The Oklahoman 1907 - Garfield County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Emily Jordan 13 Nov 2005 Return to Garfield County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/garfield/garfield.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Published in The Oklahoman on January 7, 1907: The freight engine which sunk in the quicksands of the Cimarron has been taken to Enid for repairs. Published in The Oklahoman on January 13, 1907: WANTED—Five high class salesman to handle sale of lots for the Christian University Place, Enid, Okla. For full particulars inquire of E.E. Auchmoody, General Sales Manager, Enid, Okla. Published in The Oklahoman on January 16, 1907: SCHOOL CONTRACT LET. Enid, Okla., Jan. 15.—A contract for the new Jonesville school in this city has been let to C.E. Harter of Enid, for $18,700. Published in The Oklahoman on January 22, 1907: BRUTAL MURDER BY AN ENID NEGRO JANITOR. Enid, Okla., Jan. 21.—Tom Hines, a negro janitor, shot and instantly killed Tony Ross, alias Johnny Mounds, a colored barber, formerly of Lexington, Mo., in the latter's shop this morning, using a double barreled shot gun, both barrels of which were discharged into Ross' stomach. He then battered his victim over the head with the stock of the gun, after which he waited until the sheriff placed him under arrest. He claims self defense. Published in The Oklahoman on January 24, 1907: ENID WOMAN IS IN TROUBLE MARY DRAPER AS A MARRYING MARY MAY HAVE MARRIED TOO SOON. WED LIENBAUM AFTER DIVORCE Did Not Wait Six Months and the Law May Have a Penalty. Can a divorced person in Oklahoma remove to Indian Territory and, before the allotted time of six months has expired, again marry and the marriage be held as lawful? This is the rather perplexing problem of law that Justice of Peace Zwick will be called upon to decide in determining whether Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Lienbaum are guilty of the offense of adultery, with which they were charged yesterday by G.C. Draper of Enid. Eighteen years of wedded life for Mr. and Mrs. Draper came to an end two months ago, when Mrs. Mary Draper obtained a divorce from her husband and removed to Chickasha, where she married Jacob Lienbaum. The couple removed to Oklahoma City and have since resided on East Eighth street. Yesterday the former husband of the bride of a few months came to town and proceeded to swear out a warrant for the arrest of the couple, charging them with the above named offense, claiming that his former wife could not legally be married until six months elapsed after she obtained her divorce. Heretofore the laws of Oklahoma have been held to be null and void as affecting Indian Territory and in rendering his decision next week a rather complicated question of law will be involved. Mr. and Mrs. Lienbaum gave bond in the sum of $500 each and were released. Published in The Oklahoman on February 12, 1907: LINNBORNS FREED AND GO REJOICING G.A. DRAPER COULD NOT PROSECUTE FORMER WIFE ON ADULTERY CHARGE. In discharging from custody John Linnborn and Maude Linnborn, who were charged with adultery, Justice Zwick yesterday afternoon held that the complaining witness, G.A. Draper of Enid, is not the husband of the defendant, Maude Linnborn, and that a prosecution for adultery in Oklahoma must be instituted by the wife or husband of the defendant, unless the defendants are living in open and notorious adultery, when the action may be brought by other parties. Attracted by the belief that the hearing would be attended by many sensational features, a large crowd of spectators thronged the court room, awaiting the testimony of the plaintiff and defendants. Such features were lacking, because no witnesses were placed upon the stand and at the conclusion of the argument and presentation of the case to the court, a decision was rendered discharging the defendants. From the statement of facts to the court, it was learned that the defendant, Maude Linnborn, obtained a divorce from G.A. Draper in Enid on December 5, on a charge of abandonment. On December 9 she was married to Jacob Linnborn in Chickasha; that after being married they removed to Oklahoma City and have since lived together as man and wife, and that the defendants did not live together in open and notorious adultery. In rendering his decision Justice Zwick held that Maud Draper and G.A. Draper were divorced for all purposes, except for the purpose of appeal; that an appeal from the decree has not been made by G.A. Draper and that as a result of not appeal, G.A. Draper is not the husband of M. Draper; that a prosecution for adultery must in this territory be instituted by the wife or husband of the defendant unless the defendants are living in open and notorious adultery when the action can be instituted by other parties. Mrs. Josey Linnborn, former wife of John Linnborn, was present during the hearing and at the conclusion of the trial stated that she would institute divorce proceedings at Chickasha asking for the custody of their eight year old child and also alimony. To the Oklahoman she said that her husband had obtained a divorce in Chickasha on December 5, 1906, and that four days later he was wedded to the former Mrs. Draper. G.A. Draper said it was his intention to bring the matter to the attention of the grand jury at the spring term of court and ask for an indictment. Published in The Oklahoman on February 16, 1907: AGED ENID MERCHANT DIES. Enid, Okla. Feb. 15.