1905 Deaths in The Oklahoman Pt 1 - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

Submitted by:  Emily Jordan   <eejordan104@hotmail.com>   04 Jun 2006
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(01/01/1905)

JUDGE MILTON DEAD

An Old Resident of Oklahoma City Passed Away

Judge James Milton, one of Oklahoma's oldest and best known attorneys
passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Presbury, No. 921 Jefferson
street, Kansas City, Saturday.  The deceased has been a resident of
Oklahoma since 1889 and in that time was always held in the highest esteem
by all who knew him.  He was one of the pioneers of the county, and for a
long time was associated in the law business in this city with Judge
Beaty, who survives him.  He was a member of the Oklahoma County Bar
association, and until eighteen months ago had been actively engaged in
his chosen profession.

During the past two years Judge Milton had been failing and two months ago
he went to Kansas City to spend his last days with his daughter.  He was
accompanied by his invalid wife, who, with two sons and a daughter,
survive him.  The family had for some years resided in a cottage, No. 511
East Third street.

Deep regret will be felt by the many friends of the deceased to learn of
his sudden demise.  The remains will be brought to Oklahoma City this
evening by way of Newton and the Santa Fe route.  The funeral will take
place from the parlors of Street & Harper, Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock,
and interment will be at Fairview cemetery.

A meeting has been called of the Oklahoma County Bar association in the
district court room at 10 o'clock Monday morning.  It is desired that all
members be present in respect of Judge Milton, the deceased member of the
association.

(01/03/1905)

Dr. Clutter, county health officer, makes for the month just closed a
mortuary report as follows:  Accident, railroad, 1; dropsy, 1; dyspepsia,
1; electrocuted, live wire, 1; heart disease, 1; inanition, 1;
inflammation bowels, 1; Jaundice, 1; murdered, 1; paralysis, 1; pneumonia,
6; tuberculosis, 10; still-born, 2; scarlet fever, 1; typhoid fever 1;
total, 31.

(01/03/1905)

Death of an Old Resident.

Vinita, I.T., Jan. 2.—A telegram reached here today announcing the death
of  Stephen Gristy at Miami, I.T.  Stephen Gristy who died after a short
illness of only four days was one of the land marks of the town of Miami,
I.T., having lived in the town continuously since it was organized and was
a remarkable active man to be eighty-five years old.  The cause of death
was pneumonia.

(01/04/1905)

Ben Johnson, formerly here as representative of the Crowders Hide & Wool
company, died at Parsons, Kans., on December 24.  He was a member of
several fraternal societies and had many friends in this city.

(01/05/1905)

R.C. McCormick, Oklahoma's jovial stockman, has been very ill for about
nine weeks with heart and stomach trouble at his daughter's home in Kansas
City.  He is yet unable to leave his room.

(01/05/1905)

CHARGED WITH MURDER

Ed Kince Brought From Osage County and Placed in Federal Jail.

Guthrie, Okla., Jan. 4.—Deputy United States Marshal Jackson came in today
from the Osage country with two prisoners, W. Oldham, charged with
bootlegging whisky among the Indians, and Ed Kince, charged with murdering
Jasper Fordyce, near Cleveland, in the Osage country, three days before
Christmas.

Fordyce who was a bartender at Cleveland, went across the Arkansas river
to gather mistletoe to decorate his saloon.  Not returning, a searching
party was formed and Fordyce's team was encountered fording the river.
The body of Fordyce was in the buggy, with several ugly bruises and wounds
about the head.  He died three days later.  Kince was afterward arrested
and taken before Commissioner Yates, who bound him over to the grand jury
without bail.

(01/05/1905)

DIED OF INJURIES

Lawton, Okla., Jan. 4.—W.S. King, a young attorney who resides four miles
north of Faxon, died at 12:45 this morning from internal injuries received
while attempting to stop a runaway team Monday.  King was after a load of
wood on the Charles Jennings place.  The falling of a tree frightened his
team and they ran away.  King pursued them and was within two feet of the
rear of the wagon when a front wheel ran amuck of a stump causing the
sudden stoppage of the wagon.  King fell headlong into the rear end and
was injured in the chest and stomach.  He was discovered a few hours later
by Mrs. Jennings.  King leaves a wife and two children and carried $1,000
policy in the A.O.U.W.

(01/07/1905)

Thos. Green of Granbury, Mo., aged 45, died at the Kaufman hotel on
Thursday.

The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Stuart was buried yesterday.

(01/08/1905)

Injuries Were Fatal.

Altus, Okla., Jan. 7.—George Hall, the 5 year old son of Mrs. Georgia
Hall, editor of the Plainview (Tex.) Herald, whose skull was fractured
last Sunday by being thrown from a buggy in a runaway, died this morning
at daybreak.  The boy suffered intensely all week, though at first the
physicians had hopes of saving his life.  The remains were shipped to
Plainview for interment.

(01/10/1905)

A WAR VETERAN

PENSIONER OF SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR DEAD IN HIS ROOM.

CAUSE OF DEATH UNCERTAIN

Coroner Thinks James T. Jones Died of Consumption—Relatives Have Been
Advised of His Death.

The body of James T. Jones, a man about 32 years of age, was yesterday
found inanimate in his room at 323 ½ West Grand avenue.  As the body bore
no marks of violence, it is believed by Coroner J.F. Messenbaugh, who was
summoned as soon as the corpse was found, that death resulted from natural
causes, and there are reasons to believe that the deceased was a victim of
consumption.

James was a transient visitor in the city coming here one day last week
from El Reno.  He came to Oklahoma from Greenville, S.C., and is thought
to have a wife located at present in Chicago.

His left thumb is gone and it has been learned that he was a veteran of
the Spanish-American war and drawing a pension of $40 per month.

On his person was found three $100 bills and $57.95 in change.

The body was removed to Robinson's undertaking establishment awaiting
advice from relatives as to disposition of same.

(01/10/1905)

Died From Spider Bite.

Ardmore, I.T., Jan. 9.—The little child of G.M. Fore died Sunday evening
as the result of blood poisoning, caused from the bite of a spider several
weeks ago.

(01/11/1905)

Undertaker Robinson received a telegram last night from Mrs. J.T. Jones at
Chicago announcing that she has started for this city to secure the body
of her husband, who died here Monday.

(01/11/1905)

Inspector Wright's Father Dies.

Muskogee, I.T., Jan. 10.—Indian Inspector J. George Wright has gone to
Chicago, where his father died Saturday.  The deceased was formerly in the
Indian service and was once inspector at Roosevelt, S.D., and when he
retired was succeeded by his son, J. George Wright, who has been in the
service ever since and is now Indian inspector here, the most important
post in this class of service in the United States.

(01/12/1905)

Death of Mrs. Hoffman.

Mrs. Hoffman, the mother of J.P. Hoffman, of 200 East Eighth street, died
yesterday morning.  Mrs. Hoffman was 85 years of age, and her death was
due to extreme age.  She has been living with Mr. Hoffman for a number of
years.  The funeral will take place from the house at 10:30 Saturday
morning, with the interment at Fairlawn.

(01/12/1905)

M. Brookman, residing at 123 West Eighth street, says yesterday morning he
found footprints, made by a man barefooted, leading in the snow up to his
house and wonders if Buckles, the young man found frozen, was in that part
of the city before his death.

(01/12/1905)

RAN TO HIS DEATH

H.E. BUCKLES, IN DELIRIUM, ESCAPED HIS ROOM AND DIED OF COLD.

AN INQUEST MAY BE HELD

Friends of the Decedent Think There May Have Been Criminal Negligence in
the Case and Are Insistent.

The body of H. Everest Buckles, barkeeper at Frank Sibenaler's saloon, was
found at about 10 o'clock yesterday morning near the river about a mile
south of the East Reno avenue bridge.

The report which gained prime currency yesterday morning was to the effect
that Buckles had for some time been suffering with pneumonia at his
boarding place, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chris. Labundl, 620 East Reno
avenue, and that, becoming delirious at about 1 o'clock yesterday morning,
he raised a window of his room, and, barefooted and clad only in his night
apparel, disappeared in the darkness.

Mr. and Mrs. Labundi at once notified Buckles' friends and also the police
department of the occurrence and search was at once instituted and
continued until the discovery of the dead body occurred at 10 o'clock
yesterday morning.

The remains were transferred to Robison's undertaking parlors on North
Broadway, and during the day the authorities were engaged in investigating
the case which has some peculiar features.  Last evening the matter was
practically in the hands of the County Attorney Hays as to whether a
coroners inquest would be called today, which action, it is said, is
desired by the two brothers of the decedent, R.S. and W.T. Buckles.

The dead man was about 26 years of age and came to this city about 11
years ago with his two brothers from Oxford, Kan.

It is doubted whether an inquest would develop any facts of special
importance in the case, as about the only criticism offered is to the
effect that Labundi could have caught Buckles and brought him back to the
house, which it is said Mrs. Labundi requested him to do.  This story is
unverified and, with talk of jealousy in the case, may have no foundation
in fact.

(01/12/1905)

MRS. JOHNSTON'S DEATH

Mrs. Sophia Johnston, the loving wife of J.H. Johnston, secretary of the
Chamber of Commerce, died yesterday afternoon at one o'clock after a
lingering and painful illness.  Although her death had been expected for
some time, yet when it became known it caused a shock to the many friends
of the family.  The deceased was born in Rock Island, Ill., thirty-nine
years ago.  She was already afflicted with that terrible affliction,
cancer, when she came here with her husband from Galveston.  She was a
lovable woman in every way and great sympathy is felt for the sorrowing
husband.  The funeral will take place from the home, No. 400 West 11th
street, at 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon.  Dr. Piner, of the M.E. church,
south, will conduct the services.

(01/13/1905)

Mrs. J.T. Jones arrived in this city yesterday from Chicago and last
evening shipped the remains of her husband to Lake Forest, Ill., for
interment.

Dean, the 3-year-old son U.S. Miller, died of pneumonia at 3:30 yesterday
morning.  The funeral will occur today.

(01/13/1905)

Enid Citizen Dead.

Enid, Okla., Jan. 12. –Colonel Geo. E. Hubbard, a veteran of the civil
war, and for forty years the proprietor of the Hubbard house in this city,
a pioneer of Oklahoma and prominent politician, died at his home here of
heart failure, aged 70 years.  He leaves a wife and several children.

(01/13/1905)

WILL BE LAID TO REST THIS AFTERNOON

REV. PINER WILL CONDUCT THE OBSEQUIES OF MRS. J.H. JOHNSTON AT THE FAMILY
RESIDENCE.

The funeral of Mrs. J.H. Johnston who died Wednesday afternoon, will occur
this (Friday) afternoon at 2:30 from the family residence, No. 400 West
Eleventh street.  The funeral arrangements are in the hands of Messrs.
Eicholtz & Birdseye, undertakers, and the services will be conducted by
Dr. Piner of the Methodist church, South, of which Mrs. Johnston was a
member.

