Above Submitted by
Laura Vonk
Poster-#-13-
*From the Banner Press
June 23, 1932
Charles Edward Walk
- One of the largest crowds ever gathered in that community for a funeral service was present Tuesday afternoon at the McGee Cemetery over the final rites of Charles Edward Walk, Thursday, who had met his death in a most horrible manner early Monday evening.
Mr. Walk left his home Monday morning and went to the Fred Stephens farm a distance of about three miles, where he was renting and share cropping. Following the days work, at about 800 and near dark, Mr. Walk started to his home and was riding one of his mules. The mule became frightened from some object and threw Mr. Walk to the ground with the right foot catching in the trace chain. The chain bound about the foot above the ankle and gradually tightened. The man was dragged a distance of two or three miles, with the body beaten against the ground and striking rocks and other objects. It is supposed that Mr. Walk was thrown from his mule in front of the Oliver Charles place as his hat was found at that point. Tracing of the route showed that the mule had traveled in a semicircle. After traveling until 900 o'clock the animal came to the home of Lee Dickenson and stopped in front of the gate. Mrs. Dickenson heard the animal and called her husband. On going outside and investigating, Mr. Dickenson called Mr. Stephens and the two loosened the chain and carried the body to the porch. Neighbors were called and the body taken to the Walk home. Relatives thought it advisable to call County Coroner Lamb to hold an inquest.
Examination of the body showed that the entire head had been scalped, as if with a knife or other sharp instrument. The left leg, which had been dragging against the ground was broken and crushed at the knee, and almost torn off at the hip, while the right leg was badly cut and bruised. The entire body was crushed and all ribs believed broken. The body was an entire mass of bruises. The mans clothing was completely torn off with the single exception of a small piece of the overall on the right leg. The Coroners jury found the deceased came to his death by being thrown from a mule, his foot caught in a trace and dragged on the ground for a distance of about two miles.
Charles Edward Walk, aged 49 years, 1 month and 19 days, was born in the state of Indiana, the son of Isaac and Katie Walk and had lived in the McGee community practically all of his life, where he was known and respected. He was a member of the Brights Prospect General Baptist Church. Surviving is the wife, Etta and eight children; Beulah Walk, Mrs. Mary Hefner, Milford, Winford, Thelma, Audrey, Ruby and Avery Walk. Beulah the oldest, is aged 21 years and Avery, the youngest, aged 3 years. One brother, Alonzo, Zalma, two sisters, Mrs. Bessie Cato of Zalma, Mrs. Chole Bugy of St. Louis also survive.
*From the Banner Press
June 23, 1932
Laura Vonk
Poster # 13
Above Submitted by
Laura Vonk
Poster-#-13-
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