Beckham County, OK - Obits: Frank Hance, 1927
02 Mar 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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HANCE, FRANK
(30 Jun 1927, Sayre Headlight, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
A Saturday night dance was staged at the home of Claude Adcox, one mile
south of the Hext school house, on Saturday night last, and from all
account which reach us it is evident that there was plenty of the fluid
extract of corn among the dancers.
Whether it was the corn, hot weather, or other influences, we are not
prepared to say, but it is reported that a number of fights were staged,
and in one which took place in the house, Frank Hance was so badly beaten
that death resulted before he could be taken to medical aid.
As near as we have been able to learn Hance had staged one other fight
that night, in which he came out best, and then he and Claude Adcox pulled
a second one.  It is reported that Hance had Adcox on the floor when Adcox
rolled him over and climbed on top, proceeding to pummel Hance.  When
Adcox was pulled off by bystanders, Hance failed to get up, and then
becoming alarmed, some of Hance's friends put him into an auto and started
for medical aid, but death ensued before he could be got to Erick.
Claude Adcox is now in the county jail awaiting the investigation of
officers, and developments, having given himself up.
There are many wild stories afloat, but the officers thus far have been
unable to secure proof of any of them.  One which is now being
investigated thoroughly is to the effect that when Hance had Adcox down on
the floor some outsider hit Hance over the head with a beer bottle, and
then Adcox rolled him over and beat him up.  However, this has not as yet
been verified.
Adcox was given a preliminary hearing yesterday, and bound over to the
district court upon a charge of first degree manslaughter.

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