/Qs
Vol XII.
NORMAN DEMOCRAT=TOPIC.
NORMAN, CLEVELAND COUNTY, OKLAHOMA, FRDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1900.
No. 19
"ON THE QUIET."
A play written for Nathaniel C.
Goodwin by Augustus Thomas, aud
uow being played by William Collier,
who is supporting a large company
who are supporting him, is one of
those droll, quiet, easy speaking, con-
fidential sort of plays, in which you
suddenly feel a strong desire to laugh
at some quiet remark that doesn't
seem funny, and when you do let out
a few links of laugh you are aston-
ished to find the rest of the audience
are also laughing. This seams so
funny that you laugh at the audience,
and they laugh at you, aud by and
by you slap the knee of the man on
your right and accidentally put your
left arm around the shoulder of the
lady at you left, at which she gets
astonished, for you probably haven't
put your arm around her since the
year after you were married, and you
get so in the habit of laughing that
you give a continuous performance of
it until the curtain takes a drop and
you go out to take one. One of the
few pathetic incidents is to see one
of tiie Parsons in the show—bnt to
tell the truth, the Oklahoma Racket
man hasn't seen the show at all, but
when he finds that Thomas wrote a
play—Collier plays it—Parsons in the
cast, and so many good people are in
it—he can almost his eyes and say
"it's good." That's a good deal the
way about you when you see any-
thing bought at the Oklahoma Racket
you ought to know it's good. Just as
Collier's name stands for good, whole-
some fun—so does Oklahoma Racket's
name stand for good wear—good
goods—,4upto-date-u-osity." You
ought to know that our $3.00 hats for
men are worth $5.00 and that they
are all we claim for them and that no-
body will attempt to do as well by you
as we do—but more—we will open
soon the largest line of Holiday goods
ever brought to Norman. Don't fail
to see our mens and boys caps, gloves
and mittens.
Oklahoma Racket Co.,
Central Block.
SHOT BY HIS FRIEND.
An Oklahoma City Nimrod Receives the
Accidental Discharge of a fian —
Two Bullets Entered His
Lungs.
Tuesday morning O. S. Carlton and
J. W. McCraken both insurance men
of Oklahoma City, left Norman in a
buggy for a day's quail hunting,
When about eight miles from Norman
the men hitched their team and start-
ed through a field. Suddenly a flock
of quail arose and McCraken in
throwing his gun to his shoulder for a
shot, accidently touchcd the trigger
and the charge entered the right side
and arm of Carlton who was about
thirty yards away.
Carlton was brought to Norman
aud Drs. Bobo & Merriwether dressed
the wound. One hundred and fifty
bullets were removed from his side
and arms, most of which were just
under the skin. Only one shot took
effect in his face, on the right cheek
and it could not be found although
the wound is quite deep. Dr. Bobo
is of the opinion that two of the
bullets entered the lungs. Th& case
is not considered fatal.
A curious part of the accident was
the purchasing of a $5000, accident
policy by Carlton at the depot the
night previous. I11 case he dies the
V $5000 can be collected and as long as
he is confined by reasou of his injur-
ies, he will receive #25 per week.
Carlton is now at Oklahoma City.
Statehood Convention.
Quite .1 large cvowd met at tho
Probate court room Monday after-
noon for the purpose of selecting
twolvc delegates to attend the state
liood convention to be held at South
McAlester, December 10th. The
meeting was called to order by C.
VV. Brewer, who slated the object
of the gathering, Mr. Brewer was
elected chairman and VV. J. Hess,
secretary.
A committee of three comprising,
Jno. S. Allan, VV. T. James and (4.
VV. Jlerrtngton was appointed by
the chair to select twelve delegates
to attend tho South McAlester con
ventittn.
The committee reported the fol-
lowing persons: G. VV. Herring-
ton. Jay Sherman, VV. J. Hess, Jno.
  S. Allan, VV. T. James, C. W.
* Combs, J. I) l.ydick, A. I! John-
son, J. A. Ooverstreet, Os M.
Stevens, C, W. Brewer, and Judge
B. F. Williams. Each delegate to
select his own alternate.
Considerable interest was taken
in tho meeting and every one was
in favor of single statehood.