—John Kelman, aged 83, died here this morning of old age. He was the father of Mrs. Fred A. Wilson and Mrs. Dr. Kelso. Published in The Oklahoman on February 20, 1907: ENID PASTOR RESIGNS. Enid, Okla., Feb. 19—The Rev. Scott Anderson, who has been in charge of the Christian church in Enid for the past two years has tendered his resignation to take effect May 1st. He will enter the evangelistical field. Published in The Oklahoman on February 24, 1907: BARBER SHOP FOR SALE—Best location in Enid; rent $25 per month, with electric light and steam heat free; Koken's best water-front case, chairs the latest mahogany finish; long lease; doing a fine business; $1,200 takes this snap; if you haven't the cash, will wait on your for part. H.A. Torbett, care McFadden's Pool Hall, Enid, Okla. Published in The Oklahoman on February 26, 1907: Mrs. Henry Condon and daughter, Adalaide, of Tusla, and Mrs. Ben Clampitt of Enid are in the city visiting their mother, Mrs. Ann Threlfa?, who is very sick, but whose condition is improving. Published in The Oklahoman on March 2, 1907: FIREMAN SCALDED TO DEATH IN R.I. CRASH ILL-FATED NO. 12 FIGURES IN ANOTHER DISASTER; THIS TIME IN ENID. Enid, Okla., Mar. 1—Pinned between the tender and cab of his wrecked engine, Fireman Sidney Davis of Chickasha, I.T., was scalded to death when northbound Rock Island passenger train No. 12 ran into an open switch and crashed headon into a freight train in the yards here at 8 o'clock this morning. The passenger train, due here at 6 a.m. was two hours late and was moving at the rate of 33 miles an hour when the accident occurred. No passengers were injured. Engineer Claude Isles of the passenger train saved his life by jumping. He has a sprained back and crushed foot. Isles was the engineer on No. 12 when it plunged into the Cimarron river near Dover last September, when many lives were lost. Both engines and several cars with grain were demolished. The passenger train was delayed here until 1:30 o'clock this afternoon. Published in The Oklahoman on March 3, 1907: Successful Bidders for Rich Farms in the "Big Pasture" Here The Oklahoman presents the first complete published list of successful bidders on farms in the Kiowa-Comanche reservation: C.S. Evans, Enid, Okla., nw 9-3-12, $2015 N.S. Shields, Enid, Okla., nw 10-4-13, $1,700 A.J. Barrett, Waukomis, Okla. sw 34-4-12, $810.25 J.R. Dunworth, Enid, Okla., lots 1,2 e ½ nw 19-2-16, $1300 J.P. Cook, Enid, Okla., n ½ nw 26-3-16, $999.99 H.W. Idel, Lahoma, O.T., ne 9-4-12, $1603 F.C. Miller, Enid, O.T., se 3-4-13, $2000 Jacob H. Hutchinson, Enid, Okla., lots 3,4 e ½ sw 18-4-12, $1805. Elmer H. Blasdel, Garber, Ok'a. nw 12-3-16, $1610 Edmond B. Weatherly, Enid, Okla., lots 3,4 e ½ sw 30-4-12, $3208.63 Albert A. Pitman, Waukomis, Okla., ne 15-4-12, $3510. Published in The Oklahoman on March 15, 1907: Enid, Okla., March 14.—The democrats of Enid have nominated George Emery, formerly of Oklahoma City, as their candidate for mayor of Enid at the coming spring election. Published in The Oklahoman on March 15, 1907: OLD OFFENDER GETS IN TROUBLE AT ENID Enid, Okla., March 14.—George M. Thomas, who was arrested at Howard, Kans., by Sheriff Campbell of Enid and brought to this city on a charge of obtaining money under false pretenses preferred by a local saloon-keeper, who cashed sight drafts for him on a Guthrie liquor house, turns out to be the original of Kansas City rogues picture gallery No. 1278. He was bound over in $500 bond to await action of the grand jury. Published in The Oklahoman on March 16, 1907: SLAYER GETS FORTY YEARS JUDGE GARBER GIVES LONG TERM TO SLAYER OF ENID MARSHAL. Enid, Okla., March 15.