Updated: 06 Sep 2009

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September 9, 1935
Sapulpa Herald
Sapulpa, Creek County, Oklahoma

J. M. DeLOZIER KILLED IN GUN MISHAP, TULSA.

Pistol is Accidentally Discharged At Gas Station When Sapulpan, Steps From Car.

J. M. (Matt) DeLozier, dies in the Sister Hospital, Tulsa, shortly before 3 o’clock this afternoon from a bullet wound in his leg and abdomen accidentally inflicted this morning when his gun fell on the paving at the filling station in Tulsa where he had stopped to refuel his car.

DeLozier had stopped to fill up his car tank at the station operated by his nephew Joe Mize. The Sapulpa man, whose wound was not considered dangerous in the beginning, was hurried to the hospital for attention.

Probation officer under federal judge Franklin E. Kennamer, he was en route to a trip over Tulsa County when the accident occurred.

He is survived by his widow, visiting in Boston with a daughter, Mrs. Frances Thuren. They were notified. He is also survived by two other daughters, Mrs. Lorraine Hill of Bristow and Mrs. Jean Bemis of Oklahoma City; one son Jack DeLozier of Oklahoma City and his parents, pioneers of Sapulpa, Mr. and Mrs. H. F. DeLozier of 215 South Maple street.

His only other brother, Bert DeLozier, was killed in an automobile accident in the spring of 1921.

Funeral arrangements had not been arranged this afternoon. The Lewis and Landrith ambulance went to Tulsa for the body shortly after 3 o’clock.

Relatives here were notified at once of the accident and went to Tulsa to be of assistance in the event a blood transfusion became necessary.

Joe Mize, a nephew and employee at the filling station, accompanied the wounded man to the hospital in an ambulance and stood ready for a blood transfusion.

A transfusion proved futile. The bullet severed two inches of the main artery in DeLozier’s thigh.

Mrs. Fannie DeLozier, his sister-in-law, was at his bedside at his death.

The accident took place at 8:30 o’clock this morning at Seventh street and Boston Avenue. He was rushed to the Sisler hospital for treatment.

DeLozier was confirmed as a probation officer under Judge Kennamer’s district by the U.S. probation system on March 1. He was postmaster here from 1908 to 1912.