By Michael L. Hogue Hello and welcome back to The Hogue Connection! Today we will investigate the murder of Fannie Lee Spivey, my first cousin, 4 times removed. I came across this tragic event while I was investigating the life of another Spivey ancestor, William T. Hix. You can read William’s story here. One murder is plenty, but two? My common ancestor with Fannie is Templeton Carpenter Spivey, my 4th great grandfather.
Fannie Was Born in Weatherford, TX…
…on 14 Nov 1878 to Henry Spivey and Annie Shoemake. Temple Spivey was her grandfather. Weatherford, in Parker County, TX is just west of Fort Worth. Henry and Annie raised their children here, five sons and Fannie, their only daughter. Fannie married Rufus Bird on 8 Nov 1896, age 17. They started their large family here, eventually having ten children, the first seven born in Parker County.
Rufus was born 22 Sep 1875, probably in Hall County, GA. He is recorded here in the 1880 census. Sometime around 1908, Rufus and Fannie relocated to Jackson County, GA (next door to Hall County); their last two children were born here. When Rufus registered for the World War I draft on 11 Sep 1918, he listed an Atlanta address. His occupation was motorman for the Columbus Railroad Company which ran the street cars Columbus, GA.
Things Were Going Smoothly…
…until they weren’t. Their daughter Minnie married Oscar J. Morris in 1921 and were living in a house in Decatur, a suburb of Atlanta. Things began to unravel in the marriage of Fannie and Rufus, and Fannie confided in Minnie about their ongoing problems. This went on for quite some time when Minnie suggested the two separate. On 17 December, Fannie obtained a $200 peace warrant against her husband. Rufus reluctantly moved out the week before Christmas in 1923.
According to newspaper reports, Oscar and Minnie were entertaining family at their home in Decatur. On Christmas Eve, Fannie was there, busy helping out preparing for the Christmas feast. She had just sat down in a chair in the living room and was holding her youngest child, Billy, who was two years old. Rufus suddenly appeared unannounced and asked Fannie if he could hold the child. Their daughter Bonnie Bird moved closer, sensing her father’s agitation. Rufus pulled out an ice pick and began stabbing Fannie in “face, arms, and breast”. Bonnie was also stabbed through the hand by her father as she tried to intervene.
Fannie fell out of the chair but managed to put the child down without hurting him. She scrambled to her feet and staggered through an open window to the ground. Neighbors heard the attack and came to her aid, but Frannie was already dead. The ice pick had pierced her heart. Police arrived quickly, and Rufus put up no resistance. He had also stabbed himself several times with the same weapon and was bleeding during his arrest.
Rufus Bird Stands for Murder Trial, Eventually…
Rufus was quickly brought to trial for the murder of his wife, convicted and sentenced to hang in April of 1924. His attorneys immediately filed a motion for a new trial. Based on testimony from many of Bird’s family members, Rufus planned to use a plea of insanity to avoid the death penalty. Turns out about seven relatives of Bird’s were either declared inflicted in this manner by the state or died that way.
In his second trial, held in December of 1924, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. 23 witnesses testified to his insanity, which gained him the mercy of the court. On Wednesday, 17 Dec 1924, Rufus Bird was taken to a camp in Fayetteville, DeKalb County, GA and assigned to the chain gang there. He died in prison on 24 May 1828. He is buried in the same plot as his wife in the Decatur Cemetery.
Not Exactly What I Would Call a Holiday to Remember…
…but I’m sure it was impossible to forget. Those poor kids! Thanks for tuning in to another look at criminals in our family. I’m hoping it takes a while to find more of them, but I just don’t know where my research will take me. See you next time! If you would like to go back to the Home Page, click here.