—John Cannon, who shot and killed Marshal Tom Radford of Enid last spring, today was sentenced by Judge Garber at Watonga to 40 years in the penitentiary. Bail was fixed at $20,000 pending an approval. Published in The Oklahoman on March 20, 1907: OKLAHOMA MAN SLAIN IN IOWA? BODY FOUND IN CAR BELIEVED THAT OF BERT M'FADDEN. WAS ENID REAL ESTATE MAN Well Known In Oklahoma City—A Former Baseball Player. A body answering the description of Bert McFadden, a real estate man who mysteriously disappeared from Enid several months ago, was found yesterday morning huddled in the corner of a box car at Sioux City, Ia. Evidence points to violent death, and it is thought that the man was murdered. The body was clothed in ordinary working garments. The authorities at Sioux City telegraphed the police here for information about McFadden and his whereabouts. When last head of McFadden was in Denver; that was three weeks ago. Bert McFadden was well known in Oklahoma City. He worked in Patterson & Hoffman's cigar store, Main and Robinson streets, and played baseball part of one season. He left here to engage in the real estate business at Enid. Published in The Oklahoman on April 3, 1907: REPUBLICANS LEAD IN ENID ELECTION Enid, Okla., April 2.—The following candidates were successful in the city election today: A.E. Stevenson, republican, mayer; plurality 130; L.R. Earl, republican, city clerk; Albert Thrasher, republican, police chief; Chas. Dangerfield, democrat, city assessor; A.T. Wilcox, democrat, city treasurer; James R. Houston, republican, city attorney, and five republicans and one democrat for aldermen. Published in The Oklahoman on April 11, 1907: BOY OF 9 PICKS OUT ASSAILANT IN COURT POINTS TO NEGRO PRISONER CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING HIS MOTHER. Enid, Okla., April 10.—A nine year old boy, only son of the complaining witness in the case, a widow, was the principal witness in district court here today, in the case against James Saunders, a negro, charged with an assault upon Mrs. J.L. Groves. The child told his story in a straightforward manner, and all the efforts of the attorneys for the defense to break him down and make him contradict himself were in vain. The boy could not be swerved from his original story and at the end of his testimony he unhesitatingly picked Saunders as the assailant from a crowd of negroes in the rear of the room. The case is attracting wide spread attention in this part of the territory. It was brought here on a change of venue from Blaine county and is being tried before Judge Garber. It is charged that last June Saunders who is a farmer, rode to the home of Mrs. Groves, a short distance away, battered down the door and assaulted her. The little boy escaped through an open window and ran to a neighbor's house for help, but when he returned with assistance the negro had fled. Many of Saunders' white neighbors insist that he is not guilty of the charge made against him and are furnishing him with means to make his defense. Published in The Oklahoman on April 19, 1907: SUIT FOR DIVORCE. Agnes M. Brown has filed suit in the district court for a divorce from her husband, James Brown. She alleges that Brown deserted her in Enid a short time after the marriage ceremony was performed and that since that time she has heard nothing of him. She asks the restoration of her maiden name, Agnes Cummings. Published in The Oklahoman on April 21, 1907: QUICKLY ACQUITS MAN WHO KILLED JURY IN THE CARTWRIGHT CASE FINDS OFFICER NOT GUILTY IN HALF AN HOUR. Enid, April 20.—Jesse Cartwright, former city marshal of Cordell, was today acquitted of the charge of manslaughter under an indictment returned by the Washita county grand jury. In December, 1906, Cartwright shot and killed Lee Southworth on the streets of Cordell, following a quarrel between the officer and Southward's two brothers-in-law, named Bauer. After the killing the marshal was attacked, stabbed and barely rescued from death at the hands of the Bauer brothers. Cartwright plead self-defense for the shoting of Southworth. The two Bauers are under indictment for assault with intent to kill. One hundred and fifty witnesses appeared here to testify in the case. The jury was out only a half hour before reaching a verdict. The case came to this county on a change of venue. Published in The Oklahoman on April 28, 1907: ALLEGED FORGER BLOWS OUT BRAIN Enid, Okla., April 27.—Paul Wagner, a young man well known here, blew the top of his head off with a shot gun in a moment of frenzy late this afternoon. He was out on bond after being arrested on a charge of forging a number of checks on business men here. Wagner was staying at the house of his brother, Fred Wagner, and began acting in a strange manner. When officers were summoned, he ran out into an alley with a shot gun which he had loaded. When pursued he ran behind a small building, placed the weapon to his head and pulled the trigger. Published in The Oklahoman on May 2, 1907: Mrs. Charles O. Wood, of Enid, auditor of the Territorial Federation of Women's Clubs, will not be here to attend the Executive Board meeting this week, owing to the death on the 6th at Dallas, Texas, of her husband. Published in The Oklahoman on June 7, 1907: Mrs. Edmond Frantz and daughter, Maurine, and Mrs. Eva Hagen, of Enid, are house guests of Mr. and Mrs. A. Carroll, and will remain over for the Grainger-Carroll wedding next Wednesday. Miss Hobart, of Washington, D.C., who is to be a member of the bridal party, will arrive Monday. Published in The Oklahoman on June 8, 1907: SON OF ENID BANKER WILL ENTER WEST POINT Enid, Okla., June 7.