Husband of Ruby Massengale (married in Seminole County, OK). Father of Vera. The transcript of his death certificate states he was the son of Alison Richards and Anna Fallin.
Richards had an argument with the head of the local Klan over the use of his garage. After the Mayor of the town of Mer Rouge was shot at, the Klan kidnapped Richards and questioned him about it. He was threatened to keep silent, but ended up telling his family and neighbors what had happened. Richards had recognized the voices of some of the hooded men and began to name names. He, along with Filmore Watt Daniel, were dragged out of the car they were in by hooded members of the KKK. Their bodies were found in La Fourche Lake that December. The subsequent trial and not guilty verdict of their accused murderers made national headlines as "The Mer Rouge Klan Murders". The public outrage in the state lead to the eventual fall of the Klan in Louisiana. The murders were most recently depicted in the History Channel's 1998 documentary, "The Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History". Richards' grave, beside that of his friend Watt Daniel, remains unmarked at the request of his family. The below biographical information was written by Bonnie Sisson Manning in a previous memorial:∼No Marker Killed by the Ku Klux Klan
Same time as Filmore Watt Daniel
Richard and Daniel buried side by side.
Wife, Ruby Massengale Richard, & two daughters, Vera & Leota, left pennyless. Left area.
According to family, the correct last name is Richard without the S.
Son of Smallwood Alison Richard and Anna Fallin Richard Garrison
Smallwood died shortly after Fletcher's birth
Anna then married Charles Garrison
Anna Fallin's parents:
William Henry Fallin and Lou Cynthia McGinty Fallin
Lou Cynthia's parents:
William Pitts McGinty and Mary Ann Freeman
Thanks to info from J.M. Collins - distant relative through Mary Ann Freeman. J.M. Collins found by Julie.
Thomas and Ruby Massengale Richard were married sometime after the 1910 Census. Their marriage appears in a listing of Seminole, OK marriages that appear on the USGENWEB site (from James W. Hayes) No date is given for the marriage but is listed in marriage book 2 at the Wewoka, OK courthouse.
For more info read these books.
"Murders of Mer Rouge" by John T. Rogers 1922
"The 20th Century Ku Klux Klan in Morehouse Parish: A Thesis" by Dr. Alton Earl Ingram, 1961
"The Black Hood of the Ku Klux Klan" by Prof. James M. Ruiz, 1998, Austin & Winfield, Publishers ISBN 1-57292-043-2
Short mention in documentary "The Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History"
the History Channel
Men brought before grand jury: no charges brought
1. John Killian Skipwith, Captain CSA
Grand Cyclops of Morehouse Parish KKK
2. Oliver Gayle Skipwith, son
3. T. J. "Jeff" Burnett, Deputy Sheriff
4. Bunnie McEwin McKoin, M.D.
5. Harley Rogers
Autopsy performed by Drs. George W. Duval and John A. Lanford of New Orleans. Info obtained from sources listed above.
Bio
Thomas Fletcher Richard was born about 1892 in Choudrant, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana. In 1910, he was single, employed as a typesetter and resided in Seminole, Oklahoma, with his sister, Mary Richard Phillips. There he met and married in abt 1910, Ruby Massengale, who was born in 1891 in Texas and raised as an orphan. Their first child, Vera, was born 1911 in Oklahoma.
In 1920, he was employed as a garage mechanic in Ouachita Parish. He and his wife, Ruby Massengale, were residing in West Monroe, Louisiana. Residing in his household was his mother and step-father, Mrs. Anna Garrison and Mr. Charles Garrison, and step-sister, Grace C.
In the 1920 census, they had two daughters: Vera, age 9, born in Oklahoma, and Leota, age 1, born in Louisiana. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Mer Rouge, Louisiana, the hometown of Richard's cousin, Filmore Watt Daniel, where Richard was once again employed as a garage mechanic at Whipple Motor Company. His employer at the time of death was Harry Neelis. Richards developed a close association with his cousin, Watt, and seemingly followed in Watt's footsteps. Both publicly criticized the Klan, both experienced confrontations with the Klan and both were later accused by the Klan of the attempted assassination of Dr. Bunnie McKoin, then a resident of Mer Rouge and the captain of the Mer Rouge Klan chapter.
I can not figure out how TFR and Watt are cousins. They AREN'T!
Richard and Daniel were kidnapped, brutally tortured and murdered by the Klan of the 24th of August 1922. Autopsies revealed that both had the same character of injuries and identical symmetry of bone fractures. However, Richards was not subjected to the amputation of his sexual appendages as was his cousin, Watt.
The belief that her husband had been murdered and also that the Ku Klux Klan was responsible was expressed by Mrs. T. R. Richard (error in original newspaper articles) in a letter written to Governor Parker approximately two weeks following the disappearance of her husband. Mrs. Richard wrote that "just because he was not scared by the Klan, they have done this, and they are now trying to make out it was not the Klan, but it was the Klan. ... I believe he is dead, because I know he would have written if he is alive."
When the autopsy was performed, Mrs. Garrison attempted to identify the body of her son, Thomas Richard. [the official autopsy noted that his body was nude when removed from Lake LaFourche]:
Mrs. Anna Garrison of West Monroe, Louisiana, Thomas Richard's mother, traveled to Mer Rouge to identify the body of her son. She told reporters that she felt she would be able to identify her son by the clothing that he wore. Mrs. Ruby Richard was reported to be in destitute condition. Having been an orphan herself, she suddenly found herself without a husband, and her chidlren, two girls ages 3 & 6, found themselves to be without a father. James Leon Daniel, the father of Watt Daniel, told her the she could live in a house he owned rent free for three months, and he also helped her financially. And, as mentioned before, she was also being helped by Whipple.
The Klan wanted the Richard family removed from the Parish and subjected Mr. Whipple to their threats because of the assistance he provided to Mrs. Richards. Thereafter, Mrs. Richard resided with relatives in Ouachata Parish. Conjecture is that she returned to Oklahoma after the public hearings of 1923.
