Worker Slain in Fray Over Mining Prowess
_________
Hadley Betz, 26, of Zincville, Stabbed
12 Times During Fight Near Picher - Orel
and Ed Brown, Half-Brothers, in Jail
Facing Charge of Murder
__________
PICHER, Sept. 10 - (Special) -
Stephen Hadley Betz, 26 year-old Zincville miner, was stabbed to death near here at 4:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon and a short time later two Hockerville "men," Orel Brown, 28, and Ed Brown, 32, half-brothers, were
arrested and charged with murder. Betz, married and the father of one child, a six-month-old daughter, was a tub hooker at the Iron Mountain mine near Picher.
Betz and a brother-in-law, Ed Krokrosky, were driving east of Picher near the Consolidated mine when they met another machine in which the Browns were riding.
Authorities said it was evident that all four of the men had been drinking.
Men Stopped to Talk
The men stopped to talk and during the conversation they got into an argument about breaking dirt and hooking cans. The dispute, the officers learned, was concerning the ability of the mine workers.
The Brown brothers also are miners.
The investigation today disclosed that the Browns jumped on Betz and he was fatally wounded before his brother-in-law could intervene. Krokrosky received a slight knife
wound on the forehead.
County Attorney Perry Porter said today he understood Orel Brown had admitted being the one who used the knife and that Ed assisted him by holding Betz.
Several Fatal Wounds
Betz was slashed 12 times, Dr. J. E. Ritchie of the American hospital, who examined the body when it was brought to Picher by a passing motorist, said any of several of the wounds would have proved fatal. He was stabbed and cut in the back several times.
The heart had been pierced by one of the knife strokes, Dr. Ritchie said.
Following the stabbing, the two Browns got in their car and fled the scene. All officers in the district immediately began a search for them. Sheriff Dee Watters and several deputy sheriffs joined the search in the vicinity of Picher.
(Continued on Page Two)
WORKER SLAIN IN FRAY OVER MINING SKILL
__________
(Continued From Page One)
Mayor Harley Jennings, Special Officer Will Simmons and Constable W. N. Collins arrested the two men at the home of Ed Brown. The two were packing clothes in preparation for flight, the officers said. They were brought to the county jail shortly after the arrest. They were to be arraigned today.
Betz is survived by his wife, Alberta; one daughter, Juanita Kathaleen; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Betz of Zincville, and one sister, Mrs. Irene Krokrosky. His father is a well known Zincville grocer.
Funeral Tomorrow
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Union church in Zincville. The Rev. Joe Reynolds of Carthage, Mo., will officiate. Burial will be in G. A. R. cemetery under the direction of the Todd Undertaking company.
From The Miami New Record, Miami,
Oklahoma, September 10, 1934
BROTHERS TO BE TRIED IN KILLING
_________
Oral and 'Ed' Brown Bound Over After Hearing on Murder Charge Here
_________
Oral Brown and Charles (Ed) Brown, both miners of the Tri-State district, were bound over for trial in district court late yesterday at a preliminary hearing before C. C. Haley, justice of the peace, on charges of murder growing out of the death of Hadley Betz, another miner.
The Browns were charged with murder shortly after Betz was beaten and slashed to death last Sept. 9. The slaying occurred east of Picher, and, according to county authorities, climaxed an argument arising over mining ability of the three while all were drinking.
The preliminary hearing, held in the district courtroom yesterday, attracted many spectators who know the defendants, and others who knew Betz. There was no
demonstration from the crowd during the hearing.
No direct evidence was produced showing that more than one of the defendants had anything to do with the death of Betz, but both were held for trial after a lengthy session that lasted most of the day.
Testimony brought out that Betz and a brother-in-law, Ed Krokroski of Zincville, met the Brown brothers on East A street at the edge of Picher when the four became engaged in a dispute over who could "hook
the most cans", and "shovel the most dirt." Krokroski said he was struck on the head and did not see the fight in which Betz received twelve stab wounds. Betz died as we was being carried into American hospital at Picher.
Orel Brown, it was testified, had the knife.
The men were employed in mines near Picher and Zincville.