—Isaac Spalding, son of Banker H.C. Spalding, of North Enid, left tonight for the West Point Academy to begin a four years' course there. Spalding's nomination for the place was secured by Delegate McGuire. Published in The Oklahoman on June 8, 1907: STARVES HIMSELF FOR WHOLE WEEK ENID MAN DOES NOT SUFFER UNDER PHYSICAL CULTURE STUNT. Enid, June 7.—At 6 o'clock tonight it was just one week since J.E. Walters, a well known grain broker of this city has tasted food. The abstinence is voluntary on the part of Mr. Walters and is not related in any way to any religious decree or doctrine. Mr. Walters is a disciple of Bernard McFadden, physical culturist, and has been persuaded by his teacher that it is best for him to fast once each year for as long a period as possible in order to cleanse the system from all deleterious substances. In accord with this theory the month of June was set aside as the time when 50 men scattered all over the United States from Maine to California should cease eating and drinking and if possible live the entire month without partaking of food in any form. One other of these men is located in Oklahoma, Elmer Ellsworth Small, of Cherokee. Mr. Small began to fast at the same time as the Enid man. Mr. Walters has fallen off a little more than a pound a day during the week which closed at supper time tonight. At the beginning of the fast period on the evening of May 31 he weighed 146 pounds. Today he weighs 137. There is a noticeable difference in his appearance. He is at his office all day transacting business as usual and seems to feel none the worse for the lack of food. Mr. Walters says that he does not even get hungry. He states that when the noon hour or other meal time arrives he has a feeling of uneasiness, not akin to hunger, but which seems to arise chiefly by the habit so long acquired of going to his meal at that time. He sleeps as well as usual, arises at a regular hour and tends to his business just as though he were eating three times each day. While Mr. Walters hopes to be able to keep up the fast throughout the entire month of June he states that he will not continue it if at any time he feels depression or sickness coming on, but in such case will begin at once to partake of a carefully prepared diet of light food. The continuance of the fast is being watched closely here by many who are well acquainted with Mr. Walters. Published in The Oklahoman on June 12, 1907: GUN GOES OFF BY ACCIDENT; KILLS WOMAN LEARING TO SHOOT SLAYS ENID SHOOTING GALLERY MAN. Enid, Okla. June 11.—A.O. Harris of this city, died today as the result of an accidental shooting, which occurred at Bessie, June 5. Harris was operating a shooting gallery in Bessie when a young woman asked to try her hand at the target. Harris stooped over to clean the disk and while in this position the girl fired. The ball struck Harris in the neck. As the rifle was only a .22 calibre it was not at first believed the wound would prove fatal. Harris was brought to his home in this city where he was given medical attention but he succumbed today. Published in The Oklahoman on June 12, 1907: Mrs. Aiken, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs. Fred Sutton, returned to her home in Enid, yesterday and Mrs. Ed Sutton, who has been visiting in Enid for two months, has returned home. Published in The Oklahoman on June 30, 1907: HOUSE FALLS AND CRUSHES ENID BOY Enid, Okla., June 29.—While assisting in the moving of the residence of his parents on a farm four miles northeast of this city, Earl Fager, 20 years old, was instantly killed by the falling of the house from its supports. Fagar had gone under the house to remove a stone from in front of the rollers. When he was removed by chopping a hole in the floor it was found that he was already dead. The mother wielded the ax that released the body of her son. Funeral services will be held from the Evangelical church in this city Sunday. Published in The Oklahoman on July 17, 1907: TEACHERS INSTITUTE UNDER WAY IN ENID Enid, July 16.—The Garfield county institute opened in the Jefferson school building with a heavy attendance, more than 100 teachers being enrolled for the first day. The institute will last four weeks. It is expected that before the close of the present week the attendance will reach 150. The teachers who are giving instructions are E.S. McCabe of Kingfisher, Mrs. A.L. Shattuck, Miss Mary McGill, Superintendent Rainey, Professor Long and Professor M.H. Wright of Enid. Published in The Oklahoman on July 23, 1907: ENID BANKER'S HOME RAIDED BY BURGLARS Enid, July 22.