The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-04-15
Deputy Sheriff and Banker from
Mountainhome Fail to Identity
Suspect as Murderer After
Studying Prisoner
RESEMBLANCE
Is REMARKABLE
But Head Fails to Answer Descrip.
ton Of Roper Story Of Kill
ing Twenty Years Ago
is Related

That George Smith, alias Joe Prath
er, is not Jess Roper, wanted in Bax-
ter county, Arkansas. for murder. was
the positive statement of Leon
Mooney, deputy sheriff OF Baxter coun-
ty, and r. j. Russell. president of the
Peoples bank, Mountainhome, Ark.
They arrived in the city last night and
will return today to Arkansas
Their decision that the man who
has been held here in Jail on gun
'toting" charge is not Roper, came
after several sessions with him and
after comparing Smith with their re-
membrance Of Roper, detailed de-
sctiption OF him, and photographs.
Both men knew Roper intimately
Deputy Mooney lived for three years
near Roper saw him practically every
day and probably no man is better
fitted to pass Judgment than he.
While Mr.. Russell was not so intimate
ly acquaintas with Roper, he knew
him well. having seen him In Noun
tainhome inuumerable times when
Roper called for his mail or rode to
town on other errands.
II is probable that the description
Of no two men could check in more
detail than does that OF Smith and
Roper Among other points in Roper's
description was a mole on the right
cheek and a tooth on the right side
that protruded almost at a right angle
from his gum. On Smiths right cheek
was slight scar, that could be read
lily explained as being left by the re-
moval of a mole and on the right side
is a vacancy where a tooth has been
removed Roper's eyes were given as
light blue and his hair light. almost
of an auburn hue. Smiths eyes are
blue but are somewhat inclined to be
a dark blue. while his hair is dark.
bordering on black 1t is considered
possible for hair and eyes to change la
twenty years or more. hut the thing
that carried more weight than any
thing else In the decision OF Mooney
and Russell is the shape OF Smiths
head, as compared with that of Roper
Mr.. Mooney stated that Roper's head
from the point Of the chin to the crown
or back of the head was unusually
long. Smiths head at the back is in
clined to be round and not of extraor-
binary length. The general build of
the two men is stated as being identi-
cal. "Cut his head off and he is Rop-
er. Leave his head on and there is
no question but that he is some other
man." stated Mr.. Mooney.
Speaking Of the hunt FOR Roper, MIR.
Mooney said, "This is the third time
that parties have been sent out from
Mountainhome to identify Roper and
every time the wrong man has been
caught. My brother once went to
Georgia to look at man and once
before / have been sent out. That
time, went into the Cherokee nation.
From the day Roper killed Sheriff
Byler he has as completely disap
peared as II the earth had swallowed
him"
Recalling the circumstances twenty
years ago. leading up to the killing of
the sheriff by Roper and the actual
shooting, Mr.. Mooney said, Roper
lived at the Twiggs home. They wers
considered to be outlaws and would
send Roper to town every day for the
mail He lived with them about three
or four years. One day Roper got
drunk, created disturbance and fired
off his gun several times. A complaint
was sworn out and a deputy sheriff
went to arrest him. Roper was eat
ing dinner when the deputy walked in.
The officer said, Roper, have a war.
rant for you. and Roper said "All
right, I'm ready to CO. The deputy
had his pistol in his hand, but was
holding II at his side and did not have
Roper covered AS he arose from the
table, Roper drew his gun and showed
It'll the deputy's face and told him