The active pall bearers have been selected from among Mr. Johnston's old
associates in railroad work, viz:  H.R. Teasdale, division freight agent,
and T.E. Purdy, local agent of the Santa Fe; J.C. Finch, commercial agent,
and W.C. Knowles, division passenger agent of the M.,K. & T. railway; J.S.
McNally, division passenger agent of the Rock Island system, and L.T.
Poole, local agent of the Frisco system.  While the honorary pall bearers
are made up of the officers of the Chamber of Commerce and Traffic
association, of which organization Mr. Johnston is secretary and traffic
manager, viz:  Geo. G. Sohlberg, ex-president, and Weston Atwood, second
vice president of the Chamber of Commerce; Tom Jarboe, president; A.
Carroll, first vice president, and G.F. Linsay, second vice president of
the Traffic association.

Among the many telegrams of sympathy by Mr. Johnston today was one from
the Oklahoma City delegation now in Washington, D.C., in behalf of single
statehood.  It is quite certain that every member of this delegation of 16
would be present at the funeral if they were home in Oklahoma City.

(01/14/1905)

Defective Abstract.

In the estate of Mary J. Smith, known as Effie Fisher, who was murdered in
Oklahoma City about two years ago by an unknown assassin, there has been
discovered some defects in the abstract for certain property owned by the
decedent and the errors of the abstractors will have to be rectified by
the court before administration of the estate can proceed.

(01/14/1905)

Rev. F.M. Pratt was called to Yukon yesterday to conduct the obsequies of
W.A. Blotfelter, a prominent citizen of that town, who died Thursday.

(01/17/1905)

SHE DIED AFTER A PARTY

Lawton, Okla., Jan. 16—Mrs. E.S. Warner, wife of the president of the
Citizens' bank of this place and president of the Iowa Land and Trust
company of Muskogee, I.T., was found dead in bed at her home early Sunday
morning.  Death was caused by heart failure.  She was a member of the
Priscilla club, which gave a party Saturday evening, and when the
entertainment broke up she left in apparently perfect health.  Her husband
was away from home and her little son slept with her.  Twice he attempted
to arouse her, but being unable, he went for assistance.  The family came
here from Davenport, Ia.

(01/19/1905)

Mrs. J.I. Peabody desires to thank her friends for the kindness shown
during the illness and death of her mother, Mrs. J.H. Eaither.

(01/19/1905)

Obsequies Today.

Ad Olson, aged 23, a painter and decorator, died at the Good Samaritan
hospital on Monday and the funeral will occur today conducted under the
auspices of the Painters' union.  All union friends are requested to meet
at Labor hall at 1 o'clock this afternoon.  The decedent came to Oklahoma
City from Chicago.

(01/21/1905)

BRATCHER AND SOPHER HELD FOR MURDER

Justice Zwick Decides That the Testimony Warrants Their Being Held on
Charge of Assassinating W.A. Agee—Prisoners Visibly Agitated When Decision
Is Announced—Son of Murdered Man Believes They are Both Guilty.

[photo of Bratcher, wife and 2 children] [photo of Agee]

W.J. AGEE, SON OF THE MURDERED MAN, THINKS BRATCHER AND SOPHER ARE GUILTY.

Farm.  This was on Friday before Thanksgiving.

Enoch Capshaw, who was jailer at Oklahoma City at that time, was placed on
the stand.  He said, in detailing his conversation with Sopher, Sopher
stated that on the morning before Thanksgiving they packed up the goods
and Bratcher billed the goods out.  They then came to Oklahoma City on
horseback.  Sopher stated that the goods were shipped to La Follette,
Tenn., Amarillo, Tex., and some to Muskogee.  Stated that they went south
from Oklahoma City.  At Paoli, the mare died and they traded the saddle
for another horse and went on to Wynnewood.  Sold the outfit for $45 and
took the train for Ft. Worth.  From there they went to El Paso and San
Martine.  Sopher said he had no money except two or three dollars, and
that Bratcher paid his way out there.  He spoke of the carpenter tools
sold by Bratcher, but said he knew nothing of it, as he was told that they
were Bratcher's.  Said also regarding Mr. Agee's knife that Bratcher told
him it was left on the mantle by Mr. Agee, and he took it.  Capshaw state
that he got the knife and also a pocketbook while they were in the Pecos
City jail.  Capshaw said the sheriff told him he had secured the knife.
Sopher did not seem to know anything about the pocketbook.  Sopher said
Bratcher told him that Agee was in Muskogee.  Said that after breakfast on
the morning of Agee's disappearance he went out to the cotton patch, and
between 10 and 11 o'clock Bratcher came out and said that Agee had gone to
Muskogee.  Capshaw asked him if he did not think this rather funny, the
sudden going away of Agee.  "No, sir," said Sopher, "Bratcher and Agee
were kin folks and such good friends that no suspicion ever entered my
head.  Sopher claimed to have nothing to do with the blanket or tools, and
said that Bratcher admitted to having secured the tools.  They then
shipped a couple of satchels or telescopes full of clothes away.  These
have never been recovered.

Capshaw then spoke of Bratcher.  Said he corroborated Sopher's story about
starting away; told the story in such a manner as would lead one to
believe he was telling the truth, but when he asked him when he had last
seen Agee his eyes fell and he became confused and excited and his entire
demeanor changed.  Bratcher said that Agee had gone to Muskogee; when
asked why he had thrown away the pocketbook and knife he became nervous
and he did not push the question.  Said that Agee left the knife on the
mantle.  Said he bought the tools from his uncle.  He said:  "If that is
what they have us arrested for I can beat that, because we were always
good friends; in fact, the best of friends."  Said that he and Agee bought
that horse in partnership; that Agee could not pay his share, so he paid
it for him and took the horse.  Said he sold it at Wynnewood.  He stated
again that on Friday morning before Thanksgiving he started to Jones City
to take a train for Muskogee.  Regarding his possession of the old man's
pocketbook he said that he had swapped his to Agee for it.  That he
shipped his uncle's goods to Muskogee by his orders and sent his wife's
goods to her in Tennessee, and some of the goods to Amarillo, Tex.  Did
not state why he sent goods to Amarillo.

At Pecos jail Sopher stated that Bratcher had given him $35, just to show
him that he was not broke.  Said it was Bratcher's money.  He said to
Capshaw that he had not done anything and was not afraid to come back.
That Bratcher had sold the gun to a dealer in Fort Worth.  Said he had two
revolvers, one a 33 Colt, blue barrel, and a 41 white metal.  Bratcher
admitted to owning both guns.  Sopher said it had been his intention to
leave for sometime.  Said he had no reason for changing his name, only
Bratcher asked him to.  Said they took the names of Jones and Colter.
First intimation he had of anything wrong was when Bratcher asked him to
destroy the scarf he found in his overcoat pocket.  He asked that in the
Pecos jail.  Said he refused to do so.  Told Capshaw the only reason he
could figure out for their arrest was that old man Agee might be missing.

Mike O'Brien, sheriff at that time, and who went with Capshaw to Pecos
after Bratcher and Sopher, testified in such a manner as to corroborate
the testimony of Capshaw.

The argument in the case were begun at 2:30 and Judge Hays' presentation
for the prosecution was a masterly effort.  Mr. Giddings' argument for the
defense was also very able, but his case was manifestly weak.  During the
trial he lead his experienced opponent into several legal pitfalls, but
was unable to secure the release of either of the prisoners at bar.

In concluding Mr. Giddings presented two motions:  First, that the court
eliminate the acts and declarations of each defendant to himself,
particularly those acts and declarations subsequent to the commission of
the offense alleged.  Second, that the defendants be discharged because
the testimony was insufficient to warrant their being held.  In the latter
argument, which was purely from a legal standpoint, the attorney merely
contended for the discharge of the defendant Sopher.

Both motions were promptly overruled by Justice Zwick and the prisoners
committed to the sheriff's keeping without bail.

HISTORY OF THE CRIME.

Story of How the Murder Was Discovered From a Dog Being Found Gnawing at a
Skull in the Farm Yard, Which Led to a Search and Finding of Agee's
Headless Body in a Shallow Grave.

On the morning of Saturday, December 17, 1904, on the Albert M. Engle
farm, located about two and one-half miles north of Jones City, Okla., a
renter named Fred Chadd found the skull of a man in his front dooryard
where a dog had been gnawing at it.

He at once went to Jones City and by telephone communicated the story of
his gruesome find to Coroner J.H. Messenbaugh at Oklahoma City.  Chadd
then went back to his home and upon making a further search about the
place found, about fifty yards from his front yard, where the man had been
buried—clothes, shoes and all.  Chadd sent for some men and dug up the
body, which was identified as that of W.A. Agee, an old soldier, aged 60
years, who previously lived on the Engle farm with his nephew James H.
Bratcher.

About a month previous Bratcher gave out that Agee had gone to the Creek
country, and two weeks before the discovery of the body, Bratcher and a
farm hand, Walter Stopher, went away on horseback, saying they were going
to the Creek country also.  Bratcher's wife and children had gone to
LaFollett, Tenn., from which place the Bratchers and Agee came to
Oklahoma, about one year ago.  Agee always had considerable money on him
and had drawn $72 pension on the day he disappeared.

The day following the discovery Coroner Messenbaugh and members of the
sheriff' force went to the Engle farm and held an inquest over the body,
which was identified as that of Agee, and rendered a verdict that Agee had
been murdered by a person or persons then to the jury unknown.

It was found upon examination that Agee had been shot in the back and that
he died from the wounds.  The weapon used was ascertained to have been a
shotgun, fired at such close range that the victim's clothing was powder
burned.

Appearances led to the belief that the body had been dragged from the
house out into the yard and a shallow grave dug, and the latter not being
of sufficient size the assassin beheaded the corpse of his victim and in
haste caused by fear of discovery shoveled a small amount of dirt over the
remains and left the grave in such a condition that it was an easy matter
for dogs to unearth the body, as was eventually demonstrated.

The case was taken up by Sheriff Mike O'Brien, who learned that Agee had
been residing on the Engle farm with a nephew named James Bratcher; that
Bratcher had sold out his belongings some days prior to the discovery of
Agee and left the country with a farm hand named Walter Sopher.

Bratcher and Sopher had left the impression that they were going to the
Creek country.  It was found that one night they drove to Luther, eight
miles away, and shipped some trunks and boxes, part of the shipment going
to Mrs. Bratcher, who was then and had been for several months at
LaFollette, Tenn., and a box going to Amarillo, Tex.

Clews secured by Sheriff O'Brien indicated that the men had gone to Texas.
He tracked them first to Oklahoma City, then to Purcell, to Fort Worth,
next to El Paso, then to Pecos and finally located the two men in railroad
employ at Kent, Tex., where he caused their arrest by the sheriff at
Pecos.

It was thus that within ten days after the discovery of the crime that the
two men who are accused of his commission were locked up in the county
jail at Oklahoma City and such a perfect web of circumstantial evidence
has been woven around them as to cause them, as a result of the
preliminary examination concluded yesterday, to be held without bail to
await the action of the next grand jury.

(01/25/1905)

Mr. and Mrs. Seaman of 29 East Second street lost their second twin baby
yesterday morning at 4 o'clock.  Was only sick three days.

(01/27/1905)

WALTER H. SCOTT DIED YESTERDAY

THE OBSEQUIES ARE DEFERRED AWAITING ADVICE FROM HIS BROTHER AND WIFE.

Walter H. Scott, proprietor of the Orient bar, at 109 West Grand avenue,
died of pneumonia yesterday afternoon at the Majestic rooming house on
South Broadway.  The remains were removed to Street & Harper's undertaking
rooms last evening and arrangements for the obsequies will be perfected
today.