One evening, after Mrs. Ruby Richard and her children were finished with having supper at a friends home in Mer Rouge, the adults were in the living room listening to music when, Verna, the 6 year old, asked for a pencil and paper and went into the kitchen. When Mrs. Richard went in to check on her, she asked Vera what she was doing. With tears running down her cheeks, she told her mother, "I am writing a letter to the Ku Klux Klan to please let my papa come home."
Reportedly her letter requested the Klan send her Father home in time for Christmas Ironically, Thomas Richard's funeral was held on Christmas Eve at the Bonne Idee Cemetery. Thomas Richard is buried in an unmarked grave adjacent to Watt Daniel.
1900 Census - Davis Town, Chickasaw Nation - Texas (lookin' for Ruby)
Massengale, H Jack age 36 M father born 1864 TX - runs a engine?
Massengale, Melie age 21 F mother born 1879 TX
Massengale, Ray age 11 M born 1889 TX farm laborer
Massengale, Ruby age 10 F born 1890 TX
Massengale, unreadable age 3 M born 1897 Indian Territory
Massengale, William age 2 M born 1898 Indian Territory
Massengale, Berthie F 4 months born 1900 Indian Territory
1910 Census - Davis Town, Chickasaw Nation - Texas - (Sherry)
Massengalel, H. Jack age 36 M father born 1864 TX runs an engine
1910 Census - Seminole-OK-Sheet A2 (Mary - sister of TFR)
Phillips, William D age 38 M head born 1872? LA physician
Phillips, Mary A age 20 F born LA father born LA mother born AL
Phillips, Elrey age 15 M
Phillips, Abbie age 13 M
Phillips, Alton age 11 M
Phillips, William age 5 M
Mary, Thomas' sister, must have married a widower with children
Richards, Thomas F age 18 M born 1892 in LA father born LA mother born AL
typesetter - worked at printing office
1920 Census - Ouachita - West Monroe - Natchitoches Street no house #
Richards, Fletcher head age 28 M born LA- father born LA - mother born GA mechanic - worked at garage
Richards, Ruby age 29 F born TX father born AL - mother born TX
Richards, Vera age 9 F born OK
Richards, Leota age 18 mo born LA
Harrison, Anna age 49 born AL her parents born in GA
Harrison, Charlie age 49 born GA unknown where his parents were born
Harrison, Grace C age 9 F niece
Could the census be wrong? She's mentioned several times as being Garrison during the investigation.
Note that the census transcriber thought the name was Harrison)
1920 Census - Pottawatomie, OK - Moore Township - no street or house #
Phillips, William D age 48 M physician born LA father born AL - mother born MS - Physician (Mary - sister of TFR)
Phillips, Mary age 28 F born LA - father born MS - mother born LA
Phillips, Ellery age 25 M born LA - drug clerk
Phillips, William age 15 M born OK
Phillips, Allison age 9 F born OK
Phillips, Iris age 7 F born OK
Phillips, Clarice 5 M born OK
1930 Census - Maud, Pottawatomie, OK ED 63-32 Young Street Apt 77 living in bldg? (still looking for Phillips - Elery is TFR's nephew)
Phillips, Elery age 36 M born LA - father born LA - mother born LA
Salesman - oil
Phillips, Grace age 33 F
Phillips, Elgda age 2 F
Thompson, Harry age 23 M roomer - salesman - oil
1930 Census - ED 63-43 Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma (be near daughter) 508 N. Broadway (apts ?) 17 living in building
Garrison, Charles age 65 M born in GA engineer at hotel
Garrison, Ana age 60 F born AL father born GA mother born AL
Garrison, Grace C. age 20 F daughter born AK father born GA mother born AL
Grace a daughter in 1930 - a niece in 1920
1930 Census - ED 67-29 Seminole, OK house # 103
Richard, Ruby age 38 F widow born TX, father born TX, mother born TX
operator - telephone company
Willis, Lyndall age 27 F lodger - divorced - operator - telephone office.
1940 Census - Noel, Elk River, McDonald Co, MO
Richard, Ruby age 48 F widowed - born TX 8th grade education
telephone operator
Richard, Lee Ota age 21 born LA - telephone operator
1940 Census -Ward 2 - Maud, Maud City, Pottawatomie, OK - 402 West ? Street -can't read it (Elery - TFR's nephew)
Phillips, Elery age 45 M no occupation listed
Phillips, Grace age 43 F post office mistress
Phillips, Elzada age 12 F
1940 Census - Ward 1 - Shawnee, Shawnee City, Pottawatomie, OK
232 North Union Street - apt building (TFR's step-sister, Grace C)
Glenn, Arvel E age 34 M born OK rental property manager
Glenn, Grace C age 30 F born AK
Glenn, Charles A.G. age 7 M born TX
Garrison, Anna age 70 F mother-in-law born AL
Have found Charles Garrison & Anna Garrison (b1870-d1945) FAG 90147719 in Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee, Pottawatomie Co, OK
Yippee! Julie McCall found your daughters, Lee Ota and Vera, and your grand daughter.
James Hayes (member of the Fallin family) of Virginia has also been tracking you and your family.
