Cowardly

On Sunday afternoon news was received here via Vinita that Frank Cass and A. P. Goodykoontz had been murdered in cold blood and robbed. Few murders have so shocked and saddened this community, as Frank was for some time engaged in business here, where everyone liked him, and his parents and brothers and sisters reside in our town. Mr. Goodykoontz was also known by many of our citizens, as a leading merchant of Vinita and as President of the fair held at that place.

The two men were married to sisters, and from what we can learn had started for the Cheyenne and Arapahoe country to buy cattle, though they carried only $50 and $75 in ready money with them. After leaving Red Fork no news was heard or expected from them until the following letter from Dr. Crane of the Sac and Fox Agency, was received:

"The bodies of two men have been found, murdered, on Deep Fork, about two miles from the Sac and Fox Agency. They are supposed to be A. P. Goodykoontz and Frank P. Cass of Vinita. They had been traveling in a side bar single seated buggy. In the pants of the larger man was found a postal card addressed to A. P. Goodykoontz from Rumsey & Co., St. Louis, Mo. The postal card was dated at Claremore, I. T., and signed by Smith Bushyhead. In the buggy was a satchel marked on the outside in gilt letter, Frank H. Cass, Muskogee, I. T.

A bird dog, an Irish setter, which had also been killed, had accompanied them. The buggy had an adjustable top, and was considerably worn. The harness showed that a sorrel and a gray horse had been driven, and a lantern was found in the buggy. Both men had apparently been killed in their sleep. The large man had been shot twice, through the right shoulder and through the base of the brain. His companion was shot through the spine, chest and hand. At the time of the finding, three or four days after being killed, both bodies were far advanced in composition, and their faces entirely destroyed.

The larger man was dressed in a blue percale shirt, gauze undershirt and checked woolen trousers. In his lower jaw two front teeth and several grinders were missing, and one grinder in the center was filled with amalgam. A black felt hat and new brown duck jacket lay near the body, and are supposed to have belonged to him. The smaller man was dressed in brown duck overalls, cotton drawers and a white shirt with plaited bosom. Beside him lay a coat very old and torn; a black felt hat and an old pair of boots. No other boots, or shoes were found. Two upper teeth and one lower tooth in front were missing. The satchel contained towels, collars and a brown and white seersucker coat and vest. They had a mess box, marked on the inside 'Frank P. Cass, Vinita,' and a small camping outfit. When found the bodies lay upon a pair of blue and a pair of red blankets. It is supposed they were shot about 3 o'clock Thursday morning."

A. B. Cass immediately left on a freight for Vinita from which place in company with G. W. Green he left for the Sac agency to bring back the bodies. The same evening Bruce Cass and Will Teague left for the Sac country, 85 miles from here, via Okmulgee and by changing horses expected to reach there Monday evening. Until word is received from them more particulars will hardly be obtained.

At Okmulgee they met City Marshal Isbell of Vinita and W. L. Marks who went on with them and who will make a vigorous effort to overtake the murders. The theory of robbery is the main one advanced as a shotgun and the horses, and it is supposed their watches, etc. were taken. The wagon was run into the brush, one thing that kept the tragedy from being known for so long.

A large reward will be offered for the apprehension of the men doing the killing and every effort will be made to effect their capture.

In the mean time the families have the sympathy of the entire community and all hope justice will speedily overtake the guilty parties.