Individual Details

The family moved to Texas during the Civil War - after the war they moved to Polk County, Arkansas.. After Robert married Martha Allen in Polk County in 1872, they moved to Hot Springs in 1878. He owned a mercantile store. His parents joined him in Hot Springs, as did his older sister, Matilda Watt, and her family and his younger brother, J. C. "Coffee" Williams.

No birthplaces for parents given in 1880. Hh 613
Rowlin P. Williams, 43, Farmer, b. KY
Mary, 37, b. KY
Martha E., 19, b. KY as were all the children except the baby.
Saml. W., 17
Matilda G., 11
Robt. L., 9
Millard F., 6
Gustavus, 3 (Henry, later?)
Manerva E., 8 months, b. MO

Probably his family in 1860, Linn, Cedar Co, MO, Hh

Probably his family in 1870, Cove, Polk Co, AR, Hh 179
Robin P. Williams, 52, Farmer, b. KY
Mary C., 48, b. KY
Robert L., 19, b. KY
Millerd F., 15 (male), b. KY
Henry T., 12, b. KY
Manerva E., 10, b. MO
John C., 7, b. MO
John, 17, Black, b. KY

The Decatur Herald, 15 Dec 1898
Murder of Mrs. Horne
Evidence accumulating Against Hardy Sheffield - Startling Developments Are Expected.
Hot Springs, Arkansas, Dec 14
Gradually the mystery surrounding the disappearance several weeks ago of Mrs. Nellie J. Horne, a beautiful young woman who was visiting this resort, and shom the authorities believed was murdered by young Hardy Sheffield and robbed of the money is being cleared up, and Sheriff Williams hopes to have evidence to prove one of the most heartless crimes ever committed in this vicity, that by which Mrs. Horne lost her life. Hardy Sheffield is in jail charged with murder. The sheriff returned to the city today from the home of Sheffield's brother in Hot springs County, where it was reported the body of Mrs. Horne had been found. He brought with a sack containing grewsome evidence that the human body had been cremated piece by piece in the Sheffield house. The sack contained human bones, ashes, and other articles recovered from the fireplace at the Sheffield house. Experts are at work making a scientific examination of these ghastly remains and it is already established that the bones are those of a human being. Sheffield's brother, in whose home the crime is supposed to have been committed, was brought to Hot Springs by the sheriff an placed in jail as were also several others, who are supposed to accessories to the crime. Startling developments are expected.
NOTE: The Sheffield brothers were declared not guilty for lack of evidence when they came to trial. Ten years later, Andy Adams found the spot where the murdered woman had been buried. She had a bullet hole in the left temple where Shiffield had stated he had fired. Four years previously Hardy Sheffield had been killed in a barroom after he had sent word that he would "shoot it up". William Sheffield issued a confession that Hardy killed Mrs. Horn, and he had helped to buy the body at the roots of a large tree that had blown down and left a partly made grave.


Robert "Bob" Williams was the sheriff in Hot Springs for many years and served as mayor in between terms as sheriff. There were some incidents that made national news. One was a shoot-out in the streets of Hot Spring on 16 March 1899 between the sheriff and police departments in which five men were killed, including Robert's son John and the Chief of Police. One of the men killed was just a bystander. Robert, his brother Coffee, his son, and his nephews Will and Sam Watt were all involved. Four men including Robert and his brother Coffee were tried for murder but acquitted. The whole affair started over candidates for mayor. Suicide seems to have run in the family - Bob Williams, lay down in his bedrom in the evening of 25 Aug 1917 and shot himself in the head. J. C. "Coffee" Williams, his brother, had shot himself on 3 Sep 1913. Will Watt, the nephew, had preceded both of them, and killed himself on the third try, 29 Dec 1906, putting a bullet in his heart.
On 19 June 1913, a young girl, Garland Huff, age 14, was murdered. She was the only daughter of Judge C. Floyd Huff. Apparently a young Black man, age 21, was a cook in the Huff household. The girl and the young man were alone in the house and a few hours later, her brother found her locked in the china closet with serious head injuries which resulted in her death that evening. A huge man hunt - posse formed by Sheriff Wlliams, including bloodhunds, found Will Norman, the young man. A mob took him away from the police officers as they arrived in town - hung him from a light pole, riddled his body with bullets, and burned the body. It is claimed Will Norman stated he hit her too hard when she started screaming. Her brothers testified to bad beelings between the two - maybe over her interference in the kitchen. A heavy wooden mallet was found outside the closet - believed to be the weapon.

1908 Hot Springs City Directory
Williams, Robert L. (Williams & Reece) sheriff and collector Garland County, Court House, residence: 315 W. Grand Ave

Daily Arkansas Gazette, 13 Aug 1908
Hot Springs - May Go to Mexico
R. L. Williams, former sheriff of Garland County, has gone to Fort Smith to confer with his brother, Coffee Williams, with regard to the development of a big enterprise in Mexico. Coffee Williams has received valuable concessions from the Mexican government and will to to Mexico shortly to further his interests there. It is stated that it is likely that R. L. Williams will become associated with him in the enterprise.

