Lee County Library System 3 1032 00567978 8 Lee County Library Leesburg,GA Im the Law in These Parts Sheriffs Lee County, Georgia 1896 to Present by Lee Stanley April 1999 This booklet is for my son Chris, with a fathers love and pride, you are a great joy in my life. Yet age remembers with a sigh The days that are no more. A Lee County Sheriffs 1896-Present These, having not the law, are a law unto themselves. [Romans 2:14] Several years ago, when I read the book, The Wild Man from Sugar Creek, The Political Career of Eugene Talmadge, by William Anderson, I was amazed by the political tact and sophistication of Gene Talmadge. He knew how to excite the voters and his courthouse speeches are now part of Georgias political history. He also knew the political power and influence of the county Sheriff. Governor Talmadge, one of this centurys most colorful state politicians, knew how much local people respected their Sheriff. After all, the Sheriff was the highest ranking law enforcement officer of the county and he usually knew almost every single citizen in his area, at least those who voted. Governor Talmadges courthouse appearances and speeches gathered huge crowds, he could jam any courthouse. Before giving one of his speeches, Gene would call on the sheriff: Sheriff, would you come up and estimate how many people have come here today? With great officiousness, the Sheriff would 1 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 come forward to cast an intensely critical eye at the throng, and all could see the mathematical calculations running through his head. A hush would fall over the area as everyone stood a little taller, certain he was being individually counted when that cold eye of justice passed over. Having the Sheriff make the count made the total official. Gene Talmadge knew the importance of having the Sheriff present at his local speeches and he used the power and influence of the Sheriffs office to his political advantage. Even after the Talmadge years, I think the political power and influence of the local county Sheriff remains safely intact. In Lee County, over the years, the Sheriff has been and is today, in my opinion, the most powerful local county official. After having worked more than 24 years in the Lee County Courthouse next to Sheriff Forrester, Sheriff Bowyer and now, Sheriff Breeden, I have witnessed first hand the power and influence of the office. The presence of the Sheriff at a public meeting, at a crime scene or in a courtroom brings authenticity to the surroundings. The law has arrived. The Sheriff (shire reeve) in late Anglo-Saxon and early Norman England served as the judicial, financial, and administrative chief of the shires. For hundreds of years, the Sheriff has been the representative of royal authority in a shire. Since 2 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 1776, in the State of Georgia, the Sheriff remains as the countys highest law enforcement officer. Lee County was created in 1825 and the first Sheriff, Nathan Powell, was commissioned on May 14,1827. Many of the older records between his term and 1896 are not complete and therefore, an accurate account of the names and dates of service is not possible. However, records since 1896 are complete and during this century, nine individuals have served Lee County as Sheriff. The purpose of this booklet is to summarize the names, dates, and places of burial of each of our Lee County Sheriffs for the past 100 years. There has been no attempt to reflect any personal history of the Sheriffs in this booklet. Some of the dates of office in obituaries and newspaper accounts, along with court records do not match exactly. The term of office today for county constitutional officers is four years, as it was in 1827 with the first Lee County Sheriff. The information presented here was obtained from obituaries in the Lee County Journal and the Albany Herald. For authenticity, the obituaries have been re-written exactly as they appeared in the papers. Additional information was obtained from the 1983 edition of the History of Lee County, Georgia and from the grave markers of the Sheriffs at the Leesburg Cemetery, Macedonia 3 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 Church Cemetery in Terrell County and at the Martin Cemetery in Lee County. Edward Borin (E.B.) Martin 1896-1904 Bom on December 3, 1853 - Died April 16,1919. Mr. Martins greatest interest were farming, accumulating land, and participating in county politics. At one time, he owned several thousand acres in Lee County. He was elected tax collector in 1885 and served for four years. He was later elected Sheriff and he was a member of the General Assembly of Georgia in 1910-1911. Foranumberof years, he was a member of the Board of Education and Chairman of the County Executive Committee. Obituary The Lee County Journal E.B. Martin, Sr. was found dead in bed at his home Tuesday morning by a servant. When Mr. Martin failed to rise at the accustomed hour, an investigation was made, resulting