Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Robert M. Rice, 1921
Sunday, 05 October 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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RICE, ROBERT M.
(29 Dec 1921, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
The body of Robert M. Rice which was found in his room at Wilson, Okla.,
Monday of last week, was shipped here for burial last Wednesday.  By
request of the American Legion at Wilson, Oklahoma, the local post took
charge of the body at the train and escorted it to the Grandview cemetery
where they conducted the impressive military funeral, assisted by Chas. H.
Lemmex, pastor of the First Christian church here, who spoke words of
comfort to the bereaved relatives.
Very little is known concerning the death of young Rice.  He was a trusted
employee of the Southwest Bell Telephone Co. at Wilson having been wire
chief there for the past several years.  He was seen on the street at 8
o'clock in the morning and two hours later was found dead in his room with
a bullet hole through his forehead.  A coroners jury pronounced it
suicide, but when the two brothers arrived they asked for a further
investigation, and the jury admitted it was clearly a case of murder.
A military ceremony was held for the deceased at Wilson before the body
was sent here.  The large number and beautiful floral offering that
accompanied the body here attested to the many friends of the deceased and
the esteem in which he was held at Wilson.
The family formerly lived in this vicinity but all are living near Wilson
now, except an aunt, Mrs. Mont Riegal, who lives here.
Rice volunteered in the army during the early part of the war and saw
eighteen months service overseas in the Signal corps.  He suffered a
severe attack of influenza while over there and at one time was designated
among the dead.  At another time he was gassed and sent to a hospital for
several weeks, and since his return home had not been physically strong
and was inclined to be melancholy, but he was conscientious in discharging
his duties and had a host of friends who join with us in extending deepest
sympathy to the bereaved mother, sister and two brothers.
Andrew M. and W. A. McMehen of Walnut Grove, Mo., arrived here Saturday
night to attend the funeral of their nephew, Robert M. Rice, but arrived
too late.  They are brothers of Mrs. B. C. Rice.
(WWI Draft Registration Cards (1917-1918): Oklahoma, Carter Co, Wilson
(city):
Robert McConnell Rice, born 21 Oct 1888, Walnut Grove, Mo.; address:  RR
6, Elk City, Okla., occupation: Lineman - Pioneer Tel & Tel Co, Lawton,
Okla.; single.)

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