Edgar A. Sweatt

© Cheyenne Sunbeam

30 Mar 1906

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

Another murder or as claimed by the party most interested, who is the party who fired the shots, which robbed the other of his life, is to the effect that his act was in self defense, which may be true, but does not remove from our community the onerousness of another crime committed.

The killing occured about eleven miles southeast of Cheyenne on the road from this place to Elk City.

From what we can learn of the circumstances, it seems that one Edgar A. Sweatt, who claimed to be a collecting agent for the State Mutual Insurance Company of Oklahoma City obtained lodging from Knox Price, a farmer on the W. W. Duke Ranch on Sandstone Creek Monday night.

Tuesday morning after breakfast it seems that Price and Sweatt had some words over the former removing the latter's horses from the barn in order to feed his own. It appears that Sweatt had used abusive language towards Price, using vulgar names and then had driven away in his buggy without paying his bill.

Price followed him on a horse with a gun, and upon overtaking him they compromised on the grounds that Mr. Betts was owing Sweat some money and they went to the Betts house to collect the money. Sweatt went into the house but soon returned with the information that Betts did not have the money, but that he would pay him.

Price then raised the bill from $1 to $1.50 stating that it was worth 50 cents more if he had to wait for his pay.

Another story is that Price demanded that Sweatt retract the language he had used, which he denied using.

At the time Sweatt was standing inside the door of the Bett's house, and drew his revolver and commenced shooting, one ball striking the horse upon which Price was sitting.

At this point, Betts put Sweatt out of his house and he and Price started around the house, as we understand it, in opposite directions until they came within sight of each other and then began shooting again. After the smoke had cleared away, Sweatt was found sitting against the home with several loads of shot in his face.

Price was shot in the right shoulder blade but the injuries are not considered dangerous.

Price came to town on Tuesday, the day of the shooting and surrendered to Sheriff Elliott.

Sweatt had on his person, $50.10 in currency, a gold watch and a diamond ring.

Thursday's Oklahoman says Sweatt has been traveling for the State Mutual for some time.

Sweatt was a single man of about 32 years of age.

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