Individual Details

Robert L. Williams

(22 Jan 1851 - 1917)

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

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, 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.

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.

Events

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

Families

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

Individual Details

Robert L. Williams

Events

Families

Endnotes