The Denison Press
Thursday, September 12, 1940
pg. 1

Paris Killers Sought
Body of Slain Deputy Sheriff, Kidnapped by Two Youths, Found in Side Road Near Paris, Report
MAY HAVE FLED TO RIVER BOTTOM
Cordon of Posse men Thrown Around Section Near Paris as Hunt Gets Hot.

Paris, Sept. 12 - Posses today scoured territory near here for 2 youthful bandits who killed Deputy sheriff George Robertson of Paris, whose body was found near Powderly, Lamar County, late Wednesday.
The pair of slayers were believed to still be in the vicinity of Paris, but might be riding in a small car bearing commercial license plates, stolen in Paris the night the body was found.  A car in which the killers were riding when they kidnapped the deputy, contained the body of the officer.
Police believe Robertson had been killed a very short time after he had been abducted Tuesday night by the 2 youths he was bringing to jail for questioning.
Bloodhounds have been imported from Oklahoma and turned loose on a scent that may lead to the Red River bottoms.
The murder automobile, which was stolen in Livingston, Polk county, was identified as the one which figured in a Huntsville robbery on September 4.
Charges of robbery by firearms was filed against T.R. Fowler, Jr., 20, of Willis and Buddy Acker, about 20, of Oakhurst.  Their pictures were identified by J.E. Ranor, Huntsville service station man, as those of 2 youths who robbed him of $75 and slugged him.  Both are ex-convicts.  Fowler served 2 years for auto theft and burglary from Walker and Montgomery counties.  Acker was sentenced to 2 years for auto theft.
Policeman Ben White said the youth who abducted Robertson had circled through Houston and Louisiana and had taken a Paris girl to her home shortly before they were arrested. He said charges of murder and kidnapping would be filed Thursday.
Officers found the car about 9 p.m., 4 miles east of Powderly, when flashlights caught the glint of its window.  No one touched the body pending arrival of bloodhounds.
The youthful desperadoes kidnapped Robertson after he and Sheriff J.H. Ratliff had arrested them as they tried to sell a tire at a service station.  Robertson left the sheriff's car and got into the automobile driven by the men.
Sheriff Ratliff returned to the courthouse, expecting the others to follow. Apparently Robertson was overpowered, the abductors choosing another course and disappearing.

Denison officers were watching all highways for the suspected killers after they had been contacted several hours following the kidnapping.  Constant touch with police at Paris has been maintained since Tuesday.


The Denison Press
Wednesday, September 18, 1940
pg. 1

INDICTMENTS AGAINST PAIR ARE RETURNED
Paris, Sept. 18 - Indictments charging murder with malice were returned Tuesday by the 6th District Court Grand Jury against Turner Ross Fowler and Charles (Buddy) Acker, wanted for the kidnap-murder of George Robertson.
Meanwhile, no new development was reported in the search for the 2 young fugitives.  Four officers returned from Memphis after investigating activities there of Fowler and Acker.
They contacted members of the Memphis police department, including a mounted policeman who had posed for a picture said to have been taken by the youths.  No new leads were uncovered as to the slayers' whereabouts.
Members of the Texas Highway Patrol have left the search in this vicinity and returned to their regular posts.


The Deport Times
Thursday, September 19, 1940
pg. 1

Grand Jury Indicts Slayers of Geo. Robertson
Grand jury for the fall term of 6th District Court, presided over by Judge George Blackburn, convened Monday at Paris, with  J.W. Deweese as foreman.  It adjourned  Tuesday at noon after examining about 30 witnesses and returning 2 indictments charging murder against T.R. Fowler and Buddy Acker, in connection with the death of Chief Deputy Sheriff George Robertson, which occurred Tuesday of last week.   B.M. Crockett of Pattonville and Sam Holoway of Deport, are members of the grand jury from this part of the county.
Mr. Robertson's body was found about 30 hours after his death in a thicket 5 miles east of Powderly, and a man hunt for the killers has been on since that time, with peace officers over Northeast Texas and Southeast Oklahoma joining in the search.  State Rangers were also called into the case, and sooner or later the men will be apprehended.  Peace officers do not quit a case when one of their number has been slain and Robertson was one of the most popular officers in this part of the state.  Lamar county has posted a reward of $250 for information leading to their arrest, to which the State of Texas has added a like amount.


The Denison Press
Tuesday, March 11, 1941
pg. 4

Trial of Ross Fowler and Buddy Acker, alleged murderers of  a Paris cop months ago, starts at Sherman today.  It was transferred from Paris because of public feeling.


The Deport Times
Deport, Texas
Thursday, March 13, 1941
pg. 1

Jury Being Picked for Acker Trial
Selection of a jury was being made Wednesday for trial of Charles (Buddy) Acker at Sherman in connection with the murder last September of Lamar County Deputy Sheriff George Robertson in Paris.  Acker and T.R. Fowler, Jr.  will each be tried at Sherman in connection with the murder.


The Denison Press
 Thursday, March 13, 19 41
pg. 1

Everyday Denison by Louis Anderson
The Paris News is giving  a big play to the Acker-Fowler murder trial at Sherman.  The 2 youths, and they are youths,  are charged with murdering a Lamar county deputy sheriff. Their youth might keep them from the chair.


The Denison Press
Monday, March 17, 1941
pg. 1

Everyday Denison by Louis Anderson
Buddy Acker, tried at Sherman for the murder of a Paris officer, narrowly missed the death sentence, but was given 99 years. The state asked the death penalty.  His accomplice in the crime will be tried in May.


The Denison Press
Wednesday, March 19, 1941
pg. 1

Everyday Denison by Louis Anderson
Buddy Acker will never know how close he came to the death penalty when the jury was considering the verdict last week at Sherman for his part in a Paris murder.  One of the jurors wanted to give him "twenty years and try to reform him," but gave in to 99 years when all other jurors wouldn't consider anything less than life.


The Denison Press
Saturday, March 22, 1941
pg. 1

Everyday Denison by Louis Anderson
Buddy Acker, Paris cop killer, sentenced to 99 years formally yesterday, admitted he was satisfied he didn't get the chair.


The Howe Messenger
Friday , March 21, 1941
pg. 1

Sheriff Slayer Given 99 Years
Sherman - 99 years in the penitentiary was the sentence given Charles "Buddy" Acker by a 15th District Court Jury Saturday morning for the murder of George R. Robertson, Lamar county deputy sheriff, last September 10.
The 20-year-old youth rushed to the jury box to thank the jurors and indicated he would not appeal the decision. The state had asked the death penalty.
E.D. Curry of Denison, foreman, read the jury's decision shortly after the defendant and counsel had been summoned to the court room at 11:30 a.m.