Memphis Reveille
Memphis, Missouri
Thursday
January 16, 1941
Page 1
Column 1John Roberts Arrested For
Murder Of Oral F. ParrishHELD IN JAIL HERE
AFTER SHOOTING
SCRAPE TUESDAYJohn Roberts, 46 year old farmer, was arrested by Sheriff D. A. Wise and Deputy Sheriff Sam Rader, Tuesday afternoon, and placed in the county jail, charged with fatally shooting Oral F. Parrish.
The shooting took place shortly after noon Tuesday at the home of Mrs. Myrtle Burrus, sister of Roberts and mother-in-law of Parrish. Both Roberts, who is not married, and Parrish who leaves a wife and small child, make their home with Mrs. Burrus. The home is located nine miles east of Bible Grove on highway 15.
According to an account of the shooting, given by Mrs. Burrus, Mrs. Parrish had scrubbed the kitchen floor and exchanged words with Roberts when he entered the house and tracked mud into the kitchen, Parrish, who was in the dining room of the house at the time, took up the dispute and he and Roberts soon became involved in a fist-fight. Mrs. Burrus and Mrs. Parrish separated the two men and told them there would be no fighting in the house. Both men were slightly bruised and scratched from the fight and Parrish went into the kitchen, to a wash basin to wash his face. Roberts went into another room and returned with a 22 caliber rifle which he pointed at Parrish. Mrs. Burrus, on seeing the rifle, screamed, causing Parrish to turn around just as the gun was fired. The bullet entered his mouth and penetrated upward, killing him instantly.
After the shooting Roberts left the house and went to the barn. Sheriff D. A. Wise was summoned and when he and Deputy Sheriff Sam Rader arrived they took Roberts into custody and brought him to Memphis, where they placed him in jail. He made no attempt to escape or resist the officers.
Coroner P. M. Baker, on arriving at the scene, summoned a coroner's jury and held an inquest. The jury composed of Zion Clark, Audry Longfellow, George Kirkpatrick, Dale Rice, Lewis Stone and Claude Carter returned the following verdict -- "We, the jury, find this man, Oral F. Parrish, came to his death by gun shot. The gun fired by the hands of John Roberts. We recommend that John Roberts be held in the custody of the law."
Wednesday morning Roberts was taken to the office of Prosecuting Attorney A. L. Luther where he was informed of the charges against him. He is charged with first degree murder.
The rifle used by Roberts is in possession of Deputy Sheriff Sam Rader as evidence in the case.
Funeral services for Parrish are being held today, at Greensburg Christian church at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Longstreth of Memphis officiating.
Oral Franklin Parrish, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alpha Parrish was born in Scotland County, August 29, 1914 and died at his home in the Ft. Donaldson neighborhood, when he was tragically killed, January 14.
He attended the Millport school in Knox County, but had been a farmer in this county, most of his life.
September 24, 1938, he was united in marriage to Donna Burrus at Kirksville. To this union one child, Wanda Fern, was born.
Oral is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alpha A. and Nellie Parrish of Baring; his wife and daughter; four sisters: Mrs. Fred Tripp, Rutledge; Mrs. Orville McAllister, Edina; Mrs. Victor Guinn, Rutledge and Miss Rachel Parrish at home; five brothers: Rufus Parrish of Knox City; Bryan Parrish, Nauvoo, Ill.; Claude Parrish, Gorin; Tillman and Varley Parrish, Baring. Twenty-seven nieces and nephews, a host of relatives and friends mourn his going.
