Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Freedom W. Purdy, 1910
Wednesday, 24 Sep 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

 ************************************************
 Copyright. All rights reserved.
 http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
 ************************************************

PURDY, FREEDOM W.
(3 Feb 1910, Thursday, Elk City Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
On last Saturday morning an old man of the name of Freedom W. Purdy was
found dead in his home where he lived alone on the farm of H. A. Cooper,
nineteen miles from Elk City on the Cheyenne road.  He was last seen on
Thursday evening previous to the finding of the remains.  A neighbor boy
who visited his house made the discovery of his death.  An inquest was
held over the body and decided that death occurred from natural causes. 
Deceased was 66 years of age, a native of the state of New York and had
seen service in the U. S. Navy.
He leaves children but so far as known to our informant, their names and
residence are unknown to anyone here.
He claimed to be related to prominent and wealthy families in San
Francisco and other cities.  He drew a pension from the government and had
a small sum of money about him when found.
(9 Feb 1910, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
Old Soldier Found Dead
An old gentleman named Purdy commonly known as "Dad" who lived on the
Cooper farm about 17 miles N.W. of Elk City was found dead in his room
week before last.  The old man had been living alone for some time and
from the condition of his body when found had been dead for several days.
The discovery was made by young Kilby who notified the proper authorities
at once.  An inquest was held over the body with the verdict of death from
heart failure.
It is reported that the officials requested the neighbors to dig a grave
and bury the body without coffin or further ceremonies, but Roscoe Statten
and Walter Libby with the help of their good neighbors would not stand for
such an inhuman burial, and had a good home made coffin prepared in which
the body was given as good a burial as the condition would permit.
Mr. Purdy was a Union Soldier, but we do not know what regiment he belonged.

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