The deceased was the central figure in a remarkable legal contest which
occurred last spring, the details of which were printed in these columns
at the time.  Scott had separated from his wife, who resided at some point
in Iowa.  He became ill and, it was alleged, got into the power of
unscrupulous persons who designed securing control of his money and
property.  By legal process his release was secured and he was brought to
this city from El Reno and placed in a hospital until his mental faculties
and health became normal.

He was stricken with pneumonia several days ago and the fatal ending came
yesterday.

Advice of his death has been communicated to his wife and his brother.

Arrangements for the funeral will be delayed until they are heard from.

(01/27/1905)

IN MEMORIAM.

The following resolutions were adopted at a regular meeting of Local Union
807 of the International Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and
Paperhangers of America on the death of our brother, Adolph Olsen:

"Whereas, it has pleased the Almighty Ruler of the Universe to take from
our midst on Jan. 16, 1895, our worthy brother Adolph Olsen.

"Therefore, be it resolved, that as a union we bow in meek submission to
an Alwise Ruler; be it further resolved, that we tender to his bereaved
relatives our sympathy I this affliction in the loss of one who was a
devoted brother and an upright man.  Be it further resolved that we drape
our charter for a period of thirty days, as a token of respect; and be it
further resolved that a copy of these resolutions be sent to his relatives
and a copy be sent to our journal for publication, also that they be
published in the daily papers, and a page be set aside for the resolution
to be spread on our minute book.

"Committee, R.H. Spayd, Chairman; E.E. Muller, C.H. Gordon."

The officers and members of Local Union 807 I.B.P.D. and P.H. of A. wish
to thank those who so kindly assisted us in our hour of need.

Signed, W.R. Walter, Pres.  C.H. Gordon, Sec.

(01/28/1905)

W.H. SCOTT LEFT A $6,000 ESTATE

THIS, AFTER CANCELLING SMALL INDEBTEDNESS, WILL GO TO THE DECEDENT'S
WIDOW.

The wife and brother of W.H. Scott, who died of pneumonia in this city
Thursday, are expected to reach here this morning and will arrange for
disposition of the remains.

Scott leaves an estate valued at about $6,000 and it is said that his
liabilities will not exceed $1,500.  When the latter is extinguished the
residuum will go to the widow.

The afternoon of Scott's death it is said that he became delirious and
jumping up from his bed, paced the room two or three times and then fell
to the floor, lifeless.

(01/28/1905)

A.V. Wright, a farmer who resided eighteen miles northeast of this city,
died of pneumonia Thursday night.  The obsequies will occur today.

(01/28/1905)

Mrs. Amanda J. Bryan of Granite is heir to $24,000, bequeathed her by her
brother, Judge John Tice, who died recently at his home in Illinois.

(01/29/1905)

COLLECTOR KIRBY DEAD

An Accidental Shooting at Chickasha Proved Fatal.

Chickasha, I.T., Jan. 28.—H.T. Kirby, the Indian tax collector who was
accidentally shot at the Early hotel in this city Wednesday morning, died
last night about 9 o'clock.  The body was shipped to Ardmore this morning
for burial.  Mrs. Kirby and other relatives were with him here and took
charge of the remains.

Ardmore, I.T., Jan. 28.—The remains of H.T. Kirby, collector of Indian
tax, who died at Chickasha from an accidental shot, was brought here today
for interment tomorrow.  Deceased was 30 years old.

(02/01/1905)

D.K. Cunningham of Kingfisher was a visitor in the city yesterday, looking
up the present status of the J.W. Ponder will case.  The probate court
recently rendered a decision in favor of D.K. Cunningham and J.F. Klingman
and against D.E. Grout.  The latter is figuring on appealing the case.
His attorney is W.F. Harn.  J.W. Ponder died in this city about a year ago
and at the time of his death was the owner of several valuable rental
properties in Dublin, Ireland.

(02/01/1905)

WAS IT SUICIDE?

GROCERY DEALER FOUND WITH HIS HEAD BLOWN OFF.

HIS WIFE HEARD THE REPORT

And Sent Son-in-Law to See What the Matter Was—Shot Gun Was Lying Under
Dead Man's Body.

A grocery store located at 117 South Harvey street was the scene of an
awful tragedy morning, as a result of which all that was mortal of J.W.
Dodgen now lies inanimate in the morgue at Street & Harper's furniture
establishment.

Whether his death was a case of self-destruction or murder has not been
thoroughly established, but at this time it is the belief of County
Attorney Hays and Coroner Messenbaugh, after visiting  the scene of the
tragedy and ascertaining meager evidence in the case, that Dodgen took his
own life.

The weapon used was a .16-bore shotgun, charged with No. 6 shot.  The
decedent was found in the rear part of the store, lying on his back with
the gun crosswise under him.  One barrel was discharged and the hammer of
the other barrel, which contained a charge, was cocked.

From the facts obtainable it appears that Mr. Dodgen got up at about 5:30
or 5:45 yesterday morning and went down into the store to start a fire and
open the establishment for the day's business.  His last words to Mrs.
Dodgen were:  "Cover up the baby."  The lady did as requested and then
dropped off to sleep.  She then was awakened by an unusual noise from
below and called upon her brother, James Scott, to go down and see what
was the matter.  Not having heard the noise Scott at first protested, but
Mrs. Dodgen insisted, and he went below and was confronted by the terrible
spectacle of Dodgen lying on the floor in a pool of gore, the top of his
head having been shot off and the ceiling of the room bespattered with his
blood and brains.

Dan Wright, who chanced to be passing the store at that time, was informed
of what had happened and at once notified the police, who in turn notified
Coroner Messenbaugh.

Meanwhile Scott returned to Mrs. Dodgen and told her  that "Dodgen has
killed himself."  The lady was frantic upon receiving the intelligence and
remained prostrated throughout the day.  He condition was such that an
interview was impossible and even the coroner did not attempt to converse
with her.

The decedent was a man between fifty and sixty years of age and leaves a
family of seven children.  His widow was his second wife.  It is said that
he had suffered business reverses recently which fact preyed upon his mind
considerably.  He was also under bond awaiting trial upon the charge of
making a deadly assault upon James McMechan in a political quarrel at the
time of the recent election.  He was a thirty-second degree Mason, and Odd
Fellow, a member of the Modern Woodmen and one or two other fraternal
organizations.

Mr. Dodgen came to Oklahoma City from Brownwood, Tex., where he has
relatives.  The latter were notified of the tragedy and some of them are
expected to reach here today.

When seen by an Oklahoman reporter yesterday, Coroner Messenbaugh said:
"It has not been definitely determined as to whether an inquest will be
held, nor is it positively known that the man committed suicide.  There
may be some developments that will throw more light on the case within a
few hours."

James Scott, who first discovered the dead man, said of the affair:

"Last night I slept with Dodgen, and noticed nothing unusual the matter
with him, and this morning he got up as usual to build the fire in the
stove and open up, but I lay there and went to sleep.  Pretty soon Mrs.
Dodgen came to me and said:  'Jim, what's that noise in the store?' and I
told her it was just Dodgen working in the store.  Then she said, 'No, it
isn't' I heard a shot down stairs and I want you to see what it is.'  I
went down and opened the door and found Mr. Dodgen lying face downward on
the floor, with the whole back of his head blown off and his brains lying
on the floor.  By his side was his shotgun, with one barrel discharged and
the other loaded and cocked ready for firing.  We supposed that this was
suicide, although there was one thing strange.  Our back door was supposed
to be locked always, and Mr. Dodgen was found within two feet of this
door, which was partly open."

(02/01/1905)

KILLED HIS WIFE DURING DISPUTE

NEGRO HOTEL PROPRIETOR AT VINITA IS NOW BEING HUNTED WITH BLOODHOUNDS.

Vinita, I.T., Jan. 31.—This town was startled at an early hour this
morning by the news that Charles Williams, a colored man, who runs Hotel
Roosevelt, had attacked his wife with a gun and had killed her.  They had
a dispute and Williams drew a gun and shot her twice and she fell and he
then shot her two times more after she fell and she died instantly.
Williams fled from the building and made his escape.  The officers were at
once notified and the bloodhounds called and the officers and the people
are scouring the country after him and it is believed that he will be
unable to make good his escape.  Trains are being watched everywhere and
should the citizens make the capture before the officers arrive it is
likely that they will string him up to a telegraph pole somewhere.
Williams had been running the Hotel Roosevelt for some time and is known
as an all-round bad man.  His wife was formerly Sallie Derricks and has
lived in Wichita all her life.

(02/01/1905)

Died of Heart Failure.

Ardmore, I.T., Feb. 1.—Hardy Solomon, a well known citizen, died suddenly
this afternoon of heart failure.

(02/03/1905)

Was Not an Odd Fellow.

J.W. Dodgen, whose tragic death in his business place at 117 South Hudson
street on Tuesday, has been chronicled in these columns, was not an Odd
Fellow, as has been stated.

Verdict of Coroner's Jury.

The coroner's inquest in the case of J.W. Dodgen, the Hudson street
groceryman who was found dead in his place of business Tuesday morning,
developed no new facts of importance and resulted in a verdict to the
effect that decedent came upon his death from a gunshot wound inflicted in
a manner unknown to the jury.  The verdict leaves the tragedy veiled in
mystery to a degree, but the coroner and county attorney believe that
Dodgen's death was a case of self destruction.

(02/03/1905)

FOUNDED PUBLIC LIBRARY

A. Alexander, Who Died in St. Louis, Was an Old Citizen.

St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 2.—The funeral of Augustus Alexander, aged 72, was
held today.  The remains were cremated in Missouri crematory.  Deceased
was one of the founders of the St. Louis Public library, and practiced as
a lawyer until about 1880, when his career was cut short by an attack of
paresisis, which made him a cripple for life.  He is survived by the wife
and three children, Cook Alexander and Karl Alexander of Oklahoma City,
and Mrs. Rufus A. Leads of St. Louis.

(02/04/1905)

A little son of W.H. Leech, agent of the Rock Island at Ferguson, died
Wednesday the result of a peculiar accident.  He was playing in a salt bin
at the salt works there and in some way was drawn under and was covered
with salt resulting in his death from smothering.  P.J. McCoy, agent at
Harral, was sent to Ferguson to relieve Agent Leech, who took the remains
to Alva for interment.

(02/10/1905)

DIED IN A HOTEL

BODY OF MAN WHO REGISTERED AS P.C. DEVEER FOUND AT THE STEWART.

HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED

Took Overdose of Morphine, But Whether Accidental or for Self-Destruction
Will Never Be Known.

A mysterious stranger was found dead in his room at Hotel Stewart, on
Broadway, yesterday morning.  Coroner Messenbaugh was notified and, after
securing all information relative to the man's death obtainable at the
time, had the remains taken to the Robinson undertaking rooms.

The decedent came to the hotel on Tuesday morning and registered as P.C.
Deveer, but, as seems to be the prevailing custom at several local
hostelries, neglected to give his address.

He was found dead in his room yesterday morning and near him was a small
paper box labeled "morphine" indicated the cause of his passing.

The fact that among his affects was found a prescription, for rheumatism
and the further fact that he walked with a cane indicate that he was
afflicted with that painful disease and it may be that in seeking
temporary surcease of physical pain he took too great a quantity of the
drug and unintentionally destroyed his own life.

