The Neshoba Democrat
November 21, 1947

JAMES M. MARS, CITY ATTORNEY, DIES FROM ACCIDENTAL GUNSHOT WOUNDS, VET WAR II

James M. Mars, local attorney and one of the outstanding young business men of this section of the state, died Monday morning about 8:30 from gunshot wounds in the chest. The charge was said to have been accidental, according to the death certificate filed by the attending physician.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock from the First Methodist church. Rites were conducted by Rev. Hugh C. Castle of Tylertown, formerly pastor of the local church. Burial was in Cedarlawn cemetery.

James Montgomery Mars, the son of Dr. W. H. Mars and the late Mrs. Florence Latimer Mars was a native of Neshoba county, having spent practically all of his life in this city.

He attended the city schools, graduating from the high school, attending the University of Mississippi and was a graduate of the Cumberland University Law School Lebanon, Tennessee.

Completing his education, Mr. Mars returned to his home city to practice his profession, where he was recognized as a brilliant young attorney.

At the time of his death, Mr. Mars was serving his fifth term as attorney for the city of Philadelphia.

In 1942 Mr. Mars enlisted in the U. S. Army and at the time of his discharge in 1945 was a captain in the Quartermaster corps, serving two years in the European area.

Since his return from the service, Mr. Mars resumed his law practice as well as caring for his father's extensive business interests, he having retired because of ill health.

Mr. Mars was associated with the Motor Parts and Gear company in this city and Carthage; the Hamill Drug Store; Supreme Feed and Fertilizer company an other real estate holdings.

The deceased was married in 1935 to Miss Ruth Therrell, who with a son and daughter, William Montgomery Mars and Martha Latimer Mars, survive; his father, Dr. W. H. Mars a brother, William Fenton Mars, and a sister, Mrs. Martha Dees, and a neice Florence Mars.