Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Paul Lehman, 1909
27 August 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

*********************************************************************
                        USGENWEB NOTICE
                 Copyright.  All rights reserved.
          http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
*********************************************************************

LEHMAN, PAUL
(19 Aug 1909, Sayre Headlight, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
HIT ON HEAD WITH BILLIARD CUE.
W. Hutton Hit Paul Leaman (sic) - Leaman Died Wednesday Evening.
On last Tuesday evening Willie Hutton, 16 years old struck Paul Leaman, 60
years old with the butt end of a billiard cue.
From the effects of the hit Mr. Leaman died Wednesday evening.
The particulars of the trouble seem to be difficult to get, from the fact
that there were only a very few eye witnesses.
(19 Aug 1909, Thursday Elk City Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
Murder Almost at Sayre.
Paul Lehman, Sr., a German pool hall keeper at Sayre, was struck over the
head with the butt of a billiard cue, in the hands of one Hutton, a young
man.
At last accounts Lehman was still alive but without much chance of recovery.
This heated (sic) wave is driving people crazy - it seems.  A wave of
murder is sweeping this continent.
Later - A report received this morning conveys the information that Lehman
is dead.  His assailant is under arrest.
(26 Aug 1909, Thursday, Beckham County Democrat, Erick, Beckham Co, OK):
Paul Lehman Dies From Blow.
Last week Paul Lehman of Sayre was struck on the herd (sic) with a
billiard cue by Will Hutton, a sixteen year old boy.
The Hutton boy was working for Paul and in waiting on some customers the
lad made a mistake and served the wrong drink which angered Paul, and he
began to abuse the boy cursing and striking him.
In the scuffle Hutton fell against a billiard table with a cue laying on
it - this the young man picked up striking Lehman a blow across the head.
Paul Lehman was one of the first settlers in Sayre, and during the early
days was engaged in the saloon business.
Will Hutton was arrested and placed on $1,000 bond.
(22 Sep 1910, Thursday, Sayre Standard, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
The case of William Hutton, charged with the murder of Paul Lehman, sr.,
on the 17th of August, 1909, has occupied the attention of the district
court during the first three days of the present week.
This was the case where young Hutton hit Lehman over the head with a
billiard cue, death resulting about twenty-four hours later.  Hutton was
arrested and charged with murder, but set up a plea of self defense.  In
the trial this week he was represented by Judge Hendrix, J. B. Harrison
and William Tomme, who stubbornly fought every inch of ground, while
County Attorney Gipson looked carefully after the interests of the people.
The taking of evidence was completed Tuesday afternoon, the attorneys then
taking the time up to Wednesday noon with the arguments, when the case was
delivered to the jury.  Shortly before 4 o'clock, the jury came in with a
verdict of not guilty.
(23, Sep 1910, Friday, Sayre Headlight, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
(William Hutton) Was called for trial Tuesday and the jury brought in a
verdict Wednesday afternoon of not guilty.
This case was one wherein Wm. Hutton was charged with the killing of Paul
Lehman, an old and well known resident of Sayre.  He and young Hutton got
into an altercation and personal encounter during which Hutton struck
Lehman on the head with a billiard cue from which blow death resulted. 
This occurred August 17, 1909.

---------------------------------------------------
Return to Beckham County Archives:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.html