Other circumstances lead to the theory of suicide.  While he registered as
Deveer and gave no address, his linen and gloves bore the initials
"J.A.J."  There were no letters or papers found upon his person to aid in
his identification.  He had a watch chain, but no watch.  This, coupled
with the fact that he had no money, would indicate that he had pawned his
watch and valuables, spent all the money secured from same and went to a
room in the hotel to end life's troubled dream.  No pawn ticket was found
on his person, but he may have destroyed same.

The decedent was a large man, well dressed and appearing to be of gentle
birth, was clean shaved, of light complexion, aged perhaps 45 or 50 and
did not appear to have been given to dissipation.

Some of his clothing bear a trade mark indicating that they were secured
at Shreveport, La.  A scrap of paper found on his person bore the
following words:  "Ben B. Colley, Kennefic Commission company, Henrietta,
I.T."

Coroner Messenbaugh said last night:  "I have been able to secure only
very meager information concerning the decedent.  He is apparently not
known here.  We will hold his remains at the morgue for several days and
will exert every possible effort to locate his relatives or friends.  As
yet I do not feel that he has been identified."

(02/11/1905)

Obituary.

Alma R. Rueb, the 5-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Rueb, died
yesterday of diphtheria.

(02/11/1905)

S.P. Richardson, of Hennessey, who has been for some months past
interested in the Commercial National bank in this city, died at 5:30
o'clock last evening at the Home, a private hotel at 710 West Main street
after an illness of several weeks.  The remains will be shipped today to
Hennessey, where the obsequies will occur Monday.

(02/11/1905)

Tulsa Capitalist Dead.

Tulsa, I.T., Feb. 10.—Luther Appleby, aged 55, the wealthiest citizen of
Tulsa, died yesterday of heart failure.  He was interested in the First
National bank, of which Clifton George, a former Oklahoma City citizen, is
president, and was closely identified with nearly every public enterprise
in Tulsa.  He was a large cattle raiser, having at this time more than
4,000 head of fine cattle pastured at Hominey, Okla., in the Osage nation.
He was buried this afternoon at his former home on the ranch near Hominey.
He has been a resident of Tulsa for 33 years.

(02/11/1905)

Mike Barber, 3 years old, and recently adopted by Joe Barber, died
Thursday of pneumonia.  Mike came to Oklahoma City from New Orleans and
was the sweetest monkey that ever came to the territory.

(02/12/1905)

J.P. Clark, contractor and builder, died last night of bronchitis at his
home on West First street.  He leaves a widow and four children.

(02/12/1905)

Died Aged 110 Years.

Vinita, I.T., Feb. 11.—Jemima Poorbear, colored, is dead at her home in
Fort Gibson, I.T.  She was 110 years old and has lived in three centuries.
She came from Tennessee to Indian Territory with the Cherokees and has
lived around Fort Gibson for many years.

(02/12/1905)

Died at Holdenville.

Holdenville, Feb. 11.—S.D. Hummer, a prominent citizen of this city, died
suddenly of heart failure at 6 o'clock this afternoon.  He came to this
city from Kansas City, where he was a well known man.  He was the
proprietor of the California Exchange here, and also conducted a business
at Roff.  He was at one time connected with the Pioneer Telephone company,
of which his step-son, E.D. Nims, is president.

(02/14/1905)

The Death of Little Paul.

Little Paul, infant son of Graham Albright,  No. 123 Noble street, died
last night at 7 o'clock.  The funeral will take place this afternoon at 2
o'clock from the family residence.  Rev. J.W. Given, pastor of the
Washington Avenue Baptist church will conduct the services.  All friends
and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend.

(02/15/1905)

WAS SHOT DOWN

Prominent Enid Man Killed After Re-Decoy Message.

Enid, Okla., Feb. 14.—Robert O. Beeres, deputy sheriff, ex-policeman and
ex-volunteer in the United States army, was shot down Sunday night in the
hallway of the Anheuser-Busch building in this city, by Jacob Erickson, a
telephone lineman.

Beers was a candidate for the office of city marshal, and just before 6
o'clock a telephone message purporting to come from the office of the city
attorney, asked him to meet that official at his office at once.  He went
to the office, found it locked and was turning away, when he was
confronted by J.W. Walton and Jacob Erickson, both employes of the
telephone company.

Angry words were followed by Beers drawing his gun and Erickson shooting
him in the head before he had a chance to shoot.

Beers died early this morning.  He was 28 years old and had an honorable
record as a soldier in the volunteer army in the Philippines, where he won
distinction by killing Aguinaldo's chief of staff, as a sharpshooter.  He
leaves a widow.  The body will be buried at El Reno.  The cause of the
killing is reported to be the improper relations existing between a woman
and Beers.  Walton and Erickson are both in jail awaiting a hearing.

(02/17/1905)

The funeral of Mr. Robert Shannon, the Western Union operator who died on
Wednesday at 705 E. Fifth street will occur at the home at 3 o'clock this
afternoon, after which the remains will be shipped to Fort Smith for
interment.

(02/18/1905)

His Family Impoverished.

T.S. Robison, undertaker, is in receipt of a communication from a
gentleman at Fort Smith stating that J.A. Jones, the Stewart hotel
suicide, leaves a widow and family in a Colorado town that are now in
straitened circumstances after having once lived in comparatively easy
circumstances.  The communication comes from a relative of the decedent
and furnishes the most plausible clew as to the cause of Jones destroying
his own life.

(02/21/1905)

On last Thursday Mrs. W.J. Low living at Blackburn, took carbolic acid
with suicidal intent and died shortly.  She had moved to Blackburn from
the Osage nation to send the children to school.  There seems to be no
known cause for the rash act.  She leaves a husband and four children.

(02/21/1905)

Obituary.

Elmer Teams, aged 11, son of J.W. Teams of 421 West Eight street died
suddenly at 8 o'clock Sunday morning after an illness of a day, being
afflicted with diabetes.

(02/23/1905)

Dollie Stover, a negress was to have been tried February 28.  She died of
consumption recently while in jail.

(02/23/1905)

FATAL INJURIES

EDWARD HUSSEY KILLED IN ACCIDENT AT NEW COURT HOUSE YESTERDAY.

WAS STRUCK BY A DERRICK

Died at the Protestant Hospital—Remains Will Be Taken to Indianapolis for
Interment.

Edward Hussy, a stone setter employed by the Gross Construction company,
died last evening from an injury received while at work on the new court
house building at four o'clock yesterday afternoon.  He was at work with a
derrick and had hooked a big stone, when the derrick tipped and struck him
a terrific blow on the back of his head.  He was rendered unconscious.

An ambulance was summoned and the stricken man removed to the Protestant
hospital on West Main street, where he died at 6:30 without having
regained consciousness.

The decedent was about fifty years of age and with his wife has been
living at The Tavern on West Main street.

Mrs. Hussy has a daughter at Indianapolis, Ind. and will have the remains
of her husband shipped to the Indiana city for interment.  - formed of the
accident and later of the death of her husband.

(02/25/1905)

Anton Cerras, an Italian living at Coalgate, committed suicide last Friday
by shooting himself with a shotgun.

(02/25/1905)

Hugo Reavy, aged 75, died at McLoud Tuesday.  His remains were brought to
this city and interred at Fairlawn cemetery yesterday.

(02/26/1905)

Mr. Stephen Levagood died of erysipelas last night at 7:30 o'clock at his
residence, No. 15 West Fifth street.  The funeral will be held from the
residence at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

(02/26/1905)

CLIFFORD SHANNON'S NARROW ESCAPE

Was Followed to His Rooming House by Abe Couch But When Questioned Denied
His Identity—It is Believed Couch Intended to Kill Him—An Inquest
Tomorrow.

The terrible triple tragedy which occurred Friday night in the little
cottage at 116 West California avenue, involving the murder of Della
Johnson and Maud Patterson and suicide of Abe Couch, was the principal
topic of conversation about town yesterday, and throughout the day a
morbidly curious crowd of people was congregated in front of the place
where the awful tragedy transpired, while the morgues were visited by
hundreds of people who desired to gaze upon the bodies of the principles
in the frightful occurrence of the previous night.

Both city and county authorities began an early investigation in the case
and information of sufficient gravity was developed to warrant the holding
of a court of inquiry, and County Attorney Hays yesterday afternoon
announced that an investigation would occur Monday afternoon at his
office.

This decision was probably reached as a result of a question being raised
as to whether Abe Couch died by his own hand.  Several persons, some of
them members of the police department, are of the opinion that Couch was
shot in the back of the head by some one who at the time of the shooting
stood at some distance back of him.  This opinion is based upon the fact
that Couch's forehead was not powder burned, as was the face of Della
Johnson, the woman he murdered.  Most persons having any knowledge of the
matter are, however, of the opinion that Couch destroyed his own life
after shooting Della Johnson and Maud Patterson.  These claim that there
is a distinct outline of the bullet's entrance into Couch's forehead and
that there is a distinct trace of powder burned flesh about the wound.  In
this connection the theory is that Couch pressed the pistol barrel
directly against his forehead and fired the last fatal shot.

The Post Mortem.

Drs. Todd and West yesterday conducted the post mortem examination of the
remains of the three dead people, Abe Couch, Della Johnson and Maud
Patterson.  In the case of Couch it was determined that Couch shot
himself, the bullet entering his forehead and passed out of the occipital
proturbance at the back of the head.  There were several indications, that
the pistol was in contact with the forehead when the pistol was
discharged.  The skull was terribly crushed and pieces of bone were found
imbedded in the brain. [there is much more to this article]

No Funeral Arrangements.

No arrangements have been made as to disposition of the bodies of the
three dead people.  A number of Policeman Couch's relatives from a
distance are expected to arrive today.  The daughter of Mrs. Johnson has
been notified of her mother's death and will probably come to Oklahoma
City at once.

Maud Patterson's divorced husband resides at El Paso, Texas.  It has been
learned that she has for some time been conducting a house of ill fame at
Ardmore and was here on a visit.  She leaves a baby about two years old.
She died at 4 o'clock yesterday morning.  Prior to passing into eternity
she sent for Rev. Harper, and at her request the pastor conducted prayer
at the bedside.  Several years ago the woman was a resident of  Oklahoma
City  and regularly attended Rev. Harper's church.

(02/26/1905)

Drank Wood Alcohol.

Ardmore, I.T., Feb. 25.—John Scarbrough, a farmer of Madill, drank wood
alcohol through mistake and died the day following.

(02/28/1905)

Mr. Elliott's Death.

Henry Elliott, died Sunday night of acute pneumonia at his home, 700 East
Washington street.  Mr. Elliott had long been a respected resident at
Edmond, but recently removed to Oklahoma City.  He had been suffering from
pneumonia for several days, but was supposed to be recovering when a
relapse occurred resulting in his death.  Funeral services will be held at
the residence at 1 o'clock this afternoon, conducted by Rev. S. B. Moore,
assisted by Rev. Wood of Edmond.

(02/28/1905)

NEGRO WHO KILLED WILLIAM MOORE ACCUSES HIM OF TERRIBLE CRIME.

INCEST WITH HUNTER'S SISTER

Hunter Says That Moore, When Accused, Attempted to Assault Him With a
Razor—Hunter Now in Jail.