From The Miami New Record, Miami, Oklahoma, October 17, 1934
_________
Hadley Betz, 26, of Zincville, Stabbed
12 Times During Fight Near Picher - Orel
and Ed Brown, Half-Brothers, in Jail
Facing Charge of Murder
__________
PICHER, Sept. 10 - (Special) -
Stephen Hadley Betz, 26 year-old Zincville miner, was stabbed to death near here at 4:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon and a short time later two Hockerville "men," Orel Brown, 28, and Ed Brown, 32, half-brothers, were
arrested and charged with murder. Betz, married and the father of one child, a six-month-old daughter, was a tub hooker at the Iron Mountain mine near Picher.
Betz and a brother-in-law, Ed Krokrosky, were driving east of Picher near the Consolidated mine when they met another machine in which the Browns were riding.
Authorities said it was evident that all four of the men had been drinking.
Men Stopped to Talk
The men stopped to talk and during the conversation they got into an argument about breaking dirt and hooking cans. The dispute, the officers learned, was concerning the ability of the mine workers.
The Brown brothers also are miners.
The investigation today disclosed that the Browns jumped on Betz and he was fatally wounded before his brother-in-law could intervene. Krokrosky received a slight knife
wound on the forehead.
County Attorney Perry Porter said today he understood Orel Brown had admitted being the one who used the knife and that Ed assisted him by holding Betz.
Several Fatal Wounds
Betz was slashed 12 times, Dr. J. E. Ritchie of the American hospital, who examined the body when it was brought to Picher by a passing motorist, said any of several of the wounds would have proved fatal. He was stabbed and cut in the back several times.
The heart had been pierced by one of the knife strokes, Dr. Ritchie said.
Following the stabbing, the two Browns got in their car and fled the scene. All officers in the district immediately began a search for them. Sheriff Dee Watters and several deputy sheriffs joined the search in the vicinity of Picher.
(Continued on Page Two)
WORKER SLAIN IN FRAY OVER MINING SKILL
__________
(Continued From Page One)
Mayor Harley Jennings, Special Officer Will Simmons and Constable W. N. Collins arrested the two men at the home of Ed Brown. The two were packing clothes in preparation for flight, the officers said. They were brought to the county jail shortly after the arrest. They were to be arraigned today.
Betz is survived by his wife, Alberta; one daughter, Juanita Kathaleen; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Betz of Zincville, and one sister, Mrs. Irene Krokrosky. His father is a well known Zincville grocer.
Funeral Tomorrow
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Union church in Zincville. The Rev. Joe Reynolds of Carthage, Mo., will officiate. Burial will be in G. A. R. cemetery under the direction of the Todd Undertaking company.
From The Miami New Record, Miami,
Oklahoma, September 10, 1934
BROTHERS TO BE TRIED IN KILLING
_________
Oral and 'Ed' Brown Bound Over After Hearing on Murder Charge Here
_________
Oral Brown and Charles (Ed) Brown, both miners of the Tri-State district, were bound over for trial in district court late yesterday at a preliminary hearing before C. C. Haley, justice of the peace, on charges of murder growing out of the death of Hadley Betz, another miner.
The Browns were charged with murder shortly after Betz was beaten and slashed to death last Sept. 9. The slaying occurred east of Picher, and, according to county authorities, climaxed an argument arising over mining ability of the three while all were drinking.
The preliminary hearing, held in the district courtroom yesterday, attracted many spectators who know the defendants, and others who knew Betz. There was no
demonstration from the crowd during the hearing.
No direct evidence was produced showing that more than one of the defendants had anything to do with the death of Betz, but both were held for trial after a lengthy session that lasted most of the day.
Testimony brought out that Betz and a brother-in-law, Ed Krokroski of Zincville, met the Brown brothers on East A street at the edge of Picher when the four became engaged in a dispute over who could "hook
the most cans", and "shovel the most dirt." Krokroski said he was struck on the head and did not see the fight in which Betz received twelve stab wounds. Betz died as we was being carried into American hospital at Picher.
Orel Brown, it was testified, had the knife.
The men were employed in mines near Picher and Zincville.
