Beckham County, OK - Deaths: William P. Cherry, 1916
18 Nov 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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CHERRY, WILLIAM P.
(10 Feb 1916, Thursday, Southwest News & Leader, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
The Amarillo News of last Saturday contained the following which will be
of interest to many in this section, where the deceased was well known. 
The News says:
"William P. Cherry, aged forty-six years and leaving a widow and six
children, was burned to death early yesterday morning when a 'bunk shack'
in which he was sleeping at Magenta was consumed by fire.  The origin of
the fire will never be known perhaps, as the shack was practically
consumed before others staying in the camp, of which Mr. Cherry was
foreman for C. E. Willmering of Amarillo, discovered the flames.  When
discovery was made it was impossible for laborers at the pits to rescue
the unfortunate foreman.
"As soon as the fire had cooled sufficiently to admit of a search of the
ruins the badly charred body of Cherry was discovered among the debris. 
All of the bedding and clothing had been burned from the body and the
fingers had been consumed by the flames.  The unfortunate man was found
face downward as if overcome by the smoke, he had not arisen from sleep
when the fire swept over him.
"Numerous theories are advanced as to the cause of the fire, among them
being that a lamp exploded or the bedding took fire from a cigarette.  N.
S. Griggs was called from Amarillo to have charge of the blackened remains
and prepared same for burial or shipment, depending upon the wishes of the
parents in Elk City.  Mrs. Cherry, who was in Tascosa, was called to the
scene and will remain until advices have been received from Elk City."
The remains of the unfortunate man were shipped to this place for burial,
many relatives from various sections of the state coming for the funeral
services.  The parents of Mr. Cherry are pioneers in this section. 
Funeral arrangements were in charge of Geo. R. Grubitz & Son.
(10 Feb 1916 - LATER:  W. W. (sic) Cherry was the son of Mr. and Mrs. T.
A. Cherry, who are well known citizens of this county, having lived for a
number of years south of Elk City.  Mr. T. A. Cherry and younger son
Clarence, went to Magenta and brought the remains back here last Monday
for burial in the city cemetery.
The deceased was about 43 years old and left a family, a wife and six
children.  His widow, who was Miss Julia Johnson, is the daughter of our
well known former citizen, O. L. Johnson, who is now a resident of New
Mexico.  We learn that W. P. Cherry was a contractor, delivering stone and
gravel to the railroad and had recently been paid some $260.00 and from
the surrounding circumstances, it is believed that he was robbed and
murdered and the body burned to destroy evidence of the crime.  Our people
deeply sympathize with the distressed family.
(17 Feb 1916, Thursday, Southwest News & Leader, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
Chandler & Robinson Handled Cherry Funeral.
In last week's issue of the News it was stated that the remains of Mr.
Cherry, who was burned to death near Amarillo, were handled by Grubitz &
Son.  This was an error, as they were handled by Robinson & Chandler.  The
News gathered the first information on what was considered good authority,
but without consulting either of the undertakers.  The mistake, however,
was an honest one on the part of the person furnishing the information.

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