Hopper, Ira

Three Picher men were jailed Saturday after Ira Hopper, retired local miner, was severely beaten at an East A Street Picher Oklahoma tavern. Authorities said all three of the men under arrest are ex-convicts. In county jail, they are Reggie Petty, age 33; J. D. Barclay, age 36, and Jim Boyd, age 58. Deputy Sheriff Leon Testerman said particulars in the assault are vague. Hopper reportedly was attacked by three men whom he accused of stealing a large quantity of groceries from his car, which was parked at the tavern. The incident occurred after midnight. The three suspects and Hopper had been customers at the roadhouse, Testerman said. The deputy added that Petty and Barclay were splattered with blood when he took them under arrest at the place shortly after the affray was reported. Boyd was apprehended later Saturday by Picher policeman Kendrick Medley. The full extent of Hopper's injuries had not been learned tonight but his condition was not believed alarming. No charges had been filed. Suspect Petty is a brother of Miamian Homer Petty, who earlier this month was accused in the knife slaying of an Idaho man, Henry Rains, at another Picher tavern.