335. Bagdad Domestic Violence Proves Fatal 1908

Updated: Mar 24, 2022

Domestic violence has always been with us as long as men and women have been together throughout history. But how this issue has been handled by the criminal justice system in particular and society in general has changed from one generation to another. Another issue that has changed over the last few decades is the recognition of mental illness. And it was both of these issues that proved tragic in 1908 between Clifford Touart and his new bride Lucy Franklin in the lumber town of Bagdad, Florida.

In 1900, Lucy was a 21-year old single mother with a one-year old son, William James Franklin. What drew she and Clifford together is not known, but regardless they married in Pensacola in the Presbyterian Church on May 11, 1907. Cliff was born in Pensacola in January 1877, the son of William Touart and Josephine Stinson who had a family home at 401 East Intendencia Street. His parents were married in 1872 when Josephine was approximately 14-years old. His father supported the family first as a blacksmith then as an engineer (most likely on the railroad). His father passed away sometime between 1885 and 1893 leaving Josephine with no less than five children.

In the meantime, Cliff and Lucy were living at 634 East Government Street while he was working as a "pressman" (printing machine operator) at Henry S. White's Printing Company at 21 West Government Street. Apparently, he had worked for other printers in the area as well as White's. But what made him quit White's and leave Pensacola we may never know. He and Lucy put their furniture in storage and took her son William and left for Bagdad in May 1908. They moved in with his uncle Charles A. Stinson (brother of Josephine Stinson Touart) in the community of "Waterworks" off Ward Basin Road. However, Josephine was not in favor of them leaving Pensacola and implored them to please return, but Cliff refused. He and Lucy were known to fight constantly and what part, if any, Josephine played in the scenario is unknown. To make matters worse, the storage bill for their furniture had to be paid by the first of July or else they could lose their furniture. None of this seem to faze Cliff at all! Family and friends testified that something was mentally wrong with Cliff and had been for some time! So when Lucy informed Cliff that she and William were going to Pensacola to take care of their affairs, he became enraged and threatened to use force if necessary to stop her. He even forbid her taking her son with her.

But determinedly, Lucy packed a few clothes early on Thursday morning (July 2), and asked her Uncle Charlie to row her across Blackwater River to the boat landing in Milton. There, she would catch the steamer "City of Tampa" departing at 6:30 am and arriving at the Pensacola Wharf at 9:30 that morning. For whatever reason, Uncle Charlie couldn't or wouldn't take her so she asked Benjamin L. Jernigan (1862-1940) instead. She implored Cliff to go with her but he refused. She never told him she wasn't returning, but in Cliff's confused state of mind he assumed she wasn't! And as proof he saw that she had packed some clothes and prepared to take William with her! Something snapped! As she walked to the gate, Cliff confronted her and forcibly tried to stop her, but she was determined to leave regardless. He ran back into the house and emerged with a .32 pistol. He fired five shots, three of which struck Lucy in the back. Afterwards, he stood over her body and prevented anyone coming to her aid. Finally, he ran off and was later captured when he returned to the scene. In the meantime, Lucy was taken inside where her condition was listed as critical and most likely mortal.

As soon as possible, Lucy's mother-in-law Josephine rushed to her side along with her sister-in-law Mary Touart. In no uncertain terms his mother vehemently condemned her son's act and stated she never wanted to see him again! As to Lucy, she was examined by Dr. Henry Edwin Eldridge and Dr. Jeremiah Noble Hankins (1880-1932) who removed one of the three bullets that was easily accessible. Even though they knew it was probably futile, they operated on Lucy on July 4th and did the best they could for their day and time. Four days later, Lucy passed away from the trauma inflicted by Cliff. Her body was shipped to Pensacola where she was buried in the St. Michael's Cemetery.

Clifford appeared before the court to determine his mental ability to stand trial for murder. A hearing was set for July 25th at which time a commission was appointed consisting of Dr. William Austin Mills (1891-1952), Dr. Jeremiah Noble Hankins and attorney Reuben Arthur McGeachy (1882-1953). The verdict of the commission was that Cliff was sane and should stand trial. However, the court appointed a second commission who then returned a verdict of insanity on the 20th of August. He was committed to the state insane asylum where he died of "exhaustion" on or about October 23, 1913. His body was returned to Pensacola and buried in the St. Michael's Cemetery.