In Memoriam
RANDALL HENRY SWINK
November 3, 1902 ~ October 17, 1934
HENRY SWINK, VALLIANT BOY, SHOT THURSDAY
His Father, W. W. Swink Wounded By Negro In Mixup
Wallace Hammick, aged 45, negro, who shot to death Henry Swink, 31, and seriously wounded his father, W. W. Swink, prominent McCurtain county farmer, Thursday afternoon, was killed by Carl Pruitt of Valliant near Sawyer Thursday night.
Sheriff Bud Stewart, together with Jack McDowell and Mr. Pruitt, were returning the negro to Idabel and had stopped at Sawyer. Mr. Stewart and Mr. McDowell had gotten out of the car a moment, leaving Mr. Pruitt to guard the negro on the back seat. The negro was making a break for liberty when shot, it is said. Hammick, weak from the loss of blood from the shot which he had received in the left arm early in the afternoon and suffering from the bullet wounds he received at Sawyer, died on the way to Idabel.
The trouble had its beginning about two weeks ago when the elder Swink asked Hammick for possession of his house and farm, owned by Mr. Swink. The negro had not moved Thursday after being told that the place had been rented to another. Mr. Swink asked the negro Thursday to vacate the property and also told him that he had been missing corn.
"Do you mean to say that I have been stealing your corn," Hammick asked and Mr. Swink said that he did. "If you think I got your corn come down to my house and search it," the negro said.
"I'll be down there in a few minutes and see for myself." Mr. Swink told him.
Mr. Swink and his son, Henry, later walked to the negro's house, located on the Swink plantation about twenty-six miles southwest of Idabel, and about one hundred yards from the old store building in which Mr. Swink was staying. Young Swink was armed with a shotgun.
As the two appeared at the front gate, a negro shot from the east window of the house, the load from the shotgun striking young Swink in the face and chest.
"Run Dad, they will kill us." young Swink yelled to his father, who turned and ran. As the elder Swink turned to run he was shot in the muscle of the right arm. Young Swink fired and Hammick was struck in the left arm. Mortally wounded, young Swink ran about 100 yards and fell on the porch of the old store building, dying there.
Soon after the shooting, Hammick left his house and went to E. A. Tobier's farm, one-half mile south of the scene of the killing, and asked his wife to notify Walter Irons, who lives about a mile from the Tobler farm, to come to take him to a doctor. Hammick told her he had been shot. Hammick's wife sent her 15-year-old son, who was there picking cotton, to tell Mr. Irons.
Mr. Irons, not knowing that Hammick had shot anyone, went to the Tobler place, got the Negro amd had started to Millerton with him for medical aid and to telephone Idabel officers about the shooting. About four miles north of Irons farm they met County Attorney Bill Montgomery and Jack McDowell.
Mr. Irons stopped his car and halted Montgomery and McDowell. Mr. Montgomery told Irons what the Negro had done and fearing mob violence, asked Irons to take him to the Hugo jail. Irons and McDowell took the Negro to the Hugo jail, where he received medical treatment. Mr. Montgomery notified McCurtain county officers to take the negro to the state penitentiary at McAlester.
The elder Swink, in the meantime, was taken to his home in Valliant by an ambulance of Chappell Funeral Home. Although weak from the wound in his arm, he was reported resting as well as could be expected today.
Meanwhile, Officers Joe Hough, Robert Ives and Grady Harkey, went to the scene of the shooting and arrested four other negroes, Lonnie Lewis, Van Scott, Herman Scott and J. D. Hammick, son of the negro slayer.
Mr. Swink, well-known in the region, had lived in this part of the county for thirty-six years. He directs the work on his various farms during the week and spends the weekends at his home in Valliant.
Young Swink, who was graduated from Valliant High school, later attended Armstrong Academy and next attended Oklahoma A. and M. college, where he was graduated. Besides his mother and father, he is survived by a brother, W. E. Swink, Broken Bow, and three sisters, Mrs. A. L. Edmiaston, Paris, Texas; Mrs. Ida May Gregg, Paris, Texas, and Miss Irene Swink, Valliant.
Funeral services for young Swink will be held this afternoon at 2:30 from the Baptist church in Valliant with Rev. Barnard Franklin, Broken Bow pastor officiating. Inmterment will take place in the Valliant cemetery under the direction of Chappell Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be B. Couch, John Scroggins, John Guest, Carl Pruitt and Raphiel Wilson, Valliant, and Joseph Hough, Idabel.
