Calvin Soles

CALVIN SOLES SHOOTS WIFE AND THEN KILLS SELF

Word was received here late Tuesday afternoon that Calvin Soles had just killed his wife at the Freeman school house six miles southeast of town and shortly after this first report came the second that he had killed himself. A large number from here hastened to the place and on arrival found the report true. Calvin Soles, a young adventurer, came here just before our country entered the late war and while working for the Bell telephone Co., he became acquainted with Miss Naoma Bruce, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Bruce of this place and after a short courtship they were married; when the war commenced he was called to the colors and soon thereafter was ordered over seas where he served until the close of the war. His wife, in the meantime, taught school and with the money they each saved they built a beautiful home in the west part of town where from all outward appearance they lived happily for some time, when from some cause unknown to the writer, they separated and she sued for a divorce and after many attempts to secure a reconcilliation, he became despondent to add to his already burdened and troubled mind, a federal action was lodged against him which we can not give but which in some way connected him with another woman. Tuesday afternoon he donned his best suit of clothes and left town in a car and drove to the school house where his wife was teaching, arriving there probably about the time school closed and engaged his wife in conversation, which continued up to the time when he shot and killed both her and himself.

This is by far the most saddest affair that has ever visited our peaceful community. That he loved his wife and that he deemed life without her could not be endured and his brain becoming deranged, he chose death with her as the means of ending all his troubles so far as we are able to learn, he left no note to explain his action, only two persons witnessed this sad affair.

Miss Arbell Bruce, who taught one of the rooms of the school and a colored man who was passing. They had been in conversation for over an hour just prior to the sad act [that] took place. The body of Mrs. Soles was brought to her mother's home here while that of Soles was taken to Chickasha. Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Soles have been completed and will take place this Friday afternoon [at the] Christian church at two o'clock.

THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS FOUND IN CAR

Written by Calvin Soles

Dear Friends of Verden:

I do not know what you will think of me, but I can not stand this any longer, I am not guilty of anything they have me charged with, and wish and pray for the good Lord to forgive me, as I can not stand to give up the one I love so dearly, and this may learn Bruce [a] lesson not to do such work again, he ought to lead a straight life after doing what he has done, for he will have to answer for all of it some day. Let this be a lesson to all young girls, never marry a man thinking he will get killed, for he may come back just like I did and then the mistake is too late.

So beware is all I can say for my poor heart has been broken and [I] do not care to live.

Good bye and may we meet in the world beyond, and I pray the good Lord will forgive me for this deed