Beckham County, OK - Deaths: J. C. Caldwell, 1910
08 Nov 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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CALDWELL, J. C.
(24 Feb 1910, Thursday, Beckham County Democrat, Erick, Beckham Co, OK):
Our City was thrown into a state of excitement late yesterday afternoon
when J. L. Jennings shot J. C. Caldwell and Jas. Bradley.  The shooting
took place South Main street and was witnessed by several of our citizens.
Messrs. Caldwell and Jennings have been carrying guns for sometime.  The
trouble seems to have orginated (sic) over Jennings marrying Caldwell's
daughter. Two weeks ago Jennings was arrested for perjury, and later the
same day was arrested for carrying a pistol.  He gave bond and has since
that time been carrying a 30-30 winchester.
Caldwell came to town yesterday from his home several miles southwest of
Shamrock, and it is the supposition that Jennings sought to kill him the
moment he learned that he was in town.
Caldwell and Bradley were walking down the street when Jennings entered
the side door of Griffin & Son's store.  Caldwell and bradley (sic) were
walking along leisurely, Caldwell made a purchase at E. H. Small & Co's
store, they then resumed their walk and were somewhere near the middle of
the street still walking south and talking when without a moments warning
five shots were fired.  The first one struck Caldwell in the neck slightly
above the shoulder, ranging downward through the right lung and then out
through his back.  The next one struck Bradley in the arm and side.  He
started to run when two more shots were fired at him one of which went
through the plate glass of small (sic) & Co's store and on through a grip
which was in the show window, through the partition of show window,
through an overcoat in the center of the store where it dropped to the
floor.  Irby Mundy and Horace Wofford who were standing just back of the
show window had a narrow escape, the bullet missing them only a few
inches.  The last shot was fired at Caldwell while he was lying on the
ground he having fallen when the first shot was fired.  Bradley was first
taken to the Pendleton Drug store while Caldwell was placed on a cot in
the G. R. Moore & sons store.  Later they were carried to the South End
Hotel.  Both men suffered intensely throughout the night.  The morning
found Bradley resting easy and cheerful enough but all realized that
Caldwell's time was short and inspite (sic) of good nursing and the best
medical aid possible, he died at 9:33 o'clock.  His Father will arrive
this afternoon and the remains will be taken to Oklahoma tomorrow for
burial.
Parties in Griffin & Sons store state that Jennings entered by the side
door and that he took a seat where he could watch both doors that he sat
there fifteen or twenty minutes with his gun across his lap and that he
did not say anything, but appeared a little nervous when any one entered
the store, especially at the side door where there was no window; they
further state that all of a sudden Jennings stepped hurriedly to the front
and fired five shots with the above results.  Mrs. Claude Caperton of
Dozier was in the store trading and was just stooping over to fasten her
baby's cloak when the first shot was fired over her, she raised up and
states that she could feel the wind from the bullets as they whizzed past
her head.  She kept her presence of mind and stood still until Jennings
had ceased firing, then thinking that perhaps that there would be a return
of fire she dropped to the floor so as to be out of range of the guns. 
After doing his work Jennings went out the side door and endeavored to
make his escape but Deputy Sheriff Abbott and Leon Griffin were in close
pursuit.  He was located in D. Steward's orchard in the western part of
town.  Mr. Abbott called to him to stop telling him that he was alright,
he then came toward the officer and surrendered his gun.  A little later
Messrs. Abbott and J. H. Watt were on the road to Wheeler with the
prisoner. - Shamrock Texan.
(31 Mar 1910, Thursday, Beckham County Democrat, Erick, Beckham Co, OK):
J. N. Jennings (sic), the man who shot and killed J. C. Colwell (sic) on
the streets of Shamrock, Feb. 17, was convicted of murder in the 2nd
degree in the district court at Wheeler week before last and sentenced to
serve ten years in the penitentiary.  In Texas they certainly take quick
action.