McCurtain Gazette
Saturday, October 13, 1934
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HENRY SWINK FATALLY SHOT BY NEGRO TENANT
Henry Swink, age 31, of Valliant was fatally shot and his father, W. W. Swink, was wounded by Wallace Hammick, negro tenant on the Swink farm South of Millerton, last Thursday afternoon. The trouble began about a week previous to the shooting when the negro was asked to vacate the house on land Mr. Swink owned. The negro had not moved Thursday after being told the place had been rented to another . Mr. Swink asked the negro to vacate and that he had been missing corn. The negro asked Mr. Swink to come to his house and search it if he thought he had stolen corn. "I'll be down in a few minutes and see for myself," Mr. Swink told him.
When he and his son, Henry, went to the negro house a few minutes aftewards they were confronted by Hammick with a shotgun who shot young Swink in the face and chest.
"Run Dad, they will kill us," young Swink yelled to his father, who turned and ran. As the elder Swink turned to run he was shot in the muscle of the left arm. Young Swink fired and Hammick was struck in the left arm. Mortally wounded, young Swink ran about a hundred yards and fell on the porch of the old store building, dying there a few minutes afterwards.
Mr. Swink was taken to his home ar Valliant and later to the Paris Hospital to be treated for blood poisioning which had set up in his arm.
Hammick was taked to Hugo and on the return trip to Idabel he attempted to escape and was fatally shot by deputy sheriff Carl Pruitt of Valliant.
Funeral services for Henry Swink were conducted at the Baptist Church in Valliant Saturday afternoon with Rev. Barnard Franklin of Broken Bow, officiating. Interment took place in the Valliant Cemetery under the direction of Chappell Funeral Home of Idabel.
The deceased, a graduate of Valliant high school and A. & M. College, Stillwater, is survivd by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Swink; one brother, W. E. Swink, Broken Bow; and three sisters, Mrs. A. L. Edmiaston, Paris, Texas, Mrs. Ida May Gregg, Paris, Texas and Miss Irene Swink, Valliant.
Broken Bow News
Thursday, October 18, 1934
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HENRY SWINK
A large crowd of friends and sorrowing relatives, gathering at the little Methodist church at Valliant last Saturday to pay a last respect to the remains of Henry Swink, a young man of Valliant, who had been shot dead by a negro and whose father is now at the point of death caused by the same shotgun in the hands of the black.
Sad indeed is an occasion of this kind. Henry Swink had grown from infancy to manhood in the little town of Valliant, being the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Swink, prominent merchants and farmers; he had finished high school there and had later completed his education at the Oklahoma A. and M. college, and was one of the brightest young men of that county.
Death, however, is no respector of persons, and while life may seem at its fullness it is only a fickle "something" that snaps and dashes to pieces our hopes and ambitions and returns the mortal to immortality and the body to "mother earth" from which it came. Henry Swink was entering his thirtieth year of life --- had reached the age where serious thought usually enters the minds of our young men; when, ordinarily, preparation is begun for a useful career, but Henry eas denied that privilege, in the twinkling of an eye his career was cut short, he has paid the price--- death---that we all must pay, and has gone to his reward. It seems so hard for mother, father, relatives and friends to give up our loved ones, but it is the plan---the fixed plan and cannot be changed, and while the Great God has called Henry to his eternal home, while yet in his young, manhood, it should serve as a warning to us that we are all waiting---marking time---until our summons comes. It might be today, tomorrow or next year, but it is coming---it is inevitable, it is the earthly end of us all.
We loved Henry Swink, he was our friend, we watched hin groq from a small child into manhood, many happy hours we have spent with him. many nights have we followed the hounds while Henry was our kid companion. He was true to his friends, true to a trust, and our visits to Valliant will be saddened, and we shall ever miss him.
To the heartbroken parents, brother and sisters, we weep with you, we share your grief, and we shall always remember Henry as our good friend, and shall not think of him as dead---but shall picture him in that home prepared by God, where all is love, all is well, in a home where there is no temptation, and where loved ones and friends can meet again, after this life is ended.
J. C. OLIVER.
Antlers, Oklahoma.
McCurtain Gazette
Wednesday, October 24, 1934
Shot and killed while collecting tenant rents with his father. His father succumbed to his injuries at a later date.
