After an extensive manhunt, Merle was. arrested
in a wooded area along Bray's Bayounear 75th Street on Dec, 1. He
had discarded his weapons and offered no resistance to arrest, say-
ing that he had eaten only one meal since the shootings four days
previoubly. After his arrest, he stated that he alone was guilty
of shooting at the officers and blamed the murders on his drinking
my and his fear of being returned to prison, saying that he had rather
<>die in the electric chair, His conviction was unsuccessfully
“~ appealed (1 dissent) to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and on
April h, 1957, he was electrocuted at the Texas State Prison, . On
the day before his death, a 28-year-old brother serving three-years
for burglary was allowed to visit with him and both seemed to enjoy
Ei themselves. Later, however, when a sister visited him, he broke
E‘ down and cried for the first time since his arrest. His last meal
2 consisted of fried oysters and fried shrimp and he went to his death
q« calmly after having said in an interview shortly before "I am ready
to go, In fact, I have been ready for a long time." He smiled while
being strapped in the ch air and his execution was witnessed by seven
Highway Patrolmen, including Te tlaRe eek ues PM (es ee Ve 6)
i ouston, lexa rae : =2j= oto, pa
PP essclgehs Lo SEL? 1o-B-t95l, Coetter photo, page 1); 1o23e 195)
car began firing at them, killing Crosby and wounding Doolin, He
and Archie fled into a field and archie was arrested the next day
in a Liberty Motel. After an extensive manhunt, Merle was. arrested
in a wooded area along Bray's Bayounear 75th Street on Dec, 1, He
had discarded his weapons and offered no resistance to arrest, say-
ing that he had eaten only one meal since the shootings four days
previously, After his arrest, he stated that he alone was guilty
g\of shooting at the officers and blamed the murders on his drinking
ay and his fear of being returned to prison, saying that he had rather
@pdie in the electric chair. His conviction was unsuccessfully
~ appealed (1 dissent) to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and on
April lh, 1957, he was electrocuted at the Texas State Prison, . On
ki the day before his death, a 28-year-old brother serving three years
fj for burglary was allowed to visit with him and both seemed to enjoy
& themselves. Later, however, when a sister visited him, he broke
es down and cried for the first time since his arrest. His last meal
8 consisted of fried oysters and fried shrimp and he went to his death
« calmly after having said in an interview shortly before "I am ready
©to go, In fact, I have been ready for a long time," He smiled while]
being strapped in the ch air and his execution was witnessed fe seven
Highway Patrolmen, including Doolin, He was interred at Libe
HOUSTON POST, Houst tT “195i; 11-29-195) (Photo 6
FOUSTON, EPSTs Houesore tee tod (better iphoto, pace 1); Lees ioSN”
car began firing at them, killing Crosby and wounding Doolin, He
and Archie fled into a field and archi was arrested the next day
in a Liberty Motel, After an extensive manhunty Merle was. arrested
in a wooded area along Bray's Bayounear 75th Street on Dec. 1, He
had discarded his weapons and offered no resistance to arrest, say-
ing that he had eaten only one meal since the shootings four days
previoully. After his arrest, he stated that he alone was guilty
of shooting at the officers and blamed the murders on his drinking
) and his fear of being returned to prison, saying that he had rather
qpdie in the electric chair, His conviction was unsuccessfully
< appealed (1 dissent) to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and on
# tpril l, 1957, he was electrocuted at the Texas State Prison,
ithe day before his death, a 28-year-old brother serving three years
Hi tor burglary was allowed to visit with him and both seemed to enjoy
=. themselves, Later, however, when a sister visited him, he broke
& down and cried for the first time since his arrest. s last meal
Q consisted of fried oyeters and fried shrimp and he went to his death
« calmly after having said in an interview shortly before "I am ready
@to go, In fact, I have been ready for a long time," He smiled while
being strapped in the ch air and his execution was witnessed by seven
Highway Patrolmen, including Doolin. His was ee at Liberty. ei
HOUSTON POST, Houston, Jexas. =28-195i; 11-29-19! oto, par.
