See also: Rufus Pevehouse Sheriff Biography

Rufus Pevehouse
Jun 4, 1900 - Apr 14, 1977

Pevehouse found dead
 

Rufus Pevehouse, former Navarro County sheriff was found dead Thursday afternoon in a barn at his house near Emhouse, according to Sheriff Jerry Shelton. Shelton said Friday that Pevehouse was found by his daughter-in-law, Christine Pevehouse, hanging by a rope in the barn around 5:45 p.m. Deputy Sheriff Bob Rehders investigated the death. Peace Justice Joe Wilson ruled it suicide. Shelton said there was no sign of foul play and that no note had been found. He added that Pevehouse had been ill with cancer for sometime. “WE ASSUME HE was despondent over his health,” Shelton said. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Methodist church in Corsicana for the 76 year-old Blooming Grove native. The Rev. James E. Shuler said the Rev. Peyton Goodman will officiate. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Blooming Grove. Pevehouse had been lifelong law man and had served as county sheriff for 32 years. He was born in Blooming Grove on June r 1900. The son of another Navarro County Sheriff, Walter Pevehouse, he became deputy sheriff at the age of 21. During his six years as a deputy he served under Walter Hayes, John Stewart and Tom Wilson. In 1928 he ran successfully for office and served as sheriff for 10 years. HE LOST THE 1938 election and went to Dallas in 1939 to be a U.S. Marshal in charge of seven counties in the Dallas Division. After 10 years there he returned to Navarro County. In 1950 Pevehouse ran again for sheriff and won over a field of seven candidates. He continued as sheriff until his defeat by the current sheriff, Jerry Shelton, in the 1972 election. In an interview with A. P. Murchison last Fall for the Navarro County Historical Society, it was said that Pevehouse encountered many tough characters while he was sheriff, but never killed a man. The interview states that he “had a knack of getting along with people and getting the job done in a quiet unobtrusive manner. During the tenure of office things were quiet and law and order prevailed. HE IS SURVIVED by his widow, Mrs. Frances Pevehouse of Rt. 2; one son, Dan Pevehouse of Rt. 2; one grandson Rufus N. Pevehouse of Dallas; one brother, Clarence Pevehouse of Corsicana; two sisters, Mrs. Claude Absher of Corsicana and Mrs. Ruth Neike of Dallas. Pallbearers will be Eugene Kessinger, Bobby Ross, Chick Reed, Howe French, T. R. Hall, Larry Melton, Charles Johnson, Lester Easley, Harry Drane and Claude Maggard. The family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Griffin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Notes:

• The Corsicana Daily Sun - Firday, April 15, 1977

• Submitted by Diane Richards and Karen Rost

Rufus Pevehouse, Former Resident Services Held in Corsicana

Rufus Pevehouse, former Navarro County Sheriff, was found dead Thursday afternoon, April 14, in a barn at his house near Emhouse. He was found by his daughter-in-law, Christine Pevehouse, hanging by a rope. Peace Justice Joe Wilson ruled it suicide. Pevehouse had been ill with cancer for some time. He was born in Blooming Grove on June 4, 1900, the son of a former Navarro County Sheriff, Walter Pevehouse. He had been a life-long lawman and had served as county sheriff for 32 years. Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the First Methodist Church in Corsicana and burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Blooming Grove. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Frances (Ivy) Pevehouse; one son, Dan Pevehouse of Corsicana; a grandson Rufus Pevehouse of Dallas; one brother, Clarence Pevehouse of Corsicana; two sisters, Mrs. Claude Absher of Corsicana and Mrs. Ruth Nelke of Dallas; a number of nieces and nephews.

Notes:

• Mar 26. 1927 - - Big Still And Its Captors Are Shown