RANDALL HENRY SWINK
November 3, 1902 ~ October 17, 1934
HENRY SWINK, VALLIANT BOY, SHOT THURSDAY
His Father, W. W. Swink Wounded By Negro In Mixup
Wallace Hammick, aged 45, negro, who shot to death Henry Swink, 31, and seriously wounded his father, W. W. Swink, prominent McCurtain county farmer, Thursday afternoon, was killed by Carl Pruitt of Valliant near Sawyer Thursday night.
Sheriff Bud Stewart, together with Jack McDowell and Mr. Pruitt, were returning the negro to Idabel and had stopped at Sawyer. Mr. Stewart and Mr. McDowell had gotten out of the car a moment, leaving Mr. Pruitt to guard the negro on the back seat. The negro was making a break for liberty when shot, it is said. Hammick, weak from the loss of blood from the shot which he had received in the left arm early in the afternoon and suffering from the bullet wounds he received at Sawyer, died on the way to Idabel.
The trouble had its beginning about two weeks ago when the elder Swink asked Hammick for possession of his house and farm, owned by Mr. Swink. The negro had not moved Thursday after being told that the place had been rented to another. Mr. Swink asked the negro Thursday to vacate the property and also told him that he had been missing corn.
"Do you mean to say that I have been stealing your corn," Hammick asked and Mr. Swink said that he did. "If you think I got your corn come down to my house and search it," the negro said.
"I'll be down there in a few minutes and see for myself." Mr. Swink told him.
Mr. Swink and his son, Henry, later walked to the negro's house, located on the Swink plantation about twenty-six miles southwest of Idabel, and about one hundred yards from the old store building in which Mr. Swink was staying. Young Swink was armed with a shotgun.
As the two appeared at the front gate, a negro shot from the east window of the house, the load from the shotgun striking young Swink in the face and chest.
"Run Dad, they will kill us." young Swink yelled to his father, who turned and ran. As the elder Swink turned to run he was shot in the muscle of the right arm. Young Swink fired and Hammick was struck in the left arm. Mortally wounded, young Swink ran about 100 yards and fell on the porch of the old store building, dying there.
Soon after the shooting, Hammick left his house and went to E. A. Tobier's farm, one-half mile south of the scene of the killing, and asked his wife to notify Walter Irons, who lives about a mile from the Tobler farm, to come to take him to a doctor. Hammick told her he had been shot. Hammick's wife sent her 15-year-old son, who was there picking cotton, to tell Mr. Irons.
Mr. Irons, not knowing that Hammick had shot anyone, went to the Tobler place, got the Negro amd had started to Millerton with him for medical aid and to telephone Idabel officers about the shooting. About four miles north of Irons farm they met County Attorney Bill Montgomery and Jack McDowell.
Mr. Irons stopped his car and halted Montgomery and McDowell. Mr. Montgomery told Irons what the Negro had done and fearing mob violence, asked Irons to take him to the Hugo jail. Irons and McDowell took the Negro to the Hugo jail, where he received medical treatment. Mr. Montgomery notified McCurtain county officers to take the negro to the state penitentiary at McAlester.
The elder Swink, in the meantime, was taken to his home in Valliant by an ambulance of Chappell Funeral Home. Although weak from the wound in his arm, he was reported resting as well as could be expected today.
Meanwhile, Officers Joe Hough, Robert Ives and Grady Harkey, went to the scene of the shooting and arrested four other negroes, Lonnie Lewis, Van Scott, Herman Scott and J. D. Hammick, son of the negro slayer.
Mr. Swink, well-known in the region, had lived in this part of the county for thirty-six years. He directs the work on his various farms during the week and spends the weekends at his home in Valliant.
Young Swink, who was graduated from Valliant High school, later attended Armstrong Academy and next attended Oklahoma A. and M. college, where he was graduated. Besides his mother and father, he is survived by a brother, W. E. Swink, Broken Bow, and three sisters, Mrs. A. L. Edmiaston, Paris, Texas; Mrs. Ida May Gregg, Paris, Texas, and Miss Irene Swink, Valliant.
Funeral services for young Swink will be held this afternoon at 2:30 from the Baptist church in Valliant with Rev. Barnard Franklin, Broken Bow pastor officiating. Inmterment will take place in the Valliant cemetery under the direction of Chappell Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be B. Couch, John Scroggins, John Guest, Carl Pruitt and Raphiel Wilson, Valliant, and Joseph Hough, Idabel.
