These newspaper articles prove that Acra Archie Cathey, my great-grandmother’s brother, was not hit by a car as his death certificate states. In fact, it appears something sketchy was going on, especially when the death certificate and the facts of the case contradict each other. I’m curious to see if I can find any police reports or court reports regarding the case.
I have transcribed the articles exactly how they were published, including the incorrect names of family members and misspellings.
Jackson-Sun, Front Page and Page 5
January 1, 1945
Sheriff Investigates Death Of Man Found Near Gibson Line
Sheriff Tom Lewis stated today that he is holding a man listed as James A. McKenzie in cnonection with an investigation into the death of Acra A. Cathey, 51-year-old World War I veteran, whose body was found near the Gibson county line Sunday morning.
Cathey’s head appeared to have been hit by a blunt instrument, Sheriff Lewis said, the blow causing death. Officers believe that the body was then placed on the highway to make it appear that he was the victim of a hit-run driver.
Sheriff Lewis stated that a hammer was found in a car belonging to McKenzie, and that other items found there indicated there may be a close connection between the man’s death and occupants of the car.
Cathey’s body was found by an unidentified person and the find reported to Hunt Funeral Home in Humboldt. Sheriff Doe Garrison of Gibson county, some of his deputies and police officers of Humboldt first took up the investigation in the belief that Cathey had been found in that couny. Later investigations, however, disclose that the body was in Madison county and Sheriff Lewis was notified.
Officers found Cathey’s empty pocket book some feet from the body, leading to the theory that robbery may have been a cause of his death.
Tracing the movements of the car’s passengers, Sheriff Lewis reports that McKenzie and a woman giving her name as Mrs. Mary Depriest of Georgia spent the night in Humboldt. Mr. and Mrs. “Red” Glover, who are said to have been with them for a time, returned to Jackson.
While investigating the Humboldt angle of the matter, Sheriff Lewis was notified that a man was trying to drive the car from its parking place on the highway. Returning to the car, Sheriff Lewis found McKenzie and took him into custody.
Sheriff Lewis said at noon today that he is continuing the investigation with the assstance of Sheriff Garrison and other officers and hope to solve the case in the near future.
Cathey, who was born and reared in Hickman County, Tenn., served as a sergeant of Company B, 11th Infantry, during World War I. He moved to Humboldt soon after his discharge, and was married to Miss Annie Lou Prickard. He had engaged in farming.
Surviving are his wife; three daughters, Dorothy E. Cathey, Annie R. Cathey and Ruby Frances Cathey, of Humboldt; a son, Arthur D. Cathey of Humboldt; his mother, Mrs. Lizzie Smith of Waverly; a sister, Mrs. C. A. Daniels of Martin; two half-sisters, Mrs. Granville Baker of Waverly and Mrs. J. W. Rushing of Martin; two brothers, G. A. Cathey of Memphis and W. R. Cathey of Detroit, Mich.; and a half-brother, Walton Smith of Waverly.
Funeral services were held in Humboldt this afternoon at the chapel of Hunt Funeral Home with the Dr. S. R. Woodson, pastor of the First Baptist church of Humboldt, officiating. Interment followed in Mt. Zion cemetery.
Jackson-Sun, Front Page
January 5, 1945
Release M’Kenzie On Own Recognizance In Cathey Investigation
Sheriff Tom Lewis announced today that he has released James A. McKenzie of Jackson and Mrs. Mary Depriest of Georgia on their own recognizance pending outcome of an investigation into the death of Acra A. Cathey of Humboldt.
Mr. and Mrs. Bedford Glover had already been released in a similar manner as material witnesses to events preceeding the finding of Cathey’s body on the Humboldt Highway a short distance from the Gibson county line.
Sheriff Lewis stated that there is a necessary time lag at this point while certain tests needed in the inquiry can be made and their results known.
