Joseph Edward Porter Sr. was the first born of James Edward and Zena Porter.  He was born on December 11, 1902, in Brinkley, Arkansas.

Although the 1920 census listed his occupation as a laborer/farmer, most knew him as a “bootleger” who was a sharp dresser and drove fancy cars.  

The 1930 census shown him to be married to Walter Jane Porter and having four children; Joseph Preston, Erma Dell (Johnson), Joseph Edward, and Hazel Doris (Bridges).  His children all attended a private school (CWR Academy) in Brinkley.

His lifestyle and apparent financial status did not go over well with the white establishment  of Brinkley, especially during the “Depression” era.

In 1933 Joseph was detained on domestic charges and incarcerated in the Monroe County Jail. According to newspaper reports while he was in his cell someone outside the jail called him over to a window where he was shot and killed.

No one was ever prosecuted or even charged with his murder–even though the coroner ruled it a homicide.