—The home of John P. Cook, cashier of the First National bank, was entered by burglars last night. Little of value was secured. It is believed that the robbers were the same who entered the home of J.B. Ferguson, president of the Garfield Exchange bank last week, when they were frightened away before securing anything. The police are of the opinion that these are the same parties who sandbagged and robbed Robert Knupp, a city mail carrier last week. Every effort is being made to capture the gang. Published in The Oklahoman on July 30, 1907: COURT PUTS END TO CHURCH ROW JUDGE BURWELL ORDERS THAT ALL MEMBERS BE ALLOWED TO WORSHIP. Enid, OKla., July 27.—In dissolving a temporary injunction granted by Judge Garber to August Moler, a German, restraining Moler's fellow church members from interfering with the use of the church by a pastor selected by Moler. Judge Burwell delivered a sermon in the district court here yesterday that will not soon be forgotten by the Germans. Moler was one of the builders of the German church in Sheridan township. Later he was forced bodily out of the edifice and refused the privilege of worshiping there. He imported a pastor and demanded that time be divided between him and the regular preacher. Judge Burwell scored both sides severely for showing an unchristian and vindictive spirit. He dissolved the injunction, and divided the costs of the suit equally. He also made an order to permit any of the church members, Moler included, to worship in the church. The case has been in court five years. Published in The Oklahoman on September 7, 1907: ENID WOMEN TOLD NEWSPAPERS STORY OF ENGINEER'S AWFUL PLIGHT. Newark, Ohio, Sept. 6.—Edward Stover and W.B. Sneed, the two American railway conductors who have been imprisoned in Mexico for more than a year, charged with a murder of which they were entirely innocent, have been released unconditionally, by the Mexican authorities. Grant Ferguson, formerly a conductor here, has sent the following telegram to friends in this city, from Agaus, Callentes, Mexica: "Edward Stover and W.B. Sneed were leased from prison Thursday by order of the Mexican government, unconditionally. There were no charges against the men." Ferguson took the matter up with the United States government soon after the imprisonment of the two men, who were his friends, and with the active assistance of Senators Foraker and Dick succeeded in securing a mass of evidence which all pointed unmistakably to the innocence of the accused. Enid, Okla., Sept. 6—According to a telegram received in Enid from Stover, the American newspapers are responsible for the release of the men. Mrs. A. Rogers and Mrs. George Saunier, two Enid women, while in Mexico visited the old prison and found the men there. The prisoners related their story to the women. Upon the return of Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Saunier to America, they gave the account of the men's suffering to the newspapers and the agitation thus started is believed to have aroused the government to action. Published in The Oklahoman on October 3, 1907: ENID DOCTOR WILL RECOVER. Dr. Hugh McKenzie of Enid, was operated upon yesterday for an abcess in the eye. He will recover. Published in The Oklahoman on October 5, 1907: Frisco's Weakened Half Mile Span Gives Way at Clinton Only Short Time Before Passenger Train Is Due. Clinton, Okla., Oct. 4—Crashing through a flimsy bridge spanning the Washita here, Frisco freight train No. 312, consisting of the engine and 32 cars plunged through the murky waters of the swollen stream and into the quicksand at 2:30 o'clock this morning, carrying Fireman Claude Blue of Enid to his death and giving the other members of the train crew a close call for their lives. This is the third Frisco train to break through wooden pier bridges across the Cimarron and Washita within a year. It was half a mile in length. A passenger train was due here a short time after the freight left and had the accident not occurred scores of passengers might have perished. Of inferior construction and further weakened by flood waters from the recent rain, the trestle tottered back and forth as trains crossed soon after the river began to rise. Train crews had been ordered to run slowly on the bridge and the crew of No. 312 was obeying orders when the accident occurred. Conductor White was riding on the pilot, endeavoring to inspect the bridge as his train crossed. As the bridge fell he leaped ahead and reached a part that stood up. Engineer Riggs, who was making his first trip, leaped through the window of the cab into the river. The two brakemen swam to a car upturned on end in midstream and perched there until dawn. Fireman Blue was crushed between the engine and coal tender as the bridge gave way. His mangled body floated down stream and was not recovered until this afternoon. It will be days before traffic can be resumed. Published in The Oklahoman on October 8, 1907: WEDS AND DIES WITHIN THREE DAYS WEDDING GOWN IS HER SHROUD Death Reaper Enters Unheralded Into Halcyon Honeymoon of Enid Twain Enid, Okla., Oct. 7.