FOR THE CHILDREN'S CHRISTINAS.
The Democrat=Topic Will Conduct a Sanla Claus Letter Dc=
partment.
AND OFFERS PRIZES FOR BOYS AND GIRLS WHO COMPETE.
Letters Will Be Printed in The Democrat-Topic Each Week Until Christinas.
—Read The Rules.
To tiik Children of Oklahoma:
Do you want a Christmas present free? This year it will not
be necessary for yon to write your letter to Santa Claus and hang it
beside your stocking. The Democra i-Topic has made arrangements
with Mr. Santa Claus to read your letters in this paper and now you
have a chance to not only reach Mr. Santa Claus but to compete lor
prizes offered by the Democrat-Topic. Now you are interested.
Read the rules. Have mama or papa explain them to you and work
hard for the prizes.
Here are the conditions:—
1. This is a letter writing contest; the best letter wins the prize.
2. It is open to all children under 10-years of age, residing in
Oklahoma, whose parents are regular subscribers to the Democrat-
Topic.
3. All letters must be written by children unaided by older
persons.
4. Letters must not contain over 100 words and must be written
with pen and ink on only one side of the paper.
5. This contest is open now. Letters will be published the
week received. All letters must be in before December 10th, 1000.
G. Commence your letter thus: "My name is 
My age is years. My postofficeis 
Fill in these blanks without fail.
7. All letters must be in children's own hand writing.
8. Address all letters to "Santa Claus," care of Democrat
Topic," Norman, Okla.
The contest will be d«< ided on merit an I not by chance.
Impartial judges will be selected Th.-ir names will be an-
nauueed shortly in these columns. Here's a chance for a bright boy
and a bright girl to get a valuable Christina* present for two cents
and just a little effort. Even those who do not win a prize will be
better off for entering the contest and will liaye the pleasure of see-
ing their letters printed in the Democrat—lor all are to be published
as fast as received. We hope we shall receive 500 of these letters
before December 19th. We shall find room for them all. Don't
put off the writing of your letter until the last—you might forget it.
Write it today. And be fair—it's better to lose a prize than to win
it dishonestly.
- - TIIE PRIZES. - -
For tho best letter by boy, all points considered, $5.00.
For tho best letter by girl, all points considered, A LAUbh
For the second best letter by bo.V  Ul'KIOHT TO\ KNOlNh
run by steam, olfered by New York Racket.
For second best letter by j?lrl. "IDEAL OIIA IOK AM
MANUAL OF ELOCUTION522 pages, clotli binding, ottered
by Post Oflice Rook Store.
Now be good boys and girls and write Santa Claus a letter. Santa
Claus reads I'lle Democrat and likes to make boys and girls happy
when they are good.
U. S. Russell, Editor.
the children's replies.
MURDERER FRANK SMITH IS GUILTY.
Must Serve a Sentence of Life Imprison
ment for Killing Ed Cotney.
SIX OF THE JURORS WANTED TO HANG HIM.—QUICK VERDICT.
First Ballot of the Jury Determined His Quilt; Second Ballot Stood
Six for Hanging and Six for Life Imprisonment.
At nine o'clock Thursday night the
jury in the Smith murder case return-
ed a verdict of guilty and seutenced
Frank Smith to a life imprisonment
for his crime.
The jury immediately alter retiring
took a ballot and all voted guilty. A
second ballot was taken to determine
the penalty and resulted six for hang-
ing; six for life imprisonment. The
third ballot decided the peualty.
The trial of Frank Smith, charg-
ed with the murder of Ed Cotney,
at Lexington in October 1899, was
commenced at El Reno Monday, a
change of venue having been grant-
ed by Judge Irwin. The prisoner
was taken to El Reno Sunday after-
noon by Sheriff Newblock. At the
depot Smith conversed with a
THE MlRDERliD MAN,
ed L. COTNEY.
J FltOM TIIK Gilt 1,8. j
      
Norman, O. T.
Dec 3 igoo.
Dear Santa Clause;—1 will Write
you a small letter. My name is Sallie
Vicars. My age is almost ten years.
