Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Ben F. and Gertrude Dyer, 1923
11 Jan 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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DYER, BEN F.
DYER, GERTRUDE
(22 Feb 1923, Thursday, Elk City News Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
BEN DYER KILLS WIFE AND SELF.
Ben F. Dyer killed his wife and then himself in Oklahoma City last
Tuesday.  He formerly lived in Elk City neighborhood, and was well known
by the older settlers.  Worry over financial troubles and illness was
supposed to be the cause of his desperate deed.
(Feb 1923, The Carter Express, Carter, Beckham Co, OK):
Uncle Dick Dyer and wife received a message Tuesday from Oklahoma City
bringing them the sad news and that their son had killed his wife and then
himself at their home there that morning.  Newspaper reports that came
later state that he struck his wife with a hammer while she slept and then
cut her throat with a razor and then cut his own throat.  He was just
recovering from an attack of influenza and an unbalanced mind is the only
motive given for the tragedy.  Mr. Dyer left immediately for Oklahoma City
but his wife did not go on account of her health.
(Research: (www.usgenweb.com) Oklahoma, Cleveland County Cemetery records:
Maguire-Fairview Cemetery near Denver in Cleveland County:
Gertrude Dyer, 1876-1923; SW Section, Row 20, #18;
Ben F. Dyer, 1870-1923; SW Section, Row 20, #19;
Christine Dyer, 17 Dec 1900 - 10 Aug 1948; SW Section, Row 20, #20.
Census, 1920, Oklahoma, Cleveland County, Norman, ED 16, pg 6A, #103/127
(T625-1456):
Benjamin F. Dyer, age 49, b Mo; fb Tn; mb Mo; Laborer - farm;
Gertrude Dyer, wife, age 39, b Ky; fb W Va; mb Ky;
Christine Dyer, daughter, age 18, b Ok;
Chloe Dyer, daughter, age 16, b Ok;
Lois Dyer, daughter, age 12, b Ok;
Frank Dyer, son, age 8, b Ok.)

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