Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Orley C., Tezzie and Ferreld Mead, 1921 23 August 2008 Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) ********************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************************* MEAD, ORLEY C. MEAD, TEZZIE MEAD, FERRELD (11 Nov 1921, Friday, Southwest Press, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): Last Sunday evening Orley C. Mead called at his wife's home on West Reno avenue in Oklahoma City, and after fondling his son a moment, pulled a gun and shot his wife, Tezzie Mead, in the back and neck. He then shot his 3-year-old son and instantly killed himself by a shot in the temple. Mr. Mead's folks live in Wichita, Kansas. He formerly lived here and is well known. He married Tezzie Mannin, whose home is south of Canute and about ten miles southeast of Elk City. He at one time went to school here and later worked at the light plant. He was a carpenter by trade. The mother and child were taken to a hospital in Oklahoma City for treatment, and the child died Monday morning at 6 o'clock and the mother four hours later. The boy was shot through the stomach and the mother had her wind-pipe severed and lungs penetrated by two shots. (20 Nov 1921, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): TRIPLE TRAGEDY The triple tragedy in Oklahoma City last Sunday night was brought close to home when it was learned that Mrs. Mead is a half sister of Mrs. H. B. Sheets and the family formerly lived here. Mrs. Sheets went to Oklahoma City Monday and the body of Mrs. Mead and little son, Ferrald, were sent here to Grubitz & Son Undertaking parlor where they were kept until this afternoon awaiting the arrival of a brother of Mrs. Mead. Funeral services will be held at the M. E. Church South this afternoon at 3 p.m., Rev. DeVore officiating. Interment at Fairlawn cemetery. Mrs. Tezzie Mead with her little son, Ferreld, were shot by the husband, Orley C. Mead, following her refusal to live with him. They had been separated for more than a month. Conflicting stories are told by witnesses, but Mrs. Mead on her death bed said the baby was shot first, then she was wounded, after which Mead took his own life. --------------------------------------------------- Return to Beckham County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.html