In Memoriam
WILLIAM FRANKLIN "W. F." BYRD
1884 ~ August 2, 1919
Police Officer Killed in the Line of Duty
Officer W. F. Byrd
August 2, 1919
Officer Byrd, who was a trooper in Mayor Walton's Mounted Police Unit, responded to gunshots from the rear of 509 N. Rhode Island. As Byrd rounded the corner of the house he was shot in the chest and mortally wounded. Byrd returned fire. The suspect was found just feet from the officer and died the next day from wounds sustained in the gunfight with Byrd.
W. F. Byrd
Police Officer Killed in Fight - W. F. Byrd Killed in Oklahoma City, Once Lived in Idabel - W. F. Byrd, one of the new mounted police officers of the Oklahoma City police force, was shot and instantly killed late Saturday night in a fight with negroes. Bill Roberts, the negro who is alleged to have fired the fatal shot died at nine o'clock Sunday night in the Emergency hospital from the effects of four bullet wounds fired by the policeman.
Mounted Officer Byrd was riding through the negro district in the east part of Oklahoma City when he heard shooting. He hurried to the place where the shots came from, got off his horse and approached the house. A buggy was standing at the curb. Robert's wife was sitting on the porch, police say. Byrd asked the woman where the shooting came from. She told him to go around back and he'd find out.
Byrd is said to have started around behind the Roberts home and the adjoining house. Just as he got between the two houses, according to report of the affair printed in the Oklahoman, the shooting began. The first report heard was very loud indicating it was from a big caliber black powder revolver. Examination of Roberts' revolver showed that it was a .45 and had been fired with black powder. Reports are conflicting as to whether or not the first shot was the one that struck the policemans body. He immediately returned fire and fired four shots, each one of which took effect in Roberts' body. Byrd was shot just above the heart, and must have died almost instantly, police say.
Byrd's mother, who is Mrs. Brazier (her name was Malinda Jacobs Brasher), lives at Broken Bow, where he had two half brothers, Levi and Dave Brazier (Brasher). He was known in Idabel and according to a statement made by City Marshal E. E. Epperson he lived here a few years ago working at the carpenter's trade. He was about 35 years of age. Byrd's body was shipped to Broken Bow, Sunday night for burial. A number of Byrd's friends on the Oklahoma City police force marched with the body from the undertaking rooms to the station and men who had served on the force with him accompanied the body to Broken Bow. (McCurtain Gazette, Wednesday, August 6, 1919, page 7)
* * * * * *
(Note: Typed as it was printed)
"COP" DOWNS NEGRO AFTER FATAL WOUND
W.F. Byrd, Shot in Heart, Fires Four Times Before Falling
SHOOTING ENDS IN DEATH OF TWO MEN
Police Believe the Trouble Was Due to Drinking of "Choc" Beer.
W.F. Byrd, one of the new mounted police officers of the Oklahoma City police force, was shot and instantly killed late Saturday night in a running fight with negroes at 509 North Rhode Island avenue. Bill Roberts, the negro who is alleged to have fired the fatal shot, died at nine o'clock last night in the Emergency hospital from the effects of four bullet wounds fired by the policeman. A number of negro families in the locality have moved to Walnut Grove. It is understood with the view of avoiding further trouble.
BYRD WAS RIDING.
The police say Byrd was riding through the negro district in the east part of the city when he heard shooting. He hurried to the place where the shots came from, got off his horse and approached the house. A buggy was standing at the curb. Robert's wife was sitting on the porch, police say. Byrd asked the woman where the shooting came from. She told him to go around back and he'd find out.
POLICEMAN SHOT IN HEART.
Byrd is said to have started around behind the Roberts home and the adjoining house. Just as he got between the two houses the shooting began. The first report heard was very loud, indicating it was from a big caliber black powdered revolver. Examination of Roberts' revolver showed that it was a 45 and had been fired with black powder.
The firing was evidently done at very close as the bullets from the policeman's revolver went through the body of the negro and embedded themselves in the wooden door of the house from which the negro fired. The bullets in the wood work all had an upward contac, which confirmed the theory that the policeman began shooting after he had been mortally wounded and was sagging faceward to the ground.
Byrd was shot just above the heart and must have died almost instantly, police say.
ROBERTS ADMITS SHOOTING
Roberts admitted he fired the shots, according to the police.
