Vaughn, Henry Clay, d.1931
The Southern Democrat
Oneonta, Alabama
Dec 24, 1931
Deputy Sheriff H. C. Vaughan Killed at Nyota.
(By Reporter)
Hayden, Al., Dec. 20 - (Special)- Deputy Sheriff Henry C. Vaughan, of Nyota, three miles East of Hayden, was shot and instantly killed last Saturday night at eleven o'clock. It is alleged that Sam Hays of Nyota shot Vaughan with a shot gun when Vaughan attempted to search his car for whisky.
It is reported that Vaughan searched Hays' automobile once, and that later Hays returned with a shot gun and encounterd Mr. Vaughan near the mine Commissary where the fatal shooting took place. It is reported that Samson Hays, brother to Sam Hays, was in the car at the time of the shooting.
Sam Hays, who is alleged to have done the shooting, surrendered to the authorities Sunday morning and is now in the county jail at Oneonta under a warrant charging murder in the first degree.
Sheriff McPherson, Probate Judge J. C. Nation and Solicitor H. J. King made an investigation of the killing and find that there are conflicting statements about the killing.
Mr Vaughan had been either a Justice of the Peace or Deputy sheriff in this part of the County for the last 20 or 25 years and was well known. He was 54 years of age.
Mr. Vaughan was very faithful in the discharge of his duty as an officer, and will be missed in this part of the county very much.
Mr. Vaughan and his family made their home in Hayden until a few years ago when he left his home here and moved to Nyota where he was employed by Morse & McCormack.
Surviving the deceased are his wife, Mrs. Ada Vaughan, his father and step-mother, Mr. and Mrs. Hart Vaughan, of Hayden; one brother, Burl Vaughan, of Hayden; five sisters, Mrs. Ida Culwell, of Warrior, Mrs. Ethel McElymore, of Trafford; Mrs. Ora Calvert, of Trafford, Mrs. Beulah Mulverhill, of Trafford and Mrs. Mertie Standridge, of Hayden; four sons, Homer of Birmingham; Buster, Clyde and H. C. Jr., of Nyota; four daughters, Mrs. Alma Roper, of Gardendale, Mrs. Mamie Smith, of Gardendale, and Misses Daisy and Lorene Vaughan, of Nyota.
The funeral services were held at Union Grove Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and was attended by one of the largest crowds ever present at a funeral in these parts. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. J. C. Calvert, of Trafford, with interment in adjoining cemetery.
