AN INCIDENT IN OKMULGEE, OKLAHOMA AS DEPICTED IN A REAL PHOTO POSTCARD, RECORDING A DEADLY ENCOUNTER BETWEEN CHIEF HENRY KLABER OF THE OKMULGEE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND NEWT DECKER, AN AFRICAN AMERICAN GUNSMITH

November 15, 1908. Black & white real photo postcard, 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 in., showing groups of men, horses and buggies gathered in front of a couple of small wood framed houses, in a rural setting. Two spots are marked on the photo, with accompanying hand-written captions in white ink, indicating where "Police Klaber and Two Negroes were killed," and where "House and Decker were burned, Nov. 15." Some light soiling, else very good.
The confrontation which resulted in the death of both Chief Klaber and Newt Decker began when Newt Decker and Jimmy Grayson, a Creek Indian, got into an argument over a day's catch of fish. Grayson complained to Chief Klaber of the Okmulgee Police Department on Sunday, November 15, 1908. When Klaber arrived at Decker's home at Second and Creek Streets, Decker opened fire shooting Klaber in the throat. Two men, brothers Ralph and Felix Chapman, came to his defense and were also shot. All three men died of their wounds. Sheriff William Edgar Robinson, the first elected sheriff of Okmulgee County, was also killed. After a prolonged gun fight during which Decker's house was set on fire, Decker also died. [see: article in the "Muskogee Times-Democrat," Nov. 16, 1908]. Item #63371

Price: $600.00