Great-Great-Grandfather
John William Bird was the son of George Marshall Bird and Martha S. Clark. He was born near Fricks Gap in Walker County, Georgia, where his father had settled following the Civil War.
John married Canzada Pierce, daughter of John Calvin Pierce & Lydia Caroline Harvey Pierce, December 23, 1887, in Walker County, Georgia. To this union was born two children - Eunice Clark and Wiley Virgil.
Around 1895, George Marshall Bird and most of his family, including John and his household, packed up their belongings and moved west, living seasonally in places like Texas, Arkansas, and Western Tennessee, where they would sharecrop for a season or two and then move on. The family was in search of a better life, yet was greeted in the west by many obstacles, including sickness and death. John's wife, Cannie, died while living in Hope, Arkansas (Hempstead County). John's brother, Claude, also lost a wife and child.
After Cannie's death, John – being left with two young children – married a second time. He and Margaret "Maggie" Walker were married on April 24, 1897, in McNairy County, Tennessee. This union brought forth two more children – John Riley (1898) and Ella M. (1899).
The 1900 US Federal Census shows that George, John, and most of the family were living in McNairy County; but by 1902, the family had relocated to Madison County, Alabama. Family lore says that they were all on their way back to their native Georgia; however, unknowingly to them at the time, they would never make it past Madison County.
John William Bird, who was known to have a high temper and who his son later described as having cussed with practically every breath, would meet his bitter end in the small Madison County Community of Monrovia. The newspaper story below details the events of that fateful day.
John Byrd Murdered
Tragedy Near Monrovia Last Saturday.
Robt. Johnson and Fred Stevens Charged of Murder Tried before Judge Stewart
News of the killing of John Byrd, a farmer, by Robert Johnson and Fred Stevens, reached the city from the Monrovia precint Monday morning. The two men came to the city after the killing and surrendered to Sheriff Rodgers, who had no warrant for them at the time. The sheriff told them to appear for preliminary trial before Judge Stewart in the afternoon, which they did.
It seems that Byrd has for sometime past been getting water from a well on Johnson's place and last Saturday afternoon when Byrd's boy went for the water, Johnson told him that he could get no more water as the well was getting low and liable at any time to dry. The boy returned home and told his father what Johnson had said to him. Byrd then got a bucket and a double barreled shot gun and said that he would go and get the water anyhow as he must have it. He was accompanied by his wife, son, father, and two or three others.
Johnson and his brother-in-law, Stevens, saw the party coming and armed themselves. When Byrd came within hailing distance they told him he must not come to the well. Byrd came on and leveled his gun at the two men who were standing in the door of Johnson's home. Johnson opened fire with a pistol, none of the bullets taking effect. Stevens then fired the shot gun and Byrd fell dead, riddled with shot. Byrd was shot twice.
Warrants for the arrest of Johnson and Stevens were sworn out by the dead man's father and a preliminary trial was held before Squire David Phillips, who held the men for further investigation.
Their preliminary hearing was held by Probate Judge Stewart Monday afternoon and Judge Stewart bound the defendants over to await the action of a grand jury. Their bonds were fixed at $1,000 and were made easily.
All parties to the tragedy are well known in teh Monrovia neighborhood. They have many relatives in that locality and were all known as peaceable citizens.
Huntsville Herald, July 4, 1902
John Bird's thirteen year old son, Eunice, rushed to his father's side after he had been shot, only in time to hear his father's final words - "Oh, Lord."
John is buried in the Mount Zion Cemetery. His grave was marked for many years by a small chicken figurine, which had been placed on the grave by John's second wife, Maggie; however, that figurine was lost or removed in the 1950's or 1960's. Descendants of John's sons, Eunice and Wiley, placed a new, modern tombstone on his grave on September 20, 2013, to honor their ancestor's final resting place. Those present when the grave was marked included grandson and wife, Lonnie & Jean Byrd; great-grandchildren, Ronald Byrd, and William & Peggy Byrd Knight; and great-great-grandson, Shannon Byrd.
For more information, please see "The George Marshall Bird Family", by Shannon D. Byrd.
