Beckham County, OK - Deaths: D. Knox, 1921
27 August 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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KNOX, D.
(12 May 1921, Sayre Standard, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
Jim Proctor was arrested Wednesday afternoon and taken to jail in Cheyenne
to be charged with the murder... The hoof prints of the horse ridden by
the man who did the shooting were followed to Proctor's home... Other
developments were also said to have pointed to him as the guilty party...
Proctor was the chief figure in the case when Knox was first arrested and
was to have been used as a prosecuting witness when the case came to
trial.  Reports from Cheyenne were to the effect, late yesterday
afternoon, that sentiment was turned against Proctor in a two-fold measure
and that precaution would be taken for his safe-keeping.
The best reports that can be had of the affair are that Knox left the back
door of his home with some buckets of slop which he was taking to his
hogs.  When he had nearly reached the lot fence the crack of a rifle
sounded twice and Knox fell dead with a hole bored clear through his body
by a large soft-nose bullet.  His wife and two daughters were also about
the lot helping with the morning chores, and the two daughters looked
around in time to see the father fall.  Mrs. Knox was in the granary when
the shots were fired but rushed outside and it was reported that each of
the women saw very clearly the assassin as he fled from behind a large
tree not more that thirty steps away from where Knox fell.
About a month ago when Knox was released from jail he went to his home and
a few nights afterwards a letter was left in his mail box stating that he
would have to leave the country and giving him the direction in which he
should go.  The letter is now in the hands of attorney Leach here.
One day last week while Knox and his wife were in their pasture mending
fence, Mrs. Knox states, two men came into their place and walked around
for some time.  One was carrying a gun but they never got near enough for
Knox to see who they were.  They believed then that someone was trying to
get a shot at Knox and went to the house.  Mrs. Knox insisted that her
husband telephoned the officers about it but the man was not inclined to
call for help.
Knox was 42 years old and a native of Texas.  He leaves a wife and five
children.  The wife had faith in her husband during his trouble and was
rebuked severely because she would not believe in his guilt.  At one time
some one who was interested in the case tried to induce the county
officials of Roger Mills county to take some of her children away from
her.  The charges were proven to be false.
Knox has lived in this country for many years and was considered one of
the best citizens in Western Oklahoma.
(13 May 1921, Friday, Southwest Press, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
James Proctor has been arrested as the suspect.  He formerly worked for
Knox on his farm near Cotton's store in Roger Mills county.
D. Knox was recently bailed from jail on a charge of offense against one
of his daughters.  Sayre business men gave the bond.  Knox had proven the
charge against him was a conspiracy, and he had recently received a letter
telling him to leave the country or he would be shot.  Knox was a good
farmer and many are now agreeing with him about the conspiracy.
The assassin had tied his horse to a tree some distance from the home of
Knox.  He had donned a suit of overalls which he removed and lost in his
hasty retreat.  The assassin had been on the ground some time that
morning.  The grass where the horse was hitched and where he stood behind
a big tree was well matted.
Mr. Knox was carrying two pails of slop to the hogs, about seven o'clock
when the murderer fired two shots from a 410 caliber rifle, killing Knox
instantly.  Mrs. Knox heard the shots and saw the assassin running for his
horse.  He had cut the telephone wires.

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