Cory's Genealogy Web Site - Newspaper Clippings

Monroe Sorrowed At Death Of ‘Big A,’

Victim Of Car

Chief Deputy Aaron Mills Dies From Hurts

Suffered When Struck By Hit-Run Driver

Special To The Journal

    MADISONVILLE, June 30 – “Big A” is dead, and there is sorrow in Monroe County.

    “Big A” is what everybody called Aaron Mills, good-natured giant chief deputy who was run over June 16 by a man charged with drunken driving. Mills was badly crushed in the chest and left shoulder, and spent some time in Sweetwater Hospital.

    Then he appeared to get better, and was allowed to go home yesterday. Mills slumped unconscious at the breakfast table in his home adjoining the jail here this morning, and never revived.

    Death was attributed to the June 16 injury. Blount County Deputy Sam Sandige recalled how it happened.

Sought Fugitive

    Sandidge and Blount Deputy W. E. Owenby, along with Constable Granville Tallent, went to Monroe County that night to search for a jail fugitive. Mills joined them here at Madisonville.

    The four were driving along Highway 411 when they spotted a car weaving down the highway at a high rate of speed in the opposite direction. They turned the car to halt the man.

    When they stopped the driver, they pulled up even with his car and about four feet to one side. Mills and Owenby got out and were moving toward the other car when another car came along.

Two Hit

    The driver of this car tried to pass between the two halted automobiles. Mills and Owenby were hit. Both cars were smashed on one side. The driver kept on going.

    Sandige’s car was still drivable. He took off up the road after the runaway driver. He arrested Bogus Henry on a charge of drunken driving and hit-run.

    Sandige then came back and took the two injured men for medical aid. Owenby now appeared to be improved.

    Immediately upon the death of Chief Mills, Monroe County Sheriff, George (Chief) Tallent today took out a warrant charging Henry with manslaughter.

    “Big A” was only 44 years old. His fellow officers here and in surrounding counties, where he was exceptionally well known, already were seeking some means of helping the widow and their 10 children.

    The widow, Bernice Crowder Mills, had just returned from a stay in the hospital when Mills was hurt. Beside the 10 children, he is survived by one grandchild and three sisters.

    Funeral services are to be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Madisonville Baptist Church.

(Clipping from Monroe County Newspaper – July 1950)