Scott Hunter, the negro who on Friday last killed his stepfather near
Luther and disappeared, on Sunday revisited the scene of the tragedy and
was arrested by Deputy Sheriff Binion, brought to Oklahoma City and placed
in a cell at the county jail.  The negro, before returning to the scene of
the crime, threw away the rifle he had used.

Albert Couch, a citizen of Luther who was in the city yesterday, said he
heard Hunter's story of the shooting.  He says Hunter is a negro about 34
years of age and not very intelligent.  Hunter said his father died,
leaving three children, himself and two sisters, one of whom is now 18 and
the other 14.  William Moore married his mother.  Hunter alleges that
Moore became intimate with his elder sister and that latter bore a child
by him.  Hunger also alleges that Moore was becoming intimate with his
younger sister.  Friday evening Hunter was making inquiries of his sister
relative to this matter, when Moore, who was a very large man, jerked out
a razor and made at him, running him off the plae.  Hunter had a
Winchester repeating rifle, but it was not loaded.  He went to town and
got some cartridges.  He then returned home.  As he approached the house
Moore opened the door, holding razor in his hand.  Hunter raised his rifle
and, just as he fired, Moore closed the door, which was penetrated by the
rifle ball that killed him.

(02/28/1905)

CORONER'S JURY VOTES VERDICT OF SUICIDE

Evidence Went to Show That He Shot the Women and Then Himself—Some of the
Testimony

[photo of Abraham Couch]

Verdict of Suicide.

The coroner's investigation of the facts in connection with the death of
Abraham Couch, held before a jury in the office of County Attorney Hays
yesterday afternoon, resulted in a verdict to the effect that Couch died
by his own hand, and concluded the awful tragedy of Friday night by
suicide.

The investigation of the facts in connection with the death of Abraham
Couch, was conducted by Coroner J.F. Messenbaugh before a jury of six men
in the office of County Attorney Hays yesterday afternoon, commencing at 2
o'clock.

The jurors were John H. Rech, John A. Scott, Geo. C. Whitson, Jonathan
Pratt, J.W. Swanson, and W.J. Coffin.

County Attorney Hays acted as inquisitor.  Owing to the fact that
relatives of the decedent were attending the obsequies, none were present
at the inquest, but they were represented by Mr. I.C. Renfrow, of Sulphur
Springs, I.T., who was one of Abe Couch's closest friends in life.

The First Witness.

Mrs. Hazel Delaney, the first witness was called, testified that she was
in the house at 116 California avenue, on the night of Friday, February
24.  Others living in the house, she said, were Mrs. Ruth Mosher, Mrs.
Lina Holden, Maud Patterson and Mrs. Dell Johnson.  The latter was
proprietor.  Mr. and Mrs. Mosher were light housekeeping.  There are six
rooms in the house, four of which are bedrooms.  The witness, on
examination, described minutely the interior of the house.  Witness saw
Abe Couch at the house near supper time.  During the four months witness
was rooming there, Couch visited the house almost every night.  After
supper time witness did not again see Couch until he was dead.  Witness
said Shannon came to the house at about 11 o'clock that night.  Mrs.
Johnson asked if she could talk to him awhile in witness' room.  They went
into another room after talking a few minutes.  Witness said all the women
staying at the house were there.  Witness did not know if Mr. Mosher or
Mr. Holden were there that night.  Witness was in bed and dozing when the
shooting occurred.  She got up and went to Maud Patterson, who had been
shot and was lying on a bed in Mrs. Holden's room.  Mrs. Holden came into
the room a moment later  Mrs. Johnson's 13-year old boy was then in the
sitting room.  Witness went there and saw Abe Couch and Mrs. Johnson lying
dead on the floor.  It seemed some time before the policemen came.
Officer Barett was the only officer the witness knew.  Nothing in the
house had been previously moved or molested.  Witness during the day had
heard Mrs. Mosher say Mrs. Johnson was in Mrs. Holden's bedroom counting
some money.  $80 the witness believed.  Witness said $28 was found in Mrs.
Johnson's trunk.  Witness gave Attorney Johnson $20 and kept the balance
for the children's expenses.

Ruther Mosher's Evidence.

(03/03/1905)

J.W. Hocker and wife of Chandler passed through the city yesterday morning
on a very sad journey to Norman.  They were accompanying the remains of
Mrs. Hocker's mother, who died in Chandler Wednesday.  The funeral took
place in Norman yesterday afternoon.

(03/04/1905)

DIED TOGETHER

HONEYMOON ENDED AT TULSA BY KILLING AND SUICIDE.

EVIDENTLY AN AGREEMENT

Both Left Letters Disposing of Their Effects—Were Married in Kansas Last
Sunday—No Reason Was Assigned.

Tulsa, I.T., March 3.—After a honeymoon of less than a week, Will F. Neet
shot and killed his wife and then committed suicide this morning here at
an early hour.

The tragedy occurred just at the edge of the city where the bride and
groom had gone by agreement for the purpose of ending their lives.  Both
wrote letters to the relatives making disposal of their property and
bodies.  The letters were found in their clothes at the postmortem
examination.  The couple were married Sunday at Longton, Kansas, and
arrived in the city from their bridal tour Thursday morning.  They visited
at different places in the city and last night went to the hotel, where
they were stopping.  This morning about 6 o'clock they left the hotel and
were not seen again till their bodies were found in the country road.  The
letter left by Neet said he had seen enough of life to not care to live
longer.  He made a list of several small debts he owed and mentioned his
insurance and gave it all to his father.  The wife's letter simply said to
send her clothing to her father.  There was no evidence of a struggle.
All indications are that the tragedy was pre-arranged and both had agreed
to it.  The federal authorities, however, are making a further
investigation.  Neet has been in the city for more than a year.  He met
his wife here last fall.

(03/08/1905)

Death of Adam Shaffer.

At 6:30 p.m. yesterday Adam Shaffer died at his home on the corner of
Third and Harvey streets, after an illness of three weeks, with typhoid
fever.  The deceased had for the last five years been watchman at the
Choctaw depot.  He leaves a wife and four grown children.  His age was 56
years.  No arrangements have yet been made regarding the burial.

(03/09/1905)

The Shaffer Obsequies.

The obsequies of Mr. Adam Shaffer will occur at the family residence,
corner of Third and Harvey streets, at 2 o'clock this afternoon, after
which the remains will be inhumed at Fairlawn cemetery.  Friends of the
family are invited to attend the obsequies.

(03/10/1905)

Street & Harper yesterday, at the request of the relatives of the
decedent, exhumed the remains of E.E. Myers, who died here about two years
ago and whose body was interred in Fairlawn cemetery.  The exhumed remains
will today be shipped to Corning, Ia., for final interment.

(03/10/1905)

Death of Twin Babies.

At two o'clock yesterday afternoon ____ the obsequies of the twin daughter
and son of Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie A. Brown, at ?? West ??? street,
conducted by Rev. Thomas K. Harper, pastor of the Pilgrim Congregational
church, after which the remains were interred in Fairlawn cemetery.  The
infants were born last Christmas day.  Both expired Wednesday of
pneumonia.

A Prominent Negro Dies.

Willie A. Wade, a prominent colored Negro of Oklahoma City and the …..
died of pneumonia at 2 o'clock yesterday evening at his residence, ?? West
Washington street, after an illness of three weeks.  He was a leader

(03/12/1905)

A Death at Woodward.

Woodward, Okla., March 11.—Mrs. Edith Irene Moon, wife of James A. Moon,
died here yesterday and was buried today.  She had been ill but a short
time.  She was a most exemplary woman and had a host of friends.  She
leaves a husband and one child to mourn her demise.

(03/14/1905)

Mrs. Frank Love died March 12, at 9:20 p.m.  Funeral will be held at the
residence, 800 Pottawatomie, March 14 at 3 p.m.  All members and friends
of I.O.O.F. are invited to attend.  Geo. Hes, N.G.; O.M. Crismore, V.G.

(03/14/1905)

SUICIDE BY TWOS

NED MOORE, BARBER, BLEW OUT HIS BRAINS TO ESCAPE TROUBLES.

SICK WIFE TO BATTLE ALONE

Sam Cook Came Here From Durant to Die From Heavy Dose of Morphine—An
Affaire D'Amour.

A frightful suicide occurred at about 25 o'clock yesterday morning when
Ned L. Moore, a barber employed in the Period shop at 124 W. Grand avenue,
put a bullet through his brain from a 38-calibre Colt revolver.

Singular to relate the man lived for about two hours after the shot.

The tragedy occurred in one of the small rooms on the west side at the
rear of the building.

Employers in the place say that there was nothing unusual noted in Moore's
appearance when he reported for duty yesterday morning.  At about 9
o'clock he finished shaving a man at the second chair where he was
working, and walked out of the back door of the building.  He went to a
saloon on Robinson avenue and, after securing a drink of whisky, returned
to the barber shop and entered the small room above referred to.  A moment
later a pistol shot rang out and the employes and other persons in the
shop rushed back to find the suicide where he had fallen over upon a cot
that was located against the west wall.  The pistol was lying on the cot
near the decedent's hand.

The chief of police and coroner were at once notified and soon reached the
scene.  Coroner Messenbaugh examined the injury and found that the bullet
entered Moore's forehead over the left eye, coursing through the brain and
lodging under the scalp at the back of his head.

A young son of Moore shortly after the tragedy appeared at his father's
side and the grief of this fifteen year old boy was pitiable to behold.
He seemed dazed and in his speechless misery appealed mutely to those who
were powerless to assuage his grief.

Learning that the wife of the suicide was in a delicate condition, the
authorities did not deem it advisable to let her know of the cowardly
manner in which her husband had left her alone in the hour of need and to
fight the battle of life alone with her children after madonnaship.

Moore came to Oklahoma City from Kansas City about four years ago.  He was
46 years of age and leaves a wife and four children, the eldest of whom is
a daughter of seventeen.  The family resides at the corner of Seventh and
Harvey streets.

The body was removed to an undertaking establishment at about 11 o'clock
and funeral arrangements will be looked after by the local barbers union,
of which the decedent was a member.

A fellow workman in discussing Moore's rash act, said:  "The only reason
we can assign for this is that he was drinking a good deal of late and
complained of having much trouble.  He fell on the sleet covered pavement
during the severe winter weather and was laid off from work for some time
by a fractured elbow, but he received good wages and I cannot conceive of
any justification for this."

A.E. Nicholson, grand secretary of the Occidental Mutual Benefit
association was the man shaved by Moore.  Nichelson said:  "Moore had his
shoulder broken  some time ago and had been at work about a week.  He told
me that his arm hurt him a great deal.  I asked him how business was and
he replied that it was not very good.  After shaving me he looked for the
porter, who happened to be out, then he brushed my coat and I went out and
it was about fifteen/five minutes later when I heard of the shooting.

By the Morphine Route.

Dr. John F. Kuhn made an unsuccessful effort to frustrate an attempt at
suicide Sunday evening.  At about 9 o'clock while he was standing in
Warfield's pharmacy at the corner of Broadway and First street, a young
man staggered into the place, having somewhat the appearance of being
intoxicated.

He called for a pen tablet and then asked Dr. Kuhn to write a letter for
him.  The physician consented, and upon dictation, indited the address.

