A gang of bandits died in a shootout with police and posse members 100 years in the past after they got here to Stark County to free a fellow gang member–known as “Oklahoma Slim”–being held in custody on burglary-related fees.
The drama surrounding the infamous “Oklahoma Slim” got here to life a century in the past with what The Night Repository referred to as the “Worst Gun Conflict In Canton’s Historical past.”
A story of “Oklahoma Slim” begins the day in March 1922 when a person recognized as John Hager Stephens, 29, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, reported to be “probably the most infamous bandits within the nation,” was arrested by Canton police in a home on Tuscarawas St. W.
“Canton police have been following out ‘suggestions’ and clues for the apprehension of Stephens for greater than a yr,” stated a front-page article in The Night Repository on March 29, 1922. “He has a protracted legal document and is believed to be probably the most determined criminals ever apprehended in Canton.
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“Native police authorities say they consider he was impicated in plenty of protected jobs in Canton, in addition to the theft of the publish workplace at Hartville a couple of weeks in the past, and different publish workplace jobs over the state. Stephens traveled below the aliases of Slim Hager, Oklahoma Slim, George Martin, George Reed, and Gabe, they are saying.”
