After serving in World War II, Howie Fox played Major League Baseball, pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Baltimore Orioles over the course of nine seasons from 1944-54. He pitched the following year for the San Antonio Missions minor league team of the Texas League, during which time he also purchased a tavern in the Alamo city.

On the evening of October 9, 1955, the former big league player encountered big trouble at his bar. Three patrons became disruptive and grew belligerent after being ordered to leave the establishment. An argument ensued which soon turned physical. One of the men pulled a knife and stabbed Howie Fox three times. The thirty-four-year-old died before the summoned help arrived.  Forty-seven-year-old Hubert Callahan, a bartender at the tavern, was also slashed in the struggle, but survived.

Three San Antonio college students were arrested in relation to the incident. John Strickland was charged with murder and assault while Jack Allen and Martin Belto were arrested as material witnesses. Strickland was sentenced to ten years in prison. I could not find what punishment the other two men received.

Howie Fox

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9511211/howard-francis-fox

SOURCES:

• Baseball-Reference. com
• ESPN
• MLB.Com