Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-08-27
A mOsr sHoCKrNe MURDER.
The Lifeless and Disflgnfed Bodies Of
A. P. GoOdykoontz and Frank n. Cass
Pound Near Sac and Fox Agency.

A. P. Goodykoontz and Frank n: Cass
Found Near Sac and Fox Agency.
Never did the people Of vinita re-
ceive a more shocking blow than last
Sunday afternoon on receipt Of tele-
gram announcing the murder Of two Of
her citizens. A. P. GoodJ koontz and
Frank II. Cass left this place on the
preceding Sabbath for the Cheyenne
and Arapahoe agency. The informa-
lion received told of the finding Of
their mutilated bodies on the banks of
Deep Fork two miles this side OF Sac
and Fox agency. At fret IL was al
most imposgibls 20 believe that any
thing 80 terrible had happened but the
minute details contained in the two
hundred word dispatch we're all-ccn.
vincing.
As stated, they left here Sunday
morning, the 10th inst, with one OF
Alex Hawks livery teams, taking with
them a email camping outfit, and that
day drove TO Doc Dennys, near Glare
more and stayed over night. Next af-
ternoon they we're seen at Red Fork,
where a few supplies were purchased.
The finding Of the decomposed and
dlsfgured bodies, together with that of
the Irish setter dog so well known
here, were the next tidings. The pre-
sumption is that they reached Deep
Fork Tuesday evening and for some
unaccountable reason camped there
instead Of proceeding two miles farther
to the agency. The account stated
that the bodies we're lying on blankets,
Mr.. Goodykoontz, described as the
"larger man." shot in the right shoul-
der and base Of the brain, and Mr..
Cass, "the smaller" in the spine,
chest and hand. The conveyance in
which they left was standing near, but
the horses and many Of their effects
were missing. The bodies, 80 twas
stated were buried, as when found they
were beyond recognition.
The theory is that at Red Fork or
elsewhere it became known that they
were going out after cattle and that
someone followed and shot them while
asleep for the purpose Of robbery. Az
a matter Of fact only means sufficient
for incidental expenses had been taken
the amount not exceeding sixty
dollars.
The grief which all these evil tidinRI
carried to the hearts OF bereft wive,
and children, the careless, outer world
will never know. To both men-be il
ever remembered with kindness tC
them-their homes were their all. ThI
blow Is one 30 terrible that all sympa
thy and expressions Of condolenc'
must see IN little short OF hollow mock
cry. What hopes and plans Of lite
time are thus cruelty shattered, and a.
the hand OF an assassin so cowardll
that the strongest heart recoils In
horror at the thought. Death in all IL
forms is awful, but in none does 1
come home TO mankind with such ter
terrible force as when the slumberer
dreaming IL may be Of home and friend
is slain by being in human shape
"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketl
away" but truly His purposes are pas
the understanding Of man.
Lon Cass q brother residing at Mus
kogee was telegrapbed to and came u
at once and Monday accompanied b.
l.. w. Marks and L. P. Isbell, tn
latter city marshal, started for tn
scene Of the tragedy. They will returi
the bodies for burial TO this place an
are expected 20 arrive tomorrow. A
EFFORT will be made to appre hend tn
guilty parties and We are assured
will be no feeble one. What ground
he had fot IL is not known, but befor
leaving Red Fork Marshal Isbell told
party coming this way that he had n
doubt whatever but that the murdere
would be found. Tn at his expectation
may be realized will be earnestl
wished by all of our people.
So well are the parties known this
nothing from us seems necessary to b
said. Mr.. Goodykoontx has been her
for years and In 1871 was married I
Z Amanda II. Blythe, while Mr.. Cal
I married her sister some ten years late
} Both came from Missouri and sine
, their residence here have been ident
; fed with our business interests mos
3 Of the time. Mr.. Goodykoontz va
secretary Of the VInita fair associatio
. and the remarkable success it has q
; tanned can be largely attributed to hi
energy and ability. His hardware e
, tablishment is one OF the leading bu
5 mess enterprises Of vinita. 1t almo
Z seems as though fatality was purs
8 ing Mr.. Goodykoontr's family. Bl
/ little over n year ago his brother VI
s killed at CRANKY, and in January la
their oldest child, promising boy
|, ten, was taken away.