4 of SE1/4 of Section 9, Township 28, Range 1 west, as evidenced by Deed of Trust, No. 5410, dated Sept. 25, 1902, I hereby release said lands from any and all liens. Original Deed of Trust is recorded in book R, Page 242.



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THE QUITMAN QUILL, BELEN, QUITMAN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, JANUARY 22, 1904

Died.
Mr. A.T. Stapp, of pneumonia at his residence in Tudor, on the 21st inst. between four and six o'clock. He was Supervisor for the next four years for Beat 3. He leaves a wife, and several children and a hose of friends. The Quill sincerely sympathizes with the family and relatives.

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Mrs S.E. Stapp, Administrator(rix) of the Estate of A.T. Stapp, Deceased
Feby 24, 1904
Petition for Letters of Administration filed, bond filed with T.J. Williams and H.C. Green, surities., Warrant of appraisement issued to Charles Waddill, A.B. Sims, and J.B. Austin to appraise the estate of A.T. Stapp, deceased.

Aaron married MULLINS Susan Elizabeth on 9 Jun 1888 in Quitman County, Mississippi. Susan (daughter of MULLINS James M. and GATTIS Tranquilla Susan Elizabeth J) was born on 27 May 1861 in Mississippi; died on 14 Feb 1913 in Hinchcliffe, Quitman County, Mississippi; was buried in Feb 1913 in Hinchcliffe Cemetery, Hinchcliffe, Quitman County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Susan "Elizabeth" was buried in Hincliffe Cemetary because weather and high water would not allow her body to be taken to Belen Cemetary where her husband, Aaron Thomas Stapp was buried.

Source: Christine Kelso (Smith), granddaughter of Susan Elizabeth Mullins (Stapp)

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Register of Claims against the esate of S.E. Stapp, diceased.

Name Type Amount Date
G.N. Eubanks M.D. Account $16.50 March 17, 1913

Source: Register of Claims of Diseased book, Quitman County Courthouse

Notes:

Family legend has it that while Robert and his family were living in Quanah, Hardeman County, Texas, a local youth tried stealing watermelons from their garden. Robert got his gun and shot at the car as it was making its escape. The shot fatally wounded the youth and Robert was apprehended. In the end, he was cleared of murder and allowed as a free man, but lost the family ranch in the process. On the way out of the courthouse, he and the rest of his family were shot at by family of the now diseased youth. Lillie Ann James (Doty), wife of Robert Fulton Doty, was pregnant with Mary Ellen Cathline Doty at the time (circa early 1925) and was wearing a black coat with a fur liner. The shot was said to have put holes in this coat and in later years Lillie showed it to her grandchildren.


QUANAH TRIBUNE CHIEF Tuesday August 19, 1924

Young Fellow Killed While on Escapade
Three Acme Boyes Rob Watermelon Patch with Fatal Results to L.C. Hilton

Robbing a watermelon patch Thursday night, cost the life of L.C. Hilton, 23 years, from Acme. It was shortly after one o'clock Friday morning when R.F. Doty, twelve miles northwest of Quanah, heard intruders about his house. His watermelon patch had been pilfered before, and Doty went out carrying with him a thirty-thirty rifle.
The visitors were three boys from Acme, who had just loaded their car with Doty's melons, and hearing him coming stepped on the gas to start for home.
Doty fired, it is said intending to puncture a tire, but the bullet hit the body of the car, and struck young Hilton in the back.
The boys in front speeded up, and had gone several miles before they discovered that Hilton had fallen out of the car. They unloaded their melons, and went back finding their companion dead in the road a couple of miles from where they had halted.
Doty was arraigned on a charge of murder before Justice of Peace Grundy Friday morning. No witnesses being present, the hearing of the case was set for Monday morning at 10 o'clock. Squire Grundy set Doty's bond at $10,000, but motion of County Attorney Bartlett who stated that Doty was a poor man, owning no property of any kind save two cows, this bond was reduced to $5,000.
Doty stands well in his community, and looks like a clean, self-respecting man. He was accompanied to the court room by his wife and eighteen-year-old son.
The auto which figured in the tragedy was brought to town Friday morning, and the town coroner man noticed where one bullet had struck the body of the car, passing through the back. We heard the bullet had broke his backbone probably killing him instantly.
Mrs. Doty told the following: "It was about two o'clock in the morning when I woke up by an auto stepping near the house. I looked out and saw they were putting out their lights. My husband and son left the house carrying a 30-30 rifle, and slipped through the corn towards the melon patch.
When drawing near they saw three men loading up their car with melons, and Mr. Doty hollered at them. They jumped in the car and started away, my husband shooting three times trying to puncture a tire. He came back to the house saying he believed he had hit that car, and we went back to bed until woke up by the sheriff who told us that a man had been killed."
Carter Hilton, we were told, was a fine boy, hard working and the main support of his parents. He has been working at the cement mills for the past five years, and no boy was better liked or more thought of. At the time of the shooting he was in the car with Lee Skinner and Clarence Lockhart. When the second shot was fired, they heard him say: "Drive fast, boys, I'm shot." They were excited and had gone for two miles before they noticed that Hilton had fallen out of the car. Even after they had returned to Acme with the body, it took them some time to realize that their friend was dead.
The witnesses having come to town, the examining trial was held that afternoon, and it was learned that three boys had left Acme about nine o'clock, and had examined three cotton patches looking for melons, before coming to Doty's place. They had already four melons in the car, and were loading four more, when interrupted by the farmer.
Sheriff Aiken who examined the place of the shooting testified that after Hilton fell out of the car, his body was dragged for over one hundred yards, which might had contributed to his death.
Doty's bond was reduced to $3,000, which he readily gave, to await the action of the grand jury in October.


Research in the Hardeman County Courthouse for court records on the trial showed little evidence:

October 9, 1924
"We the grand jury empanelled for the October term here with tender eight felony indictments & one misdemeanor" (No names or charges given)


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WW1 Draft Registration Cards, Hardeman County, Texas, 1918

Doughty, Robert Fulton
Address: RFD #2, Quanah, Hardeman Co., Texas
Age: 36 Date of Birth: March 8, 1882
Race: White
Present Occupation: Laborer Employer: Porter Bros.
Place of Employment: Army Supply Base, Norfolk, VA
Nearest Relative: Mrs. Lillie Doughty RFD #2, Quanah, Hardeman Co, Texas
Height: Short Build: Slender
Color of Eyes: Gray Color of Hair: Light Brown
Has person lost arm, leg, hand, eye or is he obviously physically disqualified? No
(On the bottom there are two stamps, Local Board for Norfolk, VA and Local Board for Hardeman Co., Texas)

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"And is the judgment that Mr. Fulton Doty, taken into custody 29th July, 1965, is not suffering from a mental or nervous condition or disorder and is diagnosed: Chronic brain syndrome associated with Cerebral Artenosclerosis with behavioral reaction and shall be discharged from this institution, 25 Oct 1966, East Mississippi State Hospital at Meridian."

Source: Panola County Courthouse, Case #6230, Docket J, page 95

Robert married JAMES Lillie Ann on 14 Feb 1904 in Oxford, Lafayette County, Mississippi. Lillie (daughter of JAMES Henry Richard and MCGONAGILL Mary Ellen) was born on 5 Jun 1882 in Oxford, Lafayette County, Mississippi; died on 15 Dec 1965 in Selma, Kern County, California; was buried in Dec 1965 in North Selma Cemetery, Selma, Kern County, California. [Group Sheet]