in the discovery that he had passed away during the night. Mr. Martin is survived by three sons, Judge W.G. Martin, M.M. Martin and E.B. Martin, Jr. He was 65 years old and practically all of his life was spent in 4 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 Lee County. News of his sudden death proved a profound shock to the people of this community, with whose affairs he had been so prominently identified. The funeral and interment took place Wednesday, the body being laid to rest in the Martin private cemetery at the old home two miles from Leesburg. Sidney Blackston Smith 1904-1912 Bom August 16, 1862 - Died May 17, 1930. Sheriff Smith had a very long and eloquent obituary. He is buried in the same small private cemetery (Martin Cemetery) next to Sheriff E.B. Martin. Obituary The Lee County Journal After an illness of 10 days duration, Mr. S.B. Smith died at his country home Friday night at 10 oclock. He had been ill for several days and was reported to be improving when a turn for the worse was noticed Friday morning, death ensuing Friday night. 5 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 Sidney Blackstone Smith was bom in Terrell County 67 years ago. In early childhood he moved to Lee County and spent his useful life here. He engaged in farming and was one of the countys most successful planters. When a young man, Mr. Smith was wedded to Miss Floride Ware, of Leesburg, who lived only a few years. Mr. Smith was a consistent member of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church and prominent in Masonic affairs. He was one of Lee Countys most beloved citizens and everybodys friend. Everybody loved him, he was-charitable to a fault, was kind, gentle and always considerate for others and at all times ready to oblige a friend. For two terms, Mr. Smith was the Sheriff of Lee County and was an excellent officer, faithful to every public trust, kind and considerate to the unfortunate, yet efficient in office. He carried out his obligation and as a public official he knew neither fear nor favor. After serving his two terms he retired from office. Mr. Smith when living in Leesburg served his town as city councilman and was instrumental in the up building of all civic advancements. As a County Commissioner he was always at his post serving for the advancement of Lee County. 6 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 In 1898, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Bee Harris of Milledgeville, who has been ever a help and inspiration to him through lifes rosy and rocky path, and who survives him. He was a high toned Christian gentleman, a desirable citizen and a valuable asset to the community and his place will be difficult to fill. Thousands of people to whom he was a friend today mourn the passing of this good man. The deceased is survived by the following family: His widow, Mrs. Bee Smith, five daughters, Mrs. W.A. Thompson, Troy, Ala.; Mrs. W. T. Whatley, Reynolds; Mrs. M.B. Shepherd, Hickory, N.C.; Misses Mary and Dorothy Smith, Leesburg; one son, Sidney B. Smith, Columbus; two grandchildren, Gloria Whatley, and Millard Shepherd, Jr. Funeral services for Mr. Smith were held at the home Sunday at 3:30 oclock with Rev. L.G. Henderson conducting the ceremonies. Interment took place at the private cemetery near the home. The services were most impressive and when the sweet voices of the singers wafted on the air, broken hearts gave vent to their emotion and every eye was filled with tears. The floral contributions were most elaborate and beautiful. The casket was adorned with springs sweetest and loveliest flowers. 7 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 An exceedingly large concourse of friends attended the last sad rites. The following gentlemen acted as pall bearers: W.E. Tarpley, N.A. Wade, J.B. Darby, R.R. Green, H.B. Stovall, J.D. McBride. Honorary pall bearers were J. M. Johnson, J. I. Kaylor, S.J. Powell, J.J. Forrester, U.F. King, W.G.Martin, E.B. Martin, D.B. Ohlinger. David Raymond Moreland 1912-1915 Bom December 13, 1888 - Died December 19,1915. Sheriff Moreland died from three bullet wounds he received in a gunfight. The shooting took place in Doles, just east of Lee County. Sheriff Moreland was investigating the report of a stolen mule. A frill account of the shooting was reported in the December 20,1915 issue of the Albany Herald. He died 6 days after his 27th birthday. Obituary The Albany Herald The funeral services of Sheriff D.R. Moreland, of Lee County, who was mortally wounded in the tragedy at Doles Saturday night, as a consequence of which he died at the Pheobe Putney Memorial 8 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 Hospital here Sunday morning, were conducted yesterday afternoon at 1 oclock at Macedonia Church in Terrell county, 12 miles west of Leesburg and interment was in the family burying ground at that place. The services were largely attended by people from Lee, Dougherty, Terrell, Worth and other adjoining counties and the tribute paid evidenced the very high esteem in which he was held as a public official and as a man. Five brothers of the deceased and a nephew were pall bearers. Phillip Cook Coxwell, Sr. 1916-1925 Bom September 22, 1890 - Died March 4, 1953 Obituary The Albany Herald P.C. Coxwell, Sr., 62, of Leesburg, died today in the Pheobe Putney Hospital. Mr. Coxwell was bom in Terrell County and was the son of the late W.B. Coxwell and Sally McLendon Coxwell. He moved to Leesburg in 1909 and married Miss Lula Hines of Leesburg who preceded him in death in 1949. Mr. Coxwell attended school in Terrell County and also the Creighton Business College in Atlanta. 