Ui-30-195h3 2-1-1954} Issboto3h Chatter’ photo, pace {yh 1222198)
fe Hewea = fo ot i ao
ky De
ELLISOR, MerBe Wayne
Ellisor, a 32-year-old white native of Huntsville, Texas, lived at
Liberty and was a tugboat worker by trade, In March, 1958, he got
inte his first legal trouble and was shot by a policeman when he
attempted to flee after being stopped for investigation, In Noven-
ber of that year he was sent to the Texas State Prison for theft and
escaped in MaK@M May, 1950, Recaptured, he was returned to Prison
and was released shortly before the commission of the crime for which
he was executed. On the night of Nov, 28, 1951, he broke into a
jouston Tourist Court and, in addition to taking money, stolesseveral
guns, rifles and pistols, On the evening of Nov. 25, he and his 20-
year-old brother (Archie), after drinking all day were driving in
their brother-in-law's automobile in which they were carrying the sto
len KEX@K weapons to see a barmaid girl friend of Merle, Deputy
Sheriff Jimmy Scarbrough of Jacinto City, riding on a motorcycle,
stopped them for reckless driving and Merle, fearing that he would
be arrested because of the weapons, shot him in the arm and drove
off, Scarbrough fired at the fleeing tar and one of the bullets
struck Merle in the back. Scarbrough alerted other officers and
Highway Patrolmen Robert James Crosby and Doyce C, Doolin spotted
them on the Beaumont Highway near -U. S. & 73 and gave chase. They
forced the Ellisor brothers off. the road and Merle, jumping from the
ELLISOR, Merbe Wayne
Ellisor, a 32-year-old white native of Huntsville, Texas, lived at
Liberty and was a tugboat worker by trade, In March, 1958, he got
into his first legal trouble and was shot by a policeman when he
attempted to flee after being stopped for investigation, In Noven-
ber of that year he was sent to the Texas State Prison for theft and
escaped in M&KHH May, 1950, Recaptured, he was returned to Prison
and was released shortly before the commission of the crime for which
he was executed. On the night of Nov, 28, 195i, he broke into a
Houston Toorist Court and, in addition to taking money, stolesseveral
guns, rifles and pistols, On the evening of Nov. 25, he and his 20-
year-old brother (Archie), after drinking all day were driving in
their brother-in-law's automobile in which they were carrying the sto
len KEX@E weapons to see a barmaid girl friend of Merle, Deputy
Sheriff Jimmy Scarbrough of Jacinto City, riding on a motorcycle,
stopped them for reckless driving and Merle, fearing that he would
be arrested because of the weapons, shot him in the arm and drove
off, Scarbrough fired at the fleeing tar and one of the bullets
struck Merle in the back. Scarbrough alerted other officers and
Highway Patrolmen Robert James Crosby and Doyce C, Doolin spotted
them on the Beaumont Highway near U. S. & 73 and gave chase, They
forced the Ellisor brothers off the road and Merle, jumping from the
ELLISOR, Merke Wayne
Ellisor, a 32-year-old white native of Huntsville, Texas, lived at
Liberty,and was a tugboat worker by trade, In March, 1958, he got
into his first legal trouble and was shot by a policeman when he
attempted to flee after being stopped for investigation, In Novem=
ber of that year he was sent to the Texas State Prison for theft and
escaped in MaKHM May, 1950, Recaptured, he was returned to Prison
and was released shortly before the conmission of the crime for which|
he was executed, On the night of Nov, 28, 195), he broke into a
Houston Tearist Court and, in addition to taking money, stolexseveral|
guns, rifles and pistols, On the evening of Nov, 25, he and his 20-
year-old brother (Archie), after drinking all day were driving in
their brother-in-law's automobile in which they were carrying the sto}
len ###4# weapons to see a barmaid girl friond of Herle, Deputy
Sheriff Jimny Scarbrough of Jacinto City, riding on a motorcycle,
stopped them for reckless driving and Merle, fearing that he would
be arrested because of the weapons, shot him in the arm and drove
Scarbrough fired at the fleeing tar and one of the bullets
struck Merle in the back, Scarbrough alerted other officers and
Highway Patrolmen Robert James Crosby and Doyce @, Doolin eel
then on the Beaumont Hizhway near U.S, $73 and gave chase,
forced the Ellisor brotfiers off the road and Merle, Jumping’ from the
and vat a vaptent wentee by rater Th tat bee et
