Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Mr. and Mrs. K. Y. Jones, 1913 17 April 2008 Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) ********************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************************* JONES, K. Y. JONES, MRS. K. Y. (7 Aug 1913, Thursday, Sayre Standard, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK): K. Y. Jones, formerly a laborer in the cotton oil mills in Elk City, killed his wife at 4 o'clock Monday afternoon by shooting her through her heart, and then sitting down beside his victim, deliberately fired another shot in his right temple. Death resulted almost instantaneously in both cases. Domestic troubles seem to have been responsible for the act. Jones was about 45 years of age, and his wife five years his junior. Two children, one about 13 and the other 17 years of age are left in destitute circumstances. They have been at the convent at Elk City this past year; their parents having separated. The shooting occurred at the Linn Hotel near the depot. (7 Aug 1913, Elk City Record, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): Monday afternoon about three o'clock the city was thrown into turmoil of excitement by the report that K. Y. Jones, a prominent figure among the rounders had shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself, shot out his own brains. The shooting is but the sequal of a long and bitter trouble existed between Jones and his wife. She often complained to her friends of his rough treatment of her during his frequent spells of drunkenness. Some months ago it is reported she left him, he alleges with another man. Since that time each of them would leave the city and in time return again. He told his friends that she should live with him or he would kill her. She often spoke of her fears of him at different times. Jones had a few days previous to the tragedy came in from work, and was around town as usual. Learning that his wife was in town, he went to the home of Chas. Rash, on South Main street, where Mrs. Jones had gone after her arrival in the city on the 12:20 train from Clinton, where she had been for some time at the home of her mother. They were in the room talking over the pending divorce suit which she had instituted against him. Later they went to the well in the back yard to get a drink; after talking awhile he asked her to come into a small building nearby, stating that he wanted to talk to her privately. When she reached the door she hesitated; at this time, it is said, he took her by the arm and drew her in, immediately putting his arm around her and with the other drew his gun and shot her in the heart. She ran into the yard and fell to the ground. After she fell he went to her and sat down by her side, remaining in that position until she breathed her last. Then he said that he loved her and was going with her, placing the gun to his temple ended his own life. It is stated that he was under the influence of liquor from early in the morning, but at the time of the shooting he appeared to be sober. He was heard to say to her that if she would not live with him she should not live at all. The tragedy was witnessed by Mrs. Meyers, a neighbor and some of the Rash children. The bodies were taken to the Robinson & Chandler undertaking rooms where they were embalmed, and prepared for burial. Their three little girls who were with their mother in Clinton, with Mrs. Jones mother came over on the Monday night train. Will Stafford, a brother, formerly of 10 miles south of Elk City, now of Alanreed, Tex., came Tuesday. C. B. Jones, a brother of K. Y., of Alvord, Texas, was also present. Mrs. Jones' body was taken to the Church of Christ Wednesday afternoon where services were conducted, burial at the city cemetery. Jones' was buried in the city cemetery later in the afternoon. (8 Aug 1913, The Carter Express, Carter, Beckham Co, OK): K. Y. Jones of Elk City, shot his wife through the heart Monday at 3 P.M., then kneeled down by her side and watched her last breath leave her. After he made sure she was dead he placed the pistol to his head and blew out his own brains. He had just returned home on the noon train, and they had for some time been talking over their troubles. His wife had entered suit for divorce. Two of their girls, age 15 and 17, were at Clinton at the time of the tragedy. They had other smaller children so we are informed. Mrs. Jones had worked at various hotels, washing dishes, at various times. It is certainly a very sad affair, and is bemoaned by the good people of Elk City. --------------------------------------------------- Return to Beckham County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.html