Jerry Smith, chief of police, was making an inspection tour in Byrd's district when the shooting occurred. He passed Byrd just before Byrd went to the Roberts home. When he heard the shooting he turned his car and hurried to the house. He found Byrd lying dead as he had fallen, face foremost on the ground, near the corner of the house. Patrolmen York, Morton, Kavenaugh and Davis were hurried to the scene from the station. The negro was in serious condition at the place of the shooting and was immediately hurried to the Emergency hospital. Byrd's body was taken to the Marshall-Harper undertaking parlors.
Statements from the police and from witnesses near the scene of the shooting Saturday indicate W.F. Byrd fired four shots at the negro after the negro's bullet had pierced his heart. Every one of the shots took effect. The statements are based on the fact the report of the negro's large caliber revolver was heard first, followed by four sharp barks of the officer's automatic. Police say Byrd was the best shot at the station and in all dealings on the force was as game as he was in his death.
The Daily Oklahoman
March 8, 1919
* * * * * *
BYRD'S MOTHER WILL GET $1000
OKLAHOMA CITY CHARTER PROVIDES FOR ABOVE PAYMENT TO DEPENDENTS.
Since the fatal pistol duel between a negro and Policeman W.F. Byrd in Oklahoma City last Saturday the sale of firearms and ammunition in the city has been stopped by an emergency ordinance.
The mayor's decision came with the report that the sale of firearms had been unusually heavy Monday.
WOUNDED NEGROES ARMED
Wounded negroes taken to Emergency hospital following fights almost invariably are armed, doctors say. In the last week six automatics have been taken from negroes there.
Byrd died shooting. Fatally wounded, never missed as, sinking to his knees, he plugged the negro. Four .45 bullets took effect. The officer's trigger was half pulled for the fifth shot when death came. He was found with his face in the dust, his right arm outstretched, and his finger pressed against the trigger for the fifth shot.
It was one of the gamest deaths in all police history.
The negro admitted that he shot the officer before Byrd began to fire. Byrd was in full view and the negro was in the dark. The negro said the officer had a flash light and that this light helped his target. Byrd approached the negro in a narrow alley. The negro shot at close range, and the two were not more than six feet apart when the officer died.
Byrd was 35 years old, unmarried, and had been a member of the Oklahoma City police force for some time. His body was sent to his mother's home at Broken Bow.
Dependents of Byrd will be paid $1000 by the city. Besides the city will pay Byrd's funeral expenses.
The charter provides for the $1000 payment to the dependents of any fireman or policeman killed while on duty.
The Gazette has heard many expressions of regret among the dead policeman's friends in Idabel, where he was well known.
McCurtain Gazette
McCurtain County
Idabel, Oklahoma
No Date
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Children of William Byrd and Malinda Jacobs are:
+ 269 i. Lou Ada 6 Byrd, born March 17, 1881 in Johnson Co.AR.; died September 28, 1914 in DENNISON CEMETERY, TEXAS.
270 ii. William Franklin Byrd, born Abt. 1884 in ARK.; died August 7, 1919 in OK. CITY, OK. BURIED BROKEN BOW, OK..
Note: Lou Ada Byrd married John G. Conditt, she is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Garvin, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, as is a baby boy (Burl Conditt --same year of death). Lou Ada Conditt & Baby Boy probably died during childbirth.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN "W. F." BYRD
1884 ~ August 2, 1919
Police Officer Killed in the Line of Duty
Officer W. F. Byrd
August 2, 1919
Officer Byrd, who was a trooper in Mayor Walton's Mounted Police Unit, responded to gunshots from the rear of 509 N. Rhode Island. As Byrd rounded the corner of the house he was shot in the chest and mortally wounded. Byrd returned fire. The suspect was found just feet from the officer and died the next day from wounds sustained in the gunfight with Byrd.
W. F. Byrd
Police Officer Killed in Fight - W. F. Byrd Killed in Oklahoma City, Once Lived in Idabel - W. F. Byrd, one of the new mounted police officers of the Oklahoma City police force, was shot and instantly killed late Saturday night in a fight with negroes. Bill Roberts, the negro who is alleged to have fired the fatal shot died at nine o'clock Sunday night in the Emergency hospital from the effects of four bullet wounds fired by the policeman.