From The Miami New Record, Miami, Oklahoma, October 17, 1934
Worker Slain in Fray Over Mining Prowess
_________
Hadley Betz, 26, of Zincville, Stabbed
12 Times During Fight Near Picher - Orel
and Ed Brown, Half-Brothers, in Jail
Facing Charge of Murder
__________
PICHER, Sept. 10 - (Special) -
Stephen Hadley Betz, 26 year-old Zincville miner, was stabbed to death near here at 4:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon and a short time later two Hockerville "men," Orel Brown, 28, and Ed Brown, 32, half-brothers, were
arrested and charged with murder. Betz, married and the father of one child, a six-month-old daughter, was a tub hooker at the Iron Mountain mine near Picher.
Betz and a brother-in-law, Ed Krokrosky, were driving east of Picher near the Consolidated mine when they met another machine in which the Browns were riding.
Authorities said it was evident that all four of the men had been drinking.
Men Stopped to Talk
The men stopped to talk and during the conversation they got into an argument about breaking dirt and hooking cans. The dispute, the officers learned, was concerning the ability of the mine workers.
The Brown brothers also are miners.
The investigation today disclosed that the Browns jumped on Betz and he was fatally wounded before his brother-in-law could intervene. Krokrosky received a slight knife
wound on the forehead.
County Attorney Perry Porter said today he understood Orel Brown had admitted being the one who used the knife and that Ed assisted him by holding Betz.
Several Fatal Wounds
Betz was slashed 12 times, Dr. J. E. Ritchie of the American hospital, who examined the body when it was brought to Picher by a passing motorist, said any of several of the wounds would have proved fatal. He was stabbed and cut in the back several times.
The heart had been pierced by one of the knife strokes, Dr. Ritchie said.
Following the stabbing, the two Browns got in their car and fled the scene. All officers in the district immediately began a search for them. Sheriff Dee Watters and several deputy sheriffs joined the search in the vicinity of Picher.
(Continued on Page Two)
WORKER SLAIN IN FRAY OVER MINING SKILL
__________
(Continued From Page One)
Mayor Harley Jennings, Special Officer Will Simmons and Constable W. N. Collins arrested the two men at the home of Ed Brown. The two were packing clothes in preparation for flight, the officers said. They were brought to the county jail shortly after the arrest. They were to be arraigned today.
Betz is survived by his wife, Alberta; one daughter, Juanita Kathaleen; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Betz of Zincville, and one sister, Mrs. Irene Krokrosky. His father is a well known Zincville grocer.
Funeral Tomorrow
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Union church in Zincville. The Rev. Joe Reynolds of Carthage, Mo., will officiate. Burial will be in G. A. R. cemetery under the direction of the Todd Undertaking company.
From The Miami New Record, Miami,
Oklahoma, September 10, 1934
BROTHERS TO BE TRIED IN KILLING
_________
Oral and 'Ed' Brown Bound Over After Hearing on Murder Charge Here
_________
Oral Brown and Charles (Ed) Brown, both miners of the Tri-State district, were bound over for trial in district court late yesterday at a preliminary hearing before C. C. Haley, justice of the peace, on charges of murder growing out of the death of Hadley Betz, another miner.
The Browns were charged with murder shortly after Betz was beaten and slashed to death last Sept. 9. The slaying occurred east of Picher, and, according to county authorities, climaxed an argument arising over mining ability of the three while all were drinking.
The preliminary hearing, held in the district courtroom yesterday, attracted many spectators who know the defendants, and others who knew Betz. There was no
demonstration from the crowd during the hearing.
No direct evidence was produced showing that more than one of the defendants had anything to do with the death of Betz, but both were held for trial after a lengthy session that lasted most of the day.
Testimony brought out that Betz and a brother-in-law, Ed Krokroski of Zincville, met the Brown brothers on East A street at the edge of Picher when the four became engaged in a dispute over who could "hook
the most cans", and "shovel the most dirt." Krokroski said he was struck on the head and did not see the fight in which Betz received twelve stab wounds. Betz died as we was being carried into American hospital at Picher.
Orel Brown, it was testified, had the knife.
The men were employed in mines near Picher and Zincville.
