"Edgar was a twenty year old man with a promising future when he was murdered by J.D. Baum on Christmas Day. J.D. Baum was married to Edgar's sister Addie. Addie and Edgar's mother Frances had apparently, some years before, accused J. D. of having a sexual affair with another family member. J.D. and Addie had moved away. They returned this particular Christmas of 1908 to celebrate Christmas with Addie's family. J.D. Baum started drinking early Christmas morning and began acting in a belligerent manner, challenging anyone there to 'take him on'. Edgar apparently heard the commotion from another room, asked Baum to 'keep it down'. At that time, J.D. pulled out a knife and stabbed Edgar from behind his ear and down through his neck as Edgar was backing away from Baum. J.D. went after him and stabbed him again, this time in the chest, creating a large open chest wound. Edgar died about 10 minutes later without ever having uttered another word.

"J.D. Baum was tried, convicted, and sent to prison to serve a term of 37 years. The original trial records have disappeared but records from the Appeals Court still exist. J.D. Baum was released from prison after serving only 5 years. The then governor, Gov. Ferguson granted him a complete pardon, for reasons that now unknown. J.D. Baum reunited with his wife Addie after his release from prison." [from the notes of Randy Haynes]

[Additional information by Linda Loop] "J. D. Baum was granted a full pardon 22 Dec 1915 by Gov. James Ferguson. Hundred's were pardoned monthly by this Governor. Gov. Ferguson and his wife, MA Ferguson, pardoned prisoners in order to save the state of TX money. It was a campaign promise to save the state money."

[information courtesy 'thelanegang.or']