Hello Forum, First Time Poster...
I think I have one of those situations where I have an ancestor who may have decided to drop off the face of the planet. I say this because it appears he had broken and ran from the law and it seems I am at an impasse attempting find any information after a certain year. I feel like I need a fresh set of eyes to look at the current data and/or advise if there are any different techniques I would need to perform in finding new data. I have also came to the realization that I may not find anything so I'm sad about that but have accepted it. I thought I would give it one last effort.
With that said, here is what I have in a nutshell:
Name: Burnette Henrie Goodman
DOB: 18 Sept 1881 (Texas)
DOD: 1907 or after (I will explain below)
Crime: In 1904, He was accused of embezzling $2000.00 from an electrical part supply company in Houston, Texas. When he found out that the company was investigating him he took flight and went to Oklahoma (At which at that time was still considered Indian Territory). He was captured or gave himself up there. The Sheriff from Houston was sent to extradite him and eventually was brought back to Houston.
Resources used: So far I have found most of my information from both the local newspapers in Houston but I had some luck also getting the Court papers which gave the detail in both Houston and Muskogee Oklahoma. I have also used Ancestory.com and FamilySearch.org.
My last data I have comes from the year 1907. In the court documents it claims that he ran from the law again and that they for some reason closed the case claiming "He was out of Jurisdiction " which I am not quite sure I understand? Out of State or Out of Country? Why would they close the case because of that? Additionally, per the 1907 city directory of Houston it claims that his wife was a "widow" but also they had divorced that same year so I know it was common practice at that time that if a woman was divorced it was common to put that she was a "Widow" to hide the shame of it.
Goal: Primarily, I am attempting confirm his date of death and where he was buried. Secondarily, I would like to find any additional relevant information.
Thank you for any assistance that can be provided.