9 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 He served as deputy Sheriff of Lee County from 1908-1916 and was elected Sheriff in 1916 serving jn that capacity until 1925. At one time he served as superintendent of road service in Lee County. At the time of his death, Mr. Coxwell was engaged in farming. He is survived by four children; Mrs. Tommy Tucker of Leesburg; Mrs. Jack Collier of Dawson; William Coxwell of Leesburg, and Phil Coxwell Jr. of Albany; one sister, Mrs. J.S. Moreland of Leesburg; one brother, W. M. Coxwell of Leesburg, and eight grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the Leesburg Baptist Church with the Rev. Ashton Smith, pastor and the Rev. R.H. Forrester officiating. Interment will follow in the Leesburg cemetery. Pallbearers are A. A. May, R. A. Forrester, George D. Moreland Jr., C.C. Allen, Edwin L. Forrester and James W. Forester. William Edward Tarpley 1926-1952 Bom on July 12, 1880 - Died on December 26, 1965. Mr. Tarpley moved to Lee County from Miller County in 1915. For several years, he was overseer 10 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 of the Bynes Plantation (Haley Farms) in the Palmyra District. Mr. Tarpley was active in Lee County politics. He was Chairman of the County Board of Commissioners from 1924-1926 and then served as Sheriff from 1926 to 1952. The Tarpley house is located on Walnut Street in Leesburg. Obituary The Albany Herald W. E. Tarpley, 85, retired Sheriff of Lee County, died Sunday morning in a Dawson hospital following an illness. He was bom July 12, 1880 in Marshallville, son of the later Anna VanLandingham and Thomas Manse Tarpley. He had been a resident of Lee county for 51 years, moving here from Miller County. For 24 years, Mr. Tarpley served as Sheriff of Lee County, retiring January 1, 1952. Before seeking office for Sheriff, he farmed for a number of years in the Palmyra district. He was a member, trustee and honorary steward of the Leesburg Methodist Church. On September 11, 1961, the Leesburg Lions Club awarded a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Tarpley for his long and valued service and leadership to Lee County. 11 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 His wife, the former Miss Annie Lou Roberts, preceded him in death September 18, 1964. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Joel H. Miller of Elberton, Mrs. T.S. Short of Shellman, and Mrs. Eloise T. Jones of Tallahassee, Fla.; two sons, T. Marvin Tarpley of Albany and Bill Tarpley of Leesburg; nine grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. today at Leesburg Methodist Church, the Rev. Charles Webster and the Rev. Bobby Moye officiating. Interment followed in the Leesburg Cemetery. Pallbearers were Robert B. Lee, Jack Hardin, Malcolm Cannon, Dan Bass, James McBride and Raymond Cannon; honorary escort, trustees and stewards of Leesburg Methodist Church. James Davis McBride 1952-1954 Bom January 28, 1895 - Died January 4, 1962. Sheriff McBride was known as Captain Mac. He resigned as Sheriff on October 20, 1954 due to ill health. After his health improved, he was appointed as the first warden of the new Lee State Prison. 12 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 Obituary The Albany Herald J. D. McBride, 66, a life-long resident of Leesburg, died Thursday afternoon in Pheobe Putney Hospital after an illness. Mr. McBride was bom on January 28, 1895 in Leesburg, the son of the late Kate Mycou and James Monroe McBride. Mr. McBride had devoted most of his life to law enforcement work having served as County Warden for 8 years, deputy Sheriff for 23 years and Sheriff for 2 years. At the time of his death, he was warden of Lee Prison, a position he had held for the last eight years. He was a veteran of World War I and a member of American Legion Post 182, Leesburg. Mr. McBride is survived by his wife, the former Miss Marie Daffin of Marianna, Fla.; two daughters, Mrs. George Thrift of Leesburg and Mrs. Thomas Burnett of Macon; one son, James M. McBride of Leesburg; two sisters, Mrs. B.L. Snider of Leesburg and Mrs. J.R. Green of Memphis, Tenn.; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in 13 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 the Leesburg Methodist Church, with the Rev. Alton C. Prickette and the Rev. R.H. Forester officiation. Interment will follow in the Leesburg