The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-10
To SURRENDER.
Clyde MattOx to Give Himself
Up to the Sheriff,
Provided He Is Guaranteed a
Fair Trial.
KILLING OF SWINNEY
At POnca Appears to Have
Been Justified.
He Had MattOX Down and Was
Kicking Him.
JOURNAL" REPORTER
At the Mattox Home Near
POnca City.
State of Public Sentiment in
Oklahoma.
He Had MattOX Down and Was
Kicking Him.
"JOURNAL" REPORTER
At the MattOX Home Near
POnca City.
State of Public Sentiment in
Oklahoma.

Ponca City, o. T., April 1O.-It is be-
Heved here today that there is a strong
probability of Clyde Mattox surrender
ing himself to the officers of Kay
county and standing trial on the ground
of self defense. If he comes in, how
ever, he will not come in until the ex-
citement resulting from the tragedy of
last Monday night has died down COM
pletely.
Close friends of Mrs. Hatch, the de-
voted mother who worked night and
day in securing her sons pardon after
his committal to the Kansas peniten-
tiary for life, say that it is her wish
that Clyde give himself up and stand
trial. IF it was any other boy but
Clyde Mattox,'' she told them, 'fN41now
he would be acquitted, and even with
his past 1 don't think there is jury
that will convict my son." The one
thing that Mrs. Hatch is afraid of is
her sOI's past record, and if Mattox
fails to give himself up it VII be be-
cause he finally decides that the repu-
tatiOn he bears by reason of his former
crimes will incite a jury to conviction.
Il Governor Barnes sees fit to offer
reward for the apprehension of the
murderer of Lincoln Swinney, Mattox
viii allow his friends to produce him,
providing he makes up his mind to
stand trial, and in this event the reward
money will be used in his defense. 1t is
not certain, however. that a reward will
be offered by the Oklahoma executive.
There seems to be absolutely no feel
ing against the young murderer in
Ponca City. Aside from the fact that
he has many friends here, Lincoln
Swinney, the man whom he murdered,
was a typical bully" overbearing and
Quarrelsome, and the people of this sec
ton generally, regardless of whether
they may be friends enemies of the
man who killed him, rejoice rather than
sorrow at his death. Swinney was the
aggressOr in the quarrel according to
the story of eye-witnesseS, and pun
ished MattOX numerically before he
was stabbed.
Tragic events happen with such fire.
quency and in such variety in this sec
tion of the country that usually they
do not hold public attention long, but
although Il week has passed since Clyde
MattOX ripped open Link Swinney'S
side with dirk knife, people have not
ceased to talk of the remarkab BILE cool
ness of the young man in making his
escape, and the apparent cowardice of
the Kay county officers in failing to
effect his capture. Off to the east of
Ponca City the Arkansas river marks
the boundary line of the Kaw reserva-
ton, and there among the squaw men
and half breeds, all of whom are his
friends. Clyde MattoX has been hiding
since ms escape; no effort has been made
to take him. The officers look wise and
talk of plans maturing when ques
toned in reference to the delay. but
the people of Kay county laugh and tell
that they fear young MattOX'S eye along
the barrel of a Winchester, and the eyes
and the Winchesters he could muster
to his aid over in the reservation.
So Clyde MattOx continues at large
and safe from arrest, and over on the
farm of Oscar Taylor. a mile and a half
from the scene of his last murder a
heart broken mother continues to sor-
row over the crime that has again made
her only son fugitive from justice.
IT she fOrgets for a moment she has
only to look out of the windows of the
little white farm house to see the new
pine cross that marks the last resting
place of Lincoln Swinney in the Ponca
cemetery, quarter of mile distant.
The story of MattOx's latest murder !
and the events following it has never |
been told in detail. 1t is interesting, |
not alone beca use of the wonderful cool
ness shown by the murderer, but be- |
cause through the efforts of his mother |
in securing his pardon he became noted |
not only in the west, but in the east as
we'll
There were two men with Mattox at !
the time of the killing. One, Fred Cross, |
IS squaw man of the Kaw reservation, |
and the other, Jim ShOclzey. is son /
of the city marshal of Perry, o. T., and |
was formerly one of Roosevelt's Rough |
Riders ShOckeY left the saloon with |
Mattox and was last week arrested and |
thrown in jail at Newkirk 4 s an accom- |
plice in the crime. The stories of Cross |
and Shockey as to how the quarrel oc- |
CURED agree.
1t was shortly after O'Clock last |
Monday evening when Lincoln Swinney !
entered the White House Club saloon |
and restaurant, which since the murder |
has been closed by order of the county |
commissioners. He had come in from |
his leased ranch in the Usage reserva- |
tion early that morning and had been |
freely during the day. When |
he staggered in, Mattox, Cross and |
Shocl1ey were standing at the lunch |
counter. which is directly across the |
room from the bar. They had been
also. but lightly.
AS Swinney entered the door of the |
saloon he jerked off his duck coat and |
threw it on the floor. I'm the --
best man in the strip he roared. .'and |
1 dare any - to step on /
that coat
The coat had fallen close to where |
Cross was standing. That's easy" said
he laughing, and put out one foot Oh !
the coat.
Swinney grabbed Cross by the should |
ers and shook him about the room, ap-
parently good naturedly. however You |