Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Walter Bittle, 1924
30 Aug 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) 

 ************************************************
 Copyright. All rights reserved.
 http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
 ************************************************

BITTLE, WALTER
(31 Aug 1924, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): Reprinted
from Anadarko Tribune.
PAYS PRICE OF DRINK WITH LIFE.
Walter Bittle of four miles northeast of Carnegie died Wednesday afternoon
as a result of a gun wound inflicted Saturday night at 12 o'clock when he
tried to enter the home of Cliff Owens near Fort Cobb.
Bittle had run his car into a ditch near the Owens home, after which he
attempted to enter the house.  He was under the influence of liquor and
was threatening to "get" a man whom he supposed was concealed in the Owens
home.  Mr. Owens had an afflicted daughter who was easily frightened and
he did not wish Mr. Bittle to enter his home while in such a drunken
condition.  When Bittle started to enter he used his shotgun to protect
his home.
The shot struck Bittle in the right side slightly below the heart.  He was
brought to Glendale hospital Monday morning in a very serious condition. 
The doctors did everything possible but from the first they had no hope of
saving Bittle's life.  The patient gave up the struggle Wednesday
afternoon at 4:30 o'clock.
No arrest was made in connection of Bittle's death.  Mr. Bittle himself
and his brother both stated that they wished no charges filed against Mr.
Owens.  In a dying statement, Mr. Bittle said that Owens did just exactly
what any sane man would have done under similar conditions.
(Research:  WWI Draft Registration Cards: 1917-1918): Caddo County, Oklahoma
Walter Monroe Bittle,  born Huntsville, Arkansas, 9 Feb 1891; current
address: Fort Cobb, Caddo Co, Okla.; single; farmer; next of kin: Mother
(not named); physical description: tall, medium build, blue eyes and brown
hair; signed Walter M. Bittle, 5 June 1917.
Oklahoma, Caddo County (usgenweb.com) - Gish Funeral Home records
submitted by Nancy Charlton (1905-1928):Note:  Mr. Gish's records at times
are very hard to read and in some cases the names are misspelled.  In some
cases a cemetery is not listed.  Assumed that if the record says (digging
charge) they are buried in Anadarko.
Bittle, Walter M. - 06 Aug 1924 - Anadarko.
Cemetery Records, Oklahoma, Caddo County, Anadarko, Memory Lane Cemetery:
Walter M. Bittle, 1890-1924).