Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Paul Bodine, 1912
14 Sep 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) 

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BODINE, PAUL
(26 Sep 1912, Elk City Record, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
The Sweetwater community was shocked by the report of the killing of Paul
Bodine at the hands of W. A. Givens on last Thursday.
From reports it seems there had been an old grudge between the two men of
several years standing and the shooting is the culmination of the feud.
Young Bodine was at his home working with his team near his house and
seeing Mr. Givens passing along the road went out in that direction.  The
man was coming with the intention of whipping him in the public road, as
he said, Mr. Givens was equal to the emergency for when he saw his
personal enemy approaching, drew a Winchester rifle which he had in the
carriage and fired a shot at Bodine killing him instantly, the shot taking
effect just below his heart.
Givens went to the nearest telephone and notified the sheriff that he had
killed Bodine and returned to his home where he awaited the coming of the
officers.  Immediately upon the receipt of the message, Judge Hendrix,
Attorney Gibson and Deputy Sheriff Tom Grishum (sic) of Sayre went to the
scene of the tragedy and found the conditions as stated, Givens was placed
under arrest.
Bodine's body was buried at the Catholic Cemetery at Sayre on Saturday.
Bodine was about twenty four years old and leaves a young wife.  Givens is
about fifty years of age and has a wife and several children, some of whom
are grown.
Both families are well known and highly respected people and the awful
tragedy comes as a heavy blow to the community.
(27 Sep 1912, The Carter Express, Carter, Beckham Co, OK):
W. A. Givens, living in the sweetwater (sic) neighborhood and a well known
farmer of Beckham county, shot and instantly killed Paul Bodine on the
road in front of the latter's home at about 8:30 o'clock this morning. 
After the shooting Givens went to the nearest phone and notified the
sheriff that he had killed Bodine and then went to his home and awaited
the comming (sic) of the officer.  Immediately upon receipt of the news
County Judge Hendrix, County Attorney Gipson and Deputy Sheriff Tom
Grisham went to the scene of the difficulty.  It is rumored that the
trouble between Givens and Bodine arose over remarks made by Bodine
reflecting upon Givens and his family.
(Research: Paul Bodine, age 19, Sweetwater; married Florence
Kinnie/Kinney, age 20, Prentiss; 5 Sep 1910, Book 1, pg 575, Beckham
County, Oklahoma).