Volume 11 , Issue 17

1908 Alva Ballgame Spat Tragedy

Alva, Oklahoma was not and has never been immuned from violent attacks of aggression, as I am finding as I stroll through old news articles in The Oklahoman. Especially, this one dated June, 1908, with the headlines reading, "Alva Ballgame Spat Tragedy."

Special to The Oklahoman. Alva, Okla., June 6, 1908 -- "A knife wound four inches long on the left side of the neck barely missed the jugular vein of Ralph Crowell and he will recover. Frank Urban is held on the charge of attempting to commit murder, and his companion, Sam Hames, must answer to the charge of aiding and abetting in the crime.

"The stabbing was the result of a wrangle and quarrel that ended a ball game here this afternoon. After the game it was believed that the trouble was over, but as Crowell was passing along the street he encountered Urban and Hames. The three went into a pool room, and it is alleged that Urban did the stabbing while standing behind Crowell. It is stated that Crowell had repeatedly told Urban and Hames that he did not desire trouble with them.

Crowell, was a son of George W. Crowell, a well known grain dealer. Urban and Hames resided at Waynoka and came to Alva on that day with the ball team from Waynoka.
  |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

---