Mounted Officer Byrd was riding through the negro district in the east part of Oklahoma City when he heard shooting. He hurried to the place where the shots came from, got off his horse and approached the house. A buggy was standing at the curb. Robert's wife was sitting on the porch, police say. Byrd asked the woman where the shooting came from. She told him to go around back and he'd find out.
Byrd is said to have started around behind the Roberts home and the adjoining house. Just as he got between the two houses, according to report of the affair printed in the Oklahoman, the shooting began. The first report heard was very loud indicating it was from a big caliber black powder revolver. Examination of Roberts' revolver showed that it was a .45 and had been fired with black powder. Reports are conflicting as to whether or not the first shot was the one that struck the policemans body. He immediately returned fire and fired four shots, each one of which took effect in Roberts' body. Byrd was shot just above the heart, and must have died almost instantly, police say.
Byrd's mother, who is Mrs. Brazier (her name was Malinda Jacobs Brasher), lives at Broken Bow, where he had two half brothers, Levi and Dave Brazier (Brasher). He was known in Idabel and according to a statement made by City Marshal E. E. Epperson he lived here a few years ago working at the carpenter's trade. He was about 35 years of age. Byrd's body was shipped to Broken Bow, Sunday night for burial. A number of Byrd's friends on the Oklahoma City police force marched with the body from the undertaking rooms to the station and men who had served on the force with him accompanied the body to Broken Bow. (McCurtain Gazette, Wednesday, August 6, 1919, page 7)
* * * * * *
(Note: Typed as it was printed)
"COP" DOWNS NEGRO AFTER FATAL WOUND
W.F. Byrd, Shot in Heart, Fires Four Times Before Falling
SHOOTING ENDS IN DEATH OF TWO MEN
Police Believe the Trouble Was Due to Drinking of "Choc" Beer.
W.F. Byrd, one of the new mounted police officers of the Oklahoma City police force, was shot and instantly killed late Saturday night in a running fight with negroes at 509 North Rhode Island avenue. Bill Roberts, the negro who is alleged to have fired the fatal shot, died at nine o'clock last night in the Emergency hospital from the effects of four bullet wounds fired by the policeman. A number of negro families in the locality have moved to Walnut Grove. It is understood with the view of avoiding further trouble.
BYRD WAS RIDING.
The police say Byrd was riding through the negro district in the east part of the city when he heard shooting. He hurried to the place where the shots came from, got off his horse and approached the house. A buggy was standing at the curb. Robert's wife was sitting on the porch, police say. Byrd asked the woman where the shooting came from. She told him to go around back and he'd find out.
POLICEMAN SHOT IN HEART.
Byrd is said to have started around behind the Roberts home and the adjoining house. Just as he got between the two houses the shooting began. The first report heard was very loud, indicating it was from a big caliber black powdered revolver. Examination of Roberts' revolver showed that it was a 45 and had been fired with black powder.
The firing was evidently done at very close as the bullets from the policeman's revolver went through the body of the negro and embedded themselves in the wooden door of the house from which the negro fired. The bullets in the wood work all had an upward contac, which confirmed the theory that the policeman began shooting after he had been mortally wounded and was sagging faceward to the ground.
Byrd was shot just above the heart and must have died almost instantly, police say.
ROBERTS ADMITS SHOOTING
Roberts admitted he fired the shots, according to the police.
Jerry Smith, chief of police, was making an inspection tour in Byrd's district when the shooting occurred. He passed Byrd just before Byrd went to the Roberts home. When he heard the shooting he turned his car and hurried to the house. He found Byrd lying dead as he had fallen, face foremost on the ground, near the corner of the house. Patrolmen York, Morton, Kavenaugh and Davis were hurried to the scene from the station. The negro was in serious condition at the place of the shooting and was immediately hurried to the Emergency hospital. Byrd's body was taken to the Marshall-Harper undertaking parlors.
Statements from the police and from witnesses near the scene of the shooting Saturday indicate W.F. Byrd fired four shots at the negro after the negro's bullet had pierced his heart. Every one of the shots took effect. The statements are based on the fact the report of the negro's large caliber revolver was heard first, followed by four sharp barks of the officer's automatic. Police say Byrd was the best shot at the station and in all dealings on the force was as game as he was in his death.
The Daily Oklahoman
March 8, 1919
* * * * * *
BYRD'S MOTHER WILL GET $1000
OKLAHOMA CITY CHARTER PROVIDES FOR ABOVE PAYMENT TO DEPENDENTS.