McCurtain Gazette
Saturday, October 13, 1934
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HENRY SWINK FATALLY SHOT BY NEGRO TENANT
Henry Swink, age 31, of Valliant was fatally shot and his father, W. W. Swink, was wounded by Wallace Hammick, negro tenant on the Swink farm South of Millerton, last Thursday afternoon. The trouble began about a week previous to the shooting when the negro was asked to vacate the house on land Mr. Swink owned. The negro had not moved Thursday after being told the place had been rented to another . Mr. Swink asked the negro to vacate and that he had been missing corn. The negro asked Mr. Swink to come to his house and search it if he thought he had stolen corn. "I'll be down in a few minutes and see for myself," Mr. Swink told him.
When he and his son, Henry, went to the negro house a few minutes aftewards they were confronted by Hammick with a shotgun who shot young Swink in the face and chest.
"Run Dad, they will kill us," young Swink yelled to his father, who turned and ran. As the elder Swink turned to run he was shot in the muscle of the left arm. Young Swink fired and Hammick was struck in the left arm. Mortally wounded, young Swink ran about a hundred yards and fell on the porch of the old store building, dying there a few minutes afterwards.
Mr. Swink was taken to his home ar Valliant and later to the Paris Hospital to be treated for blood poisioning which had set up in his arm.
Hammick was taked to Hugo and on the return trip to Idabel he attempted to escape and was fatally shot by deputy sheriff Carl Pruitt of Valliant.
Funeral services for Henry Swink were conducted at the Baptist Church in Valliant Saturday afternoon with Rev. Barnard Franklin of Broken Bow, officiating. Interment took place in the Valliant Cemetery under the direction of Chappell Funeral Home of Idabel.
The deceased, a graduate of Valliant high school and A. & M. College, Stillwater, is survivd by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Swink; one brother, W. E. Swink, Broken Bow; and three sisters, Mrs. A. L. Edmiaston, Paris, Texas, Mrs. Ida May Gregg, Paris, Texas and Miss Irene Swink, Valliant.
Broken Bow News
Thursday, October 18, 1934
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HENRY SWINK
A large crowd of friends and sorrowing relatives, gathering at the little Methodist church at Valliant last Saturday to pay a last respect to the remains of Henry Swink, a young man of Valliant, who had been shot dead by a negro and whose father is now at the point of death caused by the same shotgun in the hands of the black.
Sad indeed is an occasion of this kind. Henry Swink had grown from infancy to manhood in the little town of Valliant, being the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Swink, prominent merchants and farmers; he had finished high school there and had later completed his education at the Oklahoma A. and M. college, and was one of the brightest young men of that county.
Death, however, is no respector of persons, and while life may seem at its fullness it is only a fickle "something" that snaps and dashes to pieces our hopes and ambitions and returns the mortal to immortality and the body to "mother earth" from which it came. Henry Swink was entering his thirtieth year of life --- had reached the age where serious thought usually enters the minds of our young men; when, ordinarily, preparation is begun for a useful career, but Henry eas denied that privilege, in the twinkling of an eye his career was cut short, he has paid the price--- death---that we all must pay, and has gone to his reward. It seems so hard for mother, father, relatives and friends to give up our loved ones, but it is the plan---the fixed plan and cannot be changed, and while the Great God has called Henry to his eternal home, while yet in his young, manhood, it should serve as a warning to us that we are all waiting---marking time---until our summons comes. It might be today, tomorrow or next year, but it is coming---it is inevitable, it is the earthly end of us all.
We loved Henry Swink, he was our friend, we watched hin groq from a small child into manhood, many happy hours we have spent with him. many nights have we followed the hounds while Henry was our kid companion. He was true to his friends, true to a trust, and our visits to Valliant will be saddened, and we shall ever miss him.
To the heartbroken parents, brother and sisters, we weep with you, we share your grief, and we shall always remember Henry as our good friend, and shall not think of him as dead---but shall picture him in that home prepared by God, where all is love, all is well, in a home where there is no temptation, and where loved ones and friends can meet again, after this life is ended.
J. C. OLIVER.
Antlers, Oklahoma.
McCurtain Gazette
Wednesday, October 24, 1934
Shot and killed while collecting tenant rents with his father. His father succumbed to his injuries at a later date.