Ruby Massengale Richard is buried in Ardmore, Oklahoma in the Rosehill Cemetery. Thanks so much, Jim
Lee Ota Richard Denton - daughter- (b 15 Dec 1918 - d 24 Oct 2007)
Resident of Pineville, Missouri - short obit at www.tributes.com/show/Leota-Denton-81906076
Lee Ota Denton Sands -granddaughter- (b 5 Aug 1941 - d 29 Mar 2002)
Clinton Memory Gardens, Clinton, Henry Co, Missouri FAG 68376515
Vera Richard Abney - daughter - (b 22 Aug 1911 - d 11 Feb 2006) husband, Bruce Abney, Resident of Duncan, Colorado - buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Elk City, Beckham Co., Oklahoma. FAG 13361138
Richards had an argument with the head of the local Klan over the use of his garage. After the Mayor of the town of Mer Rouge was shot at, the Klan kidnapped Richards and questioned him about it. He was threatened to keep silent, but ended up telling his family and neighbors what had happened. Richards had recognized the voices of some of the hooded men and began to name names. He, along with Filmore Watt Daniel, were dragged out of the car they were in by hooded members of the KKK. Their bodies were found in La Fourche Lake that December. The subsequent trial and not guilty verdict of their accused murderers made national headlines as "The Mer Rouge Klan Murders". The public outrage in the state lead to the eventual fall of the Klan in Louisiana. The murders were most recently depicted in the History Channel's 1998 documentary, "The Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History". Richards' grave, beside that of his friend Watt Daniel, remains unmarked at the request of his family. The below biographical information was written by Bonnie Sisson Manning in a previous memorial:∼No Marker Killed by the Ku Klux Klan
Same time as Filmore Watt Daniel
Richard and Daniel buried side by side.
Wife, Ruby Massengale Richard, & two daughters, Vera & Leota, left pennyless. Left area.
According to family, the correct last name is Richard without the S.
Son of Smallwood Alison Richard and Anna Fallin Richard Garrison
Smallwood died shortly after Fletcher's birth
Anna then married Charles Garrison
Anna Fallin's parents:
William Henry Fallin and Lou Cynthia McGinty Fallin
Lou Cynthia's parents:
William Pitts McGinty and Mary Ann Freeman
Thanks to info from J.M. Collins - distant relative through Mary Ann Freeman. J.M. Collins found by Julie.
Thomas and Ruby Massengale Richard were married sometime after the 1910 Census. Their marriage appears in a listing of Seminole, OK marriages that appear on the USGENWEB site (from James W. Hayes) No date is given for the marriage but is listed in marriage book 2 at the Wewoka, OK courthouse.
For more info read these books.
"Murders of Mer Rouge" by John T. Rogers 1922
"The 20th Century Ku Klux Klan in Morehouse Parish: A Thesis" by Dr. Alton Earl Ingram, 1961
"The Black Hood of the Ku Klux Klan" by Prof. James M. Ruiz, 1998, Austin & Winfield, Publishers ISBN 1-57292-043-2
Short mention in documentary "The Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History"
the History Channel
Men brought before grand jury: no charges brought
1. John Killian Skipwith, Captain CSA
Grand Cyclops of Morehouse Parish KKK
2. Oliver Gayle Skipwith, son
3. T. J. "Jeff" Burnett, Deputy Sheriff
4. Bunnie McEwin McKoin, M.D.
5. Harley Rogers
Autopsy performed by Drs. George W. Duval and John A. Lanford of New Orleans. Info obtained from sources listed above.
Bio
Thomas Fletcher Richard was born about 1892 in Choudrant, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana. In 1910, he was single, employed as a typesetter and resided in Seminole, Oklahoma, with his sister, Mary Richard Phillips. There he met and married in abt 1910, Ruby Massengale, who was born in 1891 in Texas and raised as an orphan. Their first child, Vera, was born 1911 in Oklahoma.
In 1920, he was employed as a garage mechanic in Ouachita Parish. He and his wife, Ruby Massengale, were residing in West Monroe, Louisiana. Residing in his household was his mother and step-father, Mrs. Anna Garrison and Mr. Charles Garrison, and step-sister, Grace C.
In the 1920 census, they had two daughters: Vera, age 9, born in Oklahoma, and Leota, age 1, born in Louisiana. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Mer Rouge, Louisiana, the hometown of Richard's cousin, Filmore Watt Daniel, where Richard was once again employed as a garage mechanic at Whipple Motor Company. His employer at the time of death was Harry Neelis. Richards developed a close association with his cousin, Watt, and seemingly followed in Watt's footsteps. Both publicly criticized the Klan, both experienced confrontations with the Klan and both were later accused by the Klan of the attempted assassination of Dr. Bunnie McKoin, then a resident of Mer Rouge and the captain of the Mer Rouge Klan chapter.
I can not figure out how TFR and Watt are cousins. They AREN'T!
Richard and Daniel were kidnapped, brutally tortured and murdered by the Klan of the 24th of August 1922. Autopsies revealed that both had the same character of injuries and identical symmetry of bone fractures. However, Richards was not subjected to the amputation of his sexual appendages as was his cousin, Watt.
The belief that her husband had been murdered and also that the Ku Klux Klan was responsible was expressed by Mrs. T. R. Richard (error in original newspaper articles) in a letter written to Governor Parker approximately two weeks following the disappearance of her husband. Mrs. Richard wrote that "just because he was not scared by the Klan, they have done this, and they are now trying to make out it was not the Klan, but it was the Klan. ... I believe he is dead, because I know he would have written if he is alive."
When the autopsy was performed, Mrs. Garrison attempted to identify the body of her son, Thomas Richard. [the official autopsy noted that his body was nude when removed from Lake LaFourche]:
Mrs. Anna Garrison of West Monroe, Louisiana, Thomas Richard's mother, traveled to Mer Rouge to identify the body of her son. She told reporters that she felt she would be able to identify her son by the clothing that he wore. Mrs. Ruby Richard was reported to be in destitute condition. Having been an orphan herself, she suddenly found herself without a husband, and her chidlren, two girls ages 3 & 6, found themselves to be without a father. James Leon Daniel, the father of Watt Daniel, told her the she could live in a house he owned rent free for three months, and he also helped her financially. And, as mentioned before, she was also being helped by Whipple.
The Klan wanted the Richard family removed from the Parish and subjected Mr. Whipple to their threats because of the assistance he provided to Mrs. Richards. Thereafter, Mrs. Richard resided with relatives in Ouachata Parish. Conjecture is that she returned to Oklahoma after the public hearings of 1923.
