Volume 11 , Issue 10

1935 - Arson Charge Filed At Alva

This 1935 news article appeared in The Oklahoman, dated April 12, 1935, page 20, with headlines that read: "Arson Chrage Filed At Alva" - "Echo of College Buildings Loss Is Heard."

Alva, April 11, 1935 -- AP -- "Harry S. Williams, whose large house burned the morning the main administration building of Northwestern State Teachers college was destroyed by fire, was named Thursday in arson charges filed here.

"Filing of the charges came after an investigation by W. C. Theimer, state fire marshal and Wes Warden, Alva fire chief.

"Sheriff Ken Greer arrested Williams following the filing of the arson charges by County Attorney L. Z. Lasley. The complain set forth that Williams employed Bill Cline, also named, to pour gasoline in the attic of the dwelling and set the house on fire while the college building was burning.

"The Williams house, located directly across the street from the campus, was a total loss.

"Cline was placed in the Alfalfa county jail at Cherokee, Sheriff Greer said, after he asked for protection pending the arrest of Williams.

"The fire that destroyed the administration building caused an estimated loss of $500,000."
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