Cause of death; Gunshot wound

children:
Ernest Culpepper
1886 – 1889
Alice C. Culpepper
1889 – 1970
John Hurlston Culpepper
1891 – 1970
Infant Daughter Culpepper
1894 – 1894
Mabel B. Culpepper
1897 – 1984
Frankie Culpepper
1903 – 1971
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Pine Bluff Police
Chief Shot Dead

J. F. Culpepper, Widely Known, Shot and Killed-
In Town Killed His Negro Antagonist

Pine Bluff, Dec. 5, J. F. Culpepper, former chief of police and widely known throughout the southwest, was shot and killed in a pistol duel with a negro named Brock, early today.
After receiving mortal wounds Culpepper shot the negro through the heart.

Fort Smith Times
December 5, 1906
Page 1

NEGRO KILLED
AN OFFICER

J. Frank Culpepper, Night Watchman, of Pine Bluff,
Shot and Killed by a Negro Whom He Was Trying to Arrest
For Trespass-Story of Crime

Pine Bluff, Dec. 6-(Special)-Fatally wounded and almost exhausted from the chase, J. Frank Culpepper, night watchman for the Bluff City Lumber Company and formerly chief of police of this city, managed to steady himself long enough to send a bullet crashing through the heart of the negro who gave him, the negro having died instantly and Mr. Culpepper early yesterday morning.
Mr. Culpepper was shot about 1 o’clock Tuesday morning while in the discharge of his duties and lived for some time after he was discovered by the police officers. He gave the following account of the shooting:
Mr. Culpepper noticed a negro skulking about near the lumber sheds and approaching him inquired what he was doing there at that time of the night. In answer the negro pulled a 38-caliber revolver and fired twice at him, each shot taking murderous effect, one entering the abdomen and passing through the body, while the other entered the groin and came out in the back.
Mr. Culpepper was not idle while this was going on and returned the fire with fatal effect. The negro turned and ran some distance and feel dead, where he was discovered by the officers later. On examination it was found that he had been struck just below the right nipple, the ball passing through to the left breast and penetrating the heart.
Mr. Culpepper was at once given medical attention and conveyed to his home, 1014 West Third, where surrounded by his little family and many local friends, he succumbed to his wounds at 5 o’clock.
The dead negro was not identified until the coroner’s inquest, which was held at the undertaking establishment of Fitzhugh & Holderness Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock. Deputy Constable Rice recognized the remains as that of one Elijah Tilford whom he arrested on the 23d of last July on a charge of trespassing. On being search a razor was found on his person and two charges were preferred against him. He was found guilty of trespassing and carrying concealed deadly weapons, the fines and costs amounting to $105.50 and he was sent to the farm. After having been there a few days he made an appeal bond and was released. The case was pending in the Jefferson Circuit Court at the time of his death.
Tilford is said to have come here from the Indian Territory near South McAlester and was considered a bad negro. The coroner’s jury rendered a verdict in accordance with the above facts.
J. Frank Culpepper was one of the best known men in Pine Bluff, having been connected with the city police foree for a number of years, occupying the position of chief of police a part of the time. He was recognized as one of the coolest and most determined officers in this section. He was absolutely without fear and was a terror to the lawless element. Certainly no man had more friends than he and his sad death has cast a gloom of sadness over the entire city.
He is survived by a wife and four children, who have the sympathy of all Pine Bluff in their affliction.

Arkansas Democrat
December 6, 1906
Page 8


FUNERAL OF J. F. CULPEPPER

Held in Pine Bluff Yesterday and
Was Largely Attended

Special to the Gazette
Pine Bluff, Dec. 6-he funeral of J. F. Culpepper, who was killed by a negro at the Bluff City Lumber Company’s plant early Wednesday morning, took place this morning at 8 o’clock from the residence, Rev. Ross Moore conducted the service. The funeral was largely attended, and among those present were several of the officers and many employees of the Bluff City Lumber Company. Many beautiful floral offerings were on the casket. The body was taken to the former home of Mr. Culpepper in Grant County for interment.

Daily Arkansas Gazette
December 7, 1906
Page 2


J. F. Culpepper Killed

J. F. Culpepper, former chief of police of Pine Bluff, was shot and killed by Eli Tilford, a negro, whom he had arrested for trespassing upon the property of the Bluff City Lumber Company, by whom Culpepper was employed as a night watchman. Although mortally wounded, Culpepper shot and killed the negro who assaulted him.

The Southern Standard
December 13, 1906
Page 1