Wetumka Gazette, Hughes Co. OK

The Wetumka Gazette

September 7, 1918

Committed Suicide
The citizens were shocked beyond expression Saturday morning when it was learned that Mrs. Coke DENNEY had committed suicide. It is said that up to the time she committed the dreadful deed there had been no signs of contemplating taking her life.
She arose that morning as usual and went about performing the household duties, in face took pains to clean the house more thoroughly than her custom; when all was done but the kitchen the children were sent to clean it up and she took the poison. A note was found pinned to the bosom of her dress, addressed to Mr. DENNEY, it is said, stating that he could take better care of the children than she could, and bade him good bye.
She and her husband have not been living together for some time, we are informed, the separation taking place because they could not get along together, but he had been supporting her since he left her.
It is said that the strychnine with which she took life was purchased last February, which would indicate that she had been contemplating something of this kind for some time. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, a large number being in attendance. She leaves six small children.
Submitted by Mary Anne Denney  [email protected]

Jan.16, 1942

Flanery Is Held For Manslaughter In Leeper Death
Sherman FLANERY, 49, west of Wetumka, was held under $1,000.00 bond in the Okfuskee county district court, yesterday, to answer a charge of manslaughter in the death of Elmer L. Leeper, 46, who also lived west of the city.
LEEPER' s death occured early Sunday night when Flanery's pick-up truck, in which Leeper was riding, ran into the abutment of a culvert, on highway 75, near Weleetka.
Flanery sustained injuries himself, while Leeper was killed instantly, his chestbeing crushed and his neck broken. Dan Yahola, of this city, was also in the car, but escapted with slight bruises and a severe shaking up. Both Yahola and Flanery were taken to a Henryetta hospital where they were treated for their injuries. YAHOLA yesterday stated that he believes the cause of the accident could be attributed to a "tie rod" on the pickup coming loose and falling down.
Funeral services were held at the Assembly of God church here Tuesday afternoon, with burial being made in the Wetumka Cemetery.
Besides the widow, Leeper is survived by 11 children, who are: Ivn, Edwin, Willard, Lorene, Lucille, Wanda, Billy, Joe, Yvonne, Carmeletta, of the home and Mrs. Levada Breedlove, of Houston.
This family is researched by [email protected]

Former Wetumka Woman Is Killed In Bus Accident
Friends here learned of the death of Mrs. J.R. PATTERSON, a former Wetumka resident, early this week, her death occuring on New Year's Eve when she was run down by automobiles while alighting from a bus.
Mrs. Patterson, who was 41, will be remembered by Wetumkans as the former Miss Tula LYNCH, the daughter of Mrs. Orn N. Lynch, now of Sengraves, Texas.
The fatal accident occured at Belton, Texas, although Mrs. Patterson made her home at Falado, Texas.
It was learned that she was struck by an automobile after she had alighted from the bus, and that two others ran over her before traffic was stopped. She was taken to a hospital immediately afterward byt was dead before arriving there.
Mrs. Patterson lived here for a number of years with her family, most of the members of the family being educated in the Weumka schools. Prior to moving to the city, they lived for a nuber of years in the Sunny Dale community.
Mrs. Patterson is the sister of Mrs. Travia REED, now of Drumwright, but formerly of Wetumka.
She is survivied by her husband and six children, besides her mother and several brothers and sisters.

George CHARON left Saturday for Oklahoma City where he will be sent to a training post for the air corp.

Cecil SHABER, of Stillwater, spent the week end here visiting.