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KILLED BY THE SHERIFF

Clyde Mattox Shot Down By The Sheriff Of Kay County

He Killed A Man At Ponca City Last Monday Night

April 7, 1899—The Democrat Topic—A special from Newkirk says: “Clyde Mattox was shot and killed today by the sheriff of Kay county at the farm of Frank Lowry near this place.

    “He killed Lincoln Swinney at Ponca City last night in a saloon row and fled.  About midnight he reached the farm of Frank Lowry where he thought he could hide until means of escape could be afforded him.

‘The sheriff of Kay County got a tip this morning that Mattox could be found at the Lowry farm and with a trusty deputy went out to reconnoiter.  Mattox opened fire on them but the sheriff pulled a steady bead on the famous outlaw and shot him dead.  This is the report here.  The details are very meager at this hour.  Messengers from the scene of the tragedy are momentarily expected with more information.

    “Mattox killed Lincoln Swinney in the White House club saloon at Ponca City last night with a knife.  Swinney was a prominent cattleman of the Osage nation.  Mattox was not drinking but he got into a quarrel with Swinney with the result that he plunged a knife into his heart and escaped.

    “The affair created great excitement at Ponca City and threats of lynching were made if Mattox was caught.  The exact cause of the quarrel between Swinney is not known.

    “Clyde Mattox was apparently predestined for a tragic life.  A story is told that adds interest to his career.  Four months before he was born his mothers is said to have grown jealous of her husband’s attentions to another woman.  She brooded over it and, it is said, meditated for weeks on killing her.  It is thought that this was the foundation of the unborn child’s desperate career.

    “It is said that at one time when the mother, Mrs. Hatch, was asked what caused her wonderful more than even natural devotion to her son that she told this story.  She is quoted as saying:

    “’I was responsible for that boy’s troubles before he was born and that is the reason of my devotion to him.  I instead of him am responsible.’”

            Later: a later report announces that Mattox was not killed as reported.  Several shots were exchanged, but Mattox escaped.

NOTED CRIMINAL ARRESTED

October 26, 1900—The Democrat Topic—Mike O’Malley one of the most notorious O’Malley gang, was arrested at Norman last Thursday by Sheriff Trousdale of Tecumseh, charged with horse stealing.  The arrest was made and O’Malley was brought here and confined in the county jail until this morning when he was taken to Tecumseh to answer the indictment found against him by the grand jury in session there.

     O’Malley is one of the brothers who have been engaged in horse stealing, post office robbing, train wrecking and other congenial pursuits for a number of years.  Tom O’Malley was arrested a few days ago at Shawnee and was positively identified as one of a gang that robbed a post office in the Indian Territory a few weeks ago.

     The Anti Horse Thief Association claims to have evidence that will surely convict Mike when he is arraigned at Tecumseh.