Terrell Tribune, December 10, 1937
James L. Roberts died today. Burial Saturday in Weaver Cemetery. He was born in Georgia January 23, 1858, coming to Texas with his family at age fourteen, locating in Kaufman County. He married Miss Nancy Elizabeth Fincher December 16, 1883 and four children were born. One child died in infancy and his wife died on April 8, 1928. He is survived by one son, Roland Roberts; two daughters, Miss Nora Roberts and Mrs. T. A. Flanagan, all of Terrell; sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild; one brother, W. T. Roberts, two sisters, Mrs. Mattie Hardee and Mrs. Sallie Campbell; three half brothers, and one half sister, Mrs. Clarence Weaver.

Terrell Daily Tribune, April 8, 1929
Jim Roberts, a retired Baptist minister, while in a fit of dementia, attacked his wife, Mrs. Nannie Roberts with a two bladed axe, almost severing her head from her body. He was again fixing to attack her when his daughter, Miss Nora, stepped into the room and wrestled the axe away from him. He made no attempt to attack the daughter. Mrs. Roberts died instantly. Passersby were attracted by the screams of the daughter and too Mr. Roberts into custody. Suffering a paralytic stroke about two years ago, Mr. Roberts never fully regained his health. The family moved to Terrell in 1922. Mrs. Roberts was formerly Miss Nannie Elizabeth Fincher, born in Dalton, Georgia May 02, 1855. Three children survive, Miss Nora and Roland Roberts of Terrell and Mrs. T. A. Flannagan of near Tona. Mrs. Roberts was over 70 years of age. Mr. Roberts relates he does not remember the killing. [Note: detail of the killing in this notice.}

Terrell Daily Tribune, April 9, 1929
J. L. Roberts' lunacy case will be heard today.

Terrell Daily Tribune, April 10, 1929
James Roberts was found of unsound mind and ordered restrained by a jury today. {details in this article}