Notes for: William 'Frank' Bodine
Census records show date of birth at Sep. 1887 (in Bell Co., TX?), but the family has records showing that he was born in 1889. RB has June 7, 1890 in San Antonio. Frank killed his wife Josie and was then to spend the last eleven months of his life in the Freestone County Jail. He was sentenced to 25 years for taking the life of Josie, but never served any time due to his unsound mind after the shooting. Samuel Perry Bodine served as his guardian at this time. This information was provided by a member of the Samuel Perry Bodine family.
From Ronny Bodine:
In 1900, Frank Bodine was living with his uncle William Bodine in Navarro County, Texas. His birth was recorded as Sept 1890 and his age as 9. In April 1910, aged 19, he was living in Navarro County and working as a servant for the Charles and Annie Akers. On 5 June 1917, he registered as Frank Bodine for the World War I draft in Big Creek, Craighead County, Arkansas, stating he had been born 10 Nov 1890 in San Antonio (Bexar Co.), Texas, was married and had a child. In 1920, Frank Bodine lived with his family in Hill County, Texas working as a farm laborer and in 1930 in Limestone County working as a mechanical engineer. The Mexia "Weekly Herald" of 23 Dec 1932 reported that Frank Bodine and Josie Bulin had obtained a license to marry.
As related in the Mexia "Daily News" of 24 July 1956: TEAGUE (UP) Justice of the Peace F. G. Sheats of Teague related a story of murder and attempted suicide at a home just outside that city last night when a family argument ended in death as an irate husband shot his wife three times with a .25 automatic pistol and then attempted to take his own life.
The only person present, other than the victims at the Frank Bodine home, was C. F. Bulin, 96-year-old father of Mrs. Bodine. The shooting incident occurred early last evening just after Mrs. Bodine had returned home. Justice of the Peace Sheats stated that Mr. Bulin, aged father of Mrs. Bodine, does not have good eyesight, but that he saw part of the incident as it happened and told this story.
Mrs. Bodine returned from town and was talking with her husband in the kitchen. A sudden outburst of cursing was heard from Mr. Bodine and then as Mr. Bulin started to look into the room he saw three flashes of fire from a gun barrel. Then, in just an instant, another shot was fired. As Mr. Bulin investigated, he found his daughter lying dead on the floor with three bullet wounds. Mr. Bodine was sprawled on the dining room floor with a wound behind his ear.
A ruling of murder and attempted suicide was handed down at an inquest held bv Justice of the Peace Sheats in Teague this morning. Addison Blakeley, Teague city marshal, was one of the first persons on the scene after the incident had been reported. A charge of murder will be filed against Frank Bodine if the critically injured man lives, Mr. Sheats stated. He is in the city hospital at Teague. Mr. Bodine, 65, is a retired pipeline worker.
Funeral services for Mrs. Bodine, 59, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. in the tabernacle at Antioch, a small rural community near Teague. Survivors other than her husband and father include three sisters and three brothers.
Frank had killed his 2nd wife Josie, survived his suicide attempt, and was then to spend the last eleven months of his life in the Freestone County Jail. He was sentenced to 25 years for taking the life of Josie, but never served any time due to his unsound mind after the shooting. Samuel Perry Bodine served as his guardian at this time. His Texas death certificate, no. 1957-31114, notes he was born 7 June 1890 in Bell County, Texas, the son of S. P. Bodine Sr. and Lucinda Crosby. He died of a heart attack and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Teague, Freestone County.
Newspaper Obituary, The Mexia Daily News (Mexia, Texas) of Tuesday, 11 June 1957.
Fairfield--(Spl)--Frank Bodine, 67, died in Freestone County jail here Monday night, according to Sheriff Henry Brown. Bodine was in jail waiting to be sent to the State prison in Huntsville for the July 23, 1956, slaying of his wife, Josie Bodine. Bodine apparently suffered a heart attack. Bodine's trial began April 1 and he was found guilty of murder with malice. According to District Attorney Hugh Reed Jr., an appeal had been dismissed and Bodine was waiting to be sent to Huntsville to serve a 25-year sentence.