Vinita Soldier Stabbed to Death After Recovering From Foe
Shell.
VINITA, Okla., June 25.—John Taylor, 30 years old, a veteran
of overseas fighting in the world war, who returned home
with three bullet holes in his arm and his right hand torn
off by German shrapnel, recovered from enemy wounds only to
be stabbed to death in a fight at a dance.
The killing occurred at the home of Green Christian, in east
Vinita, shortly after 3 o’clock this morning.
Four Men Are Accused.
Four men are accused of being implicated in the homicide.
Lee Magher, 40 years old, a farmer living near Bluejacket
and the father of five children, is now in the Craig county
jail here, facing a charge of murder. A coroner’s jury, this
afternoon, recommended that accusations of being accessory
to the crime be lodged against Ed Wilkins, Fred Grimes and
Roy Sample.
Wilkins, also, is a discharged soldier.
Whisky Brings on Fight.
The exact cause of the killing has not been learned. The
fight in which Taylor lost his life occurred after a dance
at the Christian home, and is said to have arisen during the
drinking of “moonshine” whisky and “Chotaw” beer. Taylor, a
brother, George Taylor, and the four men accused of
connection with the killing, are said to have been drinking
together.
Taylor was stabbed between the fifth and sixth ribs. The
knife cut a gash four inches long and is said to have
entered the soldier’s heart, killing him almost instantly.
Two Posses Pursue Magher.
Immediately after the homicide, Magher fled, on a horse
borrowed from Sample. Two posses were soon formed, one under
Sheriff Lee Webb and one under Chief of Police H.E.
Ridenhour, and the pursuit of Magher was begun at daylight.
Ridenhour and Constable Guy Holden of Bluejacket arrested
Magher in Bluejacket a few hours later.
Following the report of the coroner’s jury, it was expected
that charges would be filed against the three men named in
the report.
From The Oklahoma, 6/26/1919
Donated by:
Emily Jordan
