Baldridge, Agnes

age 28, Note: G.A.R. cemetery records have her age as 25, was shot and killed by her husband, Jack Baldridge, age 53. Shot and killed at the same time was a neighbor, J. W. Williams, 50 years old. Jack Baldridge was wounded by a blast from shotgun, and claimed self-defense. ... Baldridge said the shooting followed his return home last night to find his wife and Williams there. He accused Willis of having fired at him first with the shotgun, the blast striking him in the left shoulder. He obtained his pistol according to reports and shot Williams to death and shot his wife accidently as she sought to stop the gun fight... Williams was shot three times thru the left shoulder, thru the chest left of the heart, and thru the head, the bullet entering his face near his nose. Mrs. Baldridge was shot in the left side, the bullet apparently ranging near the heart. She was found, according to reports, sitting in a chair, being held by her 13 year old step-daughter, Helen Baldridge who was in the home when the gunfight took place. Mrs. Baldridge died without making a statement...it was found Mrs. Baldridge's body had been severely beaten before the shooting as it was darkly bruised in several places. Just when the beating was administered or the bruises other wise acquired had not been learned by the investigators. Twenty-nine years ago Baldridge was convicted of killing his uncle John Howard near Miami, and was given a 20 year prison sentence. He protested at that time he was innocent and in 1917, two years after he was sent to prison he escaped from a prison camp and fled to Arkansas where he lived for 22 years. Becoming ill and fearing he was about to died he confessed and was returned to Oklahoma. He was paroled in March 1942...Durnil funeral home, Picher. Note: Records of G.A.R. cemetery indicate that Agnes Baldrige is buried there.