My post office is Norman O. T, My
Mama is dead I am going to school,
at the East School I love my teacher
Miss Maud Park, I like Santa Claus
very much I love Books and blowers
please send me one of your presents.
I want a Doll
Yours Affecionate
Sallie Vicars,
Dear Santa Claus. My name is
Alice Ross. My age is nine years.
My post-office is Norman, O. T. 1
want a ring, a glass-basket and a cupi
aud saucer. I want you to come to
every little childs house in the world
that is good enough. When you come
to our house it will not be hard for
you to find me asleep because I go to
sleep early every night. I have two
little sisters one is name Hazel and
the other is Ruth but they are not big
enough to write.
Norman Okla
December 5 1900
iny name is Emma Riley my age is
eight years my poptoffice is Norman
Okla Dear Santa my papa is dead and
we live at grapapa and grananna saed
I cud write to yu my grapapa name is
Jem Davisum he take the Democrat
topic Dear Santa I want doll thet go
to sleep good by santa
Emma Riley.
Dear Santa Claus: I am a little
girl 9 years old. I will tell you what
I would like for Christmas. A ring,
I bed room set and a collarett and muff,
1 a set of little dishes and candy and
I nuts I think this is enough for any
I little girl. Yours Truly,
Fay Runyan.
Norman, O. T.-
December, 4, st, 1900.
Dear, Santa, Claus. My yame is
Alvy, Walker. 1 am ten years old.
My Postoffice is Norman, O. T. I
want some good books to read. Sister
Mamie said she wants a large doll.
And Brother Earl said he wanted a
Rocker-horse and candy and apples
and wrganes. 1 know old Santa
Claus is a good old man because he
has given me all I want ivery Christ-
mas. And remember the poor little
children too, old Santa Claus.
Good by old Santa
Alvy, Walker.
Norman, q- T.
Dec, 5. 1900
Dear Santa Claus I will write you
a letter as it is near Christmas I
would like to gut the prize for writing
the best letter I live in East Norman
My name is Ruby Cornelia Ward age
9 but soon will be 10 years old I am
learning a piece for Christmas to
speak at the Baptist church I go to
school Sunday school and to church
when I go to school I read in the
third reader 1 will quit as I can't
think of any more.
R6by C. Ward.
\ FROM Till
Dear Santa
6 years old going
and a train
Democrat reporter and expressed
himself as being glad that Ins trial
was at hand. lie expressed him-
self as satisfied with his chances of
meeting the accusation favorably.
While Smith's complexion has the
yellowish hue usual with jail birds,
he is 111 good health and sayc he is
becoming accustomed to confine-
ment and does not feel the effects
as he did six months ago.
The defense is represented by A
Hutch in, Botsford & Williams and
W. ,1. Jackson, while the prosecu-
tion is strong with County Attorney
Nicpdeinus and Atty Cruee, a
noted criminal lawyer of Ardmore.
Sheriff Newblock has summoned
about forty wittnesses, all from
Lexington and vicinity.
TUB CRIME.
The Crime for which Frank
Smith is being tried for his life,
was one of the most brutal and cold
blooded acts in the history of
Cleveland county.
On Octobi-r 28th the body of Ed
L. Cotney was found near the
Lexington approach of the Purcell
and Lexington bridge, shot
through the brain and the skull
crushed.
Frank Smith, a young man of
Lexington confessed the crime say-
ing he acted in sell' defense having
been attacked by Cotney.
Smith was arrested and given a
preliminary hearing at which he
was confronted with strong evi-
dence which demolished his plea of
1 self defense and Judge Williams
bound him over to the grand jury.
A few tfionths later an indictment
murder in the first degree was
I am a good little boy , , „ ui  .
ing on 7 I want a drum 1 brouphft against turn.
William Jarhoe, I A change of vpnUB was giar
last September by Judge Irwin.
ted
My name is Fred CapshaW. My
age is eight years. My post office is
Norman O. T. Dear Santa Claus: 1
will tell you what my brothers, sister
and I want you to bring us Christmas.
JSiuce..the crime Smith has been
confined in the county jail.
the « ABE OPENS.
