Sherman Daily Democrat
25 October 1886
John Moss, Dead

John Moss, the unfortunate citizen of Bells who was tried in this city some time since on the charge of insanity, and who was acquitted, died rather suddenly and unexpectedly at his home last Saturday night.  He had, it seems, some trouble in the courts in Kentuckytown, and since that time has been a little strange in his action.  It is hinted that if his death had been closer investigated, strange developments would have come forth.  As no investigation was made, if he killed himself it will probably remain unknown.

BELLS, TEXAS, Oct 24 -- Last night J. J. Moss, an old citizen of this county, living a few miles northwest of this place, committed suicide by taking morphine.  He has been partially deranged for several years, and complaint was made against him about a month since for lunacy, but was not pursued and he came clear.  For the last week he had been sullen and (unreadable), but no one thought that he had any intentions upon his own life.  Yesterday, he shut himself up in the second story of his house all day, and about dark, as he did not come down, the family became alarmed and went to look after him.  They found him lying down and breathing with difficulty.  A doctor was called in but he was too far gone for help and died in a few minutes.

Moss, William Frances--Jul 2 1860--Nov 24 1903; s/o John Jenkins Moss & Jaritta Jane Allred; h/o Mary Jane Wishard

Moss, Mary Jane--Mary Jane Wishard--1871 Kentucky; w/o (1) William Frances Moss (2) William B. Glidewell

Moss, Charley Roy--Feb 12 1893--Apr 11 1900; s/o William Frances Moss & Mary Jane Wishard

Moss, Jesse Andrew--Sep 14 1895--Jun 27 1896; s/o William Frances Moss & Mary Jane Wishard

Moss, Jaritta Jane--Jaritta Jane Allred--Apr 5 1837--Jan 18 1890; d/o Renne Allred & Lydia Lackey; w/o John Jenkins Moss married 12 Sep 1859 Grayson Co., Texas 

Moss, John Jenkins--Jun 22 1835 Kentucky--Dec 24 1886; h/o Jaritta Jane Allred married 12 Sep 1859 Grayson Co., Texas