In Memoriam
RANDALL HENRY SWINK
November 3, 1902 ~ October 17, 1934
HENRY SWINK, VALLIANT BOY, SHOT THURSDAY
His Father, W. W. Swink Wounded By Negro In Mixup
Wallace Hammick, aged 45, negro, who shot to death Henry Swink, 31, and seriously wounded his father, W. W. Swink, prominent McCurtain county farmer, Thursday afternoon, was killed by Carl Pruitt of Valliant near Sawyer Thursday night.
Sheriff Bud Stewart, together with Jack McDowell and Mr. Pruitt, were returning the negro to Idabel and had stopped at Sawyer. Mr. Stewart and Mr. McDowell had gotten out of the car a moment, leaving Mr. Pruitt to guard the negro on the back seat. The negro was making a break for liberty when shot, it is said. Hammick, weak from the loss of blood from the shot which he had received in the left arm early in the afternoon and suffering from the bullet wounds he received at Sawyer, died on the way to Idabel.
The trouble had its beginning about two weeks ago when the elder Swink asked Hammick for possession of his house and farm, owned by Mr. Swink. The negro had not moved Thursday after being told that the place had been rented to another. Mr. Swink asked the negro Thursday to vacate the property and also told him that he had been missing corn.
"Do you mean to say that I have been stealing your corn," Hammick asked and Mr. Swink said that he did. "If you think I got your corn come down to my house and search it," the negro said.
"I'll be down there in a few minutes and see for myself." Mr. Swink told him.
Mr. Swink and his son, Henry, later walked to the negro's house, located on the Swink plantation about twenty-six miles southwest of Idabel, and about one hundred yards from the old store building in which Mr. Swink was staying. Young Swink was armed with a shotgun.
As the two appeared at the front gate, a negro shot from the east window of the house, the load from the shotgun striking young Swink in the face and chest.
"Run Dad, they will kill us." young Swink yelled to his father, who turned and ran. As the elder Swink turned to run he was shot in the muscle of the right arm. Young Swink fired and Hammick was struck in the left arm. Mortally wounded, young Swink ran about 100 yards and fell on the porch of the old store building, dying there.
Soon after the shooting, Hammick left his house and went to E. A. Tobier's farm, one-half mile south of the scene of the killing, and asked his wife to notify Walter Irons, who lives about a mile from the Tobler farm, to come to take him to a doctor. Hammick told her he had been shot. Hammick's wife sent her 15-year-old son, who was there picking cotton, to tell Mr. Irons.
Mr. Irons, not knowing that Hammick had shot anyone, went to the Tobler place, got the Negro amd had started to Millerton with him for medical aid and to telephone Idabel officers about the shooting. About four miles north of Irons farm they met County Attorney Bill Montgomery and Jack McDowell.
Mr. Irons stopped his car and halted Montgomery and McDowell. Mr. Montgomery told Irons what the Negro had done and fearing mob violence, asked Irons to take him to the Hugo jail. Irons and McDowell took the Negro to the Hugo jail, where he received medical treatment. Mr. Montgomery notified McCurtain county officers to take the negro to the state penitentiary at McAlester.
The elder Swink, in the meantime, was taken to his home in Valliant by an ambulance of Chappell Funeral Home. Although weak from the wound in his arm, he was reported resting as well as could be expected today.
Meanwhile, Officers Joe Hough, Robert Ives and Grady Harkey, went to the scene of the shooting and arrested four other negroes, Lonnie Lewis, Van Scott, Herman Scott and J. D. Hammick, son of the negro slayer.
Mr. Swink, well-known in the region, had lived in this part of the county for thirty-six years. He directs the work on his various farms during the week and spends the weekends at his home in Valliant.
Young Swink, who was graduated from Valliant High school, later attended Armstrong Academy and next attended Oklahoma A. and M. college, where he was graduated. Besides his mother and father, he is survived by a brother, W. E. Swink, Broken Bow, and three sisters, Mrs. A. L. Edmiaston, Paris, Texas; Mrs. Ida May Gregg, Paris, Texas, and Miss Irene Swink, Valliant.
Funeral services for young Swink will be held this afternoon at 2:30 from the Baptist church in Valliant with Rev. Barnard Franklin, Broken Bow pastor officiating. Inmterment will take place in the Valliant cemetery under the direction of Chappell Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be B. Couch, John Scroggins, John Guest, Carl Pruitt and Raphiel Wilson, Valliant, and Joseph Hough, Idabel.