Cemetery. Robert Alexander Forrester 1954-1976 Bom June 17,1910 - Died January 6,1986. Known by his friends as Mr. Dick, Sheriff Forrester was appointed to the office after the resignation of Sheriff McBride. S.E. Sanford, Clerk of the Lee County Superior Court appointed Sheriff Forrester who had served for many years as a deputy for Sheriff Tarpley and Sheriff McBride. A special election was held on November 10,1954 and Sheriff Forrester was elected to the office and served for 22 years. Obituary The Albany Herald The grave side funeral service of R.A. Dick Forester, 75, of Leesburg, who died Monday, was to be conducted today at 2 p.m. in the Leesburg Cemetery. A lifelong resident of Leesburg, Mr. Forester served as deputy Sheriff of Lee County for six years and 14 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 Sheriff for 22 years, retiring on January 1,1977 . He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of American Legion Post 182 at Leesburg. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Beulah D. Forester of Leesburg; a son, R.A. Forester, Jr. of Leesburg; a daughter, Mrs. Diane Richardson Leonard of Phoenix, Ariz., and a nephew, Goode B. Buddy Yeoman Jr. of Albany. Ernest Jerome Bowyer 1976-1988 Bom June 7,1926 - Died October 25, 1994. Sheriff Bowyer, known by his friends as E.J., served as a deputy for Sheriff Forrester. Obituary The Albany Herald E.J. Bowyer, 68, of Leesburg, died Tuesday at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. The funeral will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Leesburg with burial in Leesburg Cemetery. The Revs. Bobby Moye and Bobby Harrell will officiate. 15 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 A native of Newton, Mr. Bowyer had lived in Leesburg for 36 years. He served in Lee County law enforcement for 26 years, first as Leesburgs Chief of Police, then deputy Sheriff and later as Lee County Sheriff for 12 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Leesburg, the Georgia Sheriffs Association, Peace Officers Association of Georgia and the Georgia Sheriffs Boys Ranch. Mr. Bowyer was an Army veteran of World War II and a Mason, and he helped start the Youth Baseball League in Lee County and the Lee County EMS. Survivors include his wife, Sara Bowyer of Leesburg; three sons, Bobby Bowyer of Leesburg, Ronnie Bowyer of Snellville and Mike Bowyer of Lilbum; a daughter, Patricia Graham of Wauchula, Fla; 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Harold Noel Breeden 1989-Present Bom June 28,1944 Sheriff Breeden was elected in November of 1988 and his first term of office began on January 1,1989. He defeated Sheriff Bowyer in the general election. Sheriff Breeden is currently in his third term of office. Prior to being elected Sheriff, he worked for the Si 16 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 Albany Police Department in Albany, Georgia. Prior to his law enforcement experience, he was a professional baseball player for 17 years. 17 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 ADDENDUM Sheriff Age when Sheriff Martin 43 Smith 42 Moreland 24 Coxwell 26 Tarpley 46 McBride 57 Forrester 44 Bowyer 50 Breeden 44 Age at Home County Death 65 Monroe 67 Terrell 27 Lee 62 Terrell 85 Miller 66 Lee 75 Lee 68 Baker Lee 18 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 GRAVE MARKERS 19 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 20 w Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 21 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 22 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 23 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 24 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 25 Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 ERNEST JEROME BOWYER T..J. JUNF 7 J926 OCT 25 1994 t.UF'l ij T/Y }(') j lisSSS! WSBBBbSSB!^ -> vv;.: Sheriffs of Lee County since 1896 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Mr. Ben Young has been very active with the history of Lee County for many years. Ben has made location maps of most cemeteries in Lee County. He is always ready to help anyone with questions concerning the historical significance of our county. Ben helped me find two cemetery sites and grave markers for three of the Sheriffs shown in this booklet. I appreciate Bens help and friendship. Mrs. Gladys Thrift, the daughter of Sheriff McBride has been most helpful. Her father served in law enforcement for 32 years. First as a deputy for 22 years, Sheriff for 2 years and Warden of the Lee State Prison for 8 years. As a child, Mrs. Thrift lived with her family on the second floor of the old county jail. I respect and admire her vast knowledge and first hand experience with law enforcement in Lee County. There is no better source of information on the subject of local politics than Mrs. Gladys Thrift. She has been kind to talk with me on many occasions about the history of Lee County. Mrs. Thrift is truly a Southern Lady and Im very proud to call her a friend. 27 . [ tjxFS !TjAHIO MS