Roff, Pontotoc County 1908

December 4, 1908

KILLING AT ALLEN, OKLA.

At the city jail last Saturday afternoon, Clarence Lee, who lives at Citra, was shot and dangerously wounded by city Marshal PUTNAM, while attempting to resist arrest.
the trouble leading up to the arrest was a wrestling match between LEE and one PATTERSON which would have resulted in a fight had not the timely arrival of the marshal prevented. LEE  was taken into custody and as he had been drinking PUTNAM thought it best to place him in the city holdover until he was in a more amicable mood.
At the door of the calaboose LEE attacked PUTNAM and was struck by the marshal with a small stick which he had been carrying in his hand. The blow falling on LEE'S shoulder and doing no harm gave him an opportunity to grapple with PUTNAM and he made the best of it.
In the scuffle which ensue LEE being the strongest soon threw PUTNAM  to the ground and, it is said, attempted to get at his gun, and PUTNAM secured it first shooting LEE in the left side.
No one seems to have been near enough to render assistance which would have prevented the shooting when the scuffle began.
Drs. THRELKEID and BERNINGER were called and removed the wounded man to the residence of Dr. THRELKEID, where he is being given all the attention possible. The latest reports are that he is improving and has a fair chance for recovery.
LEE is said to be a peaceable man when not in his cups.
Marshal PUTNAM went to Ada immediately after the occurrence and gave himself up to Sheriff SMITH. At the preliminary trial Wednesday he was bound over to the action of the grand jury in the sum of $2,000.00. - Allen

AWFUL TRAGEDY AT FRANKS, OK

Nelson HAWKINS, a full blooded Indian, 32 years old, shot and killed the six year old daughter of Salina TOMS,  a widow, and also a full blooded Indian at the home of Wilson TOMS, a brother-in-law, in the Franks neighborhood, last Friday night.
It seems that a few days ago, Nelson HAWKINS had gone to the home of Salina TOMS to borrow a horse,  which was refused him. He and the widow TOMS are possibly distantly related.
Friday night HAWKINS met the widow TOMS at the of her brother-in-law, Wilson TOMS. HAWKINS is said by some to have been drunk and other say he was not. However, he quarreled or had words with the widow TOMS, and he fired a shot in her direction, which shot off her thumb and went through the body of her six-year-old daughter who was sitting in her mother's lap. Death resulted in a few hours.
In the shooting there is a difference of opinion, as HAWKINS, of course, claims it was an accidental discharge of his pistol while other say it was not.
Saturday, Sheriff SMITH, Deputies Bob NESTOR and Andy DILLARD, accompanied by county attorney WIMBISH, went to the scene of the killing. they found Nelson HAWKINS at home in bed asleep.
Sheriff SMITH brought HAWKINS to Ada, arriving Saturday night, and put him in jail. His examining trail will take place Tuesday before Esq. NETTLES.

CRAWFORD of Bolen will defend HAWKINS, while Attorney WIMBISH and Deputy DEAN will prosecute the case. - Ada News.

December 11, 1908

AWFUL TRAGEDY NEAR ADA, OK

John JOHNSON shot and fatally wounded his brother-in-law, Jack PETERS, this morning on Sandy Creek, near negro church. The weapon used was a shot gun, and JOHNSON also stabbed his victim with a knife, inflicting wounds that are considered fatal.
John JOHNSON was arrested by Deputy Sheriff Bob NASTOR and is in jail. His preliminary hearing will come up this evening or tomorrow.
Prosecuting Attorney WIMBISH went to the house where PETERS lay wounded, to get his statement, and the substance of it is given below. Dr. LIGON was attending the negro and upon the latter request for his opinion he told PETERS that there was little chance of recovery.
JOHNSON and PETERS lived in the same house. Last night when they retired it was not known that any enmity existed between them.
This morning JOHNSON was the first one up, and when PETERS arose a little later JOHNSON called his attention to the fire.
PETERS made a fire in the cooking stove and went to the well to get a bucket of water, before he drew it, JOHNSON appeared with a shot gun and with an oath charged  PETERS and Charley MITCHELL with having talked about him , and said he intended to kill them both. He fired at PETERS, hitting him in the shoulder. The wounded man ran through the cotton patch, and later was pursued by JOHNSON. PETERS made a circuit to the house and upon entering it, urged his sister to lock the doors and keep JOHNSON out. The doors were fastened, but JOHNSON broke through one of them, and as PETERS tried to reach him to grab the gun, he shot the second time, the full  load entering the body of PETERS just above the groin.
The man then clinched and fall. JOHNSON tried to open his knife but as he could not at furst, he struck PETERS over the head with it. Later he got the knife open and cut PETERS in the throat. PETERS got up and ran a distance of nearly 200 yards before he fell, exhausted from the loss of blood.
PETERS intended to get his gun when he returned to the house, but found that JOHNSON had secured it, and had shot him with his own gun. - Ada News

ALLRED - YATES NUPTIALS

Married, at the home of the bride's parents,  Mr. and Mrs. Jack YATES,  in north Stratford, on Sunday, Nov. 20, May YATES, and Edward ALLRED. The nuptial knot was tied by Elder GODDARD, assisted by Rev.MAUNDERS, of the Methodist church.
The weeding was a very quiet affair.

Vanoss News

Tuesday was hog killing day in Vanoss.

J.F. WALLS has moved back to town.

Edward NELSON, the Vanoss section boss, was on the sick list several days last week, but is able to be back at work now.

G.B. GILES,  a carpenter of Ada, is out here this week doing some work for J.F. McKEEL.

J.W. BOHANNAN and J.E. KINESY went out east of Lightning Ridge school house Tuesday to look at some land.

Gus WESTMORE has moved into the McCLARY building.

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