Dr. Henry E. Yarbrough was born September 17, 1874 and died October 9, 1908 in Markham, Matagorda County, Texas.
He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Waco, McLennan County.
He was the son of Thomas Jackson “Jeff” Yarbrough (1840-1918) and Sarah Kite-Kight.
He graduated from the Maryland Medical College in Baltimore in 1903 and was a member of the State Medical Association of Texas.
Yarbrough was shot and killed in front of Byars Drug Store in Markham in October 1908.
The following are the headlines and stories from around the state on the physician’s death.
Markham Doctor Is Killed.
Druggist Arrested on
Charge Is Released
Markham, Texas, October 10.—Dr. Henry E. Yarborough [Yarbrough], a prominent physician of this city, was shot and killed last night at about 8 o’clock while standing in front of the Byars drug store.
G.S. Byars was arrested and is charged with the shooting.
Bad feeling had existed between the two men for some time, and a climax was reached last night, when Dr. Yarborough entered Mr. Byar’s place of business with a complaint about the telephone service, the exchange being located in the store.
Four shots were fired, only one of which took effect.
The bullet entered the left arm and breast, passed through the body and came out on the right side.
He died in about ten minutes.
So far as is known there were only two eyewitnesses to the tragedy.
Byars gave an appearance bond for the preliminary hearing which will be held at Bay City on the 7th.
Dr. Yarborough came to Markham about a year ago.
He was 34 years old and leaves a wife and a 2-year-old child.
He leaves two brothers, one at Waco and one at Rosebud.
His parents live at Gilliland.
The body will be sent to Waco for burial.
Byars is a son of Dr. James Byars and formerly lived at Bay City. He is about 24 years old.
Houston Post, October 11, 1908
Dr. Henry E. Yarborough, Prominent Physician Killed
Markham, Oct. 11.—G. S. Byars today gave appearance bond for preliminary hearing on Oct. 17 on a charge of murder of Dr. Henry E. Yarborough late last night.
The doctor was shot while using the telephone in the latter’s pharmacy.
The bullet pierced a vital organ and the physician died in ten minutes.
Bad feeling and existed for sometime between the two men both of whom were prominent.
Abilene Daily Reporter, October 11, 1908
Dr. Yarbrough Is Buried.
Gus Byars, Charged With Killing, Held in $5000 Bond
Bay City, Texas, October 12.—The body of Dr. Yarbrough, who was shot and killed by Gus Byars at Markham Friday night, was brought here and embalmed and shipped from here to Waco on last night’s train, where it was interred today.
Byars was released on $5,000 bond pending the examining trial, which will be held here on Saturday.
Houston Post, October 13, 1908
Monday, October 12 – Remains of Dr. Henry E. Yarbrough were brought to Waco yesterday from Markham. Funeral today from the residence of brother, A. A. Yarbrough, 1616 Burnet.
The Dr. was killed in Markham Friday night. G. S. Byars was arrested. Burial at Greenwood Cemetery.
Waco Times-Herald, October 13, 1908
Gus Byars Acquitted
Bay City, Texas, January 20. - Gus Byars of Markham was today declared not guilty of murder.
The case grew out of the shooting at Markham some time ago of Dr. Yarbrough.
The district attorney asked that the case be dismissed, but attorneys for Mr. Byars demanded that the case be brought to trial and the above verdict was rendered, the jury not leaving the box.
Houston Post, January 21, 1909