Shelby County Historical Meeting May 17, 2016
Our Speaker was Connie Mettauer. We had a good turn out. Everyone
knew “The Murder of Marlie Childs” would be an interesting subject
when it was announced. It was on April 23, 1936 when the murder took
place. Marlie Childs, one time treasurer of Shelby County was
married to Reable Sapp. Marlie was 35 years old, and cripple with
infantile paralysis. He was eleven years older than his wife Reable.
She was a beautiful woman. They lived on Field Street in Center,
Texas.
Reable had met Terrance Bramlett while he was stationed in Center
working for the CCC Camp. They carried on a secret affair, sometimes
in the house on Field Street and sometimes in Cabins and Hotels.
Marlie Childs somehow learned of this and when asked, he refused to
give her a divorce. Bramlett said they planned to kill Childs. He
knew Childs habits and he sometimes hid in the attic.
Bramlett knew Childs always brushed his teeth and took his sleeping
potion just before going to bed, so he waited at the breakfast room
window until Childs came in. He shot one shot, went back to his car
and drove to Jefferson. The case was soon solved by Sheriff J. B.
Sanders, Deputy Lucky Pleasant, Grover Poplin and others. Reable was
tried first and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Bramlett got a
sentence of 50 years. Reable joined a band in Goree Prison and they
played all over Texas. She got out of prison in 1943, got married
and had a daughter.
Carlton and Hulon Dance bought the house. When it was torn down,
love notes were found on the rafters. The Dances built a new house
on the same site. Presently, the Childrens Advocacy Center is
located at 220 Field Street.
This will be our last meeting until September. Thanks to Ann Bowen
for supplying speaker for our meeting. Good job Ann.
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