Henry Heffler

Texas Rangers Search for Slayer of Groceryman

Dallas, Tex., Oct. 17 Texas rangers today searched for the masked slayer of Henry Heffler, prominent grocer of this place, who was killed In his store when he came in answer to screams of his wife.

A masked man. supposedly a bandit. entered the store, where Mrs. Heffler was working alone, and ordered, her to throw up her, hands.

She screamed. Her husband, coming to her assistance, saw the bandit and reached for his gun.

He was killed before he could level it.

As the bandits hands were gloved and his entire face masked it was impossible, according to Mrs. Heffler. to determine whether he was white or black.

The Arkansas City Daily News, Arkansas City, Kansas, Tuesday, 17 Oct 1922, p. 1

TYLER MAN SHOT; MASKED BURGLAR

By the Associated Press

TYLER, Oct. .17. After fatally shooting Henry Heffler, proprietor of a suburban grocery store last night a masked burglar fled from the store without obtaining any loot .Heffler ran from the store and died in a yard across the street. No arrests have been made.

The Marshall News Messenger, Marshall, Texas, Wednesday, 18 Oct 1922, p. 1

Indict Tyler Man for Robbery and Murder

Special to The Times.

Tyler, Texas, Oct. 29. -- A complaint has been filed against H. B. Burks, of Tyler, charging him with the murder of Henry Heffler, who was shot and killed in his suburban store in North Tyler by masked bandit ten days ago, Texas rangers and local peace officers have been working on the case, seeking definite clues as to the identity of Heffler slayer since the killing occurred.

Burks was arrested on the night of the murder and detained on a charge of carrying pistol and hat been kept in jail pending the investigation.

The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana, Monday, 30 Oct 1922, P. 7

Heffler Murder Trial Begin at Tyler

Special to The Times.

Tyler, Texas, Nov. 24. Testimony In the murder trial of H. B. Burks, charged with killing Henry Heffler, a North Tyler grocer, at his place of business here three weeks ago, began this afternoon after two days had been consumed selecting a jury.

Heffler was killed by masked highwaymen, it was said. Mrs. Heftier was the only eye-witness to the killing. Testimony will be given that Burks was driven to in alley in the rear of Heffler's store by Kay Levine of Tyler at the time of the shooting. Levine will testify that Burks was drinking. The defendant's defense has not been disclosed by his attorneys.

The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana, Saturday, 25 Nov 1922, p. 5

Accused's Mother Carried to Court in Murder Trial

Special to The Times.

Tyler, Texas, Nov. 27.--Taking the witness stand In his own defense, H. B. Burke, charred with the killing of Henry Heffler, North Tyler groceryman, October 18, denied any connection with the shooting.

The trial, which opened last Thursday, reached a dramatic climax when the sick and aged mother of Burke was carried Into the court room on a stretcher this afternoon and testified that her son had given her a pistol just before the murder was committed.

The state offered brief rebuttal testimony and the ease went to the jury late this afternoon.

The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana, Tuesday, 28 Nov 1922, p. 1

TYLER MAN IS GIVEN 15 YEARS IN KILLING

TYLER Nov 28—After being out since 11 o'clock last night the jury in the case of H B Burks charged with the murder of Henry Heffler, suburban merchant, six weeks ago returned a verdict or guilty and gave him 15 years in the penitentiary. The courtroom was crowded with both men and women during the trial.

This Is one of the quickest trials on record in Smith County, only six weeks elapsing since the crime was committed. Burks was arrested by Rangers on duty here.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, 28 Nov 1922, p. 1