VINITA, Aug. 30—Authorities disclosed Monday that Ream
Payton, 54-year-old Vinita cattle buyer whose body was found
in a field near here last Friday, had been beaten to death.
Earlier reports had described a wound in Payton’s head as
from a gunshot, but County Attorney Louis Thomas said it had
been established by autopsy that the victim was clubbed in
the head from behind.
One man is in custody in connection with the investigation.
Several have been questioned, but no charges have been
filed.
Authorities revealed they learned a café operator last week
had been given $1,500 in $100 bills for safe-keeping, and
they were seeking to determine if any of the money had been
received by Payton when he cashed a $2,200 check here a week
ago Saturday, the last time he was seen alive.
Thomas said Payton had been robbed but that it wasn’t
certain that was the sole motive in the killing.
Funeral services for Payton, who left a wife and two
children, were held Monday at Strang in neighboring Mayes
county. Burial was at Spavinaw cemetery.
From The Oklahoma, 8/31/1954
Donated by:
Emily Jordan
