Charley Belvin Submitted by: Mollie Stehno

Cleveland Co.--Saturday morning Deputy Marshal Scrivner, started to Purcell with Charley Belvin, charged with stealing hogs. Bill Short was going up as a witness for the prosecution and John Elrod was going as a witness for Belvin. His testimony would prove that Belvin was innocent and that Short, who had had Belvin arrested, was the guilty man. Short knew this and when Elrod stepped on the train, he hit him over the left eye with a heavy coupling pin; rendering him almost unconscious and cutting a long and deep gash. After Short dealt the murderous cowardly blow, he turned and ran, followed by Deputy Scrivner, who however, was unable to capture him. Elrod, supposing the other parties were on the train, went on to Purcell, where he found that they had remained here. He returned on the 8:20 train, Saturday morning, had his face dressed and went out home. The wound was an ugly one, and it s wonder that the terrific blow he received did not result fatally. Short evidently intended to kill him, as the weapon and a blow would indicate.

Elrod has always borne a good reputation as a quiet, inoffensive man and Belvin has the same reputation, while Short has long been looked upon with suspicion. Officers are on the lookout for him and it is hoped that he will band punished on both charges. All parties concerned live near here--Pauls Valley Enterprise.

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