27 April 2017

W is for Wallace James Lincecum. He Killed His Uncle? (A to Z)

Wallace James Lincecum, born 19 July 1908 in Denton, Texas, was a son of Val Dies Lincecum (who I was supposed to write about yesterday, but life happened) and Mary Elizabeth Murray (d. 1949).  He was also a half-brother to Edgar "Bud" Lincecum.  I wrote about Edgar's wife Ida Weeks for the letter I.

By the time Wallace was in his early twenties, he was working in the Texas oil industry.  Some job titles he had include oil drilling rig laborer, oil field rotary rig helper, and oil driller.  He seemed to make a life-long career of it.

Before 1935, Wallace married Sybil G. Flowers.  The couple had at least one son.

Something a bit more notable surrounded Wallace about the age of 23 – he witnessed the death of his uncle, Lucullus Garland Lincecum.

Dallas Morning News (Texas)
27 June 1931

Ambush Slayer Makes Getaway After Man Dies

Killer Rises From Ditch and Opens Fire on Truck Rider.

Special to The News.
HOUSTON, Texas, June 26 -- Officers Friday night were searching for the slayer of L. G. Lincecum, 55, of West Columbia, who was shot from ambush as he rode in a truck toward Houston near West Columbia, about forty miles south of Houston.

Wallace Lincecum, who is a nephew of the slain man, and who was driving the truck, said the slayer rose from a ditch by the side of the road and fired two shots.  Only one bullet struck Lincecum and it pierced his heart.

So close did the slayer stand that the elder Lincecum's clothes were powder burned.  A rain in the West Columbia section obliterated any trail the slayer might have left and Sheriff John McKinney of Brazoria County called for bloodhounds.

Wallace Lincecum could not identify the slayer nor give a motive for the killing.

Here is an image of L. G.'s death certificate.  Up the right side it was noted:  Murdered June 26 - 1931 - by parties unknown.  And you can see Lucullus's brother (and Wallace's father) was the informant.

lglincecumdc

But did Wallace do something more than witness the murder? The following news item from almost nine months after the killing seems to suggest he did.

Dallas Morning News (Texas)
6 March 1932

Lincecum is Given Five Years, Suspended

ANGLETON, Texas.  March 5 (AP) -- Wallace Lincecum, 22, was convicted Saturday of the murder of his uncle, L. G. Lincecum, and assessed a five-year suspended sentence.

The jury reported at 10:20 a.m.

The elder Lincecum was shot to death on a highway near here last June.  The prosecution sought to show the nephew slew him to benefit by a $500 legacy provided in the elder's will.

The defense pleaded the uncle, a Houston contractor, had committed suicide, offering depositions as well as witnesses.

Why the suspended sentence?

Wallace died 9 October 1967 in Houston, Harris County, Texas.  A few days later, his remains were laid to rest at Brookside Memorial Park in Houston.



Are you wondering what's up with all the "letter" posts? I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (links to official page). This challenge lasts through the month of April, with Sundays off.  Each day follows a different letter prompt, in order, from A to Z.  Click here to see all my letter posts on one page (in reverse order).  Though this is my second year in the challenge, it's my first with two blogs.  My theme here is "kinfolk direct." Versus any name from the one name study, these genealogy and history posts all involve someone to which I am related.  You may follow along with me by RSS feed and other social media platforms listed at the top of the sidebar.  I and other bloggers in the challenge on Twitter will also be using #atozchallenge.

I'm also participating with Southern Graves.  This blog as a whole is one of my themes – telling the tales of tombstones, primarily from those found in the Southern United States and usually the State of Georgia.

Are you participating in the challenge, too? Please leave a link to your blog in the comments, I'd love to pay you a visit.  Good luck to all involved!

8 comments:

Molly of Molly's Canopy said...

This is quite a story -- and some incredible news clips, too. Excellent work locating them.

Kristin said...

I read this on my phone, I guess because I didn't comment. I had a story that day about a man who murdered someone and didn't do any time in prison either. Strange.

Finding Eliza

Unknown said...

Started doing some research on my lineage and ran across this page. Excellent reading. My full name is Andrew Lincecum Ling. My grandfather was Lochaon Joseph Lincecum. He died in 1968. Lets see if you can figure out how we are related. I'm sure we are somehow.

S. Lincecum said...

Distant cousins, for sure, Andrew. Nice to connect!

Unknown said...

Gideon Lincecum (the one that had several books written about him) was my 5th Grandfather. Forgot to mention that. I remember taking my grandmother (Edna Merle Lincecum) to the Washington on the Brazos State park. At the time there was an exhibit on Gideon and my grandmother told the tour guide that he was my great x5 grandfather. You would have thought I was some kind of celebrity.

Quick question. Do you own any Gideon Lincecum roses?

S. Lincecum said...

Oh, I'm sure you were a celebrity in Texas! I only get asked if I'm related to the (ex?) San Francisco Giants pitcher. :-)

I do not have any G. Lincecum roses. If I remember correctly, a relative out of Louisiana received some years ago. Don't know if they kept them alive or not.

Theresa said...

Definitely a good read, Stephanie. My 3rd great grandfather was Grant Lincecum, a brother of Dr. Gideon Lincecum. Grant remained in Louisiana and did not migrate to Texas as did many of the Lincecums. I am an amateur genealogist and have done some research on my Lincecum ancestors--back to the "original" Gideon Lincecum the patriot. I am sure you have as well. I just discovered your blog, so I have not had time to read all in the archives yet. I am sure we are distant cousins. The Lincecums were certainly an interesting family!
Theresa Russo
Baton Rouge, LA

S. Lincecum said...

You are right on all accounts, Theresa! Thanks for stopping by.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin