The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-01-17
OKLAHOMA WOMEN
FIGURE In STORY
MeIOdramatic Plot Of Love
and Murder Unearthed
by Pension Agents


course Of their Investigations Of pen
sion cllms. often unearth deep mys
teries that have bamled the cunning
of the police and detectives. IN man!
of these cases the secret, as soon al
it is discovered is buried again in tbs
archives Of the pension ofrice, and, SC
far as the public is concerned, It con
tinues as deep a mystery as ever. II
remains safely locked in the bosoms
OF those It involves, and rs protected
by tho Official obligation that binds
TO secrecy the representatives of the
government VINO discovered II.
In the same way these men stumble
into closets where family skeletons
have been concealed for years. But,
the purposes of the investigation hav-
ing been served, the door is quickly
shut and the ley returned TO the
family
- A record that establishes the val
idity OF an Oklahoma Widows claim
for a pension has just been completed
by Henry L, Arnold, special pension
examiner at Kansas City, says the
Star. A part Of this record, which is
not for public inspection, explains a
murder committed in Randolph coun-
ty, Missouri thirtyfye years ago.
The man who did the killing is living
today in Arkansas His identity has
become known TO the pension officials.
If it IS known to others, they are per
sons who have kept the fact a secret
for years and are not liKeiy to reveal
IL now.
Murder Viii Out"
Probably troubled mind had
something to do with the determine
tiou OF the slayer to reveal his iden-
tity to the pension officer. 1t may be
there was proyocation for his act,
but whether It was justifable is
question for him to settle with his
conscience. Perhaps a desire to
make some rort Of reparation induced
him to aid in establishing the widows
claim by telling what he knew Of the
death OF Mr. arst husband who had
10 be accounted for before she could
draw a pension after the death of the
man she subsequently married.
For the purpose of this narrative,
and in order to conform strictly to
the rules of the pension department
the names of the principals involved
are fictitious, but when they read this
number Of persons viii have no
trouble IN connecting themselves with
the plot at the proper cme and place.
The facts detailed are part OF an Of
iicial record,
This record shows N the first place
that Maggie d. Swinton of Oklahoma,
Is an applicant for a pension as the
widow OF 1nomas Swinton, Company
g. Thirty eighth Missouri volunteer
infantry swinton was her second
husband and during his life time
was pensioner Swinton died in
July, 1898, from the effects OF an in
jury received in the rush for claims
at the opening of the Oklahoma ter
Titory in 1889. The widow denied
having previously married, but was
unable to prove her statement by com
peteut witnesses. AS she had shown
a certificate Of her marriage to Swim
tor this made a "prima facie case
II was referred to the special examin
ers for This district to determine the
fact OF nonprior marriage.
Mrs. swinton gave several places of
residence from childhood and this
formed basis for further iuyestIga-
tion In a small Town in Iowa it was
Learned that Mrs. swin,on mad been
legally married before the war to Ma
than Williams. With a lot Of other
young mel Of the neighborhood. who
We're stirred by the countrys call TO
arms Williams joined the Eighth
Iowa infantry The iowa soldiers
bore an active part in the first fight
ing at the battle Of shiloh, when the
federal troops suffered heavily. The
hghting became so hot tnat Williams
lost heart and deserted in the face OF
she foe, His action was punishable by
death
It may be that he felt sense Of
shame and the loss of his self respect.
that made him careless OF his reputa
zion afterward This may also ac-
count for the Widow swinton's desire
10 hide the fact OF her marriage 70
him when she applied foe a pension IN
her second husbands name.
i. - Ii u.--uL--.-- ~ 80 naLlln M