Volume 9 , Issue 23

1905 - Alleged Murderer Discharged

The Oklahoman, dated Oct. 12, 1905, pg 2, headlines and story is as follows:

"Fred Voils, an Osage Indian squaw man, was released from custody yesterday at Newkirk, where he has been held in jail since September 11, on a charge of murdering Roy Shaver, president of the Newkirk Dry Goods company, on April 20, last. Shaver went to the depot with some friends and when returning home he was shot from ambush, dying several days afterward in a hospital at Winfield, Kans. A total of $1,500 in rewards was offered for the arrest and conviction of Shaver's murderer, $500 of which was offered by Gov. Ferguson on the part of the territory.

The release of Voils, because of insufficient evidence against him, eliminates the only clue the authorities have been able to secure in connection with the Shaver murder. Voils is about 35 years old and a member of a highly respectable family of Cowley county, Kansas. Several years ago he married an Osage Indian squaw. Several days ago C. T. Atkinson of Arkansas City, as attorney for Voils' family, began proceedings for Voils' release and made application on a writ of habeas corpus. The Kay county attorney, A. F. Moss, immediately submitted the case to the grand jury and his discharge was ordered, no evidence being found to convict. Voils now threatens to sue the officers of Kay county for false imprisonment, asking big damages.
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