Henryetta Daily Free-Lance – 1922 (George Riley Hall, Editor & Publisher)

June 9, 1922

HEARING DATE FOR ARRESTED MEN

Thus far there has been no preliminary hearing arranged for the men accused of the murder of John Gray.

Relative to the story carried in the Okmulgee Democrat, stating that Chief Stormont had caused the arrest of Patrick Collins, at Miami, on a charge of murder, the chief says Collins is charged with automobile stealing , and that the Miami officers alone are concerned in it.

It is true that the local officers are still hoping to apprehend the slender man engaged in this crime here, but thus far they have not been successful.

There was a rumor last evening whispered around that a confession had been made in the case, but the officers deny this. Chief Stormont stated today that here is no change whatever in the situation. At a proper time there shall be a preliminary hearing for the two men already under arrest, and doubtless that is being deferred in the hope of getting the other man wanted.

BLAINE IS NOW CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES

Charles Blaine, the general manager of the Morgan Theatre, and somewhat an oil royalty favorite of fortune, went to Okmulgee yesterday to submit to the examination required by our laws for admission to full American citizenship. Blaine was born in Greece, but came to the United States when a boy. He had been admitted to citizenship in West Virginia many years ago, but had lost his naturalization papers, and had to do it all over.

He took Barclay Morgan and Ad Corbit for witnesses, and there were six other applicants, making seven in all. According to Mr. Morgan, only two of the seven passed. Mr. Blaine answered the many questions propounded and at the conclusion of the examination, the United States representative from Kansas City expressed great satisfaction with the fine showing made. Judge Norman in whose session of district court the hearing was held, stepped down and warmly congratulated Blaine on the splendid showing he made in displaying a comprehensive knowledge of our system of government, and on his fitness for the duties and responsibilities of citizenship.

It is said that when asked what means he employs to keep abreast of current events, Mr. Blaine replied that he reads the Daily Free-Lance, the Tulsa World and the Oklahoman. No wonder he passed so well, being a reader of the Free-Lance.

Blaine explained to the court that this United Sates is his country, and while he was born on foreign soil he could not help that. He is a very enthusiastic American, and feeling is spontaneous and genuine. It is known to his hundreds of friends that this is true, too.

When the witnesses were questioned as to Blaine’s character, Morgan and Corbit had plenty to say, and from what we learn it was exceedingly good.

EVERYBODY IS READY FOR THE BIG KARNIVAL

Odds and Ends Now Being Whipped Into Shape

Now the people of Henryetta have stopped counting in days and are making their calculations in hours for the opening of next week’s festivities. The time is at hand. With the boom of twenty-one guns at an early hour Monday morning, the big show of the second annual Oklahoma State Coal Exposition and King Koal Karnival will be on.

Today everything is taking shape. Some of the entertainers are here and others will arrive tomorrow. All will be here by Sunday. The big stage at the corner of Fifth and Cummings Streets, for the coronation ceremonies, has been completed and the great chorus to aid in these ceremonies is in full tune, following most excellent rehearsal and training under the direction of Senor Cruz.

Some of the platforms for the entertainment in the streets have been completed and all will be in place by tomorrow. The Great Wortham shows are cutting this week’s engagement short one day and will give them ample time for getting everything in readiness for the opening Monday morning and that every part of this big amusement enterprise may be located to the very best advantage.

The 2,000 costumes for the big street ball have arrived as have also the 200 theatrical costumes of the richest and most elaborate design, to be used in the coronation ceremonies. The coronation ceremonies will far exceed in beauty and effectiveness those of last year, excellent as they were at that time. The scenario of the coronation last year was written by Mrs. J.W. Hinton and she also wrote the King Koal song, both being a bit of most excellent literary and dramatic work for which she, apparently, has not hitherto been given credit. At least, the authorship got by the newspapers last year without being noted. The same scenario, or nearly the same, as revised by her will be used this year.

The concessions have been located and Main Street will be roped off from Third to Seventh Streets. Within this area most of the feats provided for the entertainment of the large crowds will be exhibited, the coronation ceremonies taking place at the corner of Fifth and Cummings Streets and the ball will be either in North Fifth Street, just off Main, or in Broadway, south of the city hall.

