Arthur Beal in Jail Charged with Death of Jeff Hickey, Nov. 6, 1925

Body of Jeff Hickey Laid to Rest Wednesday

The body of Mr. Jeff Hickey, who died about noon Tuesday in the local hospital of a fracture of the skull, said to have been received in a scuffle near Warne, N.C., Monday night, was laid to rest in Sunset cemetery Wednesday afternoon. The funeral was conducted from the Baptist Church by the pastor, Rev. T.L. Sasser.

Mr. Hickey is survived by his wife and several children, who are said to be in rather destitute circumstances. It was learned Wednesday morning that his wife and children were without clothes sufficient to attend the funeral comfortably in the cold weather. Through the efforts of Mr. C. Christopher and others, funds were raised and the necessary apparel provided.

Mr. Hickey was brought to the Murphy Hospital early Monday evening in an unconscious condition. His skull was said to have been crushed in on top and over the right eye. He was also bleeding from the nose and mouth, indicating the fracture of one or more areas of the base of the skull. It was stated that he regained consciousness at times before he died, and was able to recognize his wife and friends. The end came about noon Tuesday.

Arthur Beal is in jail at Hayesville charged with being responsible for Hickey’s death. Several rumors are going the rounds here as to how it came about, but nothing definite could be learned. Beal will be given a preliminary hearing Friday morning before Justice of the Peace Moore.

It was stated that both parties were drinking, and that after the scuffle Beal made his fight with another party toward Murphy. Officers here were notified and when the car passed through, they immediately gave chase.

Beal and the party driving the car were captured on the Appalachian Scenic Highway near the Georgia line, and only after the casings of their car were shot down by the pursuing officers.

From the front page of The Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, Nov. 6, 1925. The casings of a car typically refer to the engine casing. It’s the outside over of the engine.

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn83004710/1925-11-06/ed-1/seq-1/