"G.H. Cook, Durant, I.T., Dear Sir—"

Dr. Kuhn then asked what communication he desired tomake.

"Just tell him, " said the fellow, "that I have tired of life and have
shuffled off this mortal coil, as I have just taken a dime's worth of
morphine."

Upon learning this fact, Dr. Kuhn engaged the young man in conversation
and aside instructed the drug clerk to prepare a hypodermic injection of
morphine to be used as an emetic.

Dr. Kuhn then said to the young man, who said his name was Sam Cook:  "You
didn't take the morphine right, let me give you some this way and they
will not be able to get it out of you.

With this he applied the hypodermic syringe to Cook's arm and in about one
minute the man remarked that he was becoming awfully sick, and he head
scarcely time to reach the street before he verified the rumor of
seasickness.

Policemen Burnett and Lucas appeared at this time and summoning a cab took
Cook to the police station.

Dr. Witten, city physician, was summoned and a stomach pump was used by
him with little effect.

An examination of the man showed that the pupils of his eyes were
contracted to the size of a pinhead and although every effort was made to
revive him, he could be only partially restored to consciousness and at
midnight dropped into a sleep that ended in death at 6:30 o'clock
yesterday morning.

Among his effects was found a very affectionate letter from a married
woman at Durant, Mrs. Aiken, who stated that she would soon secure a
divorce and urged him to keep his promise to her.

To Dr. Kuhn the decedent said his mother, Mrs. Rebekah T. Cook, resided
at214 West Eighteenth St., Joplin, Mo.  He said his father had left her
and going to the Indian Territory married an Indian squaw and was counted
among the well to do farmers at Durant, I.T.

A number of persons who are here attending the Woodmen's convention
yesterday identified the dead man at Robinson's morgue, where the body was
taken.

Cook's father reached this city last night and will today arrange for
disposition of the remains.

Young Cook, before his death, said he came to Oklahoma City on Sunday
evening.

(03/16/1905)

Accidentally Killed.

Arapaho, Okla., March 15.—Grave Anderson, son of Bud Anderson, a prominent
farmer living 10 miles northwest from here, accidentally shot himself with
a shot gun yesterday.  He died almost instantly.  Deceased was about 17
years of age.

(03/18/1905)

With a Dull Knife.

Reports coming to this city yesterday from Edmond are to the effect that
Hugh Montgomery, who attempted suicide Thursday by jabbing himself in the
neck with a dull pocket knife, is not dead, though but little hope of his
recovery is entertained.  He had been sick for several days and was in bed
when he committed the rash act.  Except the above no explanation as to the
cause of the deed has been offered.

(03/19/1905)

Funeral Services.

The funeral of Miss Mattie Low Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Smith,
210 West Fifth street, will be held at 2 o'clock this afternoon from the
Southern Methodist church on Third street.  Services will be conducted by
Rev. W.K. Piner.  Friends are invited.

(03/19/1905)

An elderly man by the name of Lee, residing in the southern part of the
city, and who had domestic troubles recently, is reported to have
attempted suicide by the morphine route Friday night.

(03/19/1905)

Died of Hemorrhage.

Muskogee, I.T., March 18.—T.F. Sellers, a prominent merchant of Madill,
I.T., is dead.  He was found lying on the floor in his room suffering from
a hemorrhage, and died before medical aid could be summoned.  He was about
40 years old and unmarried.

(03/19/1905)

Wealthy Man Dead.

Pauls Valley, I.T., March 18—C.J. Grout, president of the First National
bank, and one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens of the
Indian Territory, died here at his residence late last night after a
prolonged illness of about two years, having undergone treatment in St.
Louis, Kansas City, Hot Springs, Mineral Wells and other places without
any results.  His estate is estimated at $300,000.  He also carried
$40,000 life insurance.  There are four children left to mourn his loss.

Mayor Mayhew Dead.

Ardmore, I.T., March 18—Major A. B. Mayhew, aged 60 years, a veteran of
the Civil war and widely known in the Southwest dropped dead here today.

(03/21/1905)

Funeral of Miss Smith.

The funeral of Miss Mattie Lou Smith, daughter of J.P. Smith, conducted at
the M.E. church, South, by the pastor, Rev. W.K. Piner, Sunday afternoon,
was beautiful and impressive.  The touching words of the pastor, bearing
on a beautiful and sweet life that had gone out of this world and the
happy home circle, were indeed a consolation to the grief stricken family.
Miss Smith had for some time been a member of the church, and her earnest
efforts for the good of the cause had endeared her to every one who knew
her.  The church building was crowded to its full capacity with sorrowing
friends.  The floral signs were many and beautiful.  A quartet from the
Apollo club composed of Messrs. J.C. Crawford, J.E. Springer, C.W.
Bosworth, and J.E. Eaton sang three beautiful numbers, "Jesus, Savior,
Pilot Me," "Nearer to Thee," and "I Know My Redeemer Lives."  The above
gentlemen with Messrs. George Cook and James Mason acted as pall bearers.

(03/21/1905)

Alta Bowers, aged 18, died at her home, 708 N. Broadway, of tuberculosis,
Sunday night.

The remains of Mrs. A.C. Brown were interred Sunday at Moore, Okla.

(03/21/1905)

DIED OF WOUND

MILFEN KINDRED STRUCK ON THE HEAD WITH WHIP BY CLYDE RATLIFF.

CORONER'S INQUEST HELD

Jury Failed to Make Any Recommendation in the Case—Blood Clot Was the
Direct Cause of Death.

Milfen Kindred, who received a blow with the butt end of a horse whip in
the hands of Clyde Ratliff a week ago yesterday, while the two were
engaged in the altercation died at 2 o'clock yesterday morning, after
lingering for a week in a semi-conscious condition, the direct cause  of
his death being due, according to Coroner Messenbaugh, and other attending
physicians, to the pressure of a blood clot on his brain, the result of
the blow received on the head.  At an inquest held yesterday evening the
jury, composed of A.W.C. Weeks, George Whitson, O.P. Diffenderfer, R.A.
Parmon, James Boles and Jack Blick, the jury failed to make any
recommendations in the case and Ratliff was taken back to jail.  Attorney
Claude M. Thorpe conducted the case for the territory, and the defendant
was represented by Attorneys Giddings and Putnam.  Drs. Messenbaugh, Lund
and Ryan held an autopsy over the body of Kindred yesterday morning and
after trephining the skull found a blood clot on the brain, which as
stated above, caused the death of Kindred.

Dr. C.H. Lund was the first witness called.  After describing the nature
of the wound, its location as being almost on top of the head, slightly to
the right side, the doctor said he called at intervals to see the young
man, but that he was not the attending physician.  The night following the
day on which the wound was received he was called and found Kindred
unconscious.  The young man regained consciousness at intervals.  Was not
with him when he died.

T.P. Holt, a horse man, with his business place at 202 California avenue
was called.  He said:  "Saw both the defendant and Kindred once before.
Saw the defendant, Ratliff, with a horse going toward Hudson street; saw
Kindred strike at Ratliff with a knife, at which the latter would jump
back.  Kindred struck at Ratliff twice with the knife.  Ratliff struck
Kindred once with the butt end of the whip with one hand and the second
time he took the whip in both hands and hit him on the head.  Ratliff said
to Kindred 'if you keep coming I will kill you.  Do not remember what time
of day it was when the trouble occurred.  First I saw of the difficulty
was when Kindred ran at Ratliff with the knife.  Was about 80 feet away."

Wilbur Rice next testified:  "Was sitting in the office at the barn at 311
West Grand avenue.  First I knew of any difficulty was when some of the
boys in the barn called my attention.  Went to the door and saw Kindred
and Ratliff almost a block away, near the junction of Hudson and Grand.
Saw Kindred with his fists clinched but did not see anything in them.
Kindred was approaching Ratliff and saw the latter strike at Kindred but
did not hit him.  Kindred had no knife when I saw him, and did not strike
at Ratliff when I saw him."  Witness has handed a piece that had been
broken off the end of the whip which Ratliff had in his hands, to which
the witness replied that it was.  It was loaded with a piece of iron.
"Kindred has been employed by me since 1902, and if he ever drank I do not
know of it.  He was 23 years old."

C.W. Woods was called:  "I saw Ratliff strike some blows and saw Kindred
make a move toward Ratliff.  Saw the whip.  Saw no knife.  Saw Ratliff
strike twice, would strike and jump back.  Did not see Ratliff strike with
but one hand, and that was an overhand blow.  Ratliff would back away at
the approach of Kindred, but could not see a knife in Kindred's hands,  if
he had any, at the distance I was from them.  I do not know if it was in
the morning or evening.

Joseph Shafer, traveling man, was called:  "I was nearly a block away….
[more left out]

L.D. Kamp testified [left out]

M.K. Kindred, a brother of the dead man, arrived in the city yesterday and
last night had the remains shipped to their home in Memphis, Tenn., where
their mother lives.

(03/22/1905)

Clyde Ratliff Case.

The preliminary hearing of Clyde Ratliff, charged with killing Bert
Kindred by striking the latter over the head with a loaded horsewhip, will
occur in Justice Zwick's court tomorrow.  E.J. Giddings has been retained
as Ratliff's attorney.

(03/23/1905)

Arrested for Murder of Stepson.

Muskogee, I.T., March 22.—John Wesson was arrested by the federal
authorities here on a charge of killing Clifford Durant at Durant's home,
three miles west of this city, last Saturday night.  The murdered boy was
a Cherokee and had an allotment.  His mother had married Wesson, but prior
to that time, when her first husband died, she had given the boy to Mr.
and Mrs. Durant, also Cherokees, and they had reared him.  The theory on
which Wesson was arrested is that he believed by killing the boy that the
mother could get possession of the boy's land and in that way he would get
it himself.

(03/25/1905)

PASSED CENTURY MARK

Keokuk Falls Woman Died, Aged One Hundred and One.

Shawnee, Okla., March 24.—Mrs. Nancy Wall died at Keokuk Falls this week
at the age of 101 years and 3 months.  She moved there recently from the
Creek nation, where her family had lived for the past six years, and
during her life in Keokuk Falls made many friends who loved the old lady
who had passed the century mark in life and was proud of the fact that she
was well and hearty in spite of the weight of over 101 years.

Mrs. Wall was born in Tennessee in 1804 and removed from there to Missouri
when only 7 years old.  She was married in Missouri and her first
husband's death occurred there.  Again she married and the second husband,
after a long life with his devoted wife, passed away.  Her third husband
was also married in Missouri; and after 68 years spent in that state, at
the age of 75, Mrs. Wall left with her son, Isaac Shiners, for Texas,
where she lived for 20 years, coming to Indian Territory six years ago.

Her father came to this country when a young man and fought under General
George Washington in the war which won the freedom of the colonies.  After
the war he settled in Tennessee and there Mrs. Wall was born.

She is survived by two children and several grand and great grand
children.  The funeral, which occurred there, was one of the largest
attended in the history of Keokuk Falls.

(03/26/1905)

Owing to the death of the little child of Court Crier Durbin, the district
court was yesterday adjourned to 9 o'clock Tuesday morning.

