Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Jesse Jenkins, 1908 16 April 2008 Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) ********************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************************* JENKINS, JESSE (9 Sep 1908, Wednesday, Elk City Record, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): A FORMER RESIDENT OF ELK CITY KILLED BY HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW. Jesse Jenkins and Scott Roupe were partners in the hotel business at Hobart - the Brock Hotel - their partnership business had been perfectly agreeable, there had been no trouble existing between them. Friday while Mr. Jenkins was sitting at the dinner table, Roupe sent for him to come up stairs as he wanted to see him, he went immediately; as he passed the open door of a room occupied by a boarder Roupe grabbed him by the arm and pulled him inside, closing the door after them, he then picked up a revolver that was lying on the bed and told him now was the time to settle that trouble; Jenkins grabbed the gun and jerked it down, it was discharged immediately the ball taking effect in his lower bowels. Jenkins deliberately arose and walked down stairs and on the way met several going up to learn the cause of the report of the gun. He appeared to rest well and stated he would recover but on Sunday grew worse and suffered intensely until he died Sunday at 3 o'clock. His last words, contained in a statement of the affair, are: "I was eating dinner when the porter came to me and said that Roupe wanted to see me upstairs in room 1. I went at once. When I went in Scott closed and locked the door and said: "Jess you've got to fight me; we must settle this thing right now, and immediately drew his gun. I grabbed him but he shoved his gun against my side and fired. He then gave me the gun and told me to shoot him, too. I got the door open and came down stairs." Mr. Jenkins lived six years at El Reno and was a resident of Elk City for more than two years, being with his cousin, T. J. McAlpin in the hardware store. He was a man of good business ability, of the strictest integrity, a favorite wherever known, it is said by those who knew him that he never used intoxicating liquor of any kind. It is reported that Roupe was crazed with liquor at the time and that at times he was mentally deranged, and it is probable that his mental affliction was intensified by the maddening influence of the liquor which prompted him to the act. The funeral services were held at the Catholic church in Hobart of which the deceased was a member, conducted by Rev. Fr. Kicks. The body was shipped to El Reno for burial. He leaves a wife - formerly Miss Mary Nugent, daughter of John Nugent of this city - and two children. Roupe was arrested and said to the officer: "Yes, I shot him and hope that I killed him. I am glad I did it." Other than this Roupe has made no explanation of the shooting. Among those who attended the funeral from this place were J. M. O'Donnel, T. J. McAlpins, Ed and Jack Nugent. (10 Sep 1908, Thursday, Elk City Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): Jess Jenkins was shot, by his pardner (sic) and brother-in-law, Scott Roop, last Friday noon, at the Rock Hotel at Hobart. He died Sunday about 2:00 p.m. The details as we gather them, were as follows: Roof (sic) had been on a drunk for three or four days; came into the hotel at noon; went to a room and sent for Jenkins. When Jess entered the room, Roop locked the door and said: "We will now settle that dispute." Jess replied: "We have had no dispute;" but Roop insisted that they had, and picked up a 38-calibre revolver, that was on a table, and quickly shot Jenkins through the bowels. The ball passed through the body. Then Roop handed the revolver to Jess and said: "I have shot you, now you, shoot me. Jess took the gun; unlocked the door, passed out, locked it, and went downstairs where he laid down. All the doctors in Hobart were sent for; also two from El Reno. No attempt to operate on him was made, and he died Sunday. He was buried at El Reno Monday. Jenkins used to live in Elk City, and married a daughter of Uncle John Nugent. He leaves a wife and two children. Mr. Jenkins was very popular and had many friends. He was mild in disposition and never disputed with any one. His character was of the highest degree of manhood. Hundreds who knew him mourn his sad, untimely death, and extend full sympathy to his family and relatives. (www.usgenweb.org) Oklahoma, Canadian County, El Reno, El Reno Cemetery: Jesse F. Jenkins: 1868-1908.) --------------------------------------------------- Return to Beckham County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.html