On January 22, 1904, in Woodville, Texas, Special Deputy Sheriff John Wheat Parsons, a 54-year-old white male, suffered a fatal gunshot wound at the Griffith Hotel. The incident occurred when his pistol accidentally fell from his pocket, discharged, and struck him. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries the following day, January 23, 1904. He was survived by his wife and son and was laid to rest in Segrest Cemetery in Tyler County.
Contemporary reports from that period, such as an article from the Austin American-Statesman dated January 24, 1904, referred to the deceased as Deputy Sheriff James Parsons, aged 50, a native of the county. This discrepancy in names and ages between sources suggests possible variations in record-keeping or reporting errors common in the early 20th century.
Given that the shooting was accidental, there were no suspects or arrests associated with Special Deputy Sheriff John Wheat Parsons's death. The community mourned the loss of the deputy, recognizing the tragic nature of the incident.