(03/29/1905)

DEATHS

Altus, Okla., March 30.—Mrs. Mattie A. Fowler, wife of Dr. J.E. Fowler,
died here Tuesday morning at 5:30 o'clock of peritonitis.  Mrs. Fowler had
been sick about eighteen hours when she died and it came as a shock to her
many friends.  She was a consistent member of the Christian church of this
place and was ever found at her place of duty.  Dr. and Mrs. Fowler were
among the first settlers of Greer county, having lived in Altus for more
than fifteen years.

(03/29/1905)

JURY FINDS GEORGE HARDIN NOT GUILTY OF MURDER OF HARRY NETTER.

When the district court reconvened yesterday morning the jury in the
Hardin murder case filed into the court room and presented the verdict,
which had been agreed upon the night previous.  The verdict, as read by
District Clerk Shear, was as follows:

"We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty of murder as charged in the
indictment."

Upon hearing the verdict H.C. Hudson, a juryman in the room, burst out in
applause.  Judge Burwell immediately assessed a fine of $5 against him for
contempt of court, and upon finding that Hudson was a juryman, dismissed
him from further service in that capacity.

Shortly after the reading of the verdict, George Hardin, accompanied by
Mrs. Hardin and their little son and daughter, left the court room.  They
could scarcely restrain themselves from expressions of joy at the result
of the trial.

Hardin was tried for the murder of Harry Netter at the Fashion theater, a
vaudeville house of low character, conducted on California avenue, between
Broadway and the Santa Fe depot.  The quarrel between the two men, who
were both actors, occurred about one year ago.  Hardin came to this place
from Kansas City and secured an engagement at the theater at the same time
Netter was released.  The latter, while drunk, tried unsuccessfully to
provoke a quarrel with Hardin.  Not succeeding, he applied vile epithets
to Mrs. Hardin.  Hardin then struck Netter and they clinched and fell.
Hardin later carried Netter to the front door of the place and threw him
out upon the sidewalk.  Netter was taken to his room over the theater and
little attention was attracted to the occurrence until next morning, when
the man was found unconscious lying on the floor in his room.  His jaw was
found to be broken and there were other injuries to his person.  He was
taken to the Protestant hospital, his skull trepanned and his fractured
jaw wired.  He died thirty-six hours after the attack made upon him by
Hardin.

The verdict secured is considered a great triumph for the attorneys for
the defense.  One of the latter, E.J. Giddings, stated last evening it had
come to his ears that Hardin had arranged to accept an engagement at the
theater now being conducted on California, where the Fashion theater was
formerly located.

(03/29/1905)

RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT.

South McAlester Bar Pays Tribute to Memory of Judge Foote.

South McAlester, I.T., March 28.—Judge Henry L. Foote, who died Monday
night in Washington, D.C., of pneumonia, was one of the associate judges
of the Choctaw-Chickasaw citizenship court created by congress to pass on
citizenship claims involving $30,000,000 worth of estate.  He was a
brother-in-law of Senator Stewart of Nevada, who secured his appointment.
The citizenship court completed its work and was abolished last December.
Its last work was fixing the compensation of the attorneys for the Indians
in the big suits, which was $750,000.  He leaves a wife in Nevada.  The
local bar met today and adopted resolutions of respect.

(03/29/1905)

CORONER TO INVESTIGATE

Death of a Barber at Shawnee Somewhat Mysterious.

Shawnee, Okla., March 28.—Edward O. Brees, a well known barber of this
city, died at 5:02 o'clock this morning at the Thomas home on East Seventh
street, where he had been conveyed and cared for during the night by
members of the Salvation Army.  There is an element of mystery in his
death, which Coroner M.C. Fleming and a jury will attempt to solve at an
inquest tomorrow.

The deceased was arrested Monday morning at 2 o'clock by Night Chief
Douglas and Patrolman Cottrell, who found him leaning forward on an iron
stairway adjoining Jenkin's store on Broadway and Main.  He was seated on
the lower stair with his head near the walk, and had evidently been
drinking hard, as he had become ill from the effects of the liquor.  He
was taken to the city jail and locked up to sleep off the effects of the
drunk which he was apparently on.  During Monday morning he roused and
talked to other prisoners, but about 3 o'clock Monday afternoon Amos
Coleman, a boy charged with robbery, heard Brees breathing hard and
notified Chief Sims, who called the city physician, Dr. J.C. Mahr.

After an examination, Dr. Mahr decided that the man was suffering from a
concussion of the brain, probably caused by a fall on the stairway, and he
was given careful attention.  During the evening members of the Salvation
Army called for him and he was taken to the Thomas house, but he never
rallied, and his death occurred this morning.  His wife survives him and
she is now making arrangements for the burial after the inquest.  A jury
has been impaneled and the evidence of witnesses will be taken.

(04/01/1905)

FILED YESTERDAY

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST C.A. KEYS BY HIS LATE WIFE'S PARENTS.

A suit of sensational character was yesterday filed in the district court
by Mr. and Mrs. J.J. White, in which Chester A. Keys is made the
defendant.

The plaintiffs in their petition recite that they were the parents of Lena
E. Keys, who died on January 26, 1905.

It is further alleged in the petition that on July9, 1904, Lena Keys, who
was the wife of the defendant, became ill with a dangerous malady,
incapable of performing the ordinary duties of life, and in need of
medical treatment, nursing care and other attention.  All this, it is
alleged, her husband refused to provide his wife, and upon request her
parents jointly provided her with the necessaries and nursed her from July
9, 1904, until the time of her death on January 26, 1905.

The plaintiffs pray judgment for a total sum of $1,462 of which $800 is
for nursing care, and $672 for doctors' fees, laundry, food stuffs and
other necessaries.

George R. Jobson is attorney for the plaintiffs.

(04/01/1905)

Oklahoma Notes

William James, a colored farmer of Caddo county, was found dead in this
chair by a neighbor one day last week.

William F. Krider, a plasterer, died Monday morning at Lawton after
working in a school house two hours.  He was overtaken with convulsions.

P.J. Pillow, a pioneer citizen of Anadarko, died in the hall of the school
house, where he was a janitor, on Monday.

(04/01/1905)

A SUIT AGAINST THE SANITARIUM

HUSBAND OF WOMAN WHO DIED IN THE ASYLUM FILES SUIT AGAINST THE COMPANY.

Guthrie, Okla., March 31.—The filing of a suit for $10,000 damages against
the Norman Sanitarium company, has created considerable interst.  It was
filed in the district court here yesterday by Ben G. Von Dittmar, husband
of Katherine Von Dittmar, who died in the asylum October 5, 1904.
Attorneys Thomas H. Doyle and C.W. Cress of Perry represent the plaintiff.

The suit was brought in the Logan county district court owing to the fact
that the residence of the president of the company, J.R. Cottingham is
here.  The Capitol National bank holds the largest portion of the stock
and therefore Receiver Willoughby will also be brought into the case as
co-defendant.

In August, 1904, Mrs. Katherine Von Dittmar was adjudged insane by the
Noble county board of insanity and taken to the asylum at Norman.  On
October 5, 1904, she died.  She was buried at Perry.

For a week or ten days after her burial it was rumored that the woman came
to her death through ill treatment at the asylum.  The women who had
dressed her for the coffin and burial said her body was covered with filth
and lice and that she was in a very unclean condition.

This caused further comment and the concensus of opinion was that she died
from mistreatment.

After being buried two weeks, the body of Mrs. Von Dittmar was uninterred
and Dr. Watson, coroner of Noble county who cummoned a jury and held a
post mortem examination.

The verdict of the coroner's jury added further mystery to the case and
set trouble afloat.  One rumor after another was given publicity through
the coroner's examination, which finally resulted in the filing of this
suit.

[there is more]

(04/02/1905)

Negro Murder Case.

The Scott Hunter murder case occupied the attention of the district court
yesterday, but the testimony was not concluded and the trial will be
resumed tomorrow morning.  Hunter, who is a young Negro, shot and killed
Wm. Moore, his stepfather, at their home near Choctaw City.  Hunter said
he acted in self defense and alleges that Moore was guilty of incest with
two of Hunter's sisters.

Her Sister Died.

Mrs. Hertha Hess Jobson departed yesterday for Macon, Mo., having received
a telegraphic message announcing the death of her sister.

(04/02/1905)

Oklahoma Notes

Hulbutta Micco, aged seventy years, governor of the Seminoles, died Sunday
at Wewoka, I.T.

Thomas B. Malernee, an aged pioneer of Payne county, died Monday morning
near Ripley.

(04/07/1905)

Williams May Die.

As the result of an assault made upon him by Capt. Summers, Newt. Williams
of Purcell is now lying at the point of death in an Oklahoma City
hospital.  The men involved make somewhat conflicting statements.  The
injured man went to the home of a Mrs. Browning on West Main street and
Summers denied him admittance.  Mrs. Browning came here from Purcell.  No
doubt there will be an investigation of the case.  Capt. Summers holds a
commission as special policeman at the Turf.

(04/08/1905)

HE WAS CRAZED

DESPONDENCY OVER DESTITUTION WAS THE CAUSE OF SHEPPARD'S RASH ACT.

ALWAYS A DEVOTED HUSBAND

Sister of Murdered Woman Speaks Kindly of the Man Who Caused Her Death and
Then Suicided.

The remains of Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Sheppard, the victims of the awful
tragedy that occurred on Thursday night at 126 West Reno avenue, were
removed to T.S. Robinson's undertaking establishment yesterday morning and
relatives of the dead people were notified at once.

Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Barnes of Stonewall, I.T., arrived in the city last
evening.  Mrs. Barnes is a sister of the murdered woman.  They at once
proceeded to the office of Police Matron Bond, where little Bertie
Sheppard and Susie Rhoades had been cared for during the day.

They had scarcely arrived before they were called upon by W.H. Axton,
immigration agent of the Frisco railway, who had known them formerly at
Weleetka, I.T.

When seen by an Oklahoman reporter Mrs. Barnes said:  "The news came to me
as a terrible surprise.  Myself and husband arranged to come here at once.
I find that it is impossible to secure telegraphic communication with my
father, who is at Kemp, I.T.  A brother of Mr. Sheppard, residing at
Chillicothe, Mo., our childhood home, has been wired and arrangements for
the obsequies will be delayed until we hear from him.  It is probably that
both bodies will be interred here, as our relatives are widely separated
and being poor people we cannot bear the expense of shipping the remains
to some other place for interment.

"I expect to take sister Susie and little Bertie home with me.

"Mr. Sheppard was always a devoted husband.  He was very affectionate and
my sister loved him.  I learn that he was destitute and it is my belief
that he became temporarily crazed from despondency.  He was of that
disposition, and my sister was even more so.

"The last time I saw Mr. Sheppard was at Holdenville, about one month ago.
I do not know whether he went from there to Cleveland, Okla., or not."

Mrs. Barnes, who is a lady of refinement and intelligence, was greatly
grieved over the terrible tragedy.  She was very grateful to Mrs. Bond for
the latter's kind treatment of the bereaved child and her sister.  She
also greatly appreciated finding sympathetic friends and former
acquaintances here.

The age of Miss Rhoades was given as twenty years in yesterday's paper.
She is only fifteen.  Mr. Sheppard was aged forty-two; his wife, twenty-
six.

His extreme destitution was learned yesterday, when it was found that he
had pawned a watch belonging to his little daughter.  He had no particular
avocation, was out of money and his efforts to secure employment were
unsuccessful.