Since the fatal pistol duel between a negro and Policeman W.F. Byrd in Oklahoma City last Saturday the sale of firearms and ammunition in the city has been stopped by an emergency ordinance.
The mayor's decision came with the report that the sale of firearms had been unusually heavy Monday.
WOUNDED NEGROES ARMED
Wounded negroes taken to Emergency hospital following fights almost invariably are armed, doctors say. In the last week six automatics have been taken from negroes there.
Byrd died shooting. Fatally wounded, never missed as, sinking to his knees, he plugged the negro. Four .45 bullets took effect. The officer's trigger was half pulled for the fifth shot when death came. He was found with his face in the dust, his right arm outstretched, and his finger pressed against the trigger for the fifth shot.
It was one of the gamest deaths in all police history.
The negro admitted that he shot the officer before Byrd began to fire. Byrd was in full view and the negro was in the dark. The negro said the officer had a flash light and that this light helped his target. Byrd approached the negro in a narrow alley. The negro shot at close range, and the two were not more than six feet apart when the officer died.
Byrd was 35 years old, unmarried, and had been a member of the Oklahoma City police force for some time. His body was sent to his mother's home at Broken Bow.
Dependents of Byrd will be paid $1000 by the city. Besides the city will pay Byrd's funeral expenses.
The charter provides for the $1000 payment to the dependents of any fireman or policeman killed while on duty.
The Gazette has heard many expressions of regret among the dead policeman's friends in Idabel, where he was well known.
McCurtain Gazette
McCurtain County
Idabel, Oklahoma
No Date
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Children of William Byrd and Malinda Jacobs are:
+ 269 i. Lou Ada 6 Byrd, born March 17, 1881 in Johnson Co.AR.; died September 28, 1914 in DENNISON CEMETERY, TEXAS.
270 ii. William Franklin Byrd, born Abt. 1884 in ARK.; died August 7, 1919 in OK. CITY, OK. BURIED BROKEN BOW, OK..
Note: Lou Ada Byrd married John G. Conditt, she is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Garvin, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, as is a baby boy (Burl Conditt --same year of death). Lou Ada Conditt & Baby Boy probably died during childbirth.
In Memoriam
WILLIAM FRANKLIN "W. F." BYRD
1884 ~ August 2, 1919
Police Officer Killed in the Line of Duty
Officer W. F. Byrd
August 2, 1919
Officer Byrd, who was a trooper in Mayor Walton's Mounted Police Unit, responded to gunshots from the rear of 509 N. Rhode Island. As Byrd rounded the corner of the house he was shot in the chest and mortally wounded. Byrd returned fire. The suspect was found just feet from the officer and died the next day from wounds sustained in the gunfight with Byrd.
W. F. Byrd
Police Officer Killed in Fight - W. F. Byrd Killed in Oklahoma City, Once Lived in Idabel - W. F. Byrd, one of the new mounted police officers of the Oklahoma City police force, was shot and instantly killed late Saturday night in a fight with negroes. Bill Roberts, the negro who is alleged to have fired the fatal shot died at nine o'clock Sunday night in the Emergency hospital from the effects of four bullet wounds fired by the policeman.
Mounted Officer Byrd was riding through the negro district in the east part of Oklahoma City when he heard shooting. He hurried to the place where the shots came from, got off his horse and approached the house. A buggy was standing at the curb. Robert's wife was sitting on the porch, police say. Byrd asked the woman where the shooting came from. She told him to go around back and he'd find out.
Byrd is said to have started around behind the Roberts home and the adjoining house. Just as he got between the two houses, according to report of the affair printed in the Oklahoman, the shooting began. The first report heard was very loud indicating it was from a big caliber black powder revolver. Examination of Roberts' revolver showed that it was a .45 and had been fired with black powder. Reports are conflicting as to whether or not the first shot was the one that struck the policemans body. He immediately returned fire and fired four shots, each one of which took effect in Roberts' body. Byrd was shot just above the heart, and must have died almost instantly, police say.