Monday morning the case opened
and all day was spent examining
Norman Okla,
Dec. 1900—2.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is
Nadine Lowtlier. My age is nine
years. My postoffice is Norman. I
Horse Theives Captured.
The parties who stole a horse
and middle belonging to W. T. 5
Harris from Main street about two
weeks ago were eapturnetl at
Violet Springs, Pottawatomie; _ mJ   „ .
county, Monday. Depnty Sheriff; liave aiwayB lived in this Co. AnJ
Newblock thinks tnat they have! most Sf the time in Norman. I am
the horse and saddle located in the j always so anxious for your visits,
Chicka«aw Nation. The parties Dear Santa Clans, 1 know you will
gave their names as Claude Ken- bring me Just what I want, for you
drick and John Deal. They were .have always done so before. It will
taken to Tecumseh and lodg-d in  P to° ™ „.fTlZ uil °
... , ill i . i  I name over what all 1 would like to
Jall and will probably bo extradiU ,]ave so , wi„ leave it t0 yoll.
ed to the ( Inckasaw Nation on a ci100Se for me, Dear Santa Claus,
charge of horse stealing, having what you think is right.
be«jii captured with stolen horses Your little friend,
in their possession. Nadine Lowther.
My brother seven years old wants an jurorH> The venire of thirty was
rfir gun; and my brother five years old ajm08t exhausted before a jury was
wants a story book and knife. My ined ,, ,)(1 trolll),e gecmcd lo
little sister two years old wants a doll , ,
and a carriage so she can roll her doll. •>«■ Oiat most of the jurors were op-
I want a story book about auimals. posed to capital punishment.
Be sure and come Dear Santa Claus. The defense has hired Hon. Hob
 * Forrest to assist, and the examina-
Norman, O. T. Hon of the jurors for the defense
Dec. 6, I900. was left in his hands.
Dear Santa Claus: 1 Thought 1 JudgeWolf.who returned from El
would write a few lines. I hope you Reno Tuesday night, said a local
have been successful, and all 1 lu: attorney was of the opinion that
Children Will be pleased for having a , lk.fetlB0 harl lh(. |,usl of the
Nice Christmas. I wish ever child c ,
will have all The Toys of which you state matter of a jury. 1 hey at-
have gave Them. I am a little boy tribute the point to the acquaint-
Just 8 years old I will like to have an ance of Mr. Forrest with all the
air gun That will Shoot, and a Rubber jurors supoenaed while the state's
ball That I can Throw und will Not attorneys were strangers to the
break mammas windows. I would like jurors.
a sack ful of candy and 2 oranges and j Afler t],e Hwearing in of the
some apples. jury, A. Nichodcmus made a state-
Now Dont forget to come. (I nent of the case for the territory.
I wve on comanchee Street j ..... ,1
boy Clifford Huckabay's! "e ,al(' ' lorr"ory would prove
your mean
letter
that Ed Cotney was murdered in
cold blood by Frank Smith. That
(Jotney, accompanied by Smith
started to Purcell Bhortly after
midnight and before reaching the
bridge, Smith knocked Cotney in
tlia-head with some blunt instru
ment, crushing his skull aud then
shot him in the head lie said the
wounds indicated that the shooting
was done while Cotney was uncon-
scious from the deadly blow of the
blunt instrument. The territory
will prove that Cotney was sobei
and although lie was with a crowd
at Lexington who were drinking
just before the murder, Cotney had
repeatedly taken lemonade and soda
water while the others drank whis-
ky. Witnesses for the territory
will be placed on the stand and tes-
tify that Cotney had or *"> in
silver in a purse the evening ol the
murder and that when the body
was found that only about 40 cents
in loose change was on his body,
the purse having disapcared. The
territoy will attempt to prove that
Smith thought Cotney had cun
sidcrahle money oil him and coin
mitted the murder with robbery the
chief motive.
A. liutchiu, for the defense told
the jury that he would prove that
Cotney attacked Smith with a knife
while on the road to Purcell and
that Smith shut him in self defense.
Defense will produce Smith's coat; a
barlow knife and attribute the cuts
in the coat to the knife in the hands
of Cotney. The knife was found
laying open under the dead body.
Smith upon discovering what he
had done, went to the home of the
city marshal of Lexington and sur-
rendered.
