The
Malakoff News
Thursday, January 8, 1931
THREE PROMINENT ATHENS CITIZENS DIE WITHIN WEEK
----------
From the Athens Daily
Review the news is gathered of the death of three prominent
citizens of Athens within the past week. The first of which was
that of Mr. H. A. Justice, well known Henderson County attorney,
who passed away at a Dallas hospital at 1:30 P.M. on January 1st,
The second was that of Mr. George R. Davis, an old resident of
Athens, who died at the family home in Athens on new years day at
3:15 P.M. And, the third is the death of the Hon. John A.
Spencer, for the past six years Mayor of Athens, which occurred
at 10:35 in an automobile accident about 4 miles north of Athens.
Mr. Justice was 49 years of age at the time of his death and has
resided in Henderson county since early boyhood. Following his
early schooling in the rural communities, he took up the study of
law in the higher institutions of learning and was admitted to
the Bar in 1915. He was elected to the office of County Attorney
in election of 1920 and served in this capacity for two terms. He
later served as representative from this county. Funeral services
were held from the family home in Athens on Friday afternoon.
Interment in the Athens cemetery.
George R. Davis at the time of his passing, was one of the oldest
citizens of the county. He was born July 8, 1858 and lived his
entire life in the county. He was a frequent contributor to the
Review columns, writing under the name "Sivad", Sivad
was Davis spelled backwards. He was connected with politics more
or less during his life, but only in late years did he seek
office. He served two terms as county commissioner of precinct
one and in the last election was an un successful candidate for
the office of county judge. Funeral services were held from the
Christian Church at Athens Friday afternoon. Interment in the
Athens cemetery.
John A. Spencer mayor of Athens for the past six years and a
prominent figure in the cotton industry of East Texas, met a
tragic death in an automobile accident on the highway north of
Athens at 10:35 Saturday morning. He was alone in his small coupe
at the time and it is thought that the accident resulted from a
default in the car.
The wreck was first discovered by W. C. Richards, of Athens. The
wrecked coupe had left the road and crashed into a large tree.
Mr. Richards stopped to investigate and found that the mayor had
been thrown violently from the machine. His head was on the
ground and his feet in the seat of the car. When found Mr.
Spencer was gasping for breath, but was unconscious. Examination
showed that his neck was broken and there were several gashes
about his head. He died before reaching Athens. Funeral services
were held from the family residence at 3:00 o'clock Sunday
afternoon. His remains were laid to rest in the Athens cemetery.
Obituaries Henderson County Texas
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