One evening, after Mrs. Ruby Richard and her children were finished with having supper at a friends home in Mer Rouge, the adults were in the living room listening to music when, Verna, the 6 year old, asked for a pencil and paper and went into the kitchen. When Mrs. Richard went in to check on her, she asked Vera what she was doing. With tears running down her cheeks, she told her mother, "I am writing a letter to the Ku Klux Klan to please let my papa come home."
Reportedly her letter requested the Klan send her Father home in time for Christmas Ironically, Thomas Richard's funeral was held on Christmas Eve at the Bonne Idee Cemetery. Thomas Richard is buried in an unmarked grave adjacent to Watt Daniel.
1900 Census - Davis Town, Chickasaw Nation - Texas (lookin' for Ruby)
Massengale, H Jack age 36 M father born 1864 TX - runs a engine?
Massengale, Melie age 21 F mother born 1879 TX
Massengale, Ray age 11 M born 1889 TX farm laborer
Massengale, Ruby age 10 F born 1890 TX
Massengale, unreadable age 3 M born 1897 Indian Territory
Massengale, William age 2 M born 1898 Indian Territory
Massengale, Berthie F 4 months born 1900 Indian Territory
1910 Census - Davis Town, Chickasaw Nation - Texas - (Sherry)
Massengalel, H. Jack age 36 M father born 1864 TX runs an engine
1910 Census - Seminole-OK-Sheet A2 (Mary - sister of TFR)
Phillips, William D age 38 M head born 1872? LA physician
Phillips, Mary A age 20 F born LA father born LA mother born AL
Phillips, Elrey age 15 M
Phillips, Abbie age 13 M
Phillips, Alton age 11 M
Phillips, William age 5 M
Mary, Thomas' sister, must have married a widower with children
Richards, Thomas F age 18 M born 1892 in LA father born LA mother born AL
typesetter - worked at printing office
1920 Census - Ouachita - West Monroe - Natchitoches Street no house #
Richards, Fletcher head age 28 M born LA- father born LA - mother born GA mechanic - worked at garage
Richards, Ruby age 29 F born TX father born AL - mother born TX
Richards, Vera age 9 F born OK
Richards, Leota age 18 mo born LA
Harrison, Anna age 49 born AL her parents born in GA
Harrison, Charlie age 49 born GA unknown where his parents were born
Harrison, Grace C age 9 F niece
Could the census be wrong? She's mentioned several times as being Garrison during the investigation.
Note that the census transcriber thought the name was Harrison)
1920 Census - Pottawatomie, OK - Moore Township - no street or house #
Phillips, William D age 48 M physician born LA father born AL - mother born MS - Physician (Mary - sister of TFR)
Phillips, Mary age 28 F born LA - father born MS - mother born LA
Phillips, Ellery age 25 M born LA - drug clerk
Phillips, William age 15 M born OK
Phillips, Allison age 9 F born OK
Phillips, Iris age 7 F born OK
Phillips, Clarice 5 M born OK
1930 Census - Maud, Pottawatomie, OK ED 63-32 Young Street Apt 77 living in bldg? (still looking for Phillips - Elery is TFR's nephew)
Phillips, Elery age 36 M born LA - father born LA - mother born LA
Salesman - oil
Phillips, Grace age 33 F
Phillips, Elgda age 2 F
Thompson, Harry age 23 M roomer - salesman - oil
1930 Census - ED 63-43 Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma (be near daughter) 508 N. Broadway (apts ?) 17 living in building
Garrison, Charles age 65 M born in GA engineer at hotel
Garrison, Ana age 60 F born AL father born GA mother born AL
Garrison, Grace C. age 20 F daughter born AK father born GA mother born AL
Grace a daughter in 1930 - a niece in 1920
1930 Census - ED 67-29 Seminole, OK house # 103
Richard, Ruby age 38 F widow born TX, father born TX, mother born TX
operator - telephone company
Willis, Lyndall age 27 F lodger - divorced - operator - telephone office.
1940 Census - Noel, Elk River, McDonald Co, MO
Richard, Ruby age 48 F widowed - born TX 8th grade education
telephone operator
Richard, Lee Ota age 21 born LA - telephone operator
1940 Census -Ward 2 - Maud, Maud City, Pottawatomie, OK - 402 West ? Street -can't read it (Elery - TFR's nephew)
Phillips, Elery age 45 M no occupation listed
Phillips, Grace age 43 F post office mistress
Phillips, Elzada age 12 F
1940 Census - Ward 1 - Shawnee, Shawnee City, Pottawatomie, OK
232 North Union Street - apt building (TFR's step-sister, Grace C)
Glenn, Arvel E age 34 M born OK rental property manager
Glenn, Grace C age 30 F born AK
Glenn, Charles A.G. age 7 M born TX
Garrison, Anna age 70 F mother-in-law born AL
Have found Charles Garrison & Anna Garrison (b1870-d1945) FAG 90147719 in Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee, Pottawatomie Co, OK
Yippee! Julie McCall found your daughters, Lee Ota and Vera, and your grand daughter.
James Hayes (member of the Fallin family) of Virginia has also been tracking you and your family.
Ruby Massengale Richard is buried in Ardmore, Oklahoma in the Rosehill Cemetery. Thanks so much, Jim
Lee Ota Richard Denton - daughter- (b 15 Dec 1918 - d 24 Oct 2007)
Resident of Pineville, Missouri - short obit at www.tributes.com/show/Leota-Denton-81906076
Lee Ota Denton Sands -granddaughter- (b 5 Aug 1941 - d 29 Mar 2002)
Clinton Memory Gardens, Clinton, Henry Co, Missouri FAG 68376515
Vera Richard Abney - daughter - (b 22 Aug 1911 - d 11 Feb 2006) husband, Bruce Abney, Resident of Duncan, Colorado - buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Elk City, Beckham Co., Oklahoma. FAG 13361138
Husband of Ruby Massengale (married in Seminole County, OK). Father of Vera. The transcript of his death certificate states he was the son of Alison Richards and Anna Fallin.
