Cherokee County, Texas
HARRY FLOYD HOOKER KILLED
Murder in Jacksonville
Harry Floyd Hooker Killed
By Karen L. Hendrix
Ever since I was a tiny girl I have been hearing the family story about my great grandfather, Harry Floyd Hooker, and his fate with a lone gun man on the tracks of the Cotton Belt Railroad in Jacksonville, Texas 1913. A few years ago, a monument commemorating Cherokee County peace officers killed in the line of duty, was placed in front of the Cherokee County Courthouse located in Rusk, Texas. My great grandfather was one of those heroes honored. Recently, my Uncle Bobby Hooker gave me a copy of a newspaper article that originally appeared in The Cherokee County Banner and reprinted in The Kemp News shortly after the murder. This article, along with additional oral family history, confirms for me that the memories passed down to me from generations before were indeed factual and true. Below is article as it appeared in the Kemp newspaper in June 1913.
One of the most dastardly crimes ever committed in Jacksonville occurred at 3:45 Tuesday morning, when Night Watchman H. F. Hooker was shot and instantly killed by an unknown man, who made his escape and has not yet been captured.
Hooker had been notified that a drunk man had been robbed here during the night by a stranger, who had started out of town by way of the Cotton Belt track and was on the lookout for the robber when he was killed. He boarded a freight train which was "doubling" the hill north of town, and when near the Kickapoo Street crossing a man was sighted, standing by the track for the train to pass. The train was stopped, Hooker walked back to the man, and the trainmen heard him ask the stranger to let him see what he had in a bundle he was carrying. He was answered by a pistol shot, the stranger immediately turning and running north up the railroad. When the trainmen reached Hooker he was lying in the center of the track, opposite M. H. Fite's residence, and was dying. "He Got Me" was all that he could say, before he died. A bullet hole was found in the left breast, slightly above the heart. Hooker's pistol was lying on the track by his body, showing that he had seen the stranger draw his gun and had attempted to shoot, but was too late. He was lying on his back, with one foot across the rail. The murderer was standing by the side of the track when the fatal shot was fired, and the two men were seen together.
The train men called for assistance, but by the time anyone could help, Hooker was already dead and the stranger had disappeared. Others came shortly after, including Justice of the Peace Latimore, who held an inquest. The body was removed to the undertaker's and prepared for burial, being taken to Kemp, deceased's former home.
The sheriff at Rusk was notified and came through in an auto with the prison dogs, arriving here at 6:30. An all day search of the woods north of town followed, many citizens providing themselves with shotguns and joining in the chase, but the search proved futile, as no definite trace of the man could be found. Officers are still looking for the murderer, but it is feared that he has made good his escape by this time. The trainmen who saw him think they would be able to identify the man if caught. It is reported that another man was seen in the vacinity of the murder shortly before the shooting, and an arrest was made here Tuesday of a young man employed on the sewer work, but he was soon released, no evidence being found against him.
There are many theories as to the motive of the murderer, but it is generally believed that the crime was committed by a desperate character who is wanted for some serious crime elsewhere, and that he shot the officer to avoid being arrested, fearing identification and punishment for other crimes. It seems hardly probable that the man had any grudge against Hooker, and no doubt was a perfect stranger to him.
Mr. Hooker was made night watchman last year, and had proven a splendid officer, being quiet, cool, sober and attentive to his duties. It is generally conceded that he filled the position very efficiently, and no complaint was ever registered against him. He was 31 years of age, and is survived by a wife, Betty Pearl Ward Hooker, and two little ones, Floyd Dante and Hollis Hooker. As an evidence of appreciation and sympathy, citizens of Jacksonville contributed liberally to a fund for the benefit of Mrs. Hooker, the amount reaching $250.
It is needless to say that the town was shocked beyond measure at this dastardly crime, and it is the earnest desire that the murderer be brought to justice. We believe that the Mayor should have offered a substantial reward for the arrest and conviction of the murderer, and no doubt the Governor could have been induced to offer double the amount named by the town. This should have been done on Tuesday, but no action was taken until Wednesday night, when the council met on other business, and a resolution was passed providing for a reward of $100 for the murderer. Prompt action is necessary in a case of this kind, and the reward should have been offered while the trail of the criminal was fresh. Cherokee County Banner, Jacksonville."
Oral family history says that our grandfather's killer was involved in a bank robbery somewhere north of Houston a year later, and was shot and killed by law enforcement officers. Before he died, the robber confessed to murdering Officer Hooker the previous year in Jacksonville, Texas.