Submitted by
Ken and Lenora
Durrett
Typed by Marie Durrett Johnson
This newspaper obituary was in a scrapbook presented to Kenny and Lenora Durrett from her grandmother, Mrs. Tommie (Lizzie) Briley. Lizzie was born 20 Dec 1883 and died on 11 Jul 1966. These obituary clippings do not have the dates; Death dates will be supplied from the Sumner County Cemetery Book by Margaret Snider and Joan Yorgason when possible.
TENANT KILLS SUMNER COUNTY LAND OWNER WITH GRUBBING
HOE DURING ALTERCATION
White House, Tenn., March 2
A grubbing hoe was turned into a murderous weapon here this afternoon by Oliver Lanchester, 22, tenant farmer who used it to kill Blonnie Baldridge, 35, farmer and landowner, in an altercation over farm problems. Lanchester, who surrendered to Magistrate Cleve Freeland at Fountain Head, declared he struck Baldridge with the grubbing hoe as the elder man advanced upon him with a hoe during their argument. After killing Baldridge, Lanchester fled, leaving the body in the field. The slaying occurred about 2:30 o'clock. Baldridge's body was found about 5 o'clock by members of his family who became alarmed when he failed to return to his home. Magistrate Freeland sent Lanchester to the Sumner County jail at Gallatin by Deputy Sheriff W. Graves. He is charged with murder. Squire Billy Wilkerson and Deputy Sheriff Hale held an inquiry tonight at the Baldridge home. Baldridge leaves a wife and two children. Lanchester is married but has no children.
Lanchester in Jail
Charged with murder
Oliver Lanchester age 22 years, a tenant on the farm of Blonnie Baldridge near White House in the 15th District, is in jail at Gallatin charged with the murder of Baldridge. It is alleged that the killing occurred Wednesday afternoon, March 2nd, in a field where the two men were grubbing. The trouble, it is said arose over a supply bill. A controversy over it occurred during the morning, it is said and was renewed in the afternoon with fatal results. Following the tragedy, Lanchester surrendered to Magistrate G. C. Freeland at Fountain Head, claiming self-defense. He is quoted as telling the magistrate that Baldridge was advancing on him with a grubbing hoe when he used his own hoe. Baldridge's body was not found until a few hours after the killing, when his uncle Robert Baldridge, and others went in search of him. It was claimed that his wound was in the back of the head and that his grubbing hoe was still stuck in the ground. Baldridge who was 35 years old, leaves a wife and two children. Lancheser is married but has no children. Magistrate Freeland sent Lanchester to the county jail at Gallatin by Deputy Sheriff; G. W. Graves, Squire Billy Wilkerson and Deputy Sheriff Hale held an inquest Wednesday night at the Baldridge home.
* Sumner County Cemetery Book by Margaret Snider and Joan Yorgason: Walnut Grove Church Cemetery - Baldridge, Henry Blonnie - 4 July 1894 - 2 Mar 1932
Genealogist's Companion to Research in Sumner
County, Tennessee