James (Jim) Clyde Thomas

Clovis Road did not go into the family of Jim Thomas to any great extent. Several members of the family are mentioned in the text however. For those interested in more about his background this should bring some new perspective to his story.
       +James Clyde (Jim) Thomas (born March 12, 1895) was the son of William Radford Thomas who was born in Tompsonville, Monroe County, Kentucky on January 7, 1855. William Thomas died in Waco, Texas on March 14, 1928. William Thomas married Minnie Mae Beauchamp (1869-1941) and they had six children including Jim: Edna May Thomas (1884-1967), Alfred C. Thomas (1890 - 1974), Opal Claire Thomas (1890-1975), Clifford N. Thomas (1898-1934) and Wilburn R Thomas (1900-1990). Minnie Beauchamp Thomas was born February 15, 1869 in Ellis County, Texas and was the daughter of Louis Beauchamp (b. 1855) and Susan Elizabeth Newell (b.1848) another source has her the daughter of Henry H. Jose (b.1850). Minnie died in Waco, Texas in 1928 and married William Thomas about 1883. By the time Jim Thomas was five the family was living in Waco, Texas
      Jim Thomas married three times, Cora Hancock Nov. 17, 1916 and they were not living together by 1920, Addie Lee Chapman (1904-1977) about 1927, and Mary Burton in 1945. From the marriage to Cora Hancock, Jim Thomas had a child Joe Ronald Thomas (b.1920) and a girl born in 1918. With Addie Chapman there were three children Mary Neil Thomas (1927-2012), Jimmie Lee Thomas (1929-1944) and Pauline Thomas (1929-1944). The last two may have died as teens in Arizona. In 1930, Jim and Addie Thomas were living in Amarillo and he called himself a “real estate agent.” By 1940 Jim was in the State Prison in Nebraska. Jim Thomas was shot and killed August 22, 1951 and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Waco, Texas. Some sources have Jim born in 1894. Source: Ancestry.com

First/Second Edition Memorial Day Offer

Dana Middlebrooks Samuelson - Independent Writer

Bob and I want to thank everyone for supporting the second edition and we see that there is still interest in owning the first edition. So, why not collect both!
Clovis Road - The Dr Roy Hunt Murder -Littlefield, Texas 1942-1943 is available in first and second editions. Both editions can be purchased with one check or money order for $59, postage and tax included, sent to Highgate Publishing, 6257 Highgate Lane, Dallas, Texas 75214. Requested autographs at no cost. Some internet sellers are asking over $400 for a first edition! Good reading, +Dana Middlebrooks Samuelson

Dr. Roy Hunt Wedding Photo

Dr. Roy Hunt married +Mattie Mae Franks on May 9, 1937 just eight days after she withdrew from the nursing school at Jefferson Davis Hospital. The newlyweds would soon leave Houston for Littlefield to begin his career, and she would assist him as a practical nurse until their first child was born in January, 1938. They were murdered in 1943. This photo was posted on Ancestry.com.

Mattie Mae Franks and Dr. Roy E. Hunt May 1937

Another View of Clovis Road

We have found another web site about the Dr. Roy Hunt murder with great photos of the depot, watertower, and elevator in Littlefield. It is by Bobby McDonald and has a summary of the case in an article titled: "A Murder in Littlefield, Texas." In part it says: "Dana Middlebroooks Samuelson, a Littlefield, Texas, native, along with her husband Dr. Robert Samuelson, have written a detailed book about the 1943 murder of Dr. and Mrs. Roy Hunt and the many, many connecting pieces of evidence that were produced in the high profile case. The book is entitled Clovis Road and is a must read for anyone interested in Texas history and the intrigue of crime."
 Please see http://www.frontporchnewstexas.com/littlefieldmurder010413.htm for a chance to read and see those photos. Clovis Road II is available from Highgate Publishing, 6257 Highgate Lane, Dallas, Texas 75214.

Roy and Mae Hunt Early Photo

Dr. and Mrs. Roy Hunt

This photo shows +Mae Hunt in her nurses uniform beside +Dr. Roy Hunt. It was probably taken shortly after the Hunts moved to Littlefield in 1937.  The Littlefield paper described her as "pretty and thin." This photo was posted on Ancestry.com.

