IT 19 July 1948A fist fight that is believed
to have been started during a family quarrel, resulted in the
death of Thomas John Cornell, 58, formerly of Proctorville of
late a resident of Huntington, WV and the arrest of Oliver
White, 42 of Huntington, to face a homicide charge.
The fight, according to arresting officers, occurred at Red
Hill, about three miles north of Proctorville at 5:45 Sunday
evening. According to the officers, their investigation
disclosed that during the exchange of blows, Cornell was
knocked down and his neck was broken, either in the fall or by
being twisted in some manner, either be the contesting White
or accidentally.
White made no attempt to flee and was taken into custody by
the sheriff and his deputies. He is held without bond pending
the filing of charges today. These charges will be filed
in municipal court and the arraignment will be made forthwith.
Dr. Wilson W. Lynd, the Lawrence county coroner, conducted
an examination of the body of Cornell. The remains were
removed to the Hall Funeral Home at Proctorville. Funeral
arrangements will be announced later.
Cornell's first wife was a sister of White. The
victim later married Stell Workman, who is now in a Huntington
hospital.
The fight is said to have started near the home of
Cornell's first wife, following an exchange of words.
Cornell is said to have suffered a broken neck and a
crushed Adams apple. He is survived by his wife Stella,
and these children by his first wife: Clifford, Charles and
Collis Cornell; Mrs. Gladys Horn, Mrs. Ida Cornell and Mrs.
Nancy Harmon, all of Proctorville, and one daughter Gladys
Marie, age 2, of Huntington, by his present wife.
WHITE CHARGED WITH
HOMICIDE; INQUEST THURSDAY
IT 20 July 1948
A homicide charge was filed against Oliver White, 42, of
Huntington yesterday afternoon in municipal court by Collis R.
Cornell, son of Thomas John Cornell, 58, Huntington, who was
killed Sunday night in a fight with White at Red Hill, north
of Proctorville.
In the affidavit, it is charged that White "did purposely
and maliciously kill T.J. Cornell, contrary to the statutes
made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the
State of Ohio."
Dr. Wilson W. Lynd, coroner, announced last night that he
will hold an inquest Thursday morning at 10 o'clock at the
common pleas courtroom. As yet, no date has been set for
arraignment.
