© Anadarko Daily News Anadarko , Oklahoma April 10, 1953 September 13, 1884 ~ April 9, 1924 DESPONDENT MAN COMMITTS SUICIDE Ephriam Shelton of Cyril and Franklin Smith of Gracemont End Their Lives Ephriam Shelton, 40 years old, a piper for the Magnolia Petroleum company, living three miles north of Cyril, killed himself late Wednesday afternoon, after first attempting to shoot Deputy Sheriff Sam Gilliam and his wife. Gilliam had gone to the Shelton home upon the urgent request of Mrs. Shelton, who accompanied him. When they drew up into the yard Shelton, without warning, fired three shots at them through a window. Two of the bullet holes can still be seen in the glass. Gilleam retired from the immediate scene of action and got in touch with Sheriff Nixon and Under Sheriff Townsend, who were at Cement. The three then returned to the house, Shelton could be seen through a window lying on a bed. A .22 target rifle was held in his hands, but the light was such that they could not tell whether or not he had shot himself. Townsend covered him with a gun while Nixon and Gilliam entered the room. Shelton had shot himself in the forehead but was still alive. Medical aid was summoned from Cyril but the man was dead by the time the doctor arrived. Shelton had been married to his second wife less than a year, and family trouble is said to have been the cause of his despondency. He left a note saying that he had no hope in the hereafter and asking that his body be buried in the Cement cemetery. Gilliam and Mrs. Shelton were within forty feet of the enraged husband when he shot at them. The Shelton's lived on the old Ginrich farm. The surrounding indicated that they had plenty in the way of the ordinary comforts of life |
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