The Sherman Daily Register
Monday, June 11, 1894

Murder

Creed Herndon fires eight bullets into the body of J. J. Reasor near Collinsville -- Herndon makes his escape but officers are
in pursuit. The murder unprovoked.

A horrible murder occurred near Collinsville about 7 o'clock yesterday evening. J.J. Reasor, who lives just over the Cooke County
line, was shot and killed by Creed Herndon. The shooting was witnessed by a young son of Reasor. He states that Herndon came
to the house and he and Reasor sat down on the porch and were talking. They did not appear to be quarreling. Herndon called
Reasor's attention to a rabbit in the yard and as Reasor turned his head Herndon shot him behind the ear.  Herndon fired two more
shots, both of which took effect. Reasor ran around the corner of the house and fell. Herndon then reloaded his pistol and fired five
more shots into the prostate form. He then walked away to the home of Hugh Burns, where he told about the killing, giving as a reason
that Reasor had insulted and assaulted him. He told Burns that he was going to kill his wife who had lately separated from him, and
that he would then kill himself. Herndon then mounted his horse and started west and at midnight last night was seen at Burn's City.

Herndon has been drinking heavily for some time and a short time since his wife was forced to leave him. She was raised by a brother
of Reasor's and when she left her husband was given a home on Reasor's farm. No motive for the shooting has yet been discovered
and it is believed that Herndon was crazed with liquor.

Squire Reasor was one of the best known men of Cooke County, having served several terms as assessor and for years as Justice of
the Peace of his precinct. He was sober, peaceable and prosperous and the feeling against his murderer is intense. The Cooke County officers are after Herndon and if he is caught an attempt at lynching will undoubtedly be made.

J. J. Reasor

The Sherman Daily Register

June 12, 1894

Esquire J. J. Reasor was shot Sunday evening by Craig Herndon. Mr. Reasor was well known and popular, living in the south east part
of the county near Collinsville. He was a good citizen and pleasant gentleman of the old Virginia style. Herndon, who had married a step-daughter of Mr. Reasor in Virginia, had trouble with his wife. They lived near Mr. Reasor. Mr. Herndon had been gone for some
time and returned Sunday morning. He came to Reasor's Sunday afternoon. They talked for two hours and finally Herndon drew his pistol and shot Reasor through the head from behind. He then shot him seven more times. He then went to a neighbor's house where
his wife was, but did not see her. He left immediately. The sheriff sent out the following: $100 reward will be paid for the arrest of "A white man named Craig Herndon, about 30 years old, fair complexion, dark hair, prominent forehead, dark eyes, sandy mustache, but dyed black, about 5 ft, 9 in. tall, weight 155-160 lbs. Last seen wearing dove colored suit, cut-away coat, straw hat, gaiter shoes, white shirt with black dots and has a 38 caliber pistol.
Mr. Reasor was buried Monday with Masonic honors.


Waco Evening News
June 11, 1894
pg.4

A FEARFUL MURDER
J.J. REASON FOULLY MURDERED AT HIS HOME
Sherman, June 11 - [Special] - Near Collinsville in this county, about 7 o'clock last night Creed Hearndon shot and killed J.J. Reason,
a prominent citizen of Cooke county.
Reason was sitting on his porch when Hearndon came up.  While talking pleasantly, Hearndon called Reason's attention to something
in the yard.  Reasor turned his head, when Hearndon shot him behind the ear.  Reasor ran and fell in the yard.  Hearndon fired two more shots, then reloaded his pistol and fired five more shots into the body.
Hearndon then left and has not been captured.  Reason was once tax assessor of Cooke county.


The Galveston Daily News
Galveston, Texas
June 13, 1894
pg 3

COOKE COUNTY
Gainesville, Tex., June 11 - One hundred dollars reward will be paid for the arrest and delivery to me in any jail in the United States of the following person: A white man named Craig Herndon, about 30 years old, rather fair complexion, dark hair tinged with gray, very high and prominent forehead, dark eyes, dark sandy mustache but generally has it dyed black, about 5 feet 7 inches high, weight 155
to 160 pounds, has a ridge down the center of one thumb nail, toes on both feet inclined to be crumpled, has on when last seen a lead
or dove colored suit of clothes, cutaway coat, straw hat, gaiter shoes, white shirt with black dots, had in his possession a 38-caliber pistol. The above Craig Herndon is charged with murdering J. J. Reasor, a citizen of this county, on Sunday evening, June 10, 1891. I
hold warrant for his arrest. H. P. Ware, sheriff Cooke County, Texas.

Note: Cass Reasor, grandson of J.J. Reasor
My grandfather was killed in 1894.  Craig Herndon, after shooting my grandfather rode west and it is presumed that he caught a train
at Valley View and left the country. He showed by up in Virginia, was recognized, and disappeared again. He eventually made his way
to Oregon, changed his name to Jesse Fisher, remarried, had children, some with the first names as his original children. In later life
he made contact with one of the original children and that's how we know what happened to him. He died in 1929.