Quarrel Over Livestock Has Tragic Ending in Craig County.
VINITA, Okla., Sept. 17.—John Morris, age 54, and a
prominent farmer of Craig county, residing fourteen miles
northwest of Vinita, shot and killed his son, John Morris
jr., age 24, shortly before noon Friday. The cause of the
killing is still unknown but the story told by his wife,
also seriously wounded during the fight, is that the boy
returned a few days ago from a tour through the western
state and at once a quarrel arose over the ownership of
horses and cattle on the place, said to be jointly owned by
the father and son. The quarrel reached a climax Friday
morning and after a wordy affair the son is said to _____
threatening the father. The father sprang toward the horse
and the boy pulled an automatic revolver and fired at the
parent, but missed him. The father reached into an
automobile standing near, secured a pistol with which he
fired at the son, he also missing and attempted to fire
again but the gun jammed. As the son fired a second time the
father ran to the barn where he procured a shotgun and fired
a third time, killing the horse. Two more shots were fired
by the two and at the fourth shot from the father, the boy
fell to the earth with the top of his head entirely blown
off. The mother of the boy and wife of Morris ran from the
house and threw herself on the body of the son as the father
fired a fifth shot. She was so badly wounded through the
body that her recovery is doubtful.
Neighbors rushing to the scene declare that the father then
mounted a horse and shouted his intention of going to Vinita
to surrender to the officers who were already on their way
to the scene, having been notified of the tragedy by
telephone. At an early hour Saturday morning a careful
search developed no clue as to the whereabouts of Morris.
Relatives and friends are searching the entire country under
the belief that Morris has killed himself.
From The Oklahoma, 9/18/1915
Donated by:
Emily Jordan
