Townsend Murdered E. H. Townsend, Postmaster at Todd, Oklahoma Shot to Death by Two Unknown Men Full Particulars of the Dreadful Event Submitted by: Mollie Stehno

This community has been startled several time within the past three months by reports of horse stealing, hold-ups and robberies of country stores in the country west of us, but never to the extent it was yesterday when the report came in that E. H. Townsend had been shot and killed while defending his property in his store at Todd P. O., 22 miles west of Hennessey. The following is the story as told the editor of the Clipped by Ed. Townsend, oldest son of the murdered man:

On Wednesday night after dark, and after the store was closed, a stranger came to the rear of the store in which the family lives, and wanted his super which was Set before him by Mrs. Townsend. He sat down and after eating but a few bites arose from the table and said as it was getting late he must go home. Mr. Townsend accompanied him to the front door of the store, took down the brace with which it has been fastened and as he was about to open the door asked the man where he lived. “Most anywhere,” was the reply. At this time it is thought the storekeeper felt some one outside pushing to open the door and he attempted to hold it shut, as which the man on the inside drew a revolver and shot him in the left wrist. Townsend then struck him with the brace, knocking him down, when the robber fired again the ball striking Townsend’s right arm. Even then he tried to hold the door shut but it was pushed open, and the man outside saying, “G—d d—n you, we’ve got you now,” fired, the ball striking Mr. Townsend in the upper jaw just to the left of the nose. This was a fatal shot and their victim fell to the floor.

During the scuffle, which had taken place the lamp, which had been, burring on the counter was knocked off and extinguished and the stove was upset, the room filling with smoke. Jay Townsend, a 14-year-old son, had taken the gun down and was about to fire at one of the forms dimly to be seen between him and the front door, but the mother, fearing he might shoot his father, restrained him. The men at once mounted their horses in front of the store and rode west on a gallop. The men were strangers to the family.

On lighting the lamp Mrs. Townsend found her husband lying on the floor bleeding profusely. He wanted to be put to bed. Assisted by his wife and small children, he crawled on his knees to the bed. He asked for a drink and inquired where he was hurt to which his little girl replied, “They shot you all to pieces.” He said, “I must leave you,” and died in a short time.

E. H. Townsend was well known to most of our citizens. He was principal of the Hennessey schools year before last, and it was through his efforts that a post office was established at Todd, Blaine County, he having a general store there. He was about 48 years old, and leaves a wife and seven children, two of who are of age. He came he from Cloud County, Kansas.

Mr. Townsend was a member of Coronado Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A. M., Hennessey, O. T., of which he was a past W. M. He was an officer of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, also being the Right Worthy Grand Lecturer for the Territory. Cut down by assassins’ ruthless hands, the broken column is a fitting memorial of his untimely death.

We understand the funeral will be in charge of the Masons, and will take place at the Hennessey cemetery on Sunday next.

Executive Department
Guthrie, O. T., May 4, 1894
To Whom it may concern:

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, as Governor of the Territory of Oklahoma, will cause to be paid the sum of three hundred dollars for the arrest and conviction of each of the persons who murdered Postmaster Edward H. Townsend, at Todd, Blaine County, Oklahoma on the night of March 28, 1894.

The following is a partial description of the two murderers at the time the deed was committed.

One about twenty-three years old, six feet in height, weight about 155 pounds, face smooth-shaven, rather dark complexion. Dark hair, long fingers, slender hands; wore black broad-brimmed hat, grayish colored overcoat of ribbed material, dark shirt; walked erect and gracefully, spoke deliberately and in a soft voice.

One about 5 ½ feet in height, weighting about 170 pounds, probably had blonde mustache, light complexion, light colored hair, light colored hat, light colored shirt.

The mystery that has enshrouded the killing of Edward H. Townsend at Todd, by two unknown men last March is in a fair way to be cleared away. Last Tuesday Thomas Taylor, J. P. of Coronado Township and deputy Sheriff Abel Washburn arrested Henry Shoemaker who has a claim a few miles fro Oneida, this county, on a charge of being one of the murders of Mr. Townsend.

Tom Taylor has trailed his man over one thousand miles since the murder was committed. Shoemaker appeared on the streets of Hennessey and Mr. Taylor in connection with Abel Washburn, who has been working the case with him, decided it was an opportune time for the arrest and secured the man before he could make a resistance. He was found well armed. He was put in the town jail and guards placed about it. There was a great deal of interest manifested in the arrest but it was managed so quietly, and the officers kept their own council so well that but little could be learned about the case by the people. Mrs. Townsend was brought in from Todd and on Wednesday ate a meal at the Cosmos restaurant at the table opposite Shoemaker. Our readers will remember that Mrs. Townsend prepared supper for one of the murderers, and she watched him closely. On Wednesday she identified shoemaker as the same man that ate supper at their house that night and as the murderer of her husband. She was almost overcome by her feelings, when she realized that she sat facing her husband’s murderer.

Shoemaker answers to the description given of him in the governor’s proclamation.

The prisoner, well guarded was taken before Justice E. E Burdrick, at Okeene, Blaine County, yesterday, and June 1 set for his preliminary trial. He was brought back here that evening and taken last night to jail at Kingfisher to await the time for his hearing. While there is a determination manifested to see that punishment should be meted out to the prisoner if guilty. We think there will nothing rash undertaken by the friends of the murdered man. Able attorneys should be provided to assist in the prosecution.

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