John William Bird was the son of George Marshall Bird and Martha S. Clark. He was born near Fricks Gap in Walker County, Georgia, where his father had settled following the Civil War.
John married Canzada Pierce, daughter of John Calvin Pierce & Lydia Caroline Harvey Pierce, December 23, 1887, in Walker County, Georgia. To this union was born two children - Eunice Clark and Wiley Virgil.
Around 1895, George Marshall Bird and most of his family, including John and his household, packed up their belongings and moved west, living seasonally in places like Texas, Arkansas, and Western Tennessee, where they would sharecrop for a season or two and then move on. The family was in search of a better life, yet was greeted in the west by many obstacles, including sickness and death. John's wife, Cannie, died while living in Hope, Arkansas (Hempstead County). John's brother, Claude, also lost a wife and child.
After Cannie's death, John – being left with two young children – married a second time. He and Margaret "Maggie" Walker were married on April 24, 1897, in McNairy County, Tennessee. This union brought forth two more children – John Riley (1898) and Ella M. (1899).
The 1900 US Federal Census shows that George, John, and most of the family were living in McNairy County; but by 1902, the family had relocated to Madison County, Alabama. Family lore says that they were all on their way back to their native Georgia; however, unknowingly to them at the time, they would never make it past Madison County.
John William Bird, who was known to have a high temper and who his son later described as having cussed with practically every breath, would meet his bitter end in the small Madison County Community of Monrovia. The newspaper story below details the events of that fateful day.
John Byrd Murdered
Tragedy Near Monrovia Last Saturday.
Robt. Johnson and Fred Stevens Charged of Murder Tried before Judge Stewart
News of the killing of John Byrd, a farmer, by Robert Johnson and Fred Stevens, reached the city from the Monrovia precint Monday morning. The two men came to the city after the killing and surrendered to Sheriff Rodgers, who had no warrant for them at the time. The sheriff told them to appear for preliminary trial before Judge Stewart in the afternoon, which they did.
It seems that Byrd has for sometime past been getting water from a well on Johnson's place and last Saturday afternoon when Byrd's boy went for the water, Johnson told him that he could get no more water as the well was getting low and liable at any time to dry. The boy returned home and told his father what Johnson had said to him. Byrd then got a bucket and a double barreled shot gun and said that he would go and get the water anyhow as he must have it. He was accompanied by his wife, son, father, and two or three others.
Johnson and his brother-in-law, Stevens, saw the party coming and armed themselves. When Byrd came within hailing distance they told him he must not come to the well. Byrd came on and leveled his gun at the two men who were standing in the door of Johnson's home. Johnson opened fire with a pistol, none of the bullets taking effect. Stevens then fired the shot gun and Byrd fell dead, riddled with shot. Byrd was shot twice.
Warrants for the arrest of Johnson and Stevens were sworn out by the dead man's father and a preliminary trial was held before Squire David Phillips, who held the men for further investigation.
Their preliminary hearing was held by Probate Judge Stewart Monday afternoon and Judge Stewart bound the defendants over to await the action of a grand jury. Their bonds were fixed at $1,000 and were made easily.
All parties to the tragedy are well known in teh Monrovia neighborhood. They have many relatives in that locality and were all known as peaceable citizens.
Huntsville Herald, July 4, 1902
John Bird's thirteen year old son, Eunice, rushed to his father's side after he had been shot, only in time to hear his father's final words - "Oh, Lord."
John is buried in the Mount Zion Cemetery. His grave was marked for many years by a small chicken figurine, which had been placed on the grave by John's second wife, Maggie; however, that figurine was lost or removed in the 1950's or 1960's. Descendants of John's sons, Eunice and Wiley, placed a new, modern tombstone on his grave on September 20, 2013, to honor their ancestor's final resting place. Those present when the grave was marked included grandson and wife, Lonnie & Jean Byrd; great-grandchildren, Ronald Byrd, and William & Peggy Byrd Knight; and great-great-grandson, Shannon Byrd.
For more information, please see "The George Marshall Bird Family", by Shannon D. Byrd.