McCurtain Gazette
Saturday, October 13, 1934
*********************************
HENRY SWINK FATALLY SHOT BY NEGRO TENANT
Henry Swink, age 31, of Valliant was fatally shot and his father, W. W. Swink, was wounded by Wallace Hammick, negro tenant on the Swink farm South of Millerton, last Thursday afternoon. The trouble began about a week previous to the shooting when the negro was asked to vacate the house on land Mr. Swink owned. The negro had not moved Thursday after being told the place had been rented to another . Mr. Swink asked the negro to vacate and that he had been missing corn. The negro asked Mr. Swink to come to his house and search it if he thought he had stolen corn. "I'll be down in a few minutes and see for myself," Mr. Swink told him.
When he and his son, Henry, went to the negro house a few minutes aftewards they were confronted by Hammick with a shotgun who shot young Swink in the face and chest.
"Run Dad, they will kill us," young Swink yelled to his father, who turned and ran. As the elder Swink turned to run he was shot in the muscle of the left arm. Young Swink fired and Hammick was struck in the left arm. Mortally wounded, young Swink ran about a hundred yards and fell on the porch of the old store building, dying there a few minutes afterwards.
Mr. Swink was taken to his home ar Valliant and later to the Paris Hospital to be treated for blood poisioning which had set up in his arm.
Hammick was taked to Hugo and on the return trip to Idabel he attempted to escape and was fatally shot by deputy sheriff Carl Pruitt of Valliant.
Funeral services for Henry Swink were conducted at the Baptist Church in Valliant Saturday afternoon with Rev. Barnard Franklin of Broken Bow, officiating. Interment took place in the Valliant Cemetery under the direction of Chappell Funeral Home of Idabel.
The deceased, a graduate of Valliant high school and A. & M. College, Stillwater, is survivd by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Swink; one brother, W. E. Swink, Broken Bow; and three sisters, Mrs. A. L. Edmiaston, Paris, Texas, Mrs. Ida May Gregg, Paris, Texas and Miss Irene Swink, Valliant.
Broken Bow News
Thursday, October 18, 1934
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HENRY SWINK
A large crowd of friends and sorrowing relatives, gathering at the little Methodist church at Valliant last Saturday to pay a last respect to the remains of Henry Swink, a young man of Valliant, who had been shot dead by a negro and whose father is now at the point of death caused by the same shotgun in the hands of the black.
Sad indeed is an occasion of this kind. Henry Swink had grown from infancy to manhood in the little town of Valliant, being the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Swink, prominent merchants and farmers; he had finished high school there and had later completed his education at the Oklahoma A. and M. college, and was one of the brightest young men of that county.
Death, however, is no respector of persons, and while life may seem at its fullness it is only a fickle "something" that snaps and dashes to pieces our hopes and ambitions and returns the mortal to immortality and the body to "mother earth" from which it came. Henry Swink was entering his thirtieth year of life --- had reached the age where serious thought usually enters the minds of our young men; when, ordinarily, preparation is begun for a useful career, but Henry eas denied that privilege, in the twinkling of an eye his career was cut short, he has paid the price--- death---that we all must pay, and has gone to his reward. It seems so hard for mother, father, relatives and friends to give up our loved ones, but it is the plan---the fixed plan and cannot be changed, and while the Great God has called Henry to his eternal home, while yet in his young, manhood, it should serve as a warning to us that we are all waiting---marking time---until our summons comes. It might be today, tomorrow or next year, but it is coming---it is inevitable, it is the earthly end of us all.
We loved Henry Swink, he was our friend, we watched hin groq from a small child into manhood, many happy hours we have spent with him. many nights have we followed the hounds while Henry was our kid companion. He was true to his friends, true to a trust, and our visits to Valliant will be saddened, and we shall ever miss him.
To the heartbroken parents, brother and sisters, we weep with you, we share your grief, and we shall always remember Henry as our good friend, and shall not think of him as dead---but shall picture him in that home prepared by God, where all is love, all is well, in a home where there is no temptation, and where loved ones and friends can meet again, after this life is ended.
J. C. OLIVER.
Antlers, Oklahoma.
McCurtain Gazette
Wednesday, October 24, 1934
Shot and killed while collecting tenant rents with his father. His father succumbed to his injuries at a later date.