Additions have been made to the number of balloon ascensions and parachute jumps. One day there will be two ascensions and a triple jump, on each of the other two days, two ascensions and two double parachute jumps. This is a feature that always attracts much attention and the men coming here for the carnival are leaders in their profession.

There will be seven airplanes in service here throughout the carnival and all who desire may ride.

The five silver loving cups to be awarded have been received. These go for the best decorated window, best decorated automobile, best decorated float, best merchant’s display and best coal display. The curtains will remain down on the show windows until 9:00 o’clock Monday night when they will be raised and the judges will view and pass upon the windows.

The headquarters office of the exposition and carnival will be in North Fourth Street, just off Main Street at the same place it was last year. Car O’Hornett will be in charge with Secretary Ben C. Eastin there all the time he can get away from other duties.

Persons offering their cars for service during the carnival are requested by the committee to bring their cars to Fourth Street, north of Main Street, Monday morning between the hours of 7 and 8 o’clock.

During the carnival the following streets will be closed to traffic: Main Street from the west line of Third Street to the east line of Seventh Street; Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Streets, from Main Street to the alleys north and south of that street.

CHARGED WITH KILLING LILLIAN WARD WHILE IN BRYANT DANCE HALL

The preliminary hearing given Mrs. Lee Centell, charged with the murder of Lillian Ward at a dance hall in Bryant on the evening of May 31, was begun this forenoon before Justice S.H. Davis, sitting in the auditorium of the city building. It was necessary to hold this hearing in the courtroom on account of the large crowd who attended. Some hundreds of people crowded in and formed a very eager, though quiet audience while the contending parties lined up for and against the accused woman – Mrs. Centell.

The examination of witnesses began before eleven o’clock, and a court stenographer recorded the testimony. The most important witness to testify before noon was M.C. Crutchfield, who was the owner, of or at least the man running, the dance platform. He stated that he had observed Lillian Ward, the victim, at his dance hall on several occasions. Questioned as to her being a “bad” woman, he declined to so swear, but did admit that appearances pointed that way. Crutchfield stated that he was selling tickets, and standing idle, he overheard most or all of a conversation between Lillian and two other women – “ladies” as he gallantly said. He stated that one of these women told Lillian that she (Lillian) ought to leave, for there might be some trouble. He said that Lillian retorted that the Centell woman had started the ball and that it might roll as far as possible, continuing “hell is my home, anyway; I am just visiting here.” Crutchfield stated unequivocally that Mrs. Centell shot Lillian three times, and killed her.

Crutchfield further stated that “tough” women from Henryetta frequented his dance hall, and that Lillian, according to her conduct, seemed no worse than these.

A great sympathy seemed to sweep the crowd when the aged mother of the dead girl was placed on the witness stand. She stood up well under the bullying questions of George Crump, one of the defendant’s lawyers, when he asked such trick questions as, “Was it on your way, that evening that you drank the choc?” “Who made that choc?” or similar questions which doubtless had no shadow of substance or excuse. Such tactics are sometimes employed by lawyers, but always enkindle war-like impulses in the heart of an honest man – particularly when such questions are directed at a gray haired woman. She stated that she neither made nor drank choc, and that she knew of no improper relations between Lee Centell and her daughter other than what the dead girl had told her.

After the lawyers had gone this far with the testimony, the court recessed for noon and it was expected that a large part of the afternoon might be occupied with the case.

This case is the last one supplying a murder at a dance hall, and Free-Lance has been giving considerable attention to the dance hall question on account of the alleged bad conduct about such places. It was for this attitude on our part that the letter, which we append, was sent us yesterday. People may read Joe’s letter and decide for themselves as to the merits.

Free-Lance does not undertake to run the country, but we shall certainly give publicity to these things. The law only can eradicate the evil and all we do is to put the matter before the public.

The letter received by Free-Lance yesterday is, as follows:

Henryetta, Okla., June 9.

Mr. Geo. Riley Hall,

Dear Sir:

Your publicity of last week, concerning the Spelter City Dance Hall, has done about $200.00 damage so far, and I expect to collect theses damages from the Free-Lance if there is such a thing as justice in law.

I again read another article concerning this dance hall in today’s paper, and all these reports made in the Free-Lance are utterly false, if all the homes, rooming houses and hotels were conducted in as decent a manner, as the Spelter City Dance Hall, ninety percent of the crimes committed today would not be committed. I rather see the young folks at these public dances where everybody can see what they are doing, than to be out car driving, or some choc joint or housed up in a rooming house in town or worse, yes, gambling den.