Richards had an argument with the head of the local Klan over the use of his garage. After the Mayor of the town of Mer Rouge was shot at, the Klan kidnapped Richards and questioned him about it. He was threatened to keep silent, but ended up telling his family and neighbors what had happened. Richards had recognized the voices of some of the hooded men and began to name names. He, along with Filmore Watt Daniel, were dragged out of the car they were in by hooded members of the KKK. Their bodies were found in La Fourche Lake that December. The subsequent trial and not guilty verdict of their accused murderers made national headlines as "The Mer Rouge Klan Murders". The public outrage in the state lead to the eventual fall of the Klan in Louisiana. The murders were most recently depicted in the History Channel's 1998 documentary, "The Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History". Richards' grave, beside that of his friend Watt Daniel, remains unmarked at the request of his family. The below biographical information was written by Bonnie Sisson Manning in a previous memorial:∼No Marker Killed by the Ku Klux Klan
Same time as Filmore Watt Daniel
Richard and Daniel buried side by side.
Wife, Ruby Massengale Richard, & two daughters, Vera & Leota, left pennyless. Left area.
According to family, the correct last name is Richard without the S.
Son of Smallwood Alison Richard and Anna Fallin Richard Garrison
Smallwood died shortly after Fletcher's birth
Anna then married Charles Garrison
Anna Fallin's parents:
William Henry Fallin and Lou Cynthia McGinty Fallin
Lou Cynthia's parents:
William Pitts McGinty and Mary Ann Freeman
Thanks to info from J.M. Collins - distant relative through Mary Ann Freeman. J.M. Collins found by Julie.
Thomas and Ruby Massengale Richard were married sometime after the 1910 Census. Their marriage appears in a listing of Seminole, OK marriages that appear on the USGENWEB site (from James W. Hayes) No date is given for the marriage but is listed in marriage book 2 at the Wewoka, OK courthouse.
For more info read these books.
"Murders of Mer Rouge" by John T. Rogers 1922
"The 20th Century Ku Klux Klan in Morehouse Parish: A Thesis" by Dr. Alton Earl Ingram, 1961
"The Black Hood of the Ku Klux Klan" by Prof. James M. Ruiz, 1998, Austin & Winfield, Publishers ISBN 1-57292-043-2
Short mention in documentary "The Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History"
the History Channel
Men brought before grand jury: no charges brought
1. John Killian Skipwith, Captain CSA
Grand Cyclops of Morehouse Parish KKK
2. Oliver Gayle Skipwith, son
3. T. J. "Jeff" Burnett, Deputy Sheriff
4. Bunnie McEwin McKoin, M.D.
5. Harley Rogers
Autopsy performed by Drs. George W. Duval and John A. Lanford of New Orleans. Info obtained from sources listed above.
Bio
Thomas Fletcher Richard was born about 1892 in Choudrant, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana. In 1910, he was single, employed as a typesetter and resided in Seminole, Oklahoma, with his sister, Mary Richard Phillips. There he met and married in abt 1910, Ruby Massengale, who was born in 1891 in Texas and raised as an orphan. Their first child, Vera, was born 1911 in Oklahoma.
In 1920, he was employed as a garage mechanic in Ouachita Parish. He and his wife, Ruby Massengale, were residing in West Monroe, Louisiana. Residing in his household was his mother and step-father, Mrs. Anna Garrison and Mr. Charles Garrison, and step-sister, Grace C.
In the 1920 census, they had two daughters: Vera, age 9, born in Oklahoma, and Leota, age 1, born in Louisiana. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Mer Rouge, Louisiana, the hometown of Richard's cousin, Filmore Watt Daniel, where Richard was once again employed as a garage mechanic at Whipple Motor Company. His employer at the time of death was Harry Neelis. Richards developed a close association with his cousin, Watt, and seemingly followed in Watt's footsteps. Both publicly criticized the Klan, both experienced confrontations with the Klan and both were later accused by the Klan of the attempted assassination of Dr. Bunnie McKoin, then a resident of Mer Rouge and the captain of the Mer Rouge Klan chapter.
I can not figure out how TFR and Watt are cousins. They AREN'T!
Richard and Daniel were kidnapped, brutally tortured and murdered by the Klan of the 24th of August 1922. Autopsies revealed that both had the same character of injuries and identical symmetry of bone fractures. However, Richards was not subjected to the amputation of his sexual appendages as was his cousin, Watt.
The belief that her husband had been murdered and also that the Ku Klux Klan was responsible was expressed by Mrs. T. R. Richard (error in original newspaper articles) in a letter written to Governor Parker approximately two weeks following the disappearance of her husband. Mrs. Richard wrote that "just because he was not scared by the Klan, they have done this, and they are now trying to make out it was not the Klan, but it was the Klan. ... I believe he is dead, because I know he would have written if he is alive."
When the autopsy was performed, Mrs. Garrison attempted to identify the body of her son, Thomas Richard. [the official autopsy noted that his body was nude when removed from Lake LaFourche]:
Mrs. Anna Garrison of West Monroe, Louisiana, Thomas Richard's mother, traveled to Mer Rouge to identify the body of her son. She told reporters that she felt she would be able to identify her son by the clothing that he wore. Mrs. Ruby Richard was reported to be in destitute condition. Having been an orphan herself, she suddenly found herself without a husband, and her chidlren, two girls ages 3 & 6, found themselves to be without a father. James Leon Daniel, the father of Watt Daniel, told her the she could live in a house he owned rent free for three months, and he also helped her financially. And, as mentioned before, she was also being helped by Whipple.
The Klan wanted the Richard family removed from the Parish and subjected Mr. Whipple to their threats because of the assistance he provided to Mrs. Richards. Thereafter, Mrs. Richard resided with relatives in Ouachata Parish. Conjecture is that she returned to Oklahoma after the public hearings of 1923.
