Volume 11 , Issue 37

1905 - McLoud, Oklahoma Tragedy

On page eight of the December 2, 1905, of the The Oklahoman, the headlines read, "M'Loud Tragedy." It goes on to say, "Dr. E. N. Hilborn, a dentist, shot by P. O. Sullivan, his father-in-law. Slayer acted in self-defense. Hilborn went to Sullivan's home with avowed intention of killing him and was himself killed."

"The town of McLoud in Pottawatomie county was the scene of an unusual homicide at 7:30 o'clock Thursday evening, the victim being Dr. E. N. Hilborn and the slayer was his father-in-law, P. O. Sullivan.

"The coroner's inquest was held last evening and resulted in Sullivan's discharge, as having acted in self-defense. It was shown that for some time past the deceased had been addicted to the use of cocaine to such an extent that even his wife considered it dangerous to live with him and frequently took refuge at her father's home, next door to her own residence.

"It was developed that Hilborn had been demanding money from Sullivan, first asking for a hundred dollars and finally increasing the amount of demand to five hundred dollars and then threatening to take the life of his father-in-law in case the latter declined to give him the money. It is believed that, when he went to Sullivan's home Thursday evening it was his purpose to put his threat into execution in case the money was not forthcoming. Sullivan was forewarned and slayed the man who doubtless intended to assassinate him.

It appears to have been further developed also that Dr. Hilborn had, before going to Sullivan's house, taken a sufficient quantity of the deadly drug to the use of which he had become addicted to have earned his death even had he not been shot by Sullivan.

One bullet fired by Sullivan struck one of Hilborn's hands and another struck him just below the heart and glanced around his body, not touching a vital point. It is alleged. A physician who attended Hilborn is quoted as saying that the shot in the hand was more serious than that which struck the body, as when the man's finger was amputated the wound did not bleed.

He also asserted that, had it not been for the shock to his body from the pistol shots, Hilborn would have died before morning from the drug with which his system had been impregnated. As it was the man was shot at 7:20 o'clock Thursday night and did not die until 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon.

Sheriff Grace, Coroner Martin Fleming and County Attorney Fleming were summoned to McLoud immediately after Dr. Hilborn's death and an inquest was held with the result above stated.

The decedent was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. Dr. Hilborn was engaged in the practice of dentistry at McLoud. His father-in-law, P. O. Sullivan, was a money leander and one of the oldest, most respected and best known citizens in that community.

Hilborn and his wife did not get along very well and Mr. Sullivan naturally became involved in their differences on behalf of his daughter.

The story goes on to state, "Sullivan and Hilborn met on the street Thursday afternoon and at that time a shooting affray was averted by a friend separating them. In the evening Hilborn went to Sullivan's house with the avowed intent, it is alleged, of killing his father-in-law. When he stepped on the porch with a pistol in his hand, Sullivan opened the door and commenced firing upon him. The first shot struck hilborn's pistol hand, breaking his fingers and shot off his pistol guard. Sullivan did all the shooting, discharging his pistol three times."
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