This article from 1917 is about Charles Clay Bilbo, son of Charles Allen Bilbo. Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Bilbo had five sons: Czerney, John, Charles, Cecil, and William. Two died as children and Cecil died in an accident in 1923. Mr. Bilbo was a major businessman and Mrs. Bilbo was one of the most active community leaders Caddo has ever had.
The Caddo Herald
February 23, 1917
Chas. Bilbo Kills Man
At his home in Wann, west of Ardmore Monday night, Chas. Bilbo, formerly of Caddo, killed instantly a man who was trying to enter his house.
He went to Ardmore and surrendered, but was not confined. The examining trial will be held Friday when it is thought he will be exonerated.
The facts as learned are that Bilbo heard the man trying to break into his home, and ordered him to leave; the miscreant persisted, and Bilbo shot from his bed, shooting low as he thought, but the ball struck the burglar in the spine, killing him instantly.
Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Bilbo and Dick Bilbo went to Ardmore Tuesday and are present today at the trial.
From evidence it seems that Bilbo could do nothing less than he did do and that no blame attaches to him.
Charles A. Bilbo (Choctaw)
From Leaders and Leading Men of the Indian Territory
Born in Leake county, Mississippi in 1857; son of William Bilbo. Charles was educated at Kings’ College, Bristol, Tennessee, and came to Caddo, Choctaw Nation, in 1885; after which he entered the mercantile establishment of W. H. Ainsworth for two years. In 1890 he opened a drug store and confectionery business in Caddo, where he is also proprietor of a livery stable. He is also owner of three farms of 250 acres, besides a pasture containing 2,000 acres, which he rented out at the rate of four dollars per head per annum until the passage of an act forbidding the introduction of alien’s cattle into the Nation. Mr. Bilbo married Miss Ella McCoy, daughter of Dr. McCoy of Caddo in 1890. He is highly connected, being a nephew of Mrs. Flack, of Atoka, one of the oldest citizens of the Indian Territory.
June 9, 1899-John Louie Leroy, the little 5 month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. C.A Bilbo, at half past eleven o’clock, June 3, passed on to the realms of eternal rest. All that the physicians, friends and loving parents could do was done, but all was of no avail. Its sweet spirit took its flight to the mansions beyond. May his fond parents realize that he is not dead but alive and safe in the arms of Him who said: “Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
September 1, 1899- Czerney McCoy Bilbo died. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Bilbo, aged 2 years and five months. Less than three months ago these parents followed the younger brother to the grave; this makes a double affliction for them. In their grief they have the deepest sympathy of the community.
May 25, 1923
Cecil Bilbo Killed in Car Wreck Saturday
Last Saturday night about 8 o’clock the Dodge car in which Cecil Bilbo was driving from Claremore to Tulsa, threw a back wheel, and turned turtle; from which Bilbo received injuries of which he died about 5 o’clock Sunday morning.
The remains were brought to Caddo Monday, where they lay in state at the Bilbo home until Wednesday when they were taken to Durant, and buried beside his child there.
Cecil Bilbo was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Bilbo, and was raised in Caddo. He was married to Miss Sola Rockwell, who with a son survives him. He was soon to have been thirty years of age; was oil scout for a Tulsa company, and was on his way home from his week’s work when the accident happened.
He was driving pretty fast, when he came to a sharp turn in the road, and became a little confused and set his brakes so quickly that a wheel gave way, precipitating the car over and over, pinning him beneath the steering wheel. He received bruises also about the head. Two ladies passing in a sedan before the dust of the wreck had settled went to his assistance, and he was taken to a hospital in Claremore, where medical aid was given speedily. He regained consciousness a time or two, sufficient to tell who he was and where his folks lived.
Mrs. Bilbo and son, and numerous relatives and friends of the family were here Monday and Wednesday, offering every condolence and aid to the bereaved ones.
Cecil had many friends in Caddo. This was his boyhood home and he was very popular both here and at Durant where he had lived.
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