McCurtain Co. OK - OBIT:  Wiley Jefferson Price

Submitted by:  Sandie Welch  sandiewe@verizon.net
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::Old Cemetery--Broken Bow OK

McCurtain County Local Newspaper:

Oct. 9, 1924

BROKEN BOW MAN KILLED AT DIERKS

One of the most atrocious murders in the history of Broken Bow was that of
Wiley Jefferson Price, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Price of this city,
who was shot and killed Monday afternoon at 5:30 by a barber known as "Fatty"
Williams, at Dierks, Arkansas.  On Saturday before the murder was committed,
Williams quarreled with Charlie Speers, who is a brother-in-law to Wiley
Price.

It seems Williams' son about 15 years of age, would domineer over the little
girl of Charlie Speers, which finally caused Speers to go to Williams, and the
disagreement followed, however, Price was not in the quarrel, and Williams
had shaved him (Price) about three hours before he shot him.

Speers has a grocery store and restaurant at Dierks, and Wiley Price clerked
for him.

Monday afternoon the Williams boy went to the rear of the store and threw
water in a back window on Price's bed, so as Price went to the well for a
bucket of water he went to the barber shop and told Williams that his son
was throwing water in the house through the window, at which Williams became
angered and ordered Price off his premises.  He (Price) picked up the bucket
of water and started to go down an alley to the Speers grocery store when
Williams came to the alley and fired five shots at his back, three of which
took effect.  The bullets passed entirely through his body, and three of them
lodged in a cedar post that was in front of Price.  He carried the water in
the store and set it down when his sister, Mrs. Speers asked him, "what is the
matter?"  He fell on the bed and said, "Williams shot me," and died about five
minutes later.

Dierks officers took charge of Williams immediately after the killing and
spirited him from place to place, to avoid a mob that was at once formed, and
later forced entrance to the jail at Nashville, Ark., and several other places,
but failed to get Williams.

Wiley Price was 23 years of age and had lived in Broken Bow with his parents
for eight years.  This was the first trouble he had ever had with any one.
He was a Christian boy, reared in a Christian home, by Christian parents, and
was admired by all who knew him, for his honesty, industry and sterling
character.  He and his family are held in high esteem here, and there is a
deep feeling existing among his friends and associates here over his untimely
end.

Price was brought here Tuesday and the body was taken in charge by the W.O.W.
Lodge of this city, to which he was a member and in good standing.  The
funeral services were held at the family home Tuesday afternoon at 3:00.  Rev.
Albert A. Puckett, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating, in an
impressive manner.  Interment was made in the old cemetery near town.

The News joins the many friends of the family in extending heartfelt sympathy
to them in their sorrow.
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