TESTIMONY IIKIIINK,
The taking of testimony com-
menced at three o'clock Tuesday
afternoon. Frank Campbell was
the first witness called, lie said
that he had been with Smith and
Cotney the night of the murder and
left them at Markham's saloon af-
ter midnight. All were drinking,
Cotney taking lemonade and soda
water while the others were embid
ing intoxicants. Cotney was per-
fectly sober when he left the crowd.
The gist of other important wit
nesBes who were examined is at
follows:
T VV Campbell saw Cotney in a
saloon with several others. Cot
ney was sober. He told witness
that he was going lo Purcell with
Will Elkin. Witness next, saw
Cotney after he was dead. He was
lying on his back near the east
end of the bridge. The road was
very uinddy.
J I' Bankston, a hack driver,
told thai he saw Frank Smith
about sixty feet from the east end
of the bridge the night of the mur-
der. Some one was with him but
witness never knew Cotney during
his life time Shortly after lie
passed he heard some shooting,
possibly three or four shots.
Bankston said lie heard some one
say, "What do you mean," pre
faced by an oath. He thought it
was Smith.
W M liyran, who lives within
forty yard.* of the bridge, was
awakened the night of the murder
by hearing a a'lot. He looked out
the window and heard two more
shots. Then some one struck a
match at the place where the
i shooting was done.
N E Sharp testified that h ■
viewed tho body soon after the
murder. A knife was found under
the body. He talked to Frank
Smith and the defendant told him
there had been no trouble between
Cotney and himself; no warm
words at all; Cotney having com-
menced cutting at him with u
knife. Smith said lie fired thrn
shots and then struck a match to
see if the body had fallen but after-
wards said he struck the match to
light a cigarette.
R M Maxwell, city marshal ol'
Lexington at the time of the mur-
der, told of I'ete Smith coming to
his home after the murder and
awakening him. He told the mar
shal that his brother Frank had
killed a man and wanted to sur-
render. Frank Smith stood at
the front gate. Frank asked the
marshal to go to Purcell with him
as he wanted to get some things.
They drove to Purcell and Smith
went into Kittle Mclntire'a resort
and got a pair shoes. After leav-
ing the woman's house they went
back to whero the body lay. On
IHAVE SANTA' BRING f
YOU A NEW SUIT.
If you can't per-
suade him to do
this, be your own
"Santa" and call
at our store to be
fitted with one of
the 
STYLISH,
DURABLE,
LOW-PRICED
WINTER SUITS
You have needed for so long.
We can save you money on your
New Overcoat. I
We Sell 'ICiii Low and Send and Get More.
Tiraifflma>
the road over Smith told him
that Cotney attacked him with a
knife and that he then shot him.
Dr. T L, Smith Ustilied as foU
lo\V£: ,ll wan caljid to make a
medical examination of a corpse
at the residence ol Joe Hell Camp
bell. I responded to the call. I
found tho dead body of Ed L. Cot-
ney. 1 examined the body and
found a wound oil the forehead and
one just in front of tho left ear.
The wound on the forehead was
an inch and a quarter above the
medium line and one and one-
fourth inch above t a«e of the nose
and extended ub.iut two inches at
right angles of forty live degrees."
(lie then described the bullet
wounds and declared the forehead
as well us a place three inches in
diameter behind the left ear, were
powder burned. An incision was
made from ear to ear exposing the
skull to the base of the brain.
There were four fractures of the
skull. The ball, after entering the
head, took a course down, then up-
ward and through the temporal
bone, fracturing it, coming out
just above the left ear. The lir«t
wound described was made by a
blunt instrument. The wound
from the blunt instrument was the
(iivt made." (Photographs of the
murdered man's head were exhib-
ited showing all the wounds.
They were offered in evidence.)
smith's story.
Frank Smith too', the stand and
said he and Cotn« / had started to
Purcell. When they reached the
scene where the murder took place,
Cotney turned on him without a word
and said "Now 1 have you." lie
caught Smith by the arm and com-
menced cutting at him with a knife.
