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Luther Williams

Luther Williams Murdered Last Thurs.
The Boswell News – March 17, 1932
Transcribed by Ron Henson for OKCHOCTA

    Luther Williams, prominent citizen of Gay, several miles Southwest of Hugo, was found murdered last Thursday afternoon. A blow had been received on the head and his throat was so deeply cut that his head was almost decapitated.

    Ivan Covington, a negro who had been working for Williams, was arrested at the home of a neighbor that night and taken by officers to McAlester for safe keeping as feeling was running very high in the county against him.

    According to reports Williams left his home early Thursday morning with the negro who was doing some clearing for him. When he did not return at noon his family did not become alarmed, but about 4 o’clock his son, Carl, went to look for him. It was then that he found the body in a clump of bushes covered with a coat, leaves and brush. The alarm was immediately given and officers were soon on the scene.

    A razor was found near the scene of the murder. In slashing the throat of his victim three large nicks were made in the razor. A small amount of money and a watch were taken off the victim. The watch had been pawned by the negro to a Hugo store for a pair of women’s shoes. The watch was identified as that worn by Williams.

    According to reports, Covington admits slaying ar at least hitting him with a club. Williams bloodstained hat and a bloodstained ax were found near the scene of the murder.

    Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Goodland cemetery, services being conducted by Supt. E.D. Miller, of the Goodland Orphanage and Rev. J.C. Babb of Hugo.

    Luther Williams was known all over the county as a good man and his murder is a great shock to all.