Great-Great-Grandfather
John William Bird was the son of George Marshall Bird and Martha S. Clark. He was born near Fricks Gap in Walker County, Georgia, where his father had settled following the Civil War.
John married Canzada Pierce, daughter of John Calvin Pierce & Lydia Caroline Harvey Pierce, December 23, 1887, in Walker County, Georgia. To this union was born two children - Eunice Clark and Wiley Virgil.
Around 1895, George Marshall Bird and most of his family, including John and his household, packed up their belongings and moved west, living seasonally in places like Texas, Arkansas, and Western Tennessee, where they would sharecrop for a season or two and then move on. The family was in search of a better life, yet was greeted in the west by many obstacles, including sickness and death. John's wife, Cannie, died while living in Hope, Arkansas (Hempstead County). John's brother, Claude, also lost a wife and child.
After Cannie's death, John – being left with two young children – married a second time. He and Margaret "Maggie" Walker were married on April 24, 1897, in McNairy County, Tennessee. This union brought forth two more children – John Riley (1898) and Ella M. (1899).
The 1900 US Federal Census shows that George, John, and most of the family were living in McNairy County; but by 1902, the family had relocated to Madison County, Alabama. Family lore says that they were all on their way back to their native Georgia; however, unknowingly to them at the time, they would never make it past Madison County.
John William Bird, who was known to have a high temper and who his son later described as having cussed with practically every breath, would meet his bitter end in the small Madison County Community of Monrovia. The newspaper story below details the events of that fateful day.
John Byrd Murdered
Tragedy Near Monrovia Last Saturday.
Robt. Johnson and Fred Stevens Charged of Murder Tried before Judge Stewart
News of the killing of John Byrd, a farmer, by Robert Johnson and Fred Stevens, reached the city from the Monrovia precint Monday morning. The two men came to the city after the killing and surrendered to Sheriff Rodgers, who had no warrant for them at the time. The sheriff told them to appear for preliminary trial before Judge Stewart in the afternoon, which they did.
It seems that Byrd has for sometime past been getting water from a well on Johnson's place and last Saturday afternoon when Byrd's boy went for the water, Johnson told him that he could get no more water as the well was getting low and liable at any time to dry. The boy returned home and told his father what Johnson had said to him. Byrd then got a bucket and a double barreled shot gun and said that he would go and get the water anyhow as he must have it. He was accompanied by his wife, son, father, and two or three others.
Johnson and his brother-in-law, Stevens, saw the party coming and armed themselves. When Byrd came within hailing distance they told him he must not come to the well. Byrd came on and leveled his gun at the two men who were standing in the door of Johnson's home. Johnson opened fire with a pistol, none of the bullets taking effect. Stevens then fired the shot gun and Byrd fell dead, riddled with shot. Byrd was shot twice.
Warrants for the arrest of Johnson and Stevens were sworn out by the dead man's father and a preliminary trial was held before Squire David Phillips, who held the men for further investigation.
Their preliminary hearing was held by Probate Judge Stewart Monday afternoon and Judge Stewart bound the defendants over to await the action of a grand jury. Their bonds were fixed at $1,000 and were made easily.
All parties to the tragedy are well known in teh Monrovia neighborhood. They have many relatives in that locality and were all known as peaceable citizens.
Huntsville Herald, July 4, 1902
John Bird's thirteen year old son, Eunice, rushed to his father's side after he had been shot, only in time to hear his father's final words - "Oh, Lord."
John is buried in the Mount Zion Cemetery. His grave was marked for many years by a small chicken figurine, which had been placed on the grave by John's second wife, Maggie; however, that figurine was lost or removed in the 1950's or 1960's. Descendants of John's sons, Eunice and Wiley, placed a new, modern tombstone on his grave on September 20, 2013, to honor their ancestor's final resting place. Those present when the grave was marked included grandson and wife, Lonnie & Jean Byrd; great-grandchildren, Ronald Byrd, and William & Peggy Byrd Knight; and great-great-grandson, Shannon Byrd.
For more information, please see "The George Marshall Bird Family", by Shannon D. Byrd.
