Volume 11 , Issue 37

1905 - Fred Vanbibber Held For Murder

Remember the murder O. C. Andre by Fred Vanbibber, his brother-in-law? On the front page of The Oklahoman, dated December 5, 1905, the headlines read, "Held For Murder." It goes on to state, "Vanbibber, who killed a man in Woods county, under bond. Enters plea of self-defense. Killing was result of quarrel between brothers-in-law."

Special to The Oklahoman, Guthrie, Okla., Dec. 4, 1905 -- "Judge John Pancoast, presiding in the Woods county district, has held Fred Vanbibber under $10,000 bond for the killing of his neighbor, O. C. Andre, during the latter part of October. Vanbibber went to town after the killing and surrendered to the officers and has since been in the county jail. Recently he entered a plea of self-defense and asked release from jail. After hearing the testimony Judge Pancoast placed his bond at $10,000, which Vanbibber has not yet given.

"Vanbibber and Andre were brothers-in-law, and lived on adjoining farms, within six miles of Alva. The two had quarreled frequently and as a result a bitter feud had existed for years. On October 25 (1905) the quarrel was renewed by Andre who had driven to the Vanbibber home. A revolver was found in his pocket after the killing. The dead body when found, was still upright in the buggy seat, the team standing in front of Vanbibber's house.

"Three separate shotgun wounds showed plainly. One arm was nearly off, one shoulder was torn away and the third wound was in the berate, just above the heart. When the body was undressed buck-shot dropped out of Andre's back, having entered in front.

"A coroner's jury was soon empaneled and a verdict was rendered in accordance with the above facts, holding Vanbibber for the murder. He waived a preliminary trial and was placed in jail. Vanbibber's sister was the wife of Andre."
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