| Arcadia Physician Held in Jail Pending Decision of Grand Jury (Sat. Dec.8, 1917, in Lakeland Evening Telegraph) This city was plunged in great excitement and sorro last night when Dr. J.A.Simmons, one of this city's leading physicians, struck and almost instantly killed Mr.Leon A.Stroud, assistant cashier of the DeSoto County Bank. The killing occurred in the Harry Cross Drug Store over a trivial matter, the details of which have not been made public. Dr.Simmons was arrested and is being held in jail pending the decision of the Grand Jury, which happens to be in session and to whom the case was at once referred. Up until 3: this afternoon the Grand Jury has returned no decision. The tragedy occurred about 9:00 last night and was observed by no witnesses. It is said that Dr. Simmons struck Mr.Stroud the first blow behind the ear or near the temple with the result that he was at once knocked unconscious and died within a few minutes. The killing is looked on here by many as having been purley accidential, and the many friends of both families deplore the terrible tragedy. Mr. Stroud leaves a wife and one child and was about 30 years of age. Dr. Simmons is proprietor of a local sanatarium; is about 45 years of age and has a wife and three children. The body of Mr. Stroud will be shipped to Lakeland for the interment. Mr. Stroud having been a former resident of Lakeland in its early days. The body will arrive on the 11:00 train tomorrow morning and will be met at the station by a deligation of Masons and escorted to the city cemetery where interment will be made. |
| Dec. 16,1917
The remains of Mr.Leon Stroud were brought to Lakeland Sunday, he was
interred in the Lakeland City Cemetery. It's rumored that the quarrel
started over a card game, but the real story will most likely be
brought out by trial.
Mr. Stroud is not a relative of Mr.J.O.Stroud of this city whose home burned today.( Dec.17,1917) |