Frenchie was not killed at the dance hall nor during the dance, that there is any booze sold at the dance hall is also false, I have seen drunks there, but they came there, and very often are not allowed to stay.

This dance hall is built for the purpose, and it’s a business proposition, the same as Chas. Blaine’s dance hall. The Spelter City dance hall is only partly paid for and will have to make enough money to pay it off in full. So long as the money is made in an honest and legitimate way. Its open for anyone to come and see how it is run, it’s for old and young, but for knockers who would file complaints because they are not getting a big tip. Yours very truly,

JOE KENIGSEDER, Administrator.

EDITOR’S NOTES

Candidates are growing so numerous that they even go in pairs about the streets. By the time the Karnival gets into full swing the number will be greatly increased, too. As a matter of fact Free-Lance does not care who got the money for the page ad in the text books. It is certain that we did not.

Our letter writing fellow townsman seems to intimate that a “large tip” might keep the Free-Lance quiet about the dance halls. He is really funny!

The public cannot expect much from the Free-Lance until after the K. K. K. excitement is all over – no, not the fiery cross K. K. K. but the K. K. K. of the big floats and gorgeous costumes.

We hear that Oklahoma City is rapidly catching up with Henryetta in the matter of homicides.

The great wheat crop about to be harvested has the advantage of facing plenty of labor for the harvesting. We shall have bread, all right, if we can dig up the price.

The effort to disbar County Attorney Hepburn seems to prove that he has the opposition whipped to a stand-still.

NEW PICTURE SHOW TO OPEN IN HENRYETTA

Tomorrow brings a nice, new picture show to Henryetta when the doors of the Cozy will be opened to the public. The place is centrally located in the four hundred block on Main Street, and will be convenient to the public.

This new play house is a landmark in Henryetta. It is the original stone store of the late Isaac Cutler who began to do business there in 1901. It was only twenty-five feet by fifty feet, but in those days was a fine building. Mr. Cutler made a small fortune in that building, as a merchant, and later built a later building next door, where his store now is.

The old building was wedged in between the three story Wilson building and the First National Bank building, and both those buildings reach back the full hundred and forty feet to the alley. Mrs. Cutler has spent about ten thousand dollars in remodeling the building. It now shows no evidence of its humble origin, having a new and modern front, and being extended to the alley in the rear. Libban & Feeney are the lessees, and have expended large sums in the equipment for the theatre. Whether accurate or not it is said that the proprietors have expended 16 or 17 thousand dollars in the elaborate fixtures and equipment in this building.

Mr. Libban has been here for some years in the mercantile business, and is well known in the city.

Mr. John Feeney comes from Okmulgee where, associated with a partner, he built the great Hippodrome Theatre. Mr. Feeney conducted the Hippodrome for a considerable time. He formerly ran the Cozy in Okmulgee, and in all has spent many years in the picture show business. His experience is ample and his beginning here tomorrow is under very favorable auspices.

IN HENRYETTA

Of course there is only one disappointment and that is that he can’t be here in person to add to the gay festivities of the King Koal Karnival. However, he is sending to the Morgan theatre for Monday, his very latest and best comedy “Pay Day” as an extra special attraction.

There is only on Chaplin. Anyone doubting it need only see “Pay Day.” The distinctiveness of art is something that can be acquired neither by study or work. It is a matter of ability and instinct; and Chaplain is the one person who can blend the fine art of pantomime with a serious mien that makes the whole impersonation irresistibly funny.

Don’t ask what “Pay Day” is all about. It hasn’t a plot like “The Kid.” It isn’t supposed to; but it’s just as funny. Even a sphinx would break into a coy giggle if it could see Charles hanging on to a long chain of sausages, nonchalantly reading his Evening Gazette under the impression that he is swinging along on a crowded street car.

It’s Chaplin’s picture. He wrote the story. He directed the making of it and he stars in it. Apparently it would seem that when you’ve said Chaplin you’ve said all that needs to be said about a Chaplin comedy. It’s more of a truism in this case than ever because in addition to Charles, brother Sydney is in the cast, too. But the players also include Edna Purviance and Mack Swain, who are splendid foils for the star’s stunts. The comedy brings the inevitable reflection that “Pay Day” comes only too frequently.