(04/08/1905)

Mortuary.

W.E. Kerr died Saturday, April 1, at 5 o'clock, at 223 Chickasaw street.
He was buried in Fairlawn cemetery.  Aged 52, he was born in Scotland in
1852, came to America when he was 16, and had never been back to his old
home.  Married Miss Lena Holland in Belton, Texas, May 15, 1883.  Had been
in this city for three years, coming from Belton, Texas.  He was employed
here by the Oklahoma Soap and Oil company as engineer.

(04/11/1905)

Scott Hunter Acquitted.

Scott Hunter, colored, was yesterday acquitted by a jury in the district
court of the charge of murdering Wm. Moore, also colored.

(04/11/1905)

The Last Chapter.

The remains of Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Sheppard, principals in the recent
tragedy at 126 Reno avenue, were inhumed yesterday by T.S. Robinson,
undertaker.

(04/12/1905)

Fred McNeil died at Edmond on Sunday last.

(04/13/1905)

Mrs. Blaise Critically Ill.

Mrs. T.A. Blaise is very ill and her recovery is despaired of by the
attending physician, B.L. Noe.

(04/13/1905)

Fell Twenty Feet.

The little 3-year-old-baby of Mrs. Ella Bullis, of 308 West Grand avenue,
yesterday morning fell from the front window of Dr. Cullimore's office on
Grand avenue.  It is feared the child sustained serious internal injuries
which will cause its death.

(04/13/1905)

JUDGE ALLISON IS KILLED BY ENGINE

PROMINENT CITIZEN OF SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA FELL ACROSS TRACK AT SNYDER.

Snyder, Okla., April 12.—Judge W.M. Allison, a prominent man of
southwestern Oklahoma, was killed at Snyder today by a switching engine on
the Frisco track.  He started to cross the track, unobservant of the
locomotive, and as it neared him he tripped over the rail and fell
prostrate over the track.  Both legs were severed from the body, from the
effect of which he died three hours later.  Allison was 85 years of age, a
native of Ohio and an ex-union soldier.  His son, J.M. Allison, is editor
of the Snyder Signal-Star, and his grandson, W.C. Allison, is editor of
the Davidson Post and United States land commissioner.  The deceased was
once prominent in politics in his state, but had lived a retired life at
the home of his son for a number of years.

(04/14/1905)

DEAD DESPERADO

MANY CITIZENS VIEWED AND IDENTIFIED REMAINS OF BAILEY ISBELL YESTERDAY.

SHERIFF'S STORY OF KILLING

Mrs. Isbell Told Officers Isbell Was Justified in Killing the Fox Boys and
that God Had Forgiven Him.

Sheriff G.W. Garrison and Deputy Sheriff Bartell arrived in the city at
6:15 o'clock yesterday morning from Hartshorn, I.T., bringing with them on
the same train the body of Bailey Isbell, the noted murderer who was
killed near the Indian Territory town above named when resisting arrest on
Wednesday.

[There is more to the article]

(04/14/1905)

Lizzie Wenzel, aged 14, eldest daughter of F. Wenzel of East Capitol Hill,
died at about 7 o'clock Wednesday evening of congestion of the brain.  The
funeral will occur from the family residence at 9:30 o'clock this morning.

(04/14/1905)

RARE CEREMONY

BLESSING THE NEW ABBOT AT SACRED HEART MONASTERY OCCURRED YESTERDAY.

RELIGIOUS NOTABLES PRESENT

Story of the First American Priest to Be Honored with Election to this
Office by the Benedictines of Oklahoma.

Sacred Heart Monastery was the scene yesterday of a ceremony which is rare
to the United States, but which has occurred three times within the
confines of Oklahoma—that of blessing the new abbot, Father Bernard
Murphy, who was elected to succeed Father Felix De Grasse (who died
January 3) as abbot of Sacred Heart.  He is the fourth man to hold that
office.  Father Robat, the first abbot who came from France some time
about 1878, was appointed abbot and apostolic delegate to Rome.

[There is more]

(04/14/1905)

Died at Union Depot.

South McAlester, I.T., April 13.—Frank William, business manager for
Gorden theater at Memphis, Tenn., died at the union depot here this
morning ten minutes after he stepped from a railway train.  He was in the
last stages of consumption and was enroute to San Antonio, Texas, for the
benefit of his health.  Hardly had he reached the platform than eh became
unconscious and never rallied.  The remains were shipped to Memphis, Tenn.

(04/14/1905)

OKLAHOMA NOTES

?. H. Kelley of Kelleytown, Tarrant county, Texas, arrived in Duncan
yesterday on the northbound train and went to a drug store and bought some
morphine, saying he was in the habit of using it for asthma.  Wednesday
morning they found his lifeless body in his room at the Hickey hotel where
he had registered for the night.

He was practically unknown in Duncan and no one there knows the cause of
the rash act.

Word was received at Okeene Monday that Newt G. Carver, who lived near
Isabella had been accidentally killed in Portland, Oregon.  Mr. Carver had
secured work with a transfer company.  He was assisting in moving a piano
to the fourth floor of a large hotel.  The elevator on which the
instrument had been taken up had reached the floor and the piano had been
removed, when Mr. Carver stepped back to get out of the way.  The door to
the elevator shaft was still open and he stepped into and fell to the
basement, being killed instantly.  The deceased was well known and at one
time was quite a prosperous farmer and stock raiser, but lately had met
with reverses until he had practically lost all his property.  His widow
resides on the farm near Isabella.

(04/16/1905)

Teacher Seriously Ill.

Dr. J.E. Oldham of Wichita, Kans., was called in consultation with Drs.
Ryan and Lund yesterday for Miss Grace Garrison, who is seriously ill at
her home, 414 West Washington avenue.  Miss Garrison is one of the
teachers in the Washington school.

(04/18/1905)

MRS. T.A. BLAISE DIED SUNDAY

FUNERAL AT CHRISIAN CHURCH THIS MORNING UNDER EASTERN STAR AUSPICES.

At four o'clock Sunday morning Mrs. T.A. Blaize, wife of ex-city clerk
Blaize, died at her home 820 W. Grand Ave., after a protracted illness,
the malady being consumption.  She has been in declining health for the
past two years, and had tried frequent changes of climate without avail.
She had a wide circle of friends and was prominent in fraternal circles.
Arrangements have been made to hold the funeral services at the Christian
church at 10 o'clock this morning.

(04/20/1905)

Mrs. Carson's Funeral.

The services for Mrs. W.A. Carson's funeral will be held at the family
residence, at 105 East Second street, Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m.  Rev.
W.E. Graham will conduct the services.

(04/20/1905)

ANOTHER LINK IN FAMILY TRAGEDY

BROTHER-IN-LAW OF MARSHALL MAN WHO KILLED HIS WIFE, DAUGHTER AND HIMSELF
COMMITS SUICIDE.

Lawton, Okla., April 19.—The second act of a family tragedy that had
affected more than the unfortunates whose lives were blown out with a
revolver recently at Marshall, occurred four miles north of Elgin
yesterday evening at 6:30, when A.D. Moody, a prominent farmer of that
vicinity, shot a 38-calibre revolver ball through his body and died an
hour later.

Moody was a brother-in-law to the man who recently killed his own wife and
daughter and himself at Marshall, Okla.  This crime seemed to cast a gloom
over his life and his mind became unbalanced.  His eldest son, seventeen
years of age, left his home last December on account of family troubles
and this also bore heavily upon the mind of the father.  Moody was about
forty-five years of age and was the father of five boys, the youngest
being about ten years of age.  His wife died about four years ago.  He and
the boys have been living on a homestead near Elgin for about three years.
He has a brother living at Blackwell and one at Marshall.

(04/20/1905)

(04/22/1905)

Asks $10,000 Damages.

Mrs. Ansa Mehlberth yesterday filed a suit in the district court asking
damages in the sum of $10,000 from the Santa Fe railway company for the
death of her husband, who was struck by a train at Capitol Hill on the
evening of February 14, 1905.  Mehlberth was crossing the Santa Fe track
in a buggy at the time he met his death.

(04/23/1905)

Boy Fatally Injured.

At about midnight last night Floyd Young, the young son of MR. Wallie M.
Long, was perhaps fatally injured by an accident that occurred on Broadway
in front of Hotel Lee.  The boy was going along swiftly on a bicycle and
ran into a team of horses hitched to a cab.  The boy fell stunned to the

pavement, the horses reared and brought their hoofs down upon his forehead
and face and then pulled the vehicle over his prostrate form.  The boy was
taken to the Compton hotel and his injuries were attended by Dr. Gray,
who, when queried by a reporter, said that the hurts were serious, and he
had grave fears of fatal internal injuries.

(04/27/1905)

Grandeson Crawford, a retired farmer who has been residing on West
Sixteenth street, died at 5 o'clock yesterday morning of cancer of the
stomach.  He was 66 years of age.  The remains will today be shipped to
Middleton, Iowa, for interment.

(04/27/1905)

O'Keene Banker Dead.

O'Keene, Okla., April 26.—H.C. Converse, who for a long time has been the
president of the Farmers and Merchants bank of this city, died yesterday
of crysipelas.  The funeral service today by the Knights of Pythias was
one of the largest in the history of the city.  The remains were sent to
Nevada, Iowa, for interment.

(04/29/1905)

Aged Tulsa Citizen Dead.

Tulsa, I.T., April 28.—Antoin Gillis, 84 years of age, died here yesterday
and was buried today.  It is said Mr. Gillis' father, who was a Delaware
Indian, owned at one time the ground where now Kansas City is located.
The Gillis theatre at Kansas City, was named after the father.  Mr. Gillis
has been a resident of Tulsa for 24 years.

(05/02/1905)

Prominent Citizen Dies.

Pauls Valley, I.T., May 1.—R.B. Smith, one of Pauls Valley's most
promising citizens and pioneer business men, having been engaged in the
buggy business ever since the town was established, died at his residence
here this morning at 11:30 o'clock as results of injuries received Friday
evening while horse back riding his favorite horse while trying to head a
cow in the streets, his horse stumbled and he fell off on his head and
shoulders in the street resulting in dislocating his neck.  He leaves a
wife and four children to mourn his loss.  Mr. Smith was a native of
Mississippi.

(05/03/1905)

At Mansville, I.T., Claude Wilkerson ate canned sardines and died several
hours later.  Ptomaine poisoning caused his death.

The death of three old timers were recorded in one issue of an El Reno
paper.  Robert Fordyce, who came to Oklahoma at the time of the opening,
died suddenly of heart failure four miles south of Union City; Captain
John Millis died of paralysis after a long illness, and Thomas Wrong was
found dead in the jail at El Reno.  He had been placed alone in a cell
during the night in an intoxicated condition.  Mr. Wrong was once worth
$50,000, was mayor of Concordia, Kans., and also receiver of the
government land office there.

(05/07/1905)

Obsequies Today.

The obsequies of Harry Wolford, who died of tuberculosis Friday afternoon
at 2 o'clock, at 627 West Reno avenue, will occur at 2 o'clock this
afternoon at the family residence, followed by interment in Fairlawn
cemetery.  The funeral will be conducted by the Knights of the Maccabees.
The decedent was ill for nine months.  He had been married only fifteen
months and leaves a widow and one brother, Thomas Wolford, to mourn their
loss.
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