—With her wedding gown for a shroud, a husband of two days as chief mourner, the minister who had solemnized the marriage vows conducting the funeral services, and the bride-maids and wedding guests in the funeral cortage. Mrs. Edward Klingman, was laid to eternal rest in the Enid cemetery yesterday. Mrs. Klingaman, nee Mary Kripps, was the daughter of Nicholas Krippes, a wealthy citizen of near Enid, last evening became the wife of Edward Klingaman, a prominent young farmer of this community. Saturday night, apparently in the best of health and while entertaining at her new home the friends and associates of her girlhood womanhood, she was attacked by heart failure, and in an hour, was dead. Unhearaled, without the slightest warning, came the death reaper. While the halcyon honeymoon was at its height, even while the songs of mirth and peals of happiness were loudest and most serene, one stroke of the death sickle turned the sunshine in blackness, the songs to wails, and the peal of the wedding bells to the toll of the funeral dirge. From her dark hair they took the red roses that had vied with the blushes on her cheeks and weaving white ones with them placed a wreath in her folded hands. Published in The Oklahoman on October 8, 1907: MYSTERY IN ENID'S MURDER CASE DEEPENS Enid, Okla., Oct. 7.—Although six days have elapsed since the night on which C.L. Cardwell, a Frisco brakeman, was found dead, his body horribly mutilated, on the Rock Island tracks in the center of this city and the coroner's jury has been in almost continuous session for five days, the mystery of the tragedy has deepened and no decision has yet been reached as to how the man lost his life. But it has been established beyond question that he did not come to his death by accident. He was murdered. Every effort is being put forth by the officers to discover the perpetrators of the crime. How much the coroner's jury has learned of the real facts connected with the mysterious death of Cardwell is not known and cannot be fully determined until that body makes its formal report, for all sessions have been secret and the strictest precautions are being taken by the officers to prevent what they know from becoming general information. Yet part of the evidence offered in the jury room has reached the public. Three trains passed over the body of Cardwell on the tracks in the dense darkness of a cloudy night. Although the body was torn into many pieces and scattered along the tracks for more than 100 feet, there was little trace of blood, showing conclusively that the man was dead prior to the time any of the various trains struck his body. Cardwell had been drinking the evening before he was killed. In a semi- intoxicated condition he visited the "bad lands" of the city. There he fell in with men and women of the lower world. And the next morning he was found dead. Cries heard from the vicinity of one of the worst resorts in the city about midnight were unheeded at the time bur were later recalled when the mystery of Cardwell's death became the great topic of conversation in that locality. Then habitues of the place whence the cries of terror had emanated were summoned before the inquisitor ybody. At first little could be learned. Cardwell had been there, it was admitted. He had left, it was said, in an intoxicated condition and that was all known about him. But the probing continued. Conflicting stories developed as to what happened in that resort on this fatal night. Suspicion grew stronger, and was apparently well founded when it became known that an engineer of one of the trains which struck the body had seen two men crouching among the weeds near the track. It is now believed that Cardwell was murdered in a fight in the den in question, that he was beaten to death and robbed while in a drunken condition, and that his body was placed on the track by the assassins in order to hide the crime. Suspicion attaches to two tough characters who came to this city recently from Wichita and one of whom is known to have been in company with Cardwell the night he was killed. Whether sufficient evidence can be secured to definitely charge the crime where it apparently belongs yet remains a question. The coroner's