The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-12
SEEKS HEIR
TO ESTATE
OF STEVENS
Bankers Estate Is Claimed by
Alleged Grandson
SON LIVED AT GUTHRIE
Had a Checkered Career but
Was Killed Early
SON LIVED AT GUTHRIE

Guthrie. o. T., June lit. c. Church
hill, an attorney representing a law firm
in Niles, Mich. is in the city seeking an
alleged heir to the estat Of Banker
Stevens, who died recently in that city.
The estate is said to amount to nearly
10000 and the general supposition was
that the bankers wife is the only hoir.
a short time ago there appeared relatives
Of the alleged wife of Stevens, a son,
who claim that a son and direct hair
to the estate is alive and in Oklahoma
Until this fact IS settled, a settlement Of
tie estate viii not be made.
frank Stevens the son of the NIas
Banker, came to Oklahoma at the original
opening Of the territory in 1889 He Sc
cured lots in what is the principal bugi-
ness district Of Guthrie. He erected a
tuildlEsi on the property selected by him,
bUJ hIs right of ownership was contested
by Captain L. N. TOwnsley, an old SOL
der. There had been a number of dis
putes between the two men over the pro-
perty adm it was claimed that threats had
been made by Stevens that he would kill
Townsley. one day in June, 1899, Stevens
entered Townsleys building and inquired
for him TownsIey was in small room,
used as a sleeping apartment, and before
stepping outside of the door, placed
revolver in his pocket. Both men walked
within four feet OF each other and
Stevens started to draw his revolver from
his pocket. Townsley was the quicker of
the two and shot Stenyens killing him
almost instantly. Townsley was immedi-
ately arrested and taken to Wichita,
Kan, for trial Former Chief Justice
Frank Dale Of this city, was Townships
attorney. United States District Attor-
ney Berry was assisted in the prosecu-
ton by Attorneys I. p. Campbell of Wich-
ita and W. 2. Hackney of Winfield.
Townsley pleaded self-defense and was
cleared. A noted Chicago criminal lawyer
was employed by Stevens's father to as
sist in the case, but never appeared in
Wichita at the time OF the trial
Stevens was the first man killed in
Oklahoma after the opening and the case
attracted much attention. Nothing was
ever heard Of the Stevens family since
that time until after the arrival of At
torney Churchill. After the elder Stevens
death, and following the claim made by
relatives of Stevens alleged wife, the
statement was made that the heir to the
estate was living in Oklahoma. After the
elder Stevens died, it was reported to the
Michigan attorneys that the mother had
placed the child in the care of another
family which adopted him. 1t is not stated
whether or not the childs mother is liv-
ing, but persistent efforts will be made
TO locate the child. There is considerable
mystery surrounding the case and much
interest is being manifested by Guthrie
citizens who knew Stevens in the early
days.
On account Of the jail riot, which oc-
CURED soon after the opening of Okla
homa, the regular soldiers were called
TO this city to qUell the disturbance.
Stevens figured in that affair, on account
of his refusing TO halt when commanded
to do so by a regular. The soldier club
bed him with a musket, and it was three
hours or more before he regained- con-
sciousness. About the same time il was
ascertained that Stevens was running a
boot leggers' place in violation of the
revenue laws.
Judge Frank Dale is living here now
and well remembers the Stevens killing
In speaking of the matter today, he said:
AT the time Townsley was tried for
the murder of Stevens, it was stated that
Stevens had a>wife in Minnesota, whom
ne had married in Niles. had never
heard that there was a son. From infor-
nation received here it was stated that
Stevens deserted his wife in Minnesota,
and it was generally known that he pass
ed as a single man in Oklahoma. Captain
Twnsley who shot Stevens. is now a resi-
dent of Kansas City. Mo. and was known
He fired twice at Stevens and was cha
erined that he could never discover what
became Of the second bullet Stevens
fired at Townsley and the bali was after
wards found in a side of bacon hanging
In the building"
Stevens father furnished the money to
prosecute Townsley, but after TownsIey
was released never followed the case up
Stevens had q reputation in Guthrie as a
bad man" He was considered danger
Gus and carried a gun with him wherever
he went. Stories OF his escapades are
stll numerous among the old timers. hav-
ing been revived by the appearance of
Attorney Churchill.