Howard Fails Underwood (1872 - 1923)

Born 11 Apr 1872 in Reynolds, Taylor, Georgia, United States

Ancestors

Died 3 Dec 1923 at age 51 in Muscogee, Georgia, United States

Biography

Notes from FAG memorial for murderer, Gervis Bloodworth
THE LAST HANGING IN MUSCOGEE COUNTY

Howard Underwood was as salesman for McNess products. He lived in the small community of Pottersville, Georgia. Pottersville is near Butler, in Taylor County. Howard Underwood was married and had nine children. On Decemnber 3, 1923 Howard Underwood was murdered by Gervis Bloodworth and Willie Jones who were cousins.

Mr. Underwood picked up Bloodworth and Jones near the town of Ideal, Georgia. They needed a ride and money. They were running away to Florida along with two women. One of the women happened to be Willie's Brother's wife.Mr. Underwood was shot in the head while driving. Willie and Gervis left the truck along with Mr. Underwood's body along a road near the Flint River.

Notes from his FAG memorial:
He married Minnie Lee Kimble 1892 and Maggie Mae Waters 1918 and was the son of John Howard Underwood & Martha Jane Amerson. He had 7 children by Minnie & 3 by Maggie. One alive. Howard was murdered-and the two men who murdered him-were the last two men hung in Ga.

"Murder at County Line" was written by Avoline Bloodworth
(1985) about the murder of Howard Underwood, (from Pottersville) who sold McNess products. The murder took place December 3, 1923 down a dirt road to the Flint River near Pottersville. The two young men,(Willie Jones and Gervis Bloodworth) that committed the murder were the last people to be hung in Taylor County. They had been drinking and splitting shingles for a man at Garden Valley (Mr. Simmons) and planned to leave the area, taking two young women (Nora Blanche Jones and Julia, wife of Homer Jones, Willie's brother)with them, and drive to Florida. Needing money, they were looking for a way to make this trip. Mr. Underwood gave them a ride and being a salesman had money on him at the time.

BURIAL^[1]
Mount Olive Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery
Potterville, Taylor County, Georgia, USA

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31043424/howard-fails-underwood

• Georgia, U.S., Death Records, 1914-1940; Georgia Department of Health and Vital Statistics; Atlanta, Georgia, Source Description: 004178866. Howard Fails Underwood age 52, b.11 Apr 1872 @Taylor Co, GA, d.3 Dec 1923 @Reynolds, Taylor, Georgia. S/o John Henry Underwood & Jane Amerson. Cert 33432