RANDALL HENRY SWINK
November 3, 1902 ~ October 17, 1934
HENRY SWINK, VALLIANT BOY, SHOT THURSDAY
His Father, W. W. Swink Wounded By Negro In Mixup
Wallace Hammick, aged 45, negro, who shot to death Henry Swink, 31, and seriously wounded his father, W. W. Swink, prominent McCurtain county farmer, Thursday afternoon, was killed by Carl Pruitt of Valliant near Sawyer Thursday night.
Sheriff Bud Stewart, together with Jack McDowell and Mr. Pruitt, were returning the negro to Idabel and had stopped at Sawyer. Mr. Stewart and Mr. McDowell had gotten out of the car a moment, leaving Mr. Pruitt to guard the negro on the back seat. The negro was making a break for liberty when shot, it is said. Hammick, weak from the loss of blood from the shot which he had received in the left arm early in the afternoon and suffering from the bullet wounds he received at Sawyer, died on the way to Idabel.
The trouble had its beginning about two weeks ago when the elder Swink asked Hammick for possession of his house and farm, owned by Mr. Swink. The negro had not moved Thursday after being told that the place had been rented to another. Mr. Swink asked the negro Thursday to vacate the property and also told him that he had been missing corn.
"Do you mean to say that I have been stealing your corn," Hammick asked and Mr. Swink said that he did. "If you think I got your corn come down to my house and search it," the negro said.
"I'll be down there in a few minutes and see for myself." Mr. Swink told him.
Mr. Swink and his son, Henry, later walked to the negro's house, located on the Swink plantation about twenty-six miles southwest of Idabel, and about one hundred yards from the old store building in which Mr. Swink was staying. Young Swink was armed with a shotgun.
As the two appeared at the front gate, a negro shot from the east window of the house, the load from the shotgun striking young Swink in the face and chest.
"Run Dad, they will kill us." young Swink yelled to his father, who turned and ran. As the elder Swink turned to run he was shot in the muscle of the right arm. Young Swink fired and Hammick was struck in the left arm. Mortally wounded, young Swink ran about 100 yards and fell on the porch of the old store building, dying there.
Soon after the shooting, Hammick left his house and went to E. A. Tobier's farm, one-half mile south of the scene of the killing, and asked his wife to notify Walter Irons, who lives about a mile from the Tobler farm, to come to take him to a doctor. Hammick told her he had been shot. Hammick's wife sent her 15-year-old son, who was there picking cotton, to tell Mr. Irons.
Mr. Irons, not knowing that Hammick had shot anyone, went to the Tobler place, got the Negro amd had started to Millerton with him for medical aid and to telephone Idabel officers about the shooting. About four miles north of Irons farm they met County Attorney Bill Montgomery and Jack McDowell.
Mr. Irons stopped his car and halted Montgomery and McDowell. Mr. Montgomery told Irons what the Negro had done and fearing mob violence, asked Irons to take him to the Hugo jail. Irons and McDowell took the Negro to the Hugo jail, where he received medical treatment. Mr. Montgomery notified McCurtain county officers to take the negro to the state penitentiary at McAlester.
The elder Swink, in the meantime, was taken to his home in Valliant by an ambulance of Chappell Funeral Home. Although weak from the wound in his arm, he was reported resting as well as could be expected today.
Meanwhile, Officers Joe Hough, Robert Ives and Grady Harkey, went to the scene of the shooting and arrested four other negroes, Lonnie Lewis, Van Scott, Herman Scott and J. D. Hammick, son of the negro slayer.
Mr. Swink, well-known in the region, had lived in this part of the county for thirty-six years. He directs the work on his various farms during the week and spends the weekends at his home in Valliant.
Young Swink, who was graduated from Valliant High school, later attended Armstrong Academy and next attended Oklahoma A. and M. college, where he was graduated. Besides his mother and father, he is survived by a brother, W. E. Swink, Broken Bow, and three sisters, Mrs. A. L. Edmiaston, Paris, Texas; Mrs. Ida May Gregg, Paris, Texas, and Miss Irene Swink, Valliant.
Funeral services for young Swink will be held this afternoon at 2:30 from the Baptist church in Valliant with Rev. Barnard Franklin, Broken Bow pastor officiating. Inmterment will take place in the Valliant cemetery under the direction of Chappell Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be B. Couch, John Scroggins, John Guest, Carl Pruitt and Raphiel Wilson, Valliant, and Joseph Hough, Idabel.
