Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Scotty Pinkerton, 1925
Wednesday, 24 Sep 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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PINKERTON, SCOTTY
(24 Dec 1925, Sayre Journal, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
Scotty Pinkerton of Shamrock, was drowned and Luther Abbott and W. B.
Ellerd, are in serious condition as a result of a car accident Sunday
afternoon near the bridge south of Sayre.
It is said that one of the young men had purchased a new coupe and with
the others had started from Sayre to Shamrock and it is alleged that while
driving over the bridge south of Sayre at a lively rate of speed, the
driver lost control of the car and it plunged into the water at south end
of the bridge, turning the car upside down and penning the three inside
the coupe.
The car was seen by some passerbys and medical aid was immediately summoned.
When the car was uprighted Scotty Pinkerton was found dead, and the other
two in a serious condition.
It is said that an inquest was held and the decision reached that
Pinkerton was drowned in the water south of  bridge.
The car was literally demolished.  Pinkerton formerly lived in Sayre but
for the past few years has made his home in Shamrock.
Abbott and Ellerd also live in Shamrock and Abbott was taken to his home
Tuesday and Ellerd is still a patient here.
(31 Dec 1925, Sayre Journal, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
Scotty Pinkerton, twenty-nine year old Shamrock, Texas, man who was
drowned in the water hole across the bridge south of Sayre on the
afternoon of December 20th, was buried in the Delhi cemetery at that place
Tuesday afternoon at 4:30.  Rev. Deatherage of Sayre conducting the
ceremony.
Pinkerton was a World War veteran, having served in Company B, Regiment
60, of the heavy artillary (sic).  He was in company with Luther Abbott
and W. B. Ellard (sic), both of Shamrock, when the driver is alleged to
have lost control of the car and it plunged down an embarkment (sic) into
the water, turning the car turtle and penning the three occupants inside
the coupe.  Pinkerton is alleged to have drowned.  He formerally (sic)
lived in Sayre before going to Shamrock.
(7 Jan 1926, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
Scott Pinkerton, 32 years of age, of this city, was drowned and L. B.
Abbott and Slim Ellard, also of this city, sustained serious injuries late
last Sunday afternoon when the car in which they were riding ran off the
bridge over Red River, a few miles south of Sayre, and plunged into a deep
lake.
The car, a coupe, turned completely over and submerged in the water.  By
breaking the glass in the door, Abbott and Ellard managed to escape from
the car and swim to shore.  The former fainted just as he reached land and
the latter was so exhausted he was unable to lend Pinkerton assistance.
A passing motorist picked up the two survivors and rushed to Sayre for
help.  Pinkerton's body was not recovered until the car was removed from
the lake.  His cramped condition indicated that he had made a desperate
effort to free himself before losing consciousness.
Mr. Abbott and Mr. Ellard were taken to Sayre, where they received
surgical and medical attention.  Both were badly cut about the face and
hands by the glass and were suffering from shock and exposure.  Mr. Abbott
also sustained a broken rib.  Both returned home this week and are able to
be about.
A sharp curve at the end of the bridge where the accident occurred is said
to have been the cause of the tragedy, as the driver failed to see it in
time to turn.

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