Volume 11 , Issue 13

Alva Murder of 1917 (March 5)

Kirt Trekell says, "I Came across a clipping from a Wichita news paper about a murder that occured in Alva at Antlers Cafe in 1917. A 20-year-old Harrison Eller, Killed a 20-year-old Joe Files. It was reported as a very violent homicide. The paper said Files was nearly decapitated. Have you heard of this before?"

The 1917 Wichita Beacon article, headlines read, March 5, 1917 -- "Threaten To Lynch Murderer -- To Prevent Mob Violence, Alva Sheriff Places Six Armed Deputies On Guard In Jail."

"Harrison Eller Makes Full confession -- Alva, Okla., March 5 (1917) - Harrison Eller, self-confessed slayer of his friend Joe Files, is sleeping in the county jail here tonight while six armed deputy sheriffs stand guard, ready to resist any attempt at mob violence.

"Rumors that a mob was forming with the intension of lynching, Eller reached Sheriff William Strothers tonight. Shortly before midnight he told a reporter of the Eagle that he was prepared to stand off any number of would-be lynchers. He stated he had placed six armed guards in the jail and should trouble occur, he would be able to increase his force within a few minutes.

"Despite the whispered threats sheriff Strothers, however, doubts that any attempt will be made to lynch Eller.

"Eller in his confession told how he went to a deserted house a mile and a half northeast of Alva and burned his bloody clothes. He says he killed Files over a dice game.

"Sheriff Strothers does not believe this part of Ellers confession. It is his theory that while Files was asleep behind the stove, Eller entered the cafe and attempted to rob the cash register. Files was awakened and he was slain in the fight that followed."

Another article from the Wichita Eagle -- Alva, Okla., March 5 (1917) - "Joe Files, 20 years old, night clerk at the Antlers Cafe was found murdered at the cafe about 6:30 a.m. today by W. D. Keith, day cook, when he went on duty. Harrison Eller, a former employee of the cafe, was arrested at 10:30 a.m. at the home of his sister, Mrs. Capitola Davis and held for the murder.

"It is believed Files was slain about 4:30 a.m., when the streets were deserted. A stone mason's hammer, a meat clever and several knives, all of which had apparently been used by the murderer, were found near the body. The murdered man had been horribly beaten about the head, fourteen wounds being inflected. The head was nearly severed from the body, which was found near the back door, where Files had evidently had been overtaken while trying to escape.

"It was evident that the struggle commenced near the front of the cafe, as blood was found on the walls, counter, chairs and floor. There were also bloody finger prints on the cigar case, the cash register had been opened and $16.75 taken from it.

"Suspicion at once was fixed on Eller when the crime was discovered and Sheriff Strothers at once went in search of him. Blood was found between the cafe and Ellers room, and in the room was found a bloody wash bowl in which Eller had evidently washed blood from his hands.

"Eller was not and it was at first believed he had escaped on the morning Santa Fe train to Wellington or Wichita. About nine o'clock someone reported having seen him in the northwest part of the city, and a little later he was found at his sisters home. he was hurried to the jail. Eller told the authorities he had tried to burn a suit of clothes which he was wearing early today.

"Eller is about 20 years old. He had worked at the cafe for some time, being discharged recently. He had been mentally unbalanced at times for the past year, wince a younger brother fell beneath the wheels of a water wagon Eller was driving and was killed. because of this he had been considered dangerous at times.

"Files parents live in Illinois. His father will come for the body."
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