JOHN HOBART MEADE
1902-1935
BODY FOUND IN PARKED AUTO
Mystery Surrounds Death Of Prominent Young Man
Funeral services for Hobart Meade, killed Sunday night by an
unknown person on the Garrett Highway were held Wednesday
afternoon at the First Methodist Church.
The services were conducted by the Rev. Odis J. Polley and he was
assisted by the Rev. W. L. Canter, Rev. Arthur Green and The Rev.
A. G. Cox, of Ashland Ky.
A male quartette composed of J. E. Walker, Abe Barber, and Rev.
Polley and Charles Williams sang several selections.
Miss Gertrude Patrick was the accompanist.
Burial was in the Stafford Cemetery just across Paint Creek from
the city.
Paintsville Herald
Thursday
12-19-1935
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Hobart Meade, 33 years old, General Auditor for the First Natinal
Bank of Paintsville and prominent young stockman was found shot to
death at the wheel of his automobile Sunday night, near the
Barnetts Creek Bridge on the Garrett Highway.
His body was found by his wife at about 11 o'clock.
He had been dead for about four hours according to physicians.
No motive for the murder or any clues as to the guilty party had
been discovered when the Herald went to press.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the
First Methodist Episcopal Church and burial was in the Stafford
Cemetery across Paint Creek from Paintsville.
According to reports he had taken two of his children to Epworth
League Sunday evening at about 6 o'clock and told his wife that he
intended to drive out to Staffordsville on some business. He
intended to return and take Mrs. Meade to the evening Church
services. He failed to return and late that night his wife became
alarmed at his absence and in company with the Rev. Odia Polley
and Mrs. Polley started out to search for him. His car was parked
near the Barnetts Creek Bridge with the lights burning and the
motor running. Mrs. Meade went to the car and discovered his
body slumped over the wheel and according to witnesses, his
revolver, which had not been fired in his hand.
Officers were notified immediately and rushed to the scene of the
crime. Three bullet holes were found in the glass of the car.
Mr. Meade had been shot once in the head, the bullet entering just
behind his right ear and emerging just back of his left temple. A
guard was placed at the car and his body removed to a Paintsville
Funeral parlor. A coroner's inquest was held Monday morning and
the jury found he came to death at the hands of party or parties
unknown. Blood hounds which were bought to the scene failed to
pick up any trail. It also was reported that the services of a
detective of national fame were obtained and is working on the
case. Finger prints found in the car were taken in an effort to
learn the guilty party.
According to reports his car was parked at the spot where it was
found about 7 o'clock. Several passerby saw the car early in the
evening but thought nothing about it since it apparently was
preparing to turn around. Neighbors near the scene failed to hear
any shots fired which gives rise to the theory that the actual
shooting might have occurred at another place and the car driven
there and abandoned. The motor was still running and the lights
burning when his body was discovered.
Mr. Meade was a young businessman of ability and as far as it is
known had no enemies. No reason for his murder can be advanced by
any member of his family or his friends.
He was the son of the late C. C. Meade of the Jennies Creek
section of Johnson County and is survived by his widow, Mrs. Edna
Mae Spears Meade; four children Hobert Hamlin, Mary Judith,
Phillip and Patricia Ann. Three brothers his mother, five sisters
and numerous relatives also survive.
He had been employed in the First National Bank for more than 12
years.
Paintsville Herald
Thursday
12-19-1935
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John Hobart Meade, son of Crate C. and Minta Lemasters Meade, was
born June 9, 1902, and departed this life Sunday, December 15,
1935, being 33 years, 6 months, and 6 days of age. He attended
school at Berea College, and also, graduated from John. C. C. Mayo
Business College. Following his graduation he became an employee
of the Paintsville National Bank, now the First National Bank,
which position he held thirteen years until his death.
He was united in marriage to Miss Edna May Spears, August 27,
1924. To this union were born four children, two sons and two
daughters: Hobart Haviland, aged 10 years; Mary Judith, 8 years;
Philip Roger, 6 years; Patricia Anne, 4 years. Besides his wife
and children, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. Minta Meade, of
Jennie's Creek, eight sisters and three brothers: Mrs. Raymond
Conley, Mrs. Walter Rice and Miss Edna Carroll Meade, of Jennie's
Creek; Mrs. George W. Conley, Mrs. B. H. Rivera of Paintsville,
Mrs. Toy Wheeler, of Ashland; Mrs. Walter Hamilton, Jenkins, Ky.;
Mrs. Floyd Williams, Oil Springs, Polk Meade and Taylor Meade,
Jennies Creek and Robert E. Meade of Staffordsville, Ky.
The greater part of his life was spent in Johnson County. Besides
being a valuable employee of the First National Bank, he was
actively engaged in other business pursuits, dealing extensively
in real estate, livestock and the mercantile business. He died the
owner of several tracts of land as well as houses and lots and a
beautiful home in Stafford Place; a large number of livestock and
a store at Collista, Ky. He was widely known as a man of much
energy and enterprise and great ability in business. He had the
confidence of the people of this whole section, including among
his friends all who came in touch with his life, in personal,
social or business connections. He was "A Friend To Man" in every
way, and had helped many people over the rough places of life,
going out of his way to help others. He gave bountifully to the
poor, was the "Friend in Need" to all his family, relatives and
friends. He was a devoted husband and father, furnishing his
family with evey comfort possible, and always encouraging his
children to high ideals, principles and aims. He went with his
wife and children to church services regularly. Those in close
touch with his personal life on certain occasions had revealed to
them his great appreciation and understanding of the teachings of
the Bible. In his family life, he joined with his wife and
children in daily prayer at his home.
The tragic death of this esteemed citizen came as a great shock to
the people of Paintsville and the surrounding country. He was
found slain in his car on the Garrett Highway. No one could
understand it as it was expressed by many, "If Hobart Meade had an
enemy, no one knew it."
The funeral was held in the M. E. Church which was filled to
capacity, with sorrowing relatives and friends. The services were
conducted by Rev. Odis J. Polley, assisted by Dr. W. I. Canter,
Rev. Arthur Green, and Rev. Cox of Ashland. A quartet composed of
J. E. Walker, Abe Barber, Vivian Daniel and O. J. Polley, sang:
"Going Down The Valley One by One," "Sometime, Somewhere", "Will
the Circle Be Unbroken" accompanied by Miss Gertrude Patrick at
the piano, who also sang an original arrangement of "Crossing the
Bar." The front of the Church was filled with the many beautiful
floral offerings that were a silent tribute to him, a voiceless
eulogy of the man who held such a high place in the hearts of the
people. The pall-bearers were: Active: Ross Lyon, Douglas Turner,
Russell Meade, Henry Holbrook, John Chandler, Milt Witten, Hobart
Howard, L. Siler, Harry Thomas, Clarence Melvin, Frank Chandler,
Hon. and Hobart Conley, Honorary; G. H. Rice, Paul Francis, Byrd
Cox, Mr. Cox, J. W. Turner, Dave
PAINTSVILLE HERALD
THURSDAY
JAN 2 1936
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