Byrd's mother, who is Mrs. Brazier (her name was Malinda Jacobs Brasher), lives at Broken Bow, where he had two half brothers, Levi and Dave Brazier (Brasher). He was known in Idabel and according to a statement made by City Marshal E. E. Epperson he lived here a few years ago working at the carpenter's trade. He was about 35 years of age. Byrd's body was shipped to Broken Bow, Sunday night for burial. A number of Byrd's friends on the Oklahoma City police force marched with the body from the undertaking rooms to the station and men who had served on the force with him accompanied the body to Broken Bow. (McCurtain Gazette, Wednesday, August 6, 1919, page 7)
* * * * * *
(Note: Typed as it was printed)
"COP" DOWNS NEGRO AFTER FATAL WOUND
W.F. Byrd, Shot in Heart, Fires Four Times Before Falling
SHOOTING ENDS IN DEATH OF TWO MEN
Police Believe the Trouble Was Due to Drinking of "Choc" Beer.
W.F. Byrd, one of the new mounted police officers of the Oklahoma City police force, was shot and instantly killed late Saturday night in a running fight with negroes at 509 North Rhode Island avenue. Bill Roberts, the negro who is alleged to have fired the fatal shot, died at nine o'clock last night in the Emergency hospital from the effects of four bullet wounds fired by the policeman. A number of negro families in the locality have moved to Walnut Grove. It is understood with the view of avoiding further trouble.
BYRD WAS RIDING.
The police say Byrd was riding through the negro district in the east part of the city when he heard shooting. He hurried to the place where the shots came from, got off his horse and approached the house. A buggy was standing at the curb. Robert's wife was sitting on the porch, police say. Byrd asked the woman where the shooting came from. She told him to go around back and he'd find out.
POLICEMAN SHOT IN HEART.
Byrd is said to have started around behind the Roberts home and the adjoining house. Just as he got between the two houses the shooting began. The first report heard was very loud, indicating it was from a big caliber black powdered revolver. Examination of Roberts' revolver showed that it was a 45 and had been fired with black powder.
The firing was evidently done at very close as the bullets from the policeman's revolver went through the body of the negro and embedded themselves in the wooden door of the house from which the negro fired. The bullets in the wood work all had an upward contac, which confirmed the theory that the policeman began shooting after he had been mortally wounded and was sagging faceward to the ground.
Byrd was shot just above the heart and must have died almost instantly, police say.
ROBERTS ADMITS SHOOTING
Roberts admitted he fired the shots, according to the police.
Jerry Smith, chief of police, was making an inspection tour in Byrd's district when the shooting occurred. He passed Byrd just before Byrd went to the Roberts home. When he heard the shooting he turned his car and hurried to the house. He found Byrd lying dead as he had fallen, face foremost on the ground, near the corner of the house. Patrolmen York, Morton, Kavenaugh and Davis were hurried to the scene from the station. The negro was in serious condition at the place of the shooting and was immediately hurried to the Emergency hospital. Byrd's body was taken to the Marshall-Harper undertaking parlors.
Statements from the police and from witnesses near the scene of the shooting Saturday indicate W.F. Byrd fired four shots at the negro after the negro's bullet had pierced his heart. Every one of the shots took effect. The statements are based on the fact the report of the negro's large caliber revolver was heard first, followed by four sharp barks of the officer's automatic. Police say Byrd was the best shot at the station and in all dealings on the force was as game as he was in his death.
The Daily Oklahoman
March 8, 1919
* * * * * *
BYRD'S MOTHER WILL GET $1000
OKLAHOMA CITY CHARTER PROVIDES FOR ABOVE PAYMENT TO DEPENDENTS.
Since the fatal pistol duel between a negro and Policeman W.F. Byrd in Oklahoma City last Saturday the sale of firearms and ammunition in the city has been stopped by an emergency ordinance.
The mayor's decision came with the report that the sale of firearms had been unusually heavy Monday.
WOUNDED NEGROES ARMED
Wounded negroes taken to Emergency hospital following fights almost invariably are armed, doctors say. In the last week six automatics have been taken from negroes there.
Byrd died shooting. Fatally wounded, never missed as, sinking to his knees, he plugged the negro. Four .45 bullets took effect. The officer's trigger was half pulled for the fifth shot when death came. He was found with his face in the dust, his right arm outstretched, and his finger pressed against the trigger for the fifth shot.
It was one of the gamest deaths in all police history.
The negro admitted that he shot the officer before Byrd began to fire. Byrd was in full view and the negro was in the dark. The negro said the officer had a flash light and that this light helped his target. Byrd approached the negro in a narrow alley. The negro shot at close range, and the two were not more than six feet apart when the officer died.