jury has adjourned until the middle of this week when it will again resume its investigation. This bold and bloody deed has aroused public sentiment to such a high pitch that officers can no longer postpone their duty of cleaning the thugs out of Enid. Within the last few months this city has become a rendezvous for tough characters. The police force of six men is utterly inadequate properly to protect the city. Holdups and other crimes have become frequent. The people demand a cleaning out and are determined that it shall be done at once regardless of expense. Published in The Oklahoman on October 23, 1907: SHOOTS WIFE; LEG CUT OFF MRS. J.T. HOVEY OF ENID VICTIM OF ACCIDENT, MAY NOT SURVIVE. Enid, Okla., Oct. 22.—Mrs. J.T. Hovey, wife of a real estate man of this city, was shot and probably fatally injured at her home, 666 Jefferson street last evening, while her husband was demonstrating to an eight-year- old child how to load and unload a shot gun. One barrel of the gun was discharged, the shot striking Mrs. Hovey in the calf of the right leg making amputation necessary this morning. Physicians state that her recovery is doubtful. Mr. and Mrs. Hovey were preparing to leave home when the accident occurred and their three children, the oldest of whom is eight years, objected to being left alone in the home. The parents attempted to quiet the children's objections but could not. Then Mr. Hovey took a shot gun which he had purchased that day and began explaining to the little ones how they could scare burglars away with the gun. He pulled back the safety pin and before it was replaced he accidentally touched the trigger and the gun was fired. Mrs. Hovey was standing about six feet from the end of the barrel and received the shot in her right leg. Published in The Oklahoman on October 31, 1907: ASKS COURT FOR HIS LITTLE GIRL FATHER SUES FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD NOW WITH GRANDMOTHER. Attempting to secure a modification of a former court decree and procure the custody of his six year old child, Thelma, now in possession of her grandmother at Enid, C.V. Connoway, has filed a motion in the district court. Gertrude Gannoway sued Gannoway for a divorce on October 31, 1905, upon a petition charging unfaithfulness, cruelty, abandonment and desertion. By private agreement the contesting parties suggested to the court that the custody of the child, then four years of age, be given to Mrs. Gannoway's mother, Mrs. S.H. Brady of Enid. Since the awarding of the decree, Gannoway has remarried. He now wants the decree modified so that he may take the child from its grandmother. Mrs. Gannoway has also remarried and now resides in California. The motion will be heard November 5th. Published in The Oklahoman on November 15, 1907: Enid, Okla., Nov. 14.—George Thompson, a farmer living near this city, is minus a beautiful and accomplished daughter, and Jesse O. Clampitt of Howard, Kans., has gained a pretty bride, all because Cupid dared. Dovie Thompson, the bride, and Jesse Clampitt were schoolmates in Elk county, Kans., years ago. When the Thompson's moved to Oklahoma, Dovie and Jesse were separated. But a correspondence was kept up which resulted in Jesse making several trips to Oklahoma, and finally asking for his sweetheart's hand in marriage. Coldly the father not only refused the request, but commanded Jesse to get off the farm and never to return. Jesse went back to Kansas and wrote some more letters. Yesterday he arrived in Enid and drove to the Thompson home. Dovie saw him coming and accepted his invitation for a drive, without her father's knowledge. They drove to Enid and were married. Hoping for forgiveness from the stern father they telephoned the news to some of Mr. Thompson's neighbors who soon imparted the tidings to him. His wrath knew no bounds. "Forgive? Never!" he vowed. "Tell them if they dare to set foot on my farm again I will shoot them both." So the bride and groom did not return. They took the evening train to Howard, near which city Clampitt has a fine quarter section of land, and he little cares whether the bride's father is pleased or not. Published in The Oklahoman on November 29, 1907: ENID MAN IS CHARGED WITH ROBBING O.N.G. Enid, Okla., Nov. 28.—Arthur Price, aged 22 years, is under arrest charged with robbing Oklahoma National Guard armory of two valuable guns and other articles. When a search of Price's room was made it was found that he had committed several similar offences in the past six months, and other guns and ammunition were found. His bond is fixed at $1,000. He plead not guilty. Published in The Oklahoman on November 29, 1907: HE ARRANGES OWN ARREST ALLEGED SLAYER TO MEET ENID SHERIFF TODAY TO BE IMPRISONED. Enid, Okla., Nov. 28.