John William Bird was the son of George Marshall Bird and Martha S. Clark. He was born near Fricks Gap in Walker County, Georgia, where his father had settled following the Civil War.
John married Canzada Pierce, daughter of John Calvin Pierce & Lydia Caroline Harvey Pierce, December 23, 1887, in Walker County, Georgia. To this union was born two children - Eunice Clark and Wiley Virgil.
Around 1895, George Marshall Bird and most of his family, including John and his household, packed up their belongings and moved west, living seasonally in places like Texas, Arkansas, and Western Tennessee, where they would sharecrop for a season or two and then move on. The family was in search of a better life, yet was greeted in the west by many obstacles, including sickness and death. John's wife, Cannie, died while living in Hope, Arkansas (Hempstead County). John's brother, Claude, also lost a wife and child.
After Cannie's death, John – being left with two young children – married a second time. He and Margaret "Maggie" Walker were married on April 24, 1897, in McNairy County, Tennessee. This union brought forth two more children – John Riley (1898) and Ella M. (1899).
The 1900 US Federal Census shows that George, John, and most of the family were living in McNairy County; but by 1902, the family had relocated to Madison County, Alabama. Family lore says that they were all on their way back to their native Georgia; however, unknowingly to them at the time, they would never make it past Madison County.
John William Bird, who was known to have a high temper and who his son later described as having cussed with practically every breath, would meet his bitter end in the small Madison County Community of Monrovia. The newspaper story below details the events of that fateful day.
John Byrd Murdered
Tragedy Near Monrovia Last Saturday.
Robt. Johnson and Fred Stevens Charged of Murder Tried before Judge Stewart
News of the killing of John Byrd, a farmer, by Robert Johnson and Fred Stevens, reached the city from the Monrovia precint Monday morning. The two men came to the city after the killing and surrendered to Sheriff Rodgers, who had no warrant for them at the time. The sheriff told them to appear for preliminary trial before Judge Stewart in the afternoon, which they did.
It seems that Byrd has for sometime past been getting water from a well on Johnson's place and last Saturday afternoon when Byrd's boy went for the water, Johnson told him that he could get no more water as the well was getting low and liable at any time to dry. The boy returned home and told his father what Johnson had said to him. Byrd then got a bucket and a double barreled shot gun and said that he would go and get the water anyhow as he must have it. He was accompanied by his wife, son, father, and two or three others.
Johnson and his brother-in-law, Stevens, saw the party coming and armed themselves. When Byrd came within hailing distance they told him he must not come to the well. Byrd came on and leveled his gun at the two men who were standing in the door of Johnson's home. Johnson opened fire with a pistol, none of the bullets taking effect. Stevens then fired the shot gun and Byrd fell dead, riddled with shot. Byrd was shot twice.
Warrants for the arrest of Johnson and Stevens were sworn out by the dead man's father and a preliminary trial was held before Squire David Phillips, who held the men for further investigation.
Their preliminary hearing was held by Probate Judge Stewart Monday afternoon and Judge Stewart bound the defendants over to await the action of a grand jury. Their bonds were fixed at $1,000 and were made easily.
All parties to the tragedy are well known in teh Monrovia neighborhood. They have many relatives in that locality and were all known as peaceable citizens.
Huntsville Herald, July 4, 1902
John Bird's thirteen year old son, Eunice, rushed to his father's side after he had been shot, only in time to hear his father's final words - "Oh, Lord."
John is buried in the Mount Zion Cemetery. His grave was marked for many years by a small chicken figurine, which had been placed on the grave by John's second wife, Maggie; however, that figurine was lost or removed in the 1950's or 1960's. Descendants of John's sons, Eunice and Wiley, placed a new, modern tombstone on his grave on September 20, 2013, to honor their ancestor's final resting place. Those present when the grave was marked included grandson and wife, Lonnie & Jean Byrd; great-grandchildren, Ronald Byrd, and William & Peggy Byrd Knight; and great-great-grandson, Shannon Byrd.
For more information, please see "The George Marshall Bird Family", by Shannon D. Byrd.
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