The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-12-16
OFFICERS STATEMENT

Assistant County Attorney John
l.. Hodge and Deputy Sheriff Hor-
ace Kendall returned from Wilson
at o'clock this afternoon and
made the following report.
Attorney Hodge said: Deputy
Sheriff Will Ward called me a lit
tie before o'clock this morning
for some Of the sherlff's force and
a representative from the county
attorneys office to come to Heald.
ton to help investigate shooting
that occurred at Wilson about il
o'clock last night. James Carter,
Horace Kendall Bud Ballew, and
myself went Immediately to Heald.
ton.
When we arrived we found Jeff
Smith wounded in the leg and q
black mask around his neck. Upon
inquiry we learned that bunch OF
men had left Healdton in two
cars armed with pistols and their
faces obscured by masks.
''They drove about three miles
NcuAhh Va OOiIlti lily W NAil
was reported as a gathering place
for alleged Klu Klux. from there
two cars loaded with eight men
were deputized to come to Wilson
and visit Joe Carroll, jeff Smith
among the number. lie got his
brother John Smith, to pilot the
bunch to Joe Carroll's house and
they called him to the front door.
When he came to the door some
OF the men grabbed him and the
shooting began.
Joe Carroll was killed hmmediat-
ely, and John Smith was mortally
wounded, dying short time there
after, and Jeff Smith slightly
wounded in the leg.
while the shooting was in pro-
gress it aroused Walter Carroll
and Mr.. Hensley who came to
their doors and opened fire. Ac-
cording 10 reports there must have
been two or three dozen shots
fired, men in the cars clamoring in
the same and getting away as fast
AZ possible.
"After We left Healdton about 10
o'clock this morning. Horace Ken
dali. Bill Ward. Virgil Wilson, and
myself went TO the meeting place
three miles southwest Of Joiner
City where we found the dead
body of &. q. Sims with a mask
around his neck and two separ-
ate masks laying on the ground.
"The body OF Sims was clad in
what Is reported to be the Ku Klux
Klan Unionalls. We Immediately
called N. F.. Ticer, justice Of the
peace at Wilson who summoned n
coroners jury and held an inquest.
"The coroners jury returned
verdict that the said c. G.. Sims
met his death from gun shot
wounds inflicted by some unknown
person. Sims was shot in the left
side. below the ribs. through the
neck and one in the left shoulder.
after interviewing jeff Smith at
ii'sbiulbllt was
which brought him and his uncle.
John Smith To the county Jail.
Bud Ballew and Jim Carter came
In with the parties, and Jeff Smith
told Mr.. Ballew on the way In that
II he would go to the meeting
grounds southwest of Joiner City
he likely would find n dead man
there. as when he left the grounds
the man was In n very serious con-
dition.
"The women folks In the Joe
Carroll home stated that after Joe
was shot and was laying on the
ground, that one member OF the
party shot again hitting him in
the breast.
"Wln Ward and Virgil Wilson got
on the track Of the cars and fol.
lowed them 10 Healdton, q light
rain had fallen and the tracks
were easily followed. on the way
to Healdton the party found half
gallon fruit Jar containing whlskey
which they believe to have been
the property OF the party as the
Jar was covered with blood"