The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1900-10-19
Prof. ]. G. Godfrey, a For
mer School Teacher,
KILLED BY FARMER JOHN THOMAS.
The Killing Took Place in the Con-
cord Nelghborhood Wednesday
Morning Result of Long-Stand-
ing Ill-Feeling.

Four shots fired In quick succession,
one man lying upon the ground mortally
wounded, and another standing nearby
with smoking revolver in his hand
this tells the story, in outline, of de-
plorable tragedy which disturbed the
auietude of the Concord neighborhood
about o'clock Wednesday morning.
Prof. J. G. Godfrey, an ex-school
teacher Of this county, is the dead man,
and John Thomas, farmer OF the Con
cord neighborhood, is under arrest
charged with his murder. The scene OF
the tradgedy was on a farm rented by
Thomas, located next to Mr.. Russell
Estes place, about 51a miles from Co
lumbia on the Williamsport road. The
details of the affair, as nearly as could
be obtained, are as follows:
Circumstances Leading to Killing.
The killing, it appears from facts OBJ
taired from reliable sources, is the in
direct result of real estate transaction
between Thomas and Mr.. and Mrs. God
frey. j. B. H. Fly, the first husband Of
Mrs. Godfrey. in his will bequeathed
about cit acres of land lying in the Con-
cord neighborhood to his wife and two
children-the will specifying that ninety
acres should go to each of the children
and the remainder to his wife. In July,
1899, Prof. Godfrey and Mrs. Fly were
united in marriage, and the County
Court appointed them guardians of the
two children.
Godfrey and his wife, as guardians,
filed a. bill in the Chancery Court asking
| for a settlement of the estate. After a
settlement had been effected, the guar
dams then asked that the lines be drawn
through the land and divisions made
according to the provisions of the will.
The lines, however, had not been ac-
curately set forth by the will, and
several days ago the Chancellor ordered
that the county surveyor should lay of
the land. In pursuance with this order,
the County Surveyor, w. B. Wood,
went out to the place Wednesday morn
ing, being accompanied by Prof. God
frey.
For about two years past Thomas has
occupied portion of the place as tenant
having leased it, prior to Godfrey 8 mar
riage to Mrs. Fly, for term of three
years. After Godfrey's marriage an i'll
feeling sprung up between him and
Thomas, presumably over some blu -iness
transaction in connection with the
rental of the property. Some time
since, so the story goes, Thomas TOLD
Godfrey that he did not want him tc
come on the place again while he was
there, and threatened to kill him If he
did so.
The Killing.
Wednesday morning when Godfrey and
the county surveyor, accompanied by
Messrs. George Howell and Lee Harlan
went on the place to survey it, they were
met in a field by thomas. Reports diff
fer as to just what took place then
The men, it is said, had few words
when Thomas pulled his pistol and shot
four times. The shots took effect, anC
Godfrey fell to the ground and expired
in few minutes Thomas, In CONVEX
sation with one of the officers, STATED
that Godfrey had pistol and pulled il
on him, and that he (Thomasj had tt
fire in self-defense.
Sheriff HIGHT was telephoned for, and
accompanied by Deputy SherltfS
Church and Erwin, went out to thu
scene. Thomas made no resistance Of
attempt to escape, but gave himself VI
to the officers and was brought to towr
Wednesday afternoon and placed in jail
Godfrey's remains vere taken to his
home west of Columbia. Deceased wa:
q. member of the First Methods
church of Columbia, but the funera
services were conducted at Concord
church yesterday morning at IL O'Clock
by Rev. A. P. McFerrin. Interment il
the cemetery at that place.
The unfortunate affair is deeply de
plored by the friends of the two men.