Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Clarence I. Trammell, 1923
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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TRAMMELL, CLARENCE I.
(22 Feb 1923, Elk City News Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
Clarence Trammel (sic) Shot.
The leveling rays of the setting sun lay up the street of Cheyenne,
Saturday evening, the last shoppers were hurrying home and friends were
lingering for one more fond word, when the ping, ping, ping, ping of an
automatic, and the heart breaking shriek of a woman burst into the
peaceful twilight.  Down in front of the Star printing office was a scene
long to be remembered, the heaving breath of frenzied men, a melee of arms
and legs and writhing bodies and two great automatics gleaming in the
light.
Doyle Walker, a high school student, who was standing by, said, "Fait
Dodson was standing there, Clarence Trammel came from across the street,
with an oath, grabbed for his gun, Dodson and Trammel each shot twice, it
was difficult to tell who fired first.  They both fell off the side walk,
and Arthur Trammel who was near sprang to the rescue of his brother." 
Clarence never spoke after the shot, Dr. Cross pronounced life extinct in
probably 20 minutes after the shooting.  Sheriff Trammel (sic) spirited
Dodson away, and later removed him to Sayre.  Dodson's father and brother
were arrested in the evening pending an investigation.  Dodson received a
flesh wound on the head and in the thigh.
Clarence Trammel, son of "Our Bob" many years sheriff of Roger Mills, was
about 25 years of age and had grown up in Roger Mills known and beloved by
all.  On April 17, 1921 he was married to Donna Purcell of Rankin.  He was
buried in the Red Hill cemetery west of Cheyenne (Roger Mills County),
Sunday afternoon, February 18.  Representatives from every vicinity in the
county attested their love for him by their presence at the funeral.  He
leaves to mourn his untimely death a mother, wife, two sisters, three
brothers and a country full of friends.
No one knows the cause of the trouble.
(22 Feb 1923, Beckham County Democrat, Erick, Beckham Co, OK):
CHEYENNE MAN SLAIN IN PISTOL BATTLE
Clarence Tramwell (sic), former deputy sheriff of Roger Mills county, was
killed in a gun battle with Fayte Dodson, on the main streets of Cheyenne
at 6 o'clock Saturday evening, according to Sheriff J. M. Lester.
The two men began shooting at each other, and Lester rushed out to
separate them, but Tramwell died from his wounds in a few minutes.  Dodson
was shot through the hip, but will recover.
No reason for the dual (sic) has been found by officers.  Rumors are that
the men had been enemies for some time, and this was the culmination of
their feud.  Both were married and had residences in Cheyenne.
(2 Mar 1923, Carter Express, Carter, Beckham Co, OK):
Clarence Trammel (sic), ex-deputy sheriff of Roger Mills County, and son
of the late Bob Trammel, sheriff of Roger Mills County for several terms,
was killed in a gun battle with Fayette Dodson on the Main Street of
Cheyenne, about 6 o'clock Saturday afternoon, Feb. 17.
Various stories are afloat as to the cause of this sad affair, and it is
not ascertained by whom the first shot was fired as the whole affair began
and ended so quickly.  The current opinion is that the enmity between
these men had arisen some time before and that Trammel deciding to bring
matters to an end met Dodson on the street and drew his gun.  Whether he
intended to kill him was unknown, but it seems that both men fired two
shots each in rapid succession.  Trammel being instantly killed, while
Dodson was slightly wounded.
Both of these men are well known in Roger Mills County and sentiment runs
both ways.  The only comment we have to offer is that it is indeed sad
that when there is so much room in the world two men should conclude that
there is not room for them both, and it is not for us to commend or
condemn either of the luckless parties.
(20 Sep 1923, Elk City News Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
The motion for a new trial for Fate Dodson who was sentenced to 25 years
for the murder of Clarence Trammel was denied.

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