From The Miami New Record, Miami, Oklahoma, October 17, 1934
_________
Hadley Betz, 26, of Zincville, Stabbed
12 Times During Fight Near Picher - Orel
and Ed Brown, Half-Brothers, in Jail
Facing Charge of Murder
__________
PICHER, Sept. 10 - (Special) -
Stephen Hadley Betz, 26 year-old Zincville miner, was stabbed to death near here at 4:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon and a short time later two Hockerville "men," Orel Brown, 28, and Ed Brown, 32, half-brothers, were
arrested and charged with murder. Betz, married and the father of one child, a six-month-old daughter, was a tub hooker at the Iron Mountain mine near Picher.
Betz and a brother-in-law, Ed Krokrosky, were driving east of Picher near the Consolidated mine when they met another machine in which the Browns were riding.
Authorities said it was evident that all four of the men had been drinking.
Men Stopped to Talk
The men stopped to talk and during the conversation they got into an argument about breaking dirt and hooking cans. The dispute, the officers learned, was concerning the ability of the mine workers.
The Brown brothers also are miners.
The investigation today disclosed that the Browns jumped on Betz and he was fatally wounded before his brother-in-law could intervene. Krokrosky received a slight knife
wound on the forehead.
County Attorney Perry Porter said today he understood Orel Brown had admitted being the one who used the knife and that Ed assisted him by holding Betz.
Several Fatal Wounds
Betz was slashed 12 times, Dr. J. E. Ritchie of the American hospital, who examined the body when it was brought to Picher by a passing motorist, said any of several of the wounds would have proved fatal. He was stabbed and cut in the back several times.
The heart had been pierced by one of the knife strokes, Dr. Ritchie said.
Following the stabbing, the two Browns got in their car and fled the scene. All officers in the district immediately began a search for them. Sheriff Dee Watters and several deputy sheriffs joined the search in the vicinity of Picher.
(Continued on Page Two)
WORKER SLAIN IN FRAY OVER MINING SKILL
__________
(Continued From Page One)
Mayor Harley Jennings, Special Officer Will Simmons and Constable W. N. Collins arrested the two men at the home of Ed Brown. The two were packing clothes in preparation for flight, the officers said. They were brought to the county jail shortly after the arrest. They were to be arraigned today.
Betz is survived by his wife, Alberta; one daughter, Juanita Kathaleen; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Betz of Zincville, and one sister, Mrs. Irene Krokrosky. His father is a well known Zincville grocer.
Funeral Tomorrow
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Union church in Zincville. The Rev. Joe Reynolds of Carthage, Mo., will officiate. Burial will be in G. A. R. cemetery under the direction of the Todd Undertaking company.
From The Miami New Record, Miami,
Oklahoma, September 10, 1934
BROTHERS TO BE TRIED IN KILLING
_________
Oral and 'Ed' Brown Bound Over After Hearing on Murder Charge Here
_________
Oral Brown and Charles (Ed) Brown, both miners of the Tri-State district, were bound over for trial in district court late yesterday at a preliminary hearing before C. C. Haley, justice of the peace, on charges of murder growing out of the death of Hadley Betz, another miner.
The Browns were charged with murder shortly after Betz was beaten and slashed to death last Sept. 9. The slaying occurred east of Picher, and, according to county authorities, climaxed an argument arising over mining ability of the three while all were drinking.
The preliminary hearing, held in the district courtroom yesterday, attracted many spectators who know the defendants, and others who knew Betz. There was no
demonstration from the crowd during the hearing.
No direct evidence was produced showing that more than one of the defendants had anything to do with the death of Betz, but both were held for trial after a lengthy session that lasted most of the day.
Testimony brought out that Betz and a brother-in-law, Ed Krokroski of Zincville, met the Brown brothers on East A street at the edge of Picher when the four became engaged in a dispute over who could "hook
the most cans", and "shovel the most dirt." Krokroski said he was struck on the head and did not see the fight in which Betz received twelve stab wounds. Betz died as we was being carried into American hospital at Picher.
Orel Brown, it was testified, had the knife.
The men were employed in mines near Picher and Zincville.
From The Miami New Record, Miami, Oklahoma, October 17, 1934
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