Byrd was 35 years old, unmarried, and had been a member of the Oklahoma City police force for some time. His body was sent to his mother's home at Broken Bow.
Dependents of Byrd will be paid $1000 by the city. Besides the city will pay Byrd's funeral expenses.
The charter provides for the $1000 payment to the dependents of any fireman or policeman killed while on duty.
The Gazette has heard many expressions of regret among the dead policeman's friends in Idabel, where he was well known.
McCurtain Gazette
McCurtain County
Idabel, Oklahoma
No Date
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Children of William Byrd and Malinda Jacobs are:
+ 269 i. Lou Ada 6 Byrd, born March 17, 1881 in Johnson Co.AR.; died September 28, 1914 in DENNISON CEMETERY, TEXAS.
270 ii. William Franklin Byrd, born Abt. 1884 in ARK.; died August 7, 1919 in OK. CITY, OK. BURIED BROKEN BOW, OK..
Note: Lou Ada Byrd married John G. Conditt, she is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Garvin, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, as is a baby boy (Burl Conditt --same year of death). Lou Ada Conditt & Baby Boy probably died during childbirth.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN "W. F." BYRD
1884 ~ August 2, 1919
Police Officer Killed in the Line of Duty
Officer W. F. Byrd
August 2, 1919
Officer Byrd, who was a trooper in Mayor Walton's Mounted Police Unit, responded to gunshots from the rear of 509 N. Rhode Island. As Byrd rounded the corner of the house he was shot in the chest and mortally wounded. Byrd returned fire. The suspect was found just feet from the officer and died the next day from wounds sustained in the gunfight with Byrd.
W. F. Byrd
Police Officer Killed in Fight - W. F. Byrd Killed in Oklahoma City, Once Lived in Idabel - W. F. Byrd, one of the new mounted police officers of the Oklahoma City police force, was shot and instantly killed late Saturday night in a fight with negroes. Bill Roberts, the negro who is alleged to have fired the fatal shot died at nine o'clock Sunday night in the Emergency hospital from the effects of four bullet wounds fired by the policeman.
Mounted Officer Byrd was riding through the negro district in the east part of Oklahoma City when he heard shooting. He hurried to the place where the shots came from, got off his horse and approached the house. A buggy was standing at the curb. Robert's wife was sitting on the porch, police say. Byrd asked the woman where the shooting came from. She told him to go around back and he'd find out.
Byrd is said to have started around behind the Roberts home and the adjoining house. Just as he got between the two houses, according to report of the affair printed in the Oklahoman, the shooting began. The first report heard was very loud indicating it was from a big caliber black powder revolver. Examination of Roberts' revolver showed that it was a .45 and had been fired with black powder. Reports are conflicting as to whether or not the first shot was the one that struck the policemans body. He immediately returned fire and fired four shots, each one of which took effect in Roberts' body. Byrd was shot just above the heart, and must have died almost instantly, police say.
Byrd's mother, who is Mrs. Brazier (her name was Malinda Jacobs Brasher), lives at Broken Bow, where he had two half brothers, Levi and Dave Brazier (Brasher). He was known in Idabel and according to a statement made by City Marshal E. E. Epperson he lived here a few years ago working at the carpenter's trade. He was about 35 years of age. Byrd's body was shipped to Broken Bow, Sunday night for burial. A number of Byrd's friends on the Oklahoma City police force marched with the body from the undertaking rooms to the station and men who had served on the force with him accompanied the body to Broken Bow. (McCurtain Gazette, Wednesday, August 6, 1919, page 7)
* * * * * *
(Note: Typed as it was printed)
"COP" DOWNS NEGRO AFTER FATAL WOUND
W.F. Byrd, Shot in Heart, Fires Four Times Before Falling
SHOOTING ENDS IN DEATH OF TWO MEN
Police Believe the Trouble Was Due to Drinking of "Choc" Beer.
W.F. Byrd, one of the new mounted police officers of the Oklahoma City police force, was shot and instantly killed late Saturday night in a running fight with negroes at 509 North Rhode Island avenue. Bill Roberts, the negro who is alleged to have fired the fatal shot, died at nine o'clock last night in the Emergency hospital from the effects of four bullet wounds fired by the policeman. A number of negro families in the locality have moved to Walnut Grove. It is understood with the view of avoiding further trouble.
BYRD WAS RIDING.
