The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-02-22
KRUCKER MURDER
MYSTERY MAY Be
SOLVED BY CHILD
Little Daughters Story May
Clear Up Motive,

ST. JOSEPH, Mo, Feb, 22.-From
Margaret kruoker, b years old, whose
mother was shot to death here Sunday
by her former husband. J. L. krucker.
Tie authorities hope to draw the story
OF the murder-and more. When Mrs.
kruokcr was shot, Margaret lay iii,
cuddlrg beside a doll in bed upon
which the body of her mother fell.
Child Is Only Witness.
The child is the only witnes, 10 the
last words that were spoken by her e..
| tranged parents. Those words the coun.
~ prosecutors office declare may clear
the murder itself and automatically
bring 10 light the relations that had ex-
iSted between Mrs. Kruckcr and Oscar
ID, Mcdaniel, former county prosecutor,
who, the state contendcd last October.
heat 10 death his own wife. Harriet
Moss Mcdaniel so he might be free 10
wed anew.
Brought in Mrs Kruckers Name.
Mrs krucker. the state went on "a
explain at that time, was the woman
Mcdaniel had come to love. II was
She. John I. Barker attorney general.
told the Jury. who stole the love from
Oscar McDaniel's home and sent his
wiie toward the divorce courts, only to
be slain before she reached them.
Louis Randolph, assistant county
prosecutor. said his office was working
on the theory that Krucker, jealous and
worried, had confronted his former wife
with questions as to recent rumors that
she was to marry Mcdaniel, then slew
her when she sppke And with that in
view. the prosecutor went last night 70
the childs home She was ill--too i'll.
the doctor said. to be questioned.
"He Asked Mamma to Kiss Him"
This morning. II became known, the
girl told DR.. NJ. .McGill, her fathers
physician, that her father and mother
quarreled 'lots and lots justNbeforS
shots rang out
Papa, he asked mamma 10 kiss him."
she said. And they said lots OF other
things ] don't remember now" Then
she cried, and the doctors left her alone.
While Mr. krucker always has ap-
peared friendly toward Mcdaniel aud
was one OF his strongest witnesses in his
trial. the state believes he may. have
changed his mind and determined ia
win back his divorced wife.
krucker said last night he would not
talk now. To questions put BY the
prosecuting attorneys assistants he
shook his head and said he would not
speak until tomorrow
He may tell something himself that
will be interesting" Mr.. Randolph
SAID, and we are going to see to il
he Is given chance TO tell everything
he wants 10 tell
Al the inquest the county coroner
attempted9to rush through the proceed
nss, barring any word that did not
bear directly and solely upon the
Staying of Mrs. krucker But he was
overrddcn when Randolph took the pro-
ceedings in hand and called back each
OF the witnesses to ask them as to
McDaniclS attention TO Mrs. Krucker.
Denied She Married Mcdaniel.
You had heard of the rumor OF your
sistcr-in-law's marriage to Oscar D.
"'bdlnci' Hdu you not he ASkeu
Mrs Gertrude Sommer.
Yes" she replied. And Dagmar
and ! talked about it only Sunday aft.
ernoon. asked her TO tell me truth
fully il she had been married. She
said
Why, no dear; really am not
married y"
The family had heard the reports
abou, Mrs Krucker and Mcdaniel, she
said.
She did not know whether Krucker
was worried about those reports.
Mcdaniel There Frequently.
The father Of Mrs Krucker who wss
in the home at The time his daughter
was murdered testified that Oscar Nc
Daniel had been in his home several
times since he was acquitted Of tho
murder OF his wife.
That answer caused a stir In tho
crowded undertaking rooms where the
inquest was held, and the attorney shot
question after question at him concern
ing his daughters relations with Nc
Daniel He knew of nothing that would
cause him to believe they were contem.
plating ma,rimony. he said
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