Undated, unsourced newspaper clipping
BUCHANAN AGAIN SUES FOR FEES
Garland County Sheriff Alleges Williams Has Transferred His Property to Relatives. Sues for $10,000.
Hot Springs, June 19 - A new turn to the long-drawn-out lawsuit for possession and emoluments of the sheriff's office in this county was taken today when S. A. Buchanan filed suit against R. L. Williams, Martha E., Williams, Wallace W. Gentry and B. A. Gentry for damages in the sum of $10,000 alleged to be due him from collections and fees during the time that R. L. Williams, occupied the sheriff's office after the last election. Martha E. Williams is R. L. William's wife, and Wallace W. Gentry and B. A. Gentry are son-in-law and daughter respectively, of R. L. Williams
The complaint is a lengthy one and covers in brief the entire court proceedings in the recent contest case between Buchanan and Williams for the office of sheriff of Garland County, It is alleged in the complaint that until May 2, R. L. Williams was the owner of parts of lots 4 and 5 in block 68, which are on Central Avenue and Market Street, and that on that date he transferred this property to Wallace W. Gentry and B. A. Gentry for the purpose of preventing the plaintiff from collecting on his claims.

The Monticellonian, Monticello, Arkansas, 11 Sep 1913
Hot Springs Man Kills Self
Coffey Williams, brother of Sheriff R. L. Williams, a well-known businessman and peioneer citizen, killed himself in the presence of his wife, bidding her good-bye just before he sent a bullet through hi heart. Just prior to the suicide, Mr. & Mrs. Williams had eaten lunch in the dining room of their home. Williams kissed his wife good-bye, went to his bedroom, undressed himself as though to retire and then colled his wife. "I can no longer face my fellow-man" he said. "My business has been a failure." He pressed a revolver to his breast and in spite of his wife's efforts killed himself.

Hot Springs New Era, August 1917
Former Sheriff and Mayor Shoots Himself at Home on Grand Avenue Saturday Evening - No Cause Known for the Act.
The news Sunday morning that Robert L. Williams, former sheriff of Garland County and former maor of Hot Springs, had committed suicide by shooting himself at his home, 311 West Grant Avenue, caused a profound sensation.
Mr. Williams had been about city as usual Saturday afternoon and was in particularly good spirits to all intents. He was Particularly elated that a young country friend of his, Kirk Petty, had passed the physical examination for the national army and had claimed no exemption, but that he was ready and anxious to go. Mr. Williams had related the incident to friends and newpaper men, and had particularly requested that Petty's patriotic action be given due publicity.
At his home in the evening he had partially undressed and had layed down on a couch near the window. His wife and two daughters were in the house at the time, and were shocked to hear a revolver report from the room occupied by Mr. Williams. They rushed to the room to find that Williams had shot himself in the temply, death being instantaneous.
No cause is apparent for the deed, and family and friends are unable to explain the motive which prompted it.
"Bob"Williams was 56 years of age. He came to Hot Springs when he was a young man, 26 years of age. He became popular and soon in polities, being elected sheriff of Garland County, an office he occupied for eighteen years, and he had also been maor of Hot Springs four years, making an official service of 22 years in the city and county.
Like all political careers, however, his life had not been without its storms and shadows. The tragic death of his son, many years ago, and later the tragic death of his brother, Coffey Williams, had brought sorrow to the household during the time that Mr. Williams had public office.
When he again entered private life he engaged in business, being the head of the Hot Springs Commission Company, and having erected and operated here a flouring mill at which the local farmers could have their wheat ground. He also operated a wagon yard and at diffeent times owned and operated considerable rental property here.
The funeral services were held from the home at ten o'clock tis morning, conducted by Rev. Theodore Copeland and the remains were buried in Hollywood Cemetery.
Deceased is suvived by his widow and three daughters, Mrs. W. W. Gentry of this city, Mrs. Josephine McIntyre of Dallas, Texas, and Miss Florence Williams.
Deceased had been a conspicuous character in local politics and business during his entire residence here, and he had a large number of friends in the city, county and state at large.

Batesville Guard, Batesville, AR, 31 Aug 1917
Bob Williams Suicides
Robert L. Williams, aged 68 years, who for the greater part of 22 years served as mayor of Hot Springs and sheriff of Garland County, committed suicide at his home in Hot springs last Saturday night by shooting himself through the head, while lying on a couch in his room. He left no letter or gave no intimation of the act. Williams had a checkered career as an official and was finally retired from office after a contest and losing through the courts, which cost him considerable money. He was with the liberal element for years, when open gambling was permitted in Hot Springs, but during his last term of office joined the law enforcing element and aided in helping to close up the gambling houses.

Arkansas Death Certificate #339
R. L. Williams died 25 Aug 1917 from a gun shot wound. He lived in Hot Springs, Garland Co, AR and had been a merchant. No birth date given - he was age 66, born in Kentucky. R. P. Williams was his father, mother not known. W. W. Gentry of Hot springs was the informant. Buried Holly Wood Cemetery, Aug 16th.

Birth	22 Jan 1851	Kentucky
Marriage	11 Feb 1873	Martha Elizabeth Allen
Death	26 Aug 1917	Garland County, Arkansas

Spouse	Martha Elizabeth Allen (1852 - 1936)
Child	Bennie Augusta Williams (1874 - )
Child	John Orren Williams (1876 - 1899)
Child	Florence L. Williams (1878 - 1978)
Child	Josephine Williams (1880 - 1941)