Dallas Morning News
August 24, 1966
SEPARATE INCIDENTS TAKE THREE LIVES AT DENISON
Denison, Texas (sp.) - Gunshots claimed two lives and fire a third in
separate incidents in the Denison area during a 7-hour span Monday.
James David Harlow, 43, of Denison was a suicide victim at his home about 7
p.m. Monday at about the same hour, J.W. Wright, 60, of Fink, was found burned
to death in his home of his parents eight miles southwest of Denison.
Seven hours later, Vernon Lee Anderson Jr., 23, of Sherman was found fatally
wounded on the back porch of his home in Sherman. His father also had
been wounded. The elder Anderson was on the floor near his son. He
was treated and released from the Wilson N. Jones hospital
Sherman police are investigating the shooting. No report has been made by
officers other than a .22 caliber weapon was used.
Harlow's death was ruled a suicide by Justice of the Peace Mrs. Lillie
Flanery. The victim's son, James W. Harlow, 16, was visiting his father,
who recently was divorced.
Young Harlow said his father was despondent and talked about "losing his
family." Harlow said his father walked into another room, then
called for him to come in. As he walked in the door, his father put a gun
to his head and fired it.
Wright, who lives in Fink, had gone to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Wright, in the Plainview community. He learned that his parents
were planning a visit to Sadler. He sat down on a couch to nap until they
returned. Neighbors found the house ablaze.
The victim's elderly parents collapsed when they returned and learned of the
fire and their son's death. They were still hospitalized Tuesday in the
Sherman Community Hospital.
Funeral services for Wright will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Johnson-Moore
Chapel in Denison with burial here. Anderson's funeral has been set for 4
p.m. Wednesday in the Waldo Funeral Chapel in Sherman. Rites are pending
for Harlow.