Submitted by
Loyd Bishop

WAS IT MURDER?
Prof. W. S. Carver the Victim of Lead and Fire.
THE CORONER’S JURY
Binds R. H. Fair Over to Appear Before the Grand Jury.

Last Saturday morning about eight o’clock, the news reached this city that the residence of Prof. W. S. Carver, a bachelor claim-holder residing two miles east of this city, had burned to the ground and it was thought that his body was in the ruins. Numbers of our citizens at once hurried to the scene of the conflagration and after a diligent search of the ruins the remains of Carver were found in the cellar, with a bullet hole in the head.
R. H. Fair, a carpenter, who resides at Arkansas City, had built the house for Carver and returned home after its completion, and came back last Thursday evening to have a settlement with Carver and draw his pay for the work. He claims the settlement was satisfactorily made on Friday, and that he was to receive a horse in full payment for his work. His explanation of the deplorable affair is to the effect that he stayed with Carver Friday night, and when they arose in the morning he was told to take the horses down to D. H. Edwards; about a quarter of a mile north, to water; that he left Carver in the house preparing to get breakfast; that after he had watered the horses and had started back with them he noticed that Carver’s house was on fire; that he hurried back to the house and going inside, found a revolver lying on a table, which he picked up and going outside fired four shots to arouse the neighbors; that he then began a search for Carver and could not find him; and then began the work of saving the house-hold effects.
As soon as Carver’s body was found the coroner was notified and upon his arrival the remains were removed to this city, a jury empanelled, consisting of: J. L. Lair, Jas. Shafer, Frank Beatty, Fred Gross, Al. Savage and A. Duraud, and an inquest held, which resulted in a verdict of murder and binding R. H. Fair over to the grand jury.
Prof. W. S. Carver was a man of fine education, an expert penman, and had taught many classes in his profession throughout this and adjoining counties. He was of a nervous disposition, high-tempered and aggressive, and was considered very eccentric by all who knew him. This entire community deplores his untimely and violent death and nothing will be left undone to bring the guilty to justice.
Fair’s preliminary hearing was held at Newkirk, today.