Extracted from The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, MS)
Tuesday, April 26, 1949

Smith Sheriff Undecided In Mystery Death

Check of Death Gun Fails To Show Print Of Victim's Fingers

Raleigh, April 25 -- Leroy Stewart, 78-year-old farmer of the Lorena community was found shot to death in the hallway of his home late Sunday with a .22 rifle bullet in his heart.

The rifle, believed to be the death weapon was lying accross [sic across] his chest.

Sheriff Lawrence Crumpton, of Smith county, said late Monday night “I am not satisfied that it is a case of suicide.” Sheriff Crumpton came to this conclusion following a comparison between fingerprints found on the rifle and those of Stewart's. “I failed to find Stewart's prints on the rifle,” Sheriff Crumpton stated.

None of the victim's family were in the house at the time of the shooting, Sheriff Crumpton said. Stewart's daughter, grand daughter, her husband, and an unidentified man were last to leave the house Sunday afternoon, The sheriff said. Stewart's wife had left the house earlier in the day, according to the sheriff.

According to Sheriff Crumpton Stewart's daughter reported that when they left the house her father was in a "jolly mood, laughing and talking."

The Stewart house is in the country but is in sight of two other houses.

Sheriff Crumpton said late Monday night that no arrests have been made in the case.

The remains were taken to the Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Forest.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock from the Lerena [sic Lorena] Baptist church.

Stewart is survived by his widow, Mrs. Nora Stewart; four daughters, Mrs. Owen Shaw, of Harperville, Mrs. Willie Ainsworth, of Lorena, Mrs. H. McCrory, of Morton, and Mrs. Claude Bailey of Newton; one son, Henry Stewart of Lorena, and one sister and three brothers.