Vaiden,
Mississippi
End Family
Dispute With Blazing Guns
Winona Times,
Friday, December 28, 1956. P. 1. A family dispute Tuesday night between W. Dewitt Welch, 61-year-old Vaiden farmer, and J. Norris Wilkes, 40-year-old Durant farmer, outside the former’s home on the Kilmichael-Vaiden Road, over the spanking of the latter’s small son, ended in a blazing pistol battle fatal to both men. According to reports from Deputy Sheriff H.R. Michie
of Vaiden, Welch was hit three times and Wilkes, his son-in-law, four times,
with both dying almost instantly. The
body of Welch was brought to Oliver Funeral Home in Winona, and that of
Wilkes was taken to Southern Funeral Home in Durant. Wilkes had driven to his father-in-law’s home to
get his child, who had been taken there several days before Christmas, as a
result of a family argument over the spanking of the youngster, it is
reported. He took the small boy and led him to the car,
according to accounts of the affair, and Welch and a son, Dennis, followed
him. The argument was resumed, pistols
were drawn, and the deadly shooting resulted. Welch’s entire family, including 12 children,
witnessed the incident, it is stated.
Welch, a native of Carroll County, is survived by his wife and 12
children: Walter and Dewitt, Jr., of
Greenville; Albert of
Jackson; Dennis, Vernon, Watt, Misses
Lorene and Florence, twins, all of Vaiden; Mrs. Delton Cook,
of Greenville; Mrs. Mae Miller, of New York; and Mrs. Mildred Branch,
of Winona. Wilkes is survived by his wife, Mrs. Martha Welch
Wilkes, and two small children; and his mother, Mrs. James Wilkes, Sr.,
of Durant. Argument Over Child Ends In Death For Two Men Near Vaiden The
Conservative, December 28, 1956.
P.1. W. Dewitt Welch,
61, Vaiden farmer and his son-in-law, J. Norris Wilkes of Durant, shot each
other to death late Christmas day at the Welch home east of Vaiden in an
argument over the spanking of Wilkes’ young son.
Mrs. Wilkes said she spanked the child several days ago and her mother-in-law, who lived with them, objected. The mother said she then brought her son to the home of her father, Welch. About dusk Tuesday, Wilkes came to the Welch home,
got his son, and had gotten into his car with the child when Welch came
out. An argument ensued and the men
began shooting at each other with .32 caliber pistols and both were killed. Welch, a native of this county, is survived by his
wife and the following children: Walter and Dewitt Welch of Greenville; Albert
Welch of Jackson; Dennis Welch of Shreveport, La.; Vernon and Watt Welch of
Vaiden; Mrs. Martha Wilkes of Durant; Lorene and Florence Welch of Vaiden;
Mrs. Mildred Branch of Winona; Mrs. Delton Cook of Greenville; and Mrs. Mae
Miller of New York; three brothers, Charlie and Vassar Welch of
Vaiden and Lonnie Welch of Greenwood; and a sister, Mrs. Mary Gant of Drew. Funeral services for Welch were held Thursday from
the Vaiden Baptist Church and were conducted by the Rev. Joe Cooper. Interment was in the Vaiden Cemetery. |