The Caddo Herald
July 31, 1931
Caddo Woman Held in Fatal Shooting Affray
W. O. James, age 47 years was shot and instantly killed at 6 o’clock Wednesday evening. Mrs. Jewel Denton, a stepdaughter, is held in the county jail at Sherman charged with murder. The tragedy occurred at a small dwelling at 1417 W. Crawford St. A statement made by the woman alleged the couple was scuffling over a .32 caliber revolver when the shot was accidentally fired. The bullet took effect in the right side ranging toward the heart. When a physician arrived the man was dead.
Mrs. Denton said the pair, with her 9-year-old son, had eaten at a restaurant on Austin Avenue. She returned to the house on Crawford Street with a young woman friend and James followed. Arriving at the home an argument is said to have developed. James started to leave the house. Mrs. Denton said she grappled with him, attempting to take the gun he carried when it was accidently fired, according to her statement to George Hagans, assistant county attorney.
Chief J. R. Disner answered the call. The woman was taken to the city jail and later turned over to members of the sheriff’s department who took her to Sherman. The preliminary hearing was set for 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon. J. R. Russell, justice of the peace, assisted in the investigation and held an inquest but had not returned a verdict late Wednesday afternoon.
The deceased was employed by the Pioneer Coal and Lumber Company of Caddo as a purchasing agent of Bois d’Arc posts. He usually camped where timber cutting was in progress and made frequent trips to Caddo, home of the pair.
Editor’s Note: the above item from the Denison Herald. Funeral services were held in Caddo Thursday morning at ten o’clock with burial in the Durant cemetery. Deceased is survived by his wife, one adopted son, and other relatives who live in and near Caddo.
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