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W.J. "Bill" MannNovember 4, 1884, to November 6, 1888 W.J. "Bill" Mann was born in Tarrant County in 1850, while his parents were completing their plans to re-locate to Wise County. The Mann family settled in Wise County near Cottondale. Growing up, he served as a guide to many settlers coming west from Fort Worth and Tarrant County. In 1870, at the age of 20, he was elected as Justice of the Peace for the Cottondale area. He was elected sheriff on November 4, 1884, and served until November 6, 1888. He also served two terms as county commissioner. "W.J. Mann believed that two terms was all any man should serve in public office." "He was also one of the twenty men who pledged money to revitalize the College as Decatur Baptist Junior College." The first recorded murder trail occurred during W.J. Mann's administration. The man on trial was named J.A. Boone. According to the records in the District Attorney's office, he was charged with two counts of murder. One charge was dismissed and on the other, he was granted bail. |
