Obit Index

The Daily Oklahoman
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
December 18, 1907
page 1, 7

Shoots At Physician Who'd Save
Strong Tragedy Takes Place In Jones City Depot

From time to time taking a does of poison, with a pistol at hand ready to use in his determined effort to destroy himself, in the event that the drug should fail to do its work, Irving Wells, telegraph operator sat at his key in the little Rock Island depot at Jones City and wrote his farewell message to the world.

Twice he was interrupted, once when a boy brought his evening meal. The boy saw by the pale drawn face of the dying man that aid should be summoned quickly.

"I'll get a doctor for you," said the boy.

"If you send a doctor here, I'll shoot him," said Wells.

The boy, badly frightened, departed and Wells resumed his writing.

A few moments later Dr. Woods appeared at the window of the little station. Wells grabbed a revolver and sent a bullet crashing through the window. They physician ran and again Wells, who was now becoming extremely weak, took up his pencil.

At last, just before he fell forward dead, he opened his telegraph key and sent this message to his life-long chum, N. J. Etherton, night telegraph operator at Kingfisher:

"Good bye. Be a good boy."

The body of Wells was brought to Oklahoma City last night.

When he was found lying in the telegraph office, early yesterday morning, a series of notes, dated at various hours, chronological records of his march toward eternity, were beside it. Between the notes, Wells stopped to take doses of poison.

The first note was as follows: .... [the notes are printed here]

body sent to Oklahoma City and it now lies in Street & Harper Undertaking establishment.

Wells was 18 years old. He has been operator for the Rock Island in Jones City for two months. He has lived, at various times, in different parts of the west.

His father, J. M. Wells, who lives in Kingfisher, arrived in Oklahoma City last night and will make arrangements for the funeral today....

Mr. Wells will accompany the body to Kingfisher this morning where it will be buried.