Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Annabelle Barker, 1924
09 Aug 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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BARKER, ANNABELLE
(11 Sep 1924, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
VICTIM OF TRAGEDY BURIED HERE WEDNESDAY.
The body of Mrs. Annabelle Barker who was shot to death at Childress,
Texas, last Sunday morning, was shipped here Tuesday and funeral services
were held at the home of her sister, Mrs. J. W. Foster, Wednesday after
which burial took place at Fairlawn Cemetery.  Mrs. Barker was fairly well
known in Elk City, having been here a number of times to visit her sister.
 Following the news of the tragedy Mrs. Foster went to Childress and
accompanied the body here.
The following report of the tragedy appeared in the September 8th issued
of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
CHILDRESS, Sept. 8.-Mrs. Clara Maddux, 27, wife of H. B. Maddux, deputy
state game warden, was freed on $2,000 bail here this morning after
examining trial in Justice Court had been waived, on a charge of killing
Mrs. Annabel Barker, 23, of Elk City, Okla., in front of the Hotel Nave
here yesterday noon.
Mrs. Maddux did not appear in court.  Decatur business men who came here
late yesterday made the bond for her.  The State offered no objection to
the granting of bail.
Maddux, charged by complaint with adultery, also made bond of $500 this
morning.
Mrs. Maddux, whose parents live near Bridgeport, Wise County, will leave
for that place late today.  Her father, 80, is said to be overcome with
grief.  Mrs. Maddux is the youngest of a family of 12 children.
Mrs. Barker's body will be sent to Elk City, Okla., late today for burial.
 Her sister, Mrs. Ruby Foster of that town, is here to accompany the body
home.  Mrs. Barker's mother, Mrs. Ida Parker, lives at Goldwaite, Texas. 
Mrs. Barker had been divorced from her husband but did not again take her
maiden name.
The fatal shooting threw the city into excitement.  Mrs. Maddux had never
seen her victim before, identifying her from a photograph which she
secured in Elk City a few days before.  It was declared that Mrs. Maddux
came here only for the purpose of talking with Mrs. Barker about her
husband, but that when she encountered the young woman seated in her
husband's automobile in front of a hotel, she lost control of herself.
(11 Sep 1924, Sayre Journal, Sayre Beckham Co, Ok)
Mrs. Maddux, of Bridgeport, Texas shot to death in front of the Hotel Nave
at Childress, Texas, Monday morning, Mrs. Annabel Barker, 23 years of age,
while she was in a fit of jealous rage.  Mrs. Maddux had never met Mrs.
Barker, who it is alleged was living with Maddux in adultery, but
identified her from a photograph she secured in Elk City, a few days
before.  It is said that Mrs. Maddux went to Childress for the purpose of
talking with Mrs. Barker about her husband, but when she found her seated
in her husband's automobile in front of the hotel, she opened fire.  Two
shots took effect, one through the head and the second one through the
heart.  Mrs. Barker died instantly.
Mrs. Maddux was released on a $2,000 bond after the preliminary trial at
Childress.  Mr. Maddux was arrested on a charge of adultry, who also made
bond for $500.
Mrs. Barker's body was shipped to Elk City for interment.  Mrs. Ruby
Foster, of Elk City, a sister of Mrs. Barker, went to Childress and
accompanied the body to Elk City.