Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Frank M. Chapman, 1922
17 Nov 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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CHAPMAN, FRANK M.
(25 May 1922, Sayre Headlight, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
Monday night a telegram reached this city announcing that Frank M.
Chapman, of this city, and an engineer in the employ of the Rock Island
railroad, had been shot and instantly killed at Amarillo that evening. 
The remains were brought to this city Tuesday noon, but no announcement
has yet been made as to the time of holding the funeral, due to the fact
that they  (sic) awaiting the arrival of sons from Alhambra, California,
and San Antonio, Texas.
The Amarillo Tribune has the following:
"J. F. Wofford, charged with murder in connection with the killing of F.
M. Chapman, of Sayre, Oklahoma, at the Fort Worth & Denver railroad yards
Monday night about 8 o'clock, was granted bail in the sum of $10,000 at
the preliminary hearing before Justice of the Peace C. G. Landis Tuesday
morning at 11 o'clock.  At 1:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon the bond had not
been returned.
"It is alleged that Wofford, who was arrested by Night Watchman Jack
Foster, fired three shots into the body of Chapman, on Monday night in the
Denver yards about 8 o'clock.
"Night Watchman Jack Foster testified to statements made by Wofford at the
time he was placed under arrest.
"F. M. Chapman was an engineer for the Rock Island.  He leaves a widow and
seven children, the widow living at Sayre. Earl Chapman of Los Angeles;
Mrs. Lester Shirley, Sayre; Walter Chapman, Sayre; Lester Chapman,
Alhambra, California; Cecil Chapman, San Antonio; William and Gail
Chapman, Sayre.
"Chapman has been in the employ of railroads for thirty years, and twenty
years with the Rock Island.  He roomed near the Rock Island roundhouse.
"Wofford was formerly employed by the city.  He lives in the southeastern
part of the city and has been a resident here for several years.  He is
married and has seven children."
Wofford was formerly a resident of the section of northwest of this city,
but moved to Amarillo about ten years ago.  The shooting is claimed to
come as the result of an old grudge.
Frank Chapman had been a resident of this city for many years, and was
well known to almost every resident, and a host of personal friends will
join with us in extending their heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

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