The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Jun 11, 1914 Number: 1
FOUR GIRLS LOSE LIFE IN STREAM;
FOUL PAY FEARED
Daughters and Housekeeper of Sapulpa Laborer Are Drowned.
CLOTHES ON BANK
BODIES ARE BRUISED
Mystery Surrounds Tragedy;
Coroner's Jury Conducts Probe
SAPULPA, Okla., June 10. (Special) —The finding of four
bodies Wednesday morning in Rock Creek, a treacherous stream on
the outskirts of Sapulpa, reveal the fact that an entire family
with the exception of the father, Henry Sanders, oil field
laborer, was wiped out Tuesday afternoon or evening with no
clues as to the details of the-tragedy.
The victims were the three daughters of Sanders, Vina, aged
14 years; Zula, 11 and Bertie 9, and Miss Mary Reynolds, 18
years of age, housekeeper for the family. All the bodies were
nude, the clothes of ail being found on the banks of the creek.
Many rumors were afloat Wednesday. Foul play is suspected in
connection with the deaths and a coroner's Jury empanelled
Wednesday evening, after viewing the bodies. adjourned until
Thursday, when the testimony of a large number of witness's,
subpoenaed Wednesday will to taken.
The bodies of all four of the victims were covered with cuts
and bruises and blood had been flowing from their months and
noses according to officers. It is the theory of the father that
they waded into the creek. got out beyond their depth, and all
were drowned attempting to assist each other to get out.
Story of Sanders
Yesterday, Sanders, says, Miss Reynolds took the children for a
stroll toward the creek. Being called to the oil fields to work,
he says he left a note on the table, saying he would return as
soon as relieved.
Wednesday morning white strolling along the banks of the
stream, and preparing to cross it at a ford, Sanitary Officer
Gray noticed a floating object In the water. Upon investigation
he found it to be a human body. Further investigation revealed
the clothes of four girls on the bank and soon he found the
bodies of two others, both floating. They were Miss Reynolds and
the two ...youngest daughters.
Neighbors were summoned, the bodies identified and brought to
undertaking Parlors in Sapulpa and the father was notified. He
returned to the city and at his home made a search for his
oldest daughter. Returning to town with friends he reported that
he believed she was at the home of his son-In-law, her best
clothes being gone.
But when the clothing of the children found on the bank was
shown him, he recognized garments belonging to the oldest child.
Another searching Party was organized and the fourth body found
near where the others had been taken from their watery graves.
Treacherous Pool In Stream.
The place where the girls were drowned is considered the most
treacherous along the stream, shallow wafer descending suddenly
into a deep pool ten to twenty feet drop. Should the girls have
waded into this pool, being unable to swim they would have had
no chance to escape it is believed.
Funeral services for the four will he held Thursday morning
in charge of local Salvation Army officers. Many business men
subscribed liberally to a fund to aid Sanders In his trouble.
Large crowds viewed the bodies during the day.
Burial was at Old Sapulpa Cemetery.
Reynolds, Mary
Sanders
Girls
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