Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Jacob V. Kready, 1910
27 August 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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KREADY, JACOB V.
(22 Sep 1910, Sayre Standard, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
Something of a commotion was caused Wednesday morning by the announcement
that J. V. Kready had mysteriously disappeared.  For some time past a
divorce case had been pending in which Mrs. Kready sought a divorce from
Mr. Kready, and this was set for trial Wednesday morning.  Mr. Kready was
very well known in this city and the surrounding country, and the
circumstances connected with the divorce case gave it more than ordinary
interest, and some very sensational testimony was anticipated.  These
facts were the cause for more than ordinary interest when Mr. Kready's
disappearance was announced.
Mayor Madden was Mr. Kready's attorney, and had an appointment with him
for eight o'clock, a.m., and at just about that time received a message
from Mr. Kready's daughters to the effect that he had disappeared.  They
sent word that he had arisen about 5:30 and went out to look after his
horses and cattle, but that when they called him for breakfast, he was
nowhere to be found.  Mr. Madden immediately sent Marshal Gaither and Jos.
Hudson out to Mr. Kready's residence, about one mile northwest of this
city, to investigate.
However, the daughters had continued their investigation, and a few
minutes before the arrival of Gaither and Hudson, had discovered the body
of Mr. Kready in an outhouse, with an automatic revolver lying beside him.
 Marshal Gaither immediately sent word to County Attorney Gipson, and
Sheriff Francis.  Judge Hendrix and Mr. Gipson immediately visited the
farm, where a coroner's jury was empanelled by Judge Hendrix, consisting
of T. J. Viers, A. T. Giddinger, Roy Shotwell, M. W. White, John Danner
and Benj. Shotwell.
The first thought when the news of Mr. Kready's death reached this city
was that he had been murdered, but upon searching his clothes a note was
found addressed to his daughters which left no doubt that it was clearly a
case of suicide.  The note read:
My Dear Children:  I am tired of living and I know my mind, and others
know what kind of woman I got, and she has things fixed to suit herself. 
On this, dear children, make the best of the world you can, and don't fret
after me.
The children referred to are two daughters, aged 20 and 17, who have been
keeping house for their father, since the trouble arose with their
stepmother.
Mayor Madden informs the Standard that he had a long conference with Mr.
Kready Tuesday evening, and went thoroughly over the testimony to be
offered at the trial of the divorce case, at which time Mr. Kready seemed
to be in good spirits, although he has at times worried very much over the
condition of affairs, and the notoriety that the divorce proceedings were
bringing upon himself and daughters.  However, there was nothing in any
talk by Mr. Kready that led Mr. Madden to think that he contemplated
suicide.
After returning to this city, Judge Hendrix took the note found upon Mr.
Kready to the First State Bank, where he had been in the habit of doing
business, and it was fully identified as the writing of Mr. Kready by
Cashier Ford, leaving no room for doubt as to suicide.
The remains were turned over to Undertaker Lane, and the coroner's jury
went into session at the office of Judge Hendrix, and after listening to
all the testimony available touching upon this matter returned the
following verdict:
An inquistion holden at Sayre, Beckham county, Oklahoma, on 21st day of
September, 1910, before Jno. C. Hendrix, county judge and acting coroner
of said county on the body of J. V. Kready, there lying dead, by the
jurors whose names are hereunto subscribed, appeared, the said jurors upon
their oath do say that the said J. V. Kready came to his death by a gun
shot wound inflicted by his own hand, with suicidal intent.
Mr. Kready was an old resident of this section, having been one of the
first settlers upon the opening of this country, and was very highly
respected by those with whom he did business and by his neighbors.  Of
German descent he was naturally close in business matters, but all agree
in saying he was scrupulously honest in every transaction.  During his
residence in this section he had amassed considerable property, which was
the real bone of contention in the divorce suit mentioned above, as both
parties desired the divorce, but could not agree upon a property division.
(23 Sep 1910, The Carter Express, Carter, Beckham Co, OK):
Old man Craty (sic), owner of the Craty addition of Sayre, for many years
a resident of that town, blew out his brains Wednesday morning of this
week.  Some years ago his first wife died, and before all of his children
were grown, he married a grass widow with whom he had trouble.  They were
separated several weeks ago, and she was sueing (sic) him for divorce. 
The case was to come up in the district court at the present term.  Many
tails (sic) were being told as to how racy the trial would be, but there
will be no trial now as the old man committed suicide.  He owned
considerable property in Sayre.
(23 Sep 1910, Sayre Headlight, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
J. V. KREADY ENDS HIS LIFE.
On Wednesday forenoon this city was startled by the report that J. V.
Kready had been murdered or had committed suicide and on investigation
officers found that Mr. Kready had come to his death by his own hands.
Mr. Kready and his two daughters have been living in a residence on Fourth
street and it had been his custom to go down to buildings on the farm and
feed the stock and look after his property.
This morning the daughters heard him go out as usual about 5 o'clock, but
when he failed to return they became alarmed and word was sent out which
caused search to be made when his remains were found in an outhouse.  He
had emptied one chamber of a 38 caliber revolver into his head near the
right ear.  The revolver lay on the floor at his feet.
A note found in his pocket addressed to his daughters clearly showed his
intentions to commit suicide and the verdict of the coroners jury
empanelled by acting coroner Judge Hendrix consisting of Messrs. Shotwell,
Danner, Giddinger, White and Shotwell, returned a verdict in accordance.
Judge Madden, who was his legal advisor, says he did have quite a lengthy
conversation with Mr. Kready the day before and could remember nothing to
indicate Mr. Kready's sombre condition of mind.
An insurance policy for $2000 in the Mutual Life of New York had quite
recently been transferred to the benefit of his two daughters.
Mr. Kready was a native of Pennsylvania, 58 years of age and a resident of
this county about 10 years.
He was a quiet unassuming man and the trouble he had been having lately in
certain divorce proceedings, which should have come up in court the day of
his death, seem to have unsettled his mind.
The remains were properly taken care of at the undertaking rooms of John
Lane.  Services will be held at the Methodist church and interment had at
the Doxey cemetery Thursday afternoon.

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