Thomas Varnadoe
Thomas Varnadoe was 13 when he was sent with his 15-year-old brother to the Florida Industrial School for Boys in Marianna in 1934. He died there on October 26, 1934, 35 days after he was admitted, and the death certificate listed pneumonia as the cause. His family says he was healthy when he left home and that they were told of his death only by letter after he had been buried. His brother Richard grew up without him, and their mother cried for a week after the boys were taken; Richard has wanted his brother's remains brought home to lie beside their mother.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed). The death certificate listed pneumonia, but his family disputes that cause, saying he was healthy when he left home and that they learned of his death by letter after he was buried.
Reported by: death certificate; family.