—Tomorrow morning at the sheriff's office in the county jail will be witnessed the unusual spectacle of a man charged with murder in the first degree meeting an engagement with the sheriff for the purpose of being placed under arrest. The alleged murder is Charles Patterson, proprietor of a general store and postmaster of Cropper, 12 miles east of Enid. George James, a brother-in- law of Patterson, will accompany him, and also will be placed in jail to await his ability to secure bond. The two men are charged with shooting and fatally wounding William McCoy, a young farmer residing near Garber, Okla., on the morning of November 16. It is alleged that Patterson or James did the shooting from the interior of the store at Cropper, while McCoy was standing just outside the front door. At the time of the killing and at the coroner's inquest, both of the accused men stated that they were up, having been aroused by some one attempting robbery of the establishment, but denied that they fired the shot, saying that the report came from the outside. It is stated that had the two men confessed the killing from the beginning that no arrests would have followed, as McCoy, it is believed, was attempting to gain entrance to the store at the time the shooting is alleged to have occurred. McCoy had gone to Cropper to celebrate the prospective advent of statehood, and became too intoxicated to return to Garber. During the early morning he awoke and sought to break into the store, when the shot was fired from within, according to statements made by him before death. Published in The Oklahoman on December 1, 1907: BINDS HELPLESS TO A TABLE AND COMMITS AWFUL DEED FLAYS WIFE, ENCIENTE, TO MURDER CHILD Man Who Hitched Former Helpmeet to Plow, Arrested Enid, Okla, Nov. 30—Lying on her back, helpless, bound by ropes to a table while she was enceinte, Mrs. Lowry White of Bison, this county, was beaten by her husband until her body was a mass of bruises, two of her ribs broken and a fiend who desired to prevent the existence of a tiny human being had accomplished his awful purpose, according to charges made against Lowry White, a prominent farmer residing near Bison, who was placed in jail here today. Lowry is sullen, defiant, and will not discuss the heinous crime of which he is accused. Lowry White and his present wife were married a little more than a year ago through the agencies of a matrimonial bureau. It is rumored that he forced his first wife to work in the field, hitched her to a plow, because she refused to do his bidding. According to neighbors' White has not treated his wife well since he learned that she was in a delicate condition. It is alleged that yesterday he brutally assaulted her, then threw her upon the table, bound her arms and legs so that she could not move, then with a heavy stick, began belaboring her, unmoved by her piercing, agonized screams of terror and pain which gained vent before she fainted, until his purpose was accomplished. Mrs. White may recover. White is 32 years old and has resided in Garfield county for ten years. He was married once before to Miss Lottie Smith of Enid, who secured a divorce on the grounds of brutal treatment, and he married the present Mrs. White about two years ago. Published in The Oklahoman on December 20, 1907: HIGHWAYMEN OPERATE IN SUBURBS OF ENID Enid, Okla., Dec. 1.—John Ryan, of North Enid, was held up by two masked highwaymen between Enid and North Enid last night and robbed of a small amount of money. The highwaymen covered him with revolvers. It is believed that this is the same gang that attempted to blow the safe of the People's bank in North Enid a few nights ago. Published in The Oklahoman on December 31, 1907: ABANDONS ILLEGITMATE CHILD Miss Joe Anderson of Tulsa Leaves Enid Presumably With Man From Tulsa Enid, Okla. Dec. 30.—Abandoning her three weeks old baby boy as he lay smiling in his cradle, to the mercy of strangers, Miss Joe Anderson, of Tulsa, has left Enid for parts unknown. Arriving in this city recently without friends the young woman knocked at the door of B.J. Ferguson, whose home is in the north part of the city, and begged to be admitted. Pitying her Mrs. Anderson took the woman in and kept her until her child was born. As soon as she was able to be about the house the young woman disappeared and has not been seen since. The boy is unusually bright. His childish innocence has captivated the officers and all others who have seen him. A letter that came to the woman's address after her departure indicates that she has gone to Kansas City with a man from Tulsa. The officers are endeavoring to locate the couple and bring them back. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Garfield County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/garfield/garfield.html