One evening, after Mrs. Ruby Richard and her children were finished with having supper at a friends home in Mer Rouge, the adults were in the living room listening to music when, Verna, the 6 year old, asked for a pencil and paper and went into the kitchen. When Mrs. Richard went in to check on her, she asked Vera what she was doing. With tears running down her cheeks, she told her mother, "I am writing a letter to the Ku Klux Klan to please let my papa come home."
Reportedly her letter requested the Klan send her Father home in time for Christmas Ironically, Thomas Richard's funeral was held on Christmas Eve at the Bonne Idee Cemetery. Thomas Richard is buried in an unmarked grave adjacent to Watt Daniel.
1900 Census - Davis Town, Chickasaw Nation - Texas (lookin' for Ruby)
Massengale, H Jack age 36 M father born 1864 TX - runs a engine?
Massengale, Melie age 21 F mother born 1879 TX
Massengale, Ray age 11 M born 1889 TX farm laborer
Massengale, Ruby age 10 F born 1890 TX
Massengale, unreadable age 3 M born 1897 Indian Territory
Massengale, William age 2 M born 1898 Indian Territory
Massengale, Berthie F 4 months born 1900 Indian Territory
1910 Census - Davis Town, Chickasaw Nation - Texas - (Sherry)
Massengalel, H. Jack age 36 M father born 1864 TX runs an engine
1910 Census - Seminole-OK-Sheet A2 (Mary - sister of TFR)
Phillips, William D age 38 M head born 1872? LA physician
Phillips, Mary A age 20 F born LA father born LA mother born AL
Phillips, Elrey age 15 M
Phillips, Abbie age 13 M
Phillips, Alton age 11 M
Phillips, William age 5 M
Mary, Thomas' sister, must have married a widower with children
Richards, Thomas F age 18 M born 1892 in LA father born LA mother born AL
typesetter - worked at printing office
1920 Census - Ouachita - West Monroe - Natchitoches Street no house #
Richards, Fletcher head age 28 M born LA- father born LA - mother born GA mechanic - worked at garage
Richards, Ruby age 29 F born TX father born AL - mother born TX
Richards, Vera age 9 F born OK
Richards, Leota age 18 mo born LA
Harrison, Anna age 49 born AL her parents born in GA
Harrison, Charlie age 49 born GA unknown where his parents were born
Harrison, Grace C age 9 F niece
Could the census be wrong? She's mentioned several times as being Garrison during the investigation.
Note that the census transcriber thought the name was Harrison)
1920 Census - Pottawatomie, OK - Moore Township - no street or house #
Phillips, William D age 48 M physician born LA father born AL - mother born MS - Physician (Mary - sister of TFR)
Phillips, Mary age 28 F born LA - father born MS - mother born LA
Phillips, Ellery age 25 M born LA - drug clerk
Phillips, William age 15 M born OK
Phillips, Allison age 9 F born OK
Phillips, Iris age 7 F born OK
Phillips, Clarice 5 M born OK
1930 Census - Maud, Pottawatomie, OK ED 63-32 Young Street Apt 77 living in bldg? (still looking for Phillips - Elery is TFR's nephew)
Phillips, Elery age 36 M born LA - father born LA - mother born LA
Salesman - oil
Phillips, Grace age 33 F
Phillips, Elgda age 2 F
Thompson, Harry age 23 M roomer - salesman - oil
1930 Census - ED 63-43 Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma (be near daughter) 508 N. Broadway (apts ?) 17 living in building
Garrison, Charles age 65 M born in GA engineer at hotel
Garrison, Ana age 60 F born AL father born GA mother born AL
Garrison, Grace C. age 20 F daughter born AK father born GA mother born AL
Grace a daughter in 1930 - a niece in 1920
1930 Census - ED 67-29 Seminole, OK house # 103
Richard, Ruby age 38 F widow born TX, father born TX, mother born TX
operator - telephone company
Willis, Lyndall age 27 F lodger - divorced - operator - telephone office.
1940 Census - Noel, Elk River, McDonald Co, MO
Richard, Ruby age 48 F widowed - born TX 8th grade education
telephone operator
Richard, Lee Ota age 21 born LA - telephone operator
1940 Census -Ward 2 - Maud, Maud City, Pottawatomie, OK - 402 West ? Street -can't read it (Elery - TFR's nephew)
Phillips, Elery age 45 M no occupation listed
Phillips, Grace age 43 F post office mistress
Phillips, Elzada age 12 F
1940 Census - Ward 1 - Shawnee, Shawnee City, Pottawatomie, OK
232 North Union Street - apt building (TFR's step-sister, Grace C)
Glenn, Arvel E age 34 M born OK rental property manager
Glenn, Grace C age 30 F born AK
Glenn, Charles A.G. age 7 M born TX
Garrison, Anna age 70 F mother-in-law born AL
Have found Charles Garrison & Anna Garrison (b1870-d1945) FAG 90147719 in Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee, Pottawatomie Co, OK
Yippee! Julie McCall found your daughters, Lee Ota and Vera, and your grand daughter.
James Hayes (member of the Fallin family) of Virginia has also been tracking you and your family.