Masked Murder Solved

Lots of people ask: "why buy the second edition of Clovis Road?" The new edition has several things the first edition did not. New photos. But, besides several new stories about the main characters it contains these new findings: a confession from the Newtons, key evidence found at the Hunt home, and the roll of a drug ring in the Roy Hunt murders.   For copies of the book Clovis Road II go to Waymore's in Littlefield or write to Highgate Publishing 6257 Highgate Lane, Dallas, Texas 75214.

Dr. Roy Hunt's Northeast BedroomWindows

Masked Murder

 An article in the Lamb County Leader-News  in the “At the Museum” recurring column about the +Dr. Roy Hunt Murders called  “Masked Murder” This appeared August 10, 2008. The column ended with “Stay turned....” implying that there would be further developments from the archives of the Leader-News, but there were not. The article used fictitious names for Dr. W. R. Newton, Jr and his wife, Ruth, calling them “Dr. and Mrs. Pinney.” The article quoted a story in Authentic Detective Cases as well as the Lubbock Morning Avalanche as additional sources. The "At The Museum" columns are a valuable tool in learning the history of Littlefield. Check the Littlefield Lands/Duggan House Museum website for more of these articles. Go to www.littlefieldmuseum.com/  and click the "HISTORY" tab. For copies of the book Clovis Road II go to Waymore's in Littlefield or write to Highgate Publishing 6257 Highgate Lane, Dallas, Texas 75214.

Littlefield Texas 1963 Golden Anniversary

In July, 2013 +Littlefield, Texas will be 100  years old, and it will be 70 years since the Dr. Roy Hunt murders. According to an "At The Museum" article from 2006 "Those of you here at that time remember what a wonderful time it was! Littlefield was booming, with an estimated population of over 16,000. The stores were full, and almost every building was occupied. Saturdays "you couldn’t stir ‘em with a stick!" The article goes on: "The Golden Jubilee Celebration ran from June 30th to July 6th, 1963. The local merchants joined together for Old Fashioned Bargain Days featuring many 1913 prices. There was a square dance in front of the Court House, with dancers from all over Texas. There was a Queen’s Coronation Ball at the Municipal Airport Hangar, and a cake cutting ceremony. We even had a Pony Express Ride from Farwell, New Mexico. There was a big "Golden Jubilee" parade on the 3rd, and an Independence Day Parade on the 4th. The Wildcat band gave a concert. Friday, July 5th, was designated "Good Neighbor Day". There was a concert by the Amarillo Air Force Band, followed by the "Kangaroo Court", which was a preliminary beard judging. I don’t remember the rules of the beard growing contest, but I do remember any man not growing a beard had to purchase a permit and keep it with him at all times. Otherwise, he was thrown in "jail", and friends or relatives had to "buy" his freedom. There was a "Jubilee Bells" style show, and a kiddy parade. On Saturday, July 6th, a time capsule was buried in front of the City Hall, which was to be opened in 1988. Then the final judging and awards were conducted for the "Brothers of the Brush" beard growing contest."

Two individuals played a part in that 50th celebration who were part of the Clovis Road story in 1942-1943. Sid Hopping was a deputy sheriff when Dr. Hunt was killed, in 1963 he was president of the Littlefield Golden Anniversary Association. Paul McCormick who owned the station Ruth Newton stopped at to make a call to Dr. Hunt in 1942 was on the city council.

Dr. Roy Hunt Shot on Clovis Road

When Dr. Roy Hunt drove wounded back to the Littlefield Hospital on May 21, 1942 about 1. A.M. and went into the lobby and collapsed on the floor briefly. Then he got up with the help of the nurse and went and laid down on the operating table. He asked for a tetanus shot, a quarter grain of morphine, and some intravenous fluids. He asked the nurse, Miss Middleton, to notify everyone including his brother, that he had been shot on the Clovis Road.

Dana and Darla at Waymore's

Before Clovis Road came out in 2009 +Dana Middlebrooks Samuelson was friends with +Darla K. Jennings who is owner and operator of Waymore's at 901 East Hall Street in Littlefield along with her parents, James and Helen Jennings.  Waymore's contains the Waylon Jennings museum. Darla has sold hundreds of the book about the Dr. Roy Hunt murder at Waymore's since it was released for sale in early 2010.Today Clovis Road II is now available at her store, or you can write Highgate Publishing at 6257 Highgate Lane, Dallas, Texas 75214 and send a check or money order for $36.81.
Dana Middlebrooks Samuelson, independent author, is pictured with Darla Jennings.