McCurtain Gazette
Saturday, October 13, 1934
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HENRY SWINK FATALLY SHOT BY NEGRO TENANT
Henry Swink, age 31, of Valliant was fatally shot and his father, W. W. Swink, was wounded by Wallace Hammick, negro tenant on the Swink farm South of Millerton, last Thursday afternoon. The trouble began about a week previous to the shooting when the negro was asked to vacate the house on land Mr. Swink owned. The negro had not moved Thursday after being told the place had been rented to another . Mr. Swink asked the negro to vacate and that he had been missing corn. The negro asked Mr. Swink to come to his house and search it if he thought he had stolen corn. "I'll be down in a few minutes and see for myself," Mr. Swink told him.
When he and his son, Henry, went to the negro house a few minutes aftewards they were confronted by Hammick with a shotgun who shot young Swink in the face and chest.
"Run Dad, they will kill us," young Swink yelled to his father, who turned and ran. As the elder Swink turned to run he was shot in the muscle of the left arm. Young Swink fired and Hammick was struck in the left arm. Mortally wounded, young Swink ran about a hundred yards and fell on the porch of the old store building, dying there a few minutes afterwards.
Mr. Swink was taken to his home ar Valliant and later to the Paris Hospital to be treated for blood poisioning which had set up in his arm.
Hammick was taked to Hugo and on the return trip to Idabel he attempted to escape and was fatally shot by deputy sheriff Carl Pruitt of Valliant.
Funeral services for Henry Swink were conducted at the Baptist Church in Valliant Saturday afternoon with Rev. Barnard Franklin of Broken Bow, officiating. Interment took place in the Valliant Cemetery under the direction of Chappell Funeral Home of Idabel.
The deceased, a graduate of Valliant high school and A. & M. College, Stillwater, is survivd by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Swink; one brother, W. E. Swink, Broken Bow; and three sisters, Mrs. A. L. Edmiaston, Paris, Texas, Mrs. Ida May Gregg, Paris, Texas and Miss Irene Swink, Valliant.
Broken Bow News
Thursday, October 18, 1934
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HENRY SWINK
A large crowd of friends and sorrowing relatives, gathering at the little Methodist church at Valliant last Saturday to pay a last respect to the remains of Henry Swink, a young man of Valliant, who had been shot dead by a negro and whose father is now at the point of death caused by the same shotgun in the hands of the black.
Sad indeed is an occasion of this kind. Henry Swink had grown from infancy to manhood in the little town of Valliant, being the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Swink, prominent merchants and farmers; he had finished high school there and had later completed his education at the Oklahoma A. and M. college, and was one of the brightest young men of that county.
Death, however, is no respector of persons, and while life may seem at its fullness it is only a fickle "something" that snaps and dashes to pieces our hopes and ambitions and returns the mortal to immortality and the body to "mother earth" from which it came. Henry Swink was entering his thirtieth year of life --- had reached the age where serious thought usually enters the minds of our young men; when, ordinarily, preparation is begun for a useful career, but Henry eas denied that privilege, in the twinkling of an eye his career was cut short, he has paid the price--- death---that we all must pay, and has gone to his reward. It seems so hard for mother, father, relatives and friends to give up our loved ones, but it is the plan---the fixed plan and cannot be changed, and while the Great God has called Henry to his eternal home, while yet in his young, manhood, it should serve as a warning to us that we are all waiting---marking time---until our summons comes. It might be today, tomorrow or next year, but it is coming---it is inevitable, it is the earthly end of us all.
We loved Henry Swink, he was our friend, we watched hin groq from a small child into manhood, many happy hours we have spent with him. many nights have we followed the hounds while Henry was our kid companion. He was true to his friends, true to a trust, and our visits to Valliant will be saddened, and we shall ever miss him.
To the heartbroken parents, brother and sisters, we weep with you, we share your grief, and we shall always remember Henry as our good friend, and shall not think of him as dead---but shall picture him in that home prepared by God, where all is love, all is well, in a home where there is no temptation, and where loved ones and friends can meet again, after this life is ended.
J. C. OLIVER.
Antlers, Oklahoma.
McCurtain Gazette
Wednesday, October 24, 1934
Shot and killed while collecting tenant rents with his father. His father succumbed to his injuries at a later date.
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