The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-01-18

ESCAPES
IN AUTO

Rowland ID. Williams, vocal teachef,
and prominent In local musical circles.
died At Wssley hospital at i2:s5 this
afternoon, - result Of 4 bullet wound
In the head, inflicted by = person said
to be John n. Couch, as he, Williams,
was leaving HE studio At i2sh West
Second street, shortly before noon today.
Couch Accused. =,
Couch is suspected Of firing the shot
that ended Williams life. Couch /.
charged also with the murder Of Miss
Nellie Dunn, teacher At the Wheeler
school In Capitol Hill this morning.
williams, 1t 10 said, had received =
number Of threatening letters from
Couch.
Shortly after Mr.. Williams left his
studio, presumably for lunch, person,
In the building heard q shot, followed
By the sound Of steps down the stair
way. when they reached the scene VIII
liams was unconscious, blood streaming
from Z wound behind his right ear.
Shot In Head.
He was rushed 20 Wesley hospital
whore i(pwas discovered the bullet had
split his skull and no hope was held
out fes hin.
ReyIaAd p, Williams. vocal teacher.
~ shet 10 ths han Wy to his effies
In ths building at i3eN West Sseond
street shortly bsfore noon. Other pei
sons IN the building heard the shot, and
the sound Of feet jumping down the
stairway flight 10 the first floor.
Shot In Head.
Mrs. Clara Nelson Hawk, an assist
ant instructor In Mr.. Williams studio,
found him lying close to the door when
she opened II, 4 bullet hole piercing his
head from the back through the top. .
Mr. williams was unconscious, and
dii not cay 4 word At any time. He
was taken to q local hospital. He was
still alive At ! o'clock.
Mrs. Hawks Statement
II heard q shot, and opened the door
a. soon o. l could get to IT," Mrs.
Hawks said. " was the first to get
into The hallway after the shot was
fired, but aid not see anyone. heard
someone run down the steps. hr. vii
liams was lying on the floor With his
head toward his studio DOOR"
Henry n. Scales, former mayor. wa'
IN q jewelers. office In q rear hall.
Scales Heard Shot.
n heard Q scuffls and q shot," h
said. aJust a. I opened the door and
looked out, heard man running dow1
stairs.
~ looked out snd saw williams iysnl
on the floor With q stream Of blood
trickiiag ont from under his head.
looked downstairs then but could no
see anybody. Jsst then q big ca,
started up and drove off rapidly.
didn't see anybody bat Williams unit
other office doors opened sad psopl'
ran out.
, Miss Elsie Wade, Who hooks after tn
studio office, made q statement simila
10 the others. She vas seated at tn
office desk when she heard the shot.
Started Out TO Lunch.
"Mr. williams had started out 4
I lunch," che said. II heard him walk I
I The head Of the steps, and turn bac
! toward the door. Just then the sho
vas fired. can't imagine Who
couh have BEEN"
NJ. Williams came 10 Oklahoma Cit
six ysars ago from n. Worth, Texal
Al one time hs resided In Msmphi
where 10 was prominent In must
circles. He 10 q widowsr, HE wife hav
, Ing dee before 10 moved here.
Was Choir Director. :.
Mr. Williams, Who 10 . composer Z
\ well - q teacher Of voice, vac the d
4 rector Of ths choir Of the First Das
tist church. director Of The Ladis
!, Music club, director Of the OklaAom
Chorus, and director Of the choir Of II
Temple D'Nai lsrsal. He led The ehc'
In the Pilgrim CenSrsyateaal chufe
y for q ioaS time.
Brother q Captaia Couch.
John n. Couch, against vAem va
rant was Issued tAIs afternoon By u
n eounty attorney charging him with Il
y murder Of Miss Nsllk DuAA, Q tsaeh'
!, In ~ whsslsr wsrl ssheel, y broth
!, Of Csp<. ". /. Ceueh, lisu(eaaat
n Capt. David L. Payne. the sbeems
1, wAoss iasistanss hat Ne oM 0klAAoa
n Tsrritsry eesll - ssttlsA b whites q
IA suitsA n 10 isSnAl spenlAg twsat
a seven ysars ego.
q fhs vAels ilslsry q The Couch fau
N az s1uee the ooonlna has hoon one
4 blood. Cspesis Czech, Ainseh. VI
* saiilsA aa IL elAln ul1n Xhiah n