The Whitewright Sun
Whitewright, Texas
Thursday February 26, 1925
pg 1

Farmington Man Shot At Singing

Sherman, Feb. 24 - Shot and seriously wounded at Farmington Monday night, Melzie Douglas is in a critical condition at the Sherman hospital. Douglas, about 24 years of age, is said to have been shot by G.E. Atkins, 19, following a disagreement between the young men while attending a "singing" at the Farmington church, near Howe. The shooting occurred at 9 o'clock,
Douglas was struck in the lift side by a bullet from a .38 caliber pistol. The ball lodged near the back and right side
after penetrating the liver and intestines, examination disclosed.
Atkins was placed in the county jail by Sheriff Everheart, who investigated the affair with the county attorney and
deputies last night.
(Later - Douglas died Wednesday at 11 o'clock.)



The Whitewright Sun
Whitewright, Texas
Thursday April 9, 1925
pg 1

G.E. ATKINS WILL BE TRIED
APRIL 14 IN SLAYING CASE

Sherman, April 7 - The trial of G.E. Atkins of Farmington, indicted in connection with the killing of Melzie Douglas on February 23, is set for April 14, in the Fifty-Ninth District Court.
Judge Wilcox has ordered a special venire of 100 men drawn as jurors for the case.
Melzie Douglas was shot and killed at Farmington, this county, on the night of February 23 while in attendance upon a singing held at the school-house there.
Atkins was arrested and placed in jail. An examining trail was held before Justice of the Peace Buck Blalock on February 27 and Atkins was allowed bond in the sum of $10,000. Through his attorney, B.F. Gafford, he sued out a writ of habeas corpus in the Fifteenth District Court and the bond was reduced to $5,000.
Atkins is 19 years old and Douglas was 26. The latter had just recently returned from a trip to California.



The Whitewright Sun
Whitewright, Texas
Thursday April 23, 1925
pg 1

Atkins Given Six Years For Killing

"We, the jury, find the defendant guilty of murder as charged in the indictment, and assessSaThis F his punishment
as six years in penitentiary."
Such was the verdict rendered by the jury at 5:30 Saturday afternoon in the case of G. F. Atkins, tried in
the 59th District Court at Sherman last week, charged with the murder of Melzie Douglas at Farmington, this county, on the night of February 23, 1925.
Atkin's fate was consigned to the jury at 4:15 Saturday afternoon as Assistant County Attorney J.Q. Adamson
closed a brilliant speech on the part of the State, during which tears were brought to the eyes of many
jurymen, as well as of spectators, and others more intimately connected with the trial.
The testimony was closed Saturday morning about 11 o'clock, and after a recess of a few minutes the speaking
began. One hour and thirty minutes were alloted to each side to present their arguments. J.P. Cox, special
prosecutor assisting the State, spoke first,  making a strong plea for the enforcement of law as one of the
most powerful deterrents of crime.
After noon at 1:30, James D. Buster opened for the defense, making a most eloquent plea in behalf of his client.
He was followed by Col. B.F. Gafford, who closed for the defense, with a logical and fervent argument on the
plea of self-defense, and the resentment of insults as mitigating circumstances.
Judge J.Q. Adamson closed for the State, beginning at 3:25 and closing at 4:15. The jury was out one hour.
Following assessment of his punishment, Atkins broke down and cried.

The Whitewright Sun
January 13, 1927
pg. 1

GOVERNOR PARDONS TWO GRAYSON MEN
...G.E. Atkins, Farmington youth, who was convicted of murder in connection with the death of Melzie Douglas at Farmington, February 23, 1925, was also granted a full pardon Saturday by the Governor.  Atkins was convicted in the Fifty-Ninth District Court at Sherman April 18, 1925 and was given 6 years by a jury.  The Governor said in the Atkins proclamation the pardon was recommended by 10 of the trial jurors, 9 of the grand jurors who indicted him, and other officials and citiznes, including Leo Johnston, former pastor of the First Christian Church of Van Alstyne.