Beckham County, OK - Deaths: William Henry (Shorty) Durham, 1922
11 Jan 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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DURHAM, WILLIAM HENRY
(1 Jun 1922, Beckham County Democrat, Erick, Beckham Co, OK):
Shorty Durham Killed In Elk City.
Last Saturday evening at about 5 p.m., Jerome Downs, formerly of Erick,
but now deputy sheriff of the eastern portion of Beckham county, and also
acting in the capacity of city marshal of Elk City, shot and killed a man
by the name of "Shorty" Dunham (sic).
The shooting occured (sic) on the bridge near the Elk City Laundry, Mr.
Downs, it is reported, had been on the lookout for this car, which was
occupied by three people, whom he suspected of transporting liquor.  He
stationed himself on the bridge and when they approached ordered them to
halt, instead of obeying the driver stepped on the juice and proceeded to
run him down, whereupon he opened fire and put three bullets into the car;
one shot cut a leather wristlet from the drivers arm and another killing
Durham, who was sitting beside the driver.
Considerable excitement prevailed in Elk City after the killing.
(1 Jun 1922, Sayre Headlight, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
Marshall Downs Shot Shorty Durham on Saturday Afternoon.
Considerable excitement was manifest over the entire county on Saturday
afternoon, and on Sunday, because of a report that Marshal Downs, of Elk
City, had shot and killed a young man named "Shorty" Durham.
A few months since citizens of Elk City were anxious for a marshal who
could, and would, enforce decent order in and about that town.  At Erick
there was a man named Downs whom they were led to believe had the
necessary backbone, and they employed him.  Downs soon found that he had
no snap.  Like other towns, Elk City had a crowd who were bent on doing as
they saw fit, and Downs has been hunting them from his first day down to
the present time.
...... (line missing) to Downs that certain fellows were importing
moonshine whiskey from the country surrounding Elk City, and on Saturday
report reached Downs that the automobile had a lady made (sic) the trips
to the country, and was then out after a third load.
Presently one of the men told Downs that an approaching auto was the one
wanted, and Downs stepped out into the road, waving his arms and calling
upon them to halt.  Instead of complying they put on additional speed, so
it is claimed, and attempted to run over Downs, who barely sidestepped as
the car passed.
Then they made a sharp turn as Downs opened fire, hitting Shorty Durham,
but still the car kept going, and after going around the west side of the
city, came into town and an ambulance was called, and Durham removed to a
hospital, where he lingered until 3 o'clock Monday morning.
...... (line missing) the car with Durham were placed under arrest by
Sheriff Cope, who happened to be in Elk City at the time.  They are Thos.
Crosby and a young man named Stahl of Elk City and Claude Childers, of
Grimes.
Stahl and Childers furnished bail Monday, but Crosby has been unable to do
so.
Sheriff Cope took Downs into custody, and he was brought to Sayre, but on
Tuesday, was admitted to bail.
Judge McComas fixed bail for Downs at $10,000, and Tuesday night it was
reported that over fifty Elk City bankers, merchants and professional men
had signed Downs' bond.
(2 Jun 1922, Elk City Southwest Press, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
CITY MARSHAL KILLS CITIZEN.
Saturday afternoon, while large crowds were in town, City Marshal Downs
attempted to stop a Ford sedan on East Third St., near the laundry,
containing four or five Elk City men, whom he suspected of having booze in
the car, and shot through the wind shield, hitting Henry Durham in the
breast.  The bullet grazed the steering wheel and the arm of the driver,
cutting a leather wristband in two after smashing through the wind shield.
 The marshal shot three times.  No other occupants of the car were hurt. 
When Downs shot, the driver turned his car north on Madison Ave. for two
blocks and then east to get away from the marshal.  They intended to take
Durham to the Tisdal Hospital then, but he protested and asked them to
take him home.  They circled town to the northwest and brought Durham home
in the south part of town.  Durham was weak from loss of blood, but walked
from the car to his home.  Dr. Tisdal and the ambulance were called and
Durham was taken to the Tisdal Hospital.  He never lost consciousness. 
Everybody had hopes of his recovery all day Sunday, but he died Monday at
3 a.m.  His father and brothers of Enid, Okla., were notified and were
here Sunday.  A large crowd witnessed short services Monday noon here, and
his body was shipped to Enid by his parents for interment.  He leaves a
wife and two children.  His wife went to Enid and returned yesterday.
A sack with a few broken bottles, found by the roadside, was the only
evidence procurable.  It had been rumored the boys had gone to the country
for booze.  The county attorney was here yesterday taking depositions and
getting evidence for the prosecution of Downs on a charge of manslaughter.
 Marshal Downs is now out on bond, and his case will be heard in the next
district court.
Henry Durham's death was a most deplorable thing for Elk City.  It was a
great shock to the majority of Elk Citizens and many mourn the loss of a
boy who has always proved an honorable and upright citizen, one of honesty
and integrity, having been in the employ of Swift & Co. for the past
fourteen years, and for many years a resident of Elk City.  He has held
many responsible positions for Swift & Co.  To his many friends in Elk
City he has always proved a man of his word, and highly respected.
We hope an incident of this kind may never occur in our little city again,
and especially when the streets are full of people, or that it may never
be another of our young men.

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