Smith then drew his pistol an dealt
Cotney a strong blow on the head be-
tween the eyes, lie failed to knock
him down and then opened fire. The
first shot went true and Cotney fell
dead. Smith could not see in the
dark and thinking that Cotney was
still coming at him fired two more
shots into the darkness. Me then
struck a match to find his hat, which
had fallen off during the wrestle, and
for the first time discovered that he
was a murderer. He then went home
and told his father what he had done
and showed his coat and vest cut in
eight places.
With his brother Smith then went
to the home of the city marshal and
supended.
Smith's father was put 011 the stand
and said Frank came home after mid-
night and awakened him, and told
him that he had killed Ed Cotney.
Mr. Smith, Sr., saw the cut clothes.
Will Elkin testified that he saw
Cotney display a knife in a saloon and
made a threatening talk which did not
mention any one in particular.
Frank Cline also saw Cotney dis-
play a knife in a saloon and said
Cotney had made the remark that he
had no j i tol but had a 1,1 ig blade."
The defense tried to prove that
Cotney's wife had been intimate with j
Bird Smith, Frank Smith's brother,
and that 011 the road over to Purcell
Cotney attacked Frank thinking he
was Bird and that was why he said
"Mow I have you" and commenced
cutting at him with a knife.
Hack driver Bankston was recalled
and testified that he thought it was
Bird Smith that he saw with Cotney
near the bridge and had spoke to him
saying, "hello, Btrd," This the de-
fense claim caused Cotney to think
that he was with a man who had dam-
aged him, hence the attack.
Tho defense did not put up as
strong a case as was expected
The clothes worn by Smith were
passed to the jurors and they examin-
ed tho cuts in the cloth. It seems
from the coat and vest that eight
slashes were made. None of them
penetrated the skin of Smith'
GOV. BARNES WILL JUDGE.
The Democrat-Topic's Sanla Claus
Letter Contest Will be Decided by
Oklahoma's Ch ief Executive.
In a letter to the editor of the
Democrat Topic Sunday, Gov. C.
M. Barnes, compliments this paper
by accepting the offer to act as
judge of the Santa Claus Letter
Contest. Gov. Barnes is now in
Washington but will return in
time to give his decision before
Santa Claus arrives.
I arm House Iturned.
On last Friday night about nine
o'clock the residence ot Henry
Hardesty, about three miles north
east of Norman was entirely con.
sinned by tire. The family consist-
ing of Mr. and Mrs. Hardesty and
three children were spending the
evening at the home of B. F,
Hardesty, nearly two miles away.
All the furniture and clothing
except what they had with them
was consumed.
The origin of the tire will per-
haps never be known.
A liberal donation has been made
up for the unfortunate family. No
insurance.
It keeps our offce man buisy search-
ing the market for goods for our fast
increasing trade.
We are determined to break the
record this year underselling.
THE BIG TRADE
that we enjoy, proves the recognition
by the public that we do undersell.
We get goods nearly every day,
this keeps a good supply of fresh and
up to date goods always 011 hand.
A Lot of tinware just in. We have
some special bargains to offer in this
line.
14 qt. dishpan only  25cts.
Milk strainers, the kind that
strains milk  iscts.
Mrs. Potts' Sadiron handles, iocts.
Big covered saucegan 25cts.
10 qt. bucket  iscts.
DRYGOODS.
Calicoes, Shaker flauel, Canton
flanel, White wool flanel, Red flauel
wool, in fact any kind of drygoods at
lowest prices.
SHOES.
Men's shoes Willow Calf only $2.25
M u Kangaroo M M 1.75
44 •' Colt skin " 2.25
" " Calf skin " 1.95
Men's I'low shoes, hemlock tan
iuner and outer soles 1.25 & 1.45
CHILDREN'S SHOES.
Kangaroo Calf school shoe guaran-
teed inner and outer soles and count-
ers, O.85, 0.95 & 1.00.
WO31 EN'S SHOES.
Women's shoes,  0.75103.00
Kangaroo Calf only  1.40
Best Vici Kid ouly 2,50
Our Christinas goods are com
ing. Will liavo twice as much as
we had last year.
All kiuds of Underware at the
NEW YORK RACKET
HAPHIS BROS.
I'mlersellora.