Brought to you from
Kae’s Korner
The Daily
Sentinel
Wednesday,
June 11, 1902
The sensational death of W. V. Carraway, which occurred at Dumas,
the county site of Moore County on April 27th, has created no little surprise
and interest in Nacogdoches, where the family once resided. The following account of the terrible affair
was sent out in the associated press reports:
Dumas, Texas June 7 - At the June term of the district court for Moore County Mrs. Sarah Inez Carraway, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the penitentiary for the murder of her husband W. V. Carraway, on April 27th, 1902. She confessed to having put strychnine in medicine which he husband was taking (a heart tonic). Her confession was made on May 28 and the Grand jury returned and indictment against her for murder in the first degree on June 4 and having waved all rights allowed her, she was arraigned, tried, convicted and sentenced on June 5 by District Judge H. H. Wallace, she having entered a plea of guilty. W. V. Carraway was a traveling man, representing the J.S. Campbell Lumber Company of Houston, and moved here from Belton, Texas two years ago and settled on four sections of school land, one mile from Dumas. They have six children, the eldest being 17 and the youngest 5 years of age. They seem to have no property, except the four sections of school land.
The Daily
Sentinel
Saturday,
June 14, 1902
Nacogdoches, Texas June 11 - This community was extremely shocked
by the news as published in yesterday's Post of the tragic death of W. V.
Carraway and the confession and conviction of his wife to a term of life in the
penitentiary for committing the deed of killing her husband by poison. They are both well known here, having lived
in the town for a time during the establishment of the Lana mills by Mr.
Carraway two years ago. At that time Mr. Carraway was in good circumstances,
but his fortune was swept away and he was compelled to go on the road for
salary for another lumber dealer.
Mrs. Carraway was the daughter of Benjamin Wilson of Sabine County
and he was one of the wealthiest men of that county up to his death, which
occurred about twenty-five years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Carraway were both raised in Sabine county and have now a
great many relations living in San Augustine and Sabine Counties.
Mrs. Sarah Inez Carraway, nee Wilson, was on of the prettiest and
most accomplished young ladies in her home county at the time of her marriage
and was raised in the lap of luxury.
Her friends are astounded at her action in taking the life of her husband,
who from early manhood stood high wherever he lived and no one ever thought but
they were happily united. Great
sympathy is expressed for the children, and notwithstanding
The horrible crime she confessed to have committed, every one has
a feeling of regret. Being only 36
years old, it is distressing to contemplate the lonely years she has before,
dressed in the garb of a convict.
Nacogdoches
correspondent HOUSTON POST