Ruby Massengale Richard is buried in Ardmore, Oklahoma in the Rosehill Cemetery. Thanks so much, Jim
Lee Ota Richard Denton - daughter- (b 15 Dec 1918 - d 24 Oct 2007)
Resident of Pineville, Missouri - short obit at www.tributes.com/show/Leota-Denton-81906076
Lee Ota Denton Sands -granddaughter- (b 5 Aug 1941 - d 29 Mar 2002)
Clinton Memory Gardens, Clinton, Henry Co, Missouri FAG 68376515
Vera Richard Abney - daughter - (b 22 Aug 1911 - d 11 Feb 2006) husband, Bruce Abney, Resident of Duncan, Colorado - buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Elk City, Beckham Co., Oklahoma. FAG 13361138
Richards had an argument with the head of the local Klan over the use of his garage. After the Mayor of the town of Mer Rouge was shot at, the Klan kidnapped Richards and questioned him about it. He was threatened to keep silent, but ended up telling his family and neighbors what had happened. Richards had recognized the voices of some of the hooded men and began to name names. He, along with Filmore Watt Daniel, were dragged out of the car they were in by hooded members of the KKK. Their bodies were found in La Fourche Lake that December. The subsequent trial and not guilty verdict of their accused murderers made national headlines as "The Mer Rouge Klan Murders". The public outrage in the state lead to the eventual fall of the Klan in Louisiana. The murders were most recently depicted in the History Channel's 1998 documentary, "The Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History". Richards' grave, beside that of his friend Watt Daniel, remains unmarked at the request of his family. The below biographical information was written by Bonnie Sisson Manning in a previous memorial:∼No Marker Killed by the Ku Klux Klan
Same time as Filmore Watt Daniel
Richard and Daniel buried side by side.
Wife, Ruby Massengale Richard, & two daughters, Vera & Leota, left pennyless. Left area.
According to family, the correct last name is Richard without the S.
Son of Smallwood Alison Richard and Anna Fallin Richard Garrison
Smallwood died shortly after Fletcher's birth
Anna then married Charles Garrison
Anna Fallin's parents:
William Henry Fallin and Lou Cynthia McGinty Fallin
Lou Cynthia's parents:
William Pitts McGinty and Mary Ann Freeman
Thanks to info from J.M. Collins - distant relative through Mary Ann Freeman. J.M. Collins found by Julie.
Thomas and Ruby Massengale Richard were married sometime after the 1910 Census. Their marriage appears in a listing of Seminole, OK marriages that appear on the USGENWEB site (from James W. Hayes) No date is given for the marriage but is listed in marriage book 2 at the Wewoka, OK courthouse.
For more info read these books.
"Murders of Mer Rouge" by John T. Rogers 1922
"The 20th Century Ku Klux Klan in Morehouse Parish: A Thesis" by Dr. Alton Earl Ingram, 1961
"The Black Hood of the Ku Klux Klan" by Prof. James M. Ruiz, 1998, Austin & Winfield, Publishers ISBN 1-57292-043-2
Short mention in documentary "The Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History"
the History Channel
Men brought before grand jury: no charges brought
1. John Killian Skipwith, Captain CSA
Grand Cyclops of Morehouse Parish KKK
2. Oliver Gayle Skipwith, son
3. T. J. "Jeff" Burnett, Deputy Sheriff
4. Bunnie McEwin McKoin, M.D.
5. Harley Rogers
Autopsy performed by Drs. George W. Duval and John A. Lanford of New Orleans. Info obtained from sources listed above.
Bio
Thomas Fletcher Richard was born about 1892 in Choudrant, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana. In 1910, he was single, employed as a typesetter and resided in Seminole, Oklahoma, with his sister, Mary Richard Phillips. There he met and married in abt 1910, Ruby Massengale, who was born in 1891 in Texas and raised as an orphan. Their first child, Vera, was born 1911 in Oklahoma.
In 1920, he was employed as a garage mechanic in Ouachita Parish. He and his wife, Ruby Massengale, were residing in West Monroe, Louisiana. Residing in his household was his mother and step-father, Mrs. Anna Garrison and Mr. Charles Garrison, and step-sister, Grace C.
In the 1920 census, they had two daughters: Vera, age 9, born in Oklahoma, and Leota, age 1, born in Louisiana. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Mer Rouge, Louisiana, the hometown of Richard's cousin, Filmore Watt Daniel, where Richard was once again employed as a garage mechanic at Whipple Motor Company. His employer at the time of death was Harry Neelis. Richards developed a close association with his cousin, Watt, and seemingly followed in Watt's footsteps. Both publicly criticized the Klan, both experienced confrontations with the Klan and both were later accused by the Klan of the attempted assassination of Dr. Bunnie McKoin, then a resident of Mer Rouge and the captain of the Mer Rouge Klan chapter.
I can not figure out how TFR and Watt are cousins. They AREN'T!
Richard and Daniel were kidnapped, brutally tortured and murdered by the Klan of the 24th of August 1922. Autopsies revealed that both had the same character of injuries and identical symmetry of bone fractures. However, Richards was not subjected to the amputation of his sexual appendages as was his cousin, Watt.
The belief that her husband had been murdered and also that the Ku Klux Klan was responsible was expressed by Mrs. T. R. Richard (error in original newspaper articles) in a letter written to Governor Parker approximately two weeks following the disappearance of her husband. Mrs. Richard wrote that "just because he was not scared by the Klan, they have done this, and they are now trying to make out it was not the Klan, but it was the Klan. ... I believe he is dead, because I know he would have written if he is alive."
When the autopsy was performed, Mrs. Garrison attempted to identify the body of her son, Thomas Richard. [the official autopsy noted that his body was nude when removed from Lake LaFourche]:
Mrs. Anna Garrison of West Monroe, Louisiana, Thomas Richard's mother, traveled to Mer Rouge to identify the body of her son. She told reporters that she felt she would be able to identify her son by the clothing that he wore. Mrs. Ruby Richard was reported to be in destitute condition. Having been an orphan herself, she suddenly found herself without a husband, and her chidlren, two girls ages 3 & 6, found themselves to be without a father. James Leon Daniel, the father of Watt Daniel, told her the she could live in a house he owned rent free for three months, and he also helped her financially. And, as mentioned before, she was also being helped by Whipple.
The Klan wanted the Richard family removed from the Parish and subjected Mr. Whipple to their threats because of the assistance he provided to Mrs. Richards. Thereafter, Mrs. Richard resided with relatives in Ouachata Parish. Conjecture is that she returned to Oklahoma after the public hearings of 1923.
