Page 366 - Foy

Another version is that one of John and Lydiann’s daughters, Sara Elizabeth, married
John Samuel Dabbs in Mississippi. All the Renfroe family except John J. Renfroe and
his son-in-law, John Samuel Dabbs, moved to Texas. During this separation Winfield
Scott, the Renfroe neighbor, gave John Renfroe and Samuel Dabbs a hard time and
later killed them both. Hearing this Benjamin Frank, Thomas and Levi returned to
Mississippi where they killed the Scotts and the ex-slave. This version does not really
fit some of the known facts.

Renfro researchers have uncovered another source which sheds some light on the
situation. A Circuit Judge in Mississippi during the mid 1800s named Jason Niles kept
a diary and in that diary made several notations which appear to relate to the Scotts
and the Renfroes.

In this diary he writes about slaves belonging to the Scott family and he mentions the
fact John Renfro’s head was split open and later two of the Scott’s slaves were taken
out and burned and at the same time one of the Scott boys was shot while plowing a
field.

The researchers also found newspaper clippings from Carthagenian newspaper in
Carthage, Mississippi dated November 28, 1882 which said, “About 17 years ago,

Winfield Scott was shot dead in a field while cutting wheat on the North part of the county.
Suspicion pointed to Frank and Thomas Renfroe. Frank was arrested but escaped before trial.
The brother of Einfield Scott, T.J. Scott had found Thomas Renfro in San Saba County,
Texas, where he had been for nine years. Thomas hired Leigh Burlesson to defend him. The
other brother (Frank) has not been found.

On November 18, 1882 the following notice appeared in the Carthaginian; “Notice from
T.J. Scott, dated Carthage, Miss., November 14, 1882, saying rumors that he received
$200.00 and expenses to make a trip to texas and catch Thomas Renfroe, who was wanted
for the murder of his brother, Winfield Scott, are without foundation. He said he received
$100.00 from George Lowery, which scarcely paid half his expenses.”

On November 26, 1882 Judge Niles wrote, “ Rained steadily but slowly nearly all day. Left
for Carthage about 10am. Mike Simons came from Forest in a buggy. They brought over
Tom Renfroe in a buggy. He and Johnson slept in a little room together, while Renfroe was
lodged in jail to await trial to-morrow on habeas corpus. He was lately brought by Jeff Scott
from Western Texas on a requistion from Lowery. Charged with killing Winfield Scott in a
wheat field in 1865- indictment just found at last court.”

BROTHERS & SISTERS OF JOHN ELON FOY 11