Lewis A. Terry of Murray County Georgia

The following are results of some great research conducted by my cousin, Ann, on a recent trip she made to Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Lewis A. Terry
Son of Duncan & Wysetta Terry
Born May 1853, Murray County, Georgia

We find Lewis Terry and his younger brother, Duncan Lafayette Terry living in Scott County Arkansas by 1880.

Duncan Lafayette "Fate" Terry (recorded as Delayafette in the AR 1880 census) is in Scott County for the 1880 census with his infant son, Louis Alexander Terry, his wife, Harriet Sliger Terry, and Harriet's young brother, James Sliger. Harriet's father and mother, W.C. and Hester McConnell Sliger, have both died before the 1880 census and their young children are in the homes of Harriet's two brothers - Pleasant W. Sliger and Francis Marion Sliger. I have found guardianship papers in Scott County court records naming these brothers as guardians.

Lewis Terry first appears in Scott County documents in 1880 and as follows:

1880
Scott County Arkansas Record of Guardian's Letters and Bonds, Volume A., Compiled by Delaine Edwards, May, 1994, published by Scott County Historical & Genealogical Society, PO Box 1560, Waldron, Arkansas 72958
Page 27: 8 October 1880, Waldron Amount: $250
L.A. Terry as guardian of R.L. Thomas, Minor.
Security: J.O.A. Sullivan

1882
From Scott County Coroner's Inquisitions, Transcribed by Carolyn Hanna, 2002, Published by Scott County Historical and Genealogical Society:
Mr. L.A. Terry is listed as a deputy sheriff of Scott Co. Arkansas and is deposed regarding the shooting death of W.T. Thomas on 7 July 1882. Mr. Dempsey makes a dying statement "to Mr. L.A. Terry, a deputy sheriff of Scott Co. Ark and that statement was reduced to writing by Mr. Terry and read over to Mr. Thomas before his death...." Later in the inquisition, L.A. Terry is interviewed and the interview is signed by him. ( Transcripts on file.)

1885
From Scott County Arkansas Will Record A, 1882-1918, Transcribed by Delaine Edwards, 1995, Published by Scott County Historical & Genealogical Society, PO Box 1560, Waldron, AR 72958
L.A Terry is the witness to the following wills: Kerby Goolsby, Sr., Page 31-33, 14 May 1885;

Record of Administrator's Bonds & Letters, Volume A, 1882-1932, Abstracted by Delaine Edwards, 1994, Published by Scott County Historical & Genealogial Society, PO Box 1560, Waldron, Arkansas, 72958.
Page 39: Administrator's Bond 26 November 1885
Alfred Lovett as principal and L.A. Terry as surety in the amount of $150. Alfred Lovett as Administrator of the estate of Ruben Lovett, deceased.

1886
On Microfilm at the Fort Smith Public Library, Fort Smith, Arkansas
OATH OF OFFICE: L.A. Terry, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute all lawful precepts, directed to the Marshal of the United States for the Western District of Arkansas, under the authority of the United States, and true returns make, and in all things well and truly, and without malice or partiality, perform the duties of Deputy Marshal of the Western District of Arkansas during my continuance in said office and take only my lawful fees, so help me God. Signed L.A. Terry (his signature) Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of January, 1886. J.C. Gilbreath , Clerk.

1889
Scott County Citizen, 1887-1891, Published by Scott County Historical and Genealogical Society, Fort Smith Public Library, Arkansas:
On Microfilm at the Fort Smith Public Library, Fort Smith, Arkansas
OATH OF OFFICE: L.A. Terry, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute all lawful precepts, directed to the Marshal of the United States for the Western District of Arkansas, under the authority of the United States, and true returns make, and in all things well and truly, and without malice or partiality, perform the duties of Deputy Marshal of the Western District of Arkansas during my continuance in said office and take only my lawful fees, so help me God. Signed L.A. Terry (his signature) Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of January, 1886. J.C. Gilbreath , Clerk.

1889
Scott County Citizen, 1887-1891, Published by Scott County Historical and Genealogical Society, Fort Smith Public Library, Arkansas:

25 Jan 1889 Scott County Citizen: Mr. L.A. Terry intends moving to Huntington soon. Bud has many friends here but their loss will be a gain for Huntington.
24 May 1889, Scott County Citizen:
On last Sunday morning Mrs. Terry, wife of Lafayette Terry, a prisoner in the Scott County jail, put in her appearance at the jail building and asked leave to see her husband and to visit a few hours with him. Deputy Sheriff W.G. Jones...admitted her into the side-room of the jail house and turned the key and then went to the heavy jail door, unlocked it and presented Terry to his wife. Mr. Jones retired to the other end of the room leaving the couples at the end the door was in. He forgot to take the key from the lock...Terry made a dash for the door, turned the key and in a flash was out, running at breakneck speed...after a swift race Terry was overtaken by Dick Jones, brother of W.G. Jones.. Terry was brought back and placed in jail...