Witnesses

 

Durant Daily Democrat, April 7, 1922

State Witnesses Testify Craghead Going Home When Killed by Golden

            Was Thomas Craghead waiting for an appointment with Mrs. Sadie Golden when shot down by her husband, Mordicai Golden at Caddo last May, or was he on his way home after completing his work in his garage? This was the information sought by the state from witnesses placed on the stand today.

            There were also points concerning the position and range of the shots that ended his life, which were brought out in testimony presented. On cross-examination, the defense sought to bring out the motive for the crime, and if there was such motive, prompted by attempts made on the sanctity of the home of Golden, the defense will base its pleadings on this it is believed.

The testimony so far taken was by witnesses, who were near the scene at the time the crime was committed or were there immediately thereafter. It was testified that Mr. and Mrs. Golden were near the Methodist church, in front of which the body of Craghead was found. They were seen a short time before walking toward the church, seemingly looking for someone.          

            What appeared important testimony was made by Walter Wilson, who aided in examining the body a short time after the shooting. Wilson said Craghead was dressed in his working clothes, his face and hands were greasy, and two days’ growth of beard on his face. This, it was pointed out, belies the statement that Craghead was waiting at the church for an appointment with a woman.

Doctor First Witness       

Dr. J. R. Allen was the first witness called on the part of the State, and  briefly testified about as follows:

That he was a doctor residing at Caddo; that he lived about the length of a block north of the Methodist church where the tragedy occurred; that he heard the shots, and in a few moments he heard some screaming from the direction of the church; that he thereupon went down to the church and found Tom Craghead lying between the sidewalk and the church; that he was practically dead at that time; that there was just bare reflection of the heart or pulse when he arrived, and that he gave him some hypodermics of strychnine, etc. to stimulate the heart, but that he never revived. The doctor then described the locations of the several wounds, their directions, etc.

Floyd Weidman Testifies

            The next witness called was Floyd Weidman who testified that on the night Mr. Craghead was killed he had attended a meeting of the B.Y.P.U. and that the meeting closed at about 9:10 o’clock in his judgment; that he accompanied a young lady to her home there after and upon returning came up Buffalo street, which is the main street of Caddo, at the East end of which was the business part of town; that when he arrived at Manning avenue, which runs in front of the Methodist church, he turned south on that avenue; that when he was about half way between Buffalo street and the Methodist church, he observed a lady dressed in a light skirt, dark cape or coat, dust cap; that she proceeded down the street until she passed the Methodist church, when she turned west; that Mr. Craghead’s home was the first house west of the Methodist church; that he went home and about the time he got in bed he heard five shots; that he got up, put on his trousers and went over to Ray McGee’s house, adjoining his, and there met Ray McGee; that about that time he heard some screaming over in the direction of the church and someone calling, “Ray, Ray, come over here.” That he went over towards the church in company with Mr. McGee and there met Mr. Golden and his wife; that some words passed between Mr. McGee and Mrs. Golden; that about that time he looked across the street and saw a man lying in front of the church; that he went over there and found that it was Mr. Craghead; that Mr. Craghead gave one long breath after he reached him; that he then started back and met Mr. D. B. Williams who inquired of him what was the matter, and that he informed him that Mr. Craghead was dead over at the church; that he then went home and finished dressing and came out again and by that time Mr. Williams, Mr. Golden, and his wife were over at Mr. McGee’s; that when he met Mrs. Golden between McGee’s and the church she had on a light skirt, dark coat or cape, and a dust cap, and that in his opinion she was the same lady he had previously seen walking down Manning avenue towards the church; that he did not see her face as he was walking behind her.

Otis Smith of Caddo was the first witness called by the state this morning. He testified that with his wife and mother he passed the front of the Methodist church on his way home, and saw Mr. and Mrs. Golden there; that as he walked on about 150 feet he passed Lloyd Wideman.

Mere Rylant, the next witness, testified that he and his wife passed Otis Smith, his wife and mother near the Methodist church, and as they neared the church they saw a woman going south, and she turned west. This was about 15 minutes before they heard shots in the vicinity of the church.

James Lattimore, a baker of Caddo, who lives near the Methodist church, heard shots and screams and when he went over he saw Mr. and Mrs. Golden and heard Golden say he had fired shots.

Walter Wilson, of Caddo, testified that he was present when the body of Craghead was searched, and identified articles taken there from, consisting of pliers, wrenches, etc. He also identified the clothing, they being working clothes. He testified that Craghead’s face and hands were dirty and greasy, and that he had about two days’ growth of beard on his face. He testified that there were three shots in Craghead’s chest and one shot under his right armpit, and this bullet came out under the left armpit. He said he was present when the body was dressed and that they could not probe this wound under the armpits until deceased’s arms were raised up over his head.

G.A. Crossett of Caddo, testified to about the same facts as Walter Wilson, except that Crossett said that a flower bed at the east corner of the church was badly trampled.

A.P. Braudrick, of Caddo, testified as to the searching of the body.

Lee Smith, who lives east of the Methodist church in Caddo, testified that when he went to the scene of the shooting he saw Williams, Golden and Mrs. Golden; that he saw Golden hand something to Williams, but did not know what it was. He said Mrs. Golden was screaming and crying, and said she wished she had not come down. She said she had been insulted. When court adjourned at noon, Mr. Smith was on the stand and had not been cross-examined by the defense.