The police say Byrd was riding through the negro district in the east part of the city when he heard shooting. He hurried to the place where the shots came from, got off his horse and approached the house. A buggy was standing at the curb. Robert's wife was sitting on the porch, police say. Byrd asked the woman where the shooting came from. She told him to go around back and he'd find out.
POLICEMAN SHOT IN HEART.
Byrd is said to have started around behind the Roberts home and the adjoining house. Just as he got between the two houses the shooting began. The first report heard was very loud, indicating it was from a big caliber black powdered revolver. Examination of Roberts' revolver showed that it was a 45 and had been fired with black powder.
The firing was evidently done at very close as the bullets from the policeman's revolver went through the body of the negro and embedded themselves in the wooden door of the house from which the negro fired. The bullets in the wood work all had an upward contac, which confirmed the theory that the policeman began shooting after he had been mortally wounded and was sagging faceward to the ground.
Byrd was shot just above the heart and must have died almost instantly, police say.
ROBERTS ADMITS SHOOTING
Roberts admitted he fired the shots, according to the police.
Jerry Smith, chief of police, was making an inspection tour in Byrd's district when the shooting occurred. He passed Byrd just before Byrd went to the Roberts home. When he heard the shooting he turned his car and hurried to the house. He found Byrd lying dead as he had fallen, face foremost on the ground, near the corner of the house. Patrolmen York, Morton, Kavenaugh and Davis were hurried to the scene from the station. The negro was in serious condition at the place of the shooting and was immediately hurried to the Emergency hospital. Byrd's body was taken to the Marshall-Harper undertaking parlors.
Statements from the police and from witnesses near the scene of the shooting Saturday indicate W.F. Byrd fired four shots at the negro after the negro's bullet had pierced his heart. Every one of the shots took effect. The statements are based on the fact the report of the negro's large caliber revolver was heard first, followed by four sharp barks of the officer's automatic. Police say Byrd was the best shot at the station and in all dealings on the force was as game as he was in his death.
The Daily Oklahoman
March 8, 1919
* * * * * *
BYRD'S MOTHER WILL GET $1000
OKLAHOMA CITY CHARTER PROVIDES FOR ABOVE PAYMENT TO DEPENDENTS.
Since the fatal pistol duel between a negro and Policeman W.F. Byrd in Oklahoma City last Saturday the sale of firearms and ammunition in the city has been stopped by an emergency ordinance.
The mayor's decision came with the report that the sale of firearms had been unusually heavy Monday.
WOUNDED NEGROES ARMED
Wounded negroes taken to Emergency hospital following fights almost invariably are armed, doctors say. In the last week six automatics have been taken from negroes there.
Byrd died shooting. Fatally wounded, never missed as, sinking to his knees, he plugged the negro. Four .45 bullets took effect. The officer's trigger was half pulled for the fifth shot when death came. He was found with his face in the dust, his right arm outstretched, and his finger pressed against the trigger for the fifth shot.
It was one of the gamest deaths in all police history.
The negro admitted that he shot the officer before Byrd began to fire. Byrd was in full view and the negro was in the dark. The negro said the officer had a flash light and that this light helped his target. Byrd approached the negro in a narrow alley. The negro shot at close range, and the two were not more than six feet apart when the officer died.
Byrd was 35 years old, unmarried, and had been a member of the Oklahoma City police force for some time. His body was sent to his mother's home at Broken Bow.
Dependents of Byrd will be paid $1000 by the city. Besides the city will pay Byrd's funeral expenses.
The charter provides for the $1000 payment to the dependents of any fireman or policeman killed while on duty.
The Gazette has heard many expressions of regret among the dead policeman's friends in Idabel, where he was well known.
McCurtain Gazette
McCurtain County
Idabel, Oklahoma
No Date
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Children of William Byrd and Malinda Jacobs are:
+ 269 i. Lou Ada 6 Byrd, born March 17, 1881 in Johnson Co.AR.; died September 28, 1914 in DENNISON CEMETERY, TEXAS.
270 ii. William Franklin Byrd, born Abt. 1884 in ARK.; died August 7, 1919 in OK. CITY, OK. BURIED BROKEN BOW, OK..
Note: Lou Ada Byrd married John G. Conditt, she is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Garvin, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, as is a baby boy (Burl Conditt --same year of death). Lou Ada Conditt & Baby Boy probably died during childbirth.
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