One evening, after Mrs. Ruby Richard and her children were finished with having supper at a friends home in Mer Rouge, the adults were in the living room listening to music when, Verna, the 6 year old, asked for a pencil and paper and went into the kitchen. When Mrs. Richard went in to check on her, she asked Vera what she was doing. With tears running down her cheeks, she told her mother, "I am writing a letter to the Ku Klux Klan to please let my papa come home."
Reportedly her letter requested the Klan send her Father home in time for Christmas Ironically, Thomas Richard's funeral was held on Christmas Eve at the Bonne Idee Cemetery. Thomas Richard is buried in an unmarked grave adjacent to Watt Daniel.
1900 Census - Davis Town, Chickasaw Nation - Texas (lookin' for Ruby)
Massengale, H Jack age 36 M father born 1864 TX - runs a engine?
Massengale, Melie age 21 F mother born 1879 TX
Massengale, Ray age 11 M born 1889 TX farm laborer
Massengale, Ruby age 10 F born 1890 TX
Massengale, unreadable age 3 M born 1897 Indian Territory
Massengale, William age 2 M born 1898 Indian Territory
Massengale, Berthie F 4 months born 1900 Indian Territory
1910 Census - Davis Town, Chickasaw Nation - Texas - (Sherry)
Massengalel, H. Jack age 36 M father born 1864 TX runs an engine
1910 Census - Seminole-OK-Sheet A2 (Mary - sister of TFR)
Phillips, William D age 38 M head born 1872? LA physician
Phillips, Mary A age 20 F born LA father born LA mother born AL
Phillips, Elrey age 15 M
Phillips, Abbie age 13 M
Phillips, Alton age 11 M
Phillips, William age 5 M
Mary, Thomas' sister, must have married a widower with children
Richards, Thomas F age 18 M born 1892 in LA father born LA mother born AL
typesetter - worked at printing office
1920 Census - Ouachita - West Monroe - Natchitoches Street no house #
Richards, Fletcher head age 28 M born LA- father born LA - mother born GA mechanic - worked at garage
Richards, Ruby age 29 F born TX father born AL - mother born TX
Richards, Vera age 9 F born OK
Richards, Leota age 18 mo born LA
Harrison, Anna age 49 born AL her parents born in GA
Harrison, Charlie age 49 born GA unknown where his parents were born
Harrison, Grace C age 9 F niece
Could the census be wrong? She's mentioned several times as being Garrison during the investigation.
Note that the census transcriber thought the name was Harrison)
1920 Census - Pottawatomie, OK - Moore Township - no street or house #
Phillips, William D age 48 M physician born LA father born AL - mother born MS - Physician (Mary - sister of TFR)
Phillips, Mary age 28 F born LA - father born MS - mother born LA
Phillips, Ellery age 25 M born LA - drug clerk
Phillips, William age 15 M born OK
Phillips, Allison age 9 F born OK
Phillips, Iris age 7 F born OK
Phillips, Clarice 5 M born OK
1930 Census - Maud, Pottawatomie, OK ED 63-32 Young Street Apt 77 living in bldg? (still looking for Phillips - Elery is TFR's nephew)
Phillips, Elery age 36 M born LA - father born LA - mother born LA
Salesman - oil
Phillips, Grace age 33 F
Phillips, Elgda age 2 F
Thompson, Harry age 23 M roomer - salesman - oil
1930 Census - ED 63-43 Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma (be near daughter) 508 N. Broadway (apts ?) 17 living in building
Garrison, Charles age 65 M born in GA engineer at hotel
Garrison, Ana age 60 F born AL father born GA mother born AL
Garrison, Grace C. age 20 F daughter born AK father born GA mother born AL
Grace a daughter in 1930 - a niece in 1920
1930 Census - ED 67-29 Seminole, OK house # 103
Richard, Ruby age 38 F widow born TX, father born TX, mother born TX
operator - telephone company
Willis, Lyndall age 27 F lodger - divorced - operator - telephone office.
1940 Census - Noel, Elk River, McDonald Co, MO
Richard, Ruby age 48 F widowed - born TX 8th grade education
telephone operator
Richard, Lee Ota age 21 born LA - telephone operator
1940 Census -Ward 2 - Maud, Maud City, Pottawatomie, OK - 402 West ? Street -can't read it (Elery - TFR's nephew)
Phillips, Elery age 45 M no occupation listed
Phillips, Grace age 43 F post office mistress
Phillips, Elzada age 12 F
1940 Census - Ward 1 - Shawnee, Shawnee City, Pottawatomie, OK
232 North Union Street - apt building (TFR's step-sister, Grace C)
Glenn, Arvel E age 34 M born OK rental property manager
Glenn, Grace C age 30 F born AK
Glenn, Charles A.G. age 7 M born TX
Garrison, Anna age 70 F mother-in-law born AL
Have found Charles Garrison & Anna Garrison (b1870-d1945) FAG 90147719 in Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee, Pottawatomie Co, OK
Yippee! Julie McCall found your daughters, Lee Ota and Vera, and your grand daughter.
James Hayes (member of the Fallin family) of Virginia has also been tracking you and your family.
Ruby Massengale Richard is buried in Ardmore, Oklahoma in the Rosehill Cemetery. Thanks so much, Jim
Lee Ota Richard Denton - daughter- (b 15 Dec 1918 - d 24 Oct 2007)
Resident of Pineville, Missouri - short obit at www.tributes.com/show/Leota-Denton-81906076
Lee Ota Denton Sands -granddaughter- (b 5 Aug 1941 - d 29 Mar 2002)
Clinton Memory Gardens, Clinton, Henry Co, Missouri FAG 68376515
Vera Richard Abney - daughter - (b 22 Aug 1911 - d 11 Feb 2006) husband, Bruce Abney, Resident of Duncan, Colorado - buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Elk City, Beckham Co., Oklahoma. FAG 13361138
