Beckham County, OK - Obits: Myrtle M. Basham, 1922
10 Aug 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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BASHAM, MYRTLE M.
(Undated 1922 Sayre Newspaper, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
One of the most distressing accidents which it has ever been necessary to
record in Sayre took place on Friday afternoon last, and has resulted in
the death of a highly esteemed lady of this city.
Three years ago John L. Basham was one of the most prosperous farmers in
this vicinity, owning 480 acres of the best farming land northwest of this
city.  John, as he is familiarly known to almost every resident of this
section, has for years been engaged in the cattle business, and renting
his farm, he purchased a larger number of cattle and took ..... til they
were almost worth northing, and Mr. Basham's loss was a severe one,
entailing the loss of his farms, and leaving him practically broke. 
Returning to Sayre some months ago, he has since been engaged in buying
and selling cattle, making car lot shipments to Oklahoma City.
Recently he has sustained a considerable loss in this venture, and as a
result had become despondent.
Mrs. Basham screamed and grabbed his arm, and attempted to take the gun
from him.  In the struggle it was discharged, the bullet striking Mrs.
Basham in the left side, barely below the lower rib, and passing entirely
through her body, came out just above the right hip.
Physicians were summoned at once, and everything was done that skilled
nurses and kind hearted neighbors and friends could devise, yet she passed
away on Sunday afternoon.
A couple of hours after the shooting, and while still fully conscious,
Mrs. Basham gave County Attorney Speed a statement, in which she claimed
the shooting was entirely accidental, and exhonorating (sic) Mr. Basham of
any thought of harming her.
Funeral services were held from the Freeman home on Tuesday morning, and
very largely attended.  Interment was at the Doxey-Sayre cemetery.
Mrs. Basham had been a resident of this city and vicinity for about five
years past, during which time before and since her marriage to Mr. Basham,
had held several positions at the courthouse.  At the time of her death,
and ever since her return to this city from Talala, she has been employed
as a clerk in the office of County Assessor Inman.
During this residence here she had made a wide acquaintance, and won many
friends, enjoying the respect and confidence of all who knew her, and this
distressing accident has cast a gloom over the entire section.
(29 Jun 1922, Beckham County Democrat, Erick, Beckham Co, OK):
Mrs. John Basham Dies.  Word was received in Erick Monday that Mrs. John
Basham of Sayre, who was accidently (sic) shot by her husband, while
attempting to take a revolver from him last week, died at Sayre Sunday
evening.
(30 Jun 1922, Elk City Press, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
JOHN BASHAM SHOOTS HIS WIFE.
Last Friday noon John Basham of Sayre attempted suicide and his wife in
trying to stop him in his actions, was accidentally shot through the
abdomen, dying Sunday.  Mrs. Basham was conscious two hours after the
shooting and completely exonerated her husband before Oscar Speed. 
Funeral services were held Tuesday and interment was at Sayre-Doxey
cemetery.
Mr. Basham has suffered considerable financial loss in cattle the past
three years.  He was at one time a wealthy farmer near Sayre.  Mrs. Basham
had been working in County Assessor Inman's office lately.
(Research: J. L. Basham married Mrs. Myrtle Bach, 6 Feb 1919, Beckham Co,
Ok, Bk 4, pg 573).