On the cold winter morning of February 1, 1938, the temperature in McDonough dropped to a chilling 28 degrees. Around 7:00 A.M., families on Cemetery Street, located behind the McDonough City Cemetery, were likely starting their day, getting ready for work, or enjoying breakfast together. As the sun began to rise, the tranquility was shattered by the sound of urgent yelling echoing through the community. A fire had broken out on Cemetery Street, and men and women rushed from their homes, desperate to help contain the blaze.
McDonough Chief of Police Louis Hightower was quickly alerted to the fire and hurried to the scene. Upon his arrival, he recognized the burning house as belonging to Will Combs. Observing the chaotic scene, Hightower saw neighbors frantically working to extinguish the flames and prevent them from spreading to other houses.
Amid the commotion, Will Combs was discovered lying on the ground, severely burned. He was quickly placed in an ambulance to be transported to his relative Lizzie Heard's house. Dr. H.C. Ellis arrived at the scene and followed the ambulance to Heard's home.
When Dr. Ellis examined Combs, he initially expected to find burns consistent with a fire accident. However, a closer inspection revealed multiple wounds on Combs' head and chest, including a puncture through his lungs, clearly indicating foul play. Realizing this was no accident but a homicide, Chief Hightower began questioning Combs about the injuries.
Despite his critical condition, Combs managed to speak, uttering the words "ICE PICK." Hightower asked, "Who stuck you with an ice pick?" to which Combs replied, "Buck..."
Dr. Ellis, who was a friend of Combs, continued to converse with him, trying to piece together what had happened. Combs confirmed that he had been attacked and identified his assailant as Buck Etheridge, the son of his neighbor Homer and Ella Etheridge. Tragically, shortly after naming his attacker, Will Combs succumbed to his injuries. The shocking revelation turned the investigation from a tragic fire to a deliberate act of violence, casting a dark shadow over the community of Cemetery Street.
Interestingly, Buck Etheridge was present at the scene of the crime, assisting the locals in placing Combs in the ambulance and even placing an electric iron near Combs to keep him warm in the cold room of Ms. Heard's house. However, the atmosphere changed dramatically when Etheridge overheard the conversation between Combs, Dr. Ellis, and Chief Hightower. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Chief Hightower immediately instructed Deputy Hiram Cook, who was also at Heard's house, to keep a close watch on Etheridge while he went to fetch the sheriff. The once helpful neighbor was now a prime suspect in a chilling case of homicide.
Further investigation revealed a troubled history between Etheridge and Combs. Not long before the fire, Combs had gone to the solicitor general's office to take out a warrant for Buck's arrest. The incident stemmed from Etheridge "borrowing" a gun from Combs and pawning it at a local general store. Infuriated by this betrayal, Combs sought legal action against Buck.
In an attempt to resolve the issue, Buck went to the courthouse and offered to pay Combs the value of the gun, but Combs refused. Later that evening, local resident J.C. Bush overheard Buck venting his frustration, saying, "I went to that old gray-headed son of a bi#@* to settle it about the gun, and he wouldn't settle." This volatile exchange highlighted the deep animosity between the two men and provided a possible motive for the violent attack on Combs.
When the case went to court, the trial attracted considerable attention, with many community members testifying against Buck. Witnesses included Am Crockett, E.J. Herndon, Lucy Jester, Walter Scott, Tom Scott, Vara Spear, Lizzie Heard, Lum Banks, and Troy Weems. Their testimonies painted a damning picture of Buck's actions and character.
On April 26, 1938, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts. Judge G. Ogden Persons sentenced Buck to death. Buck's attorney, Ernest Smith, filed a motion for a new trial, but it was denied. Smith then appealed the case to the Supreme Court of Georgia, but the appeal was again denied.
On November 10, 1938, Buck was executed at Georgia State Prison in Tattnall County, GA. His body was retrieved by his mother and buried at Bold Springs CME Church on the Butts County line. She passed away three years later.
The tragic events of February 1, 1938, on Cemetery Street in McDonough highlight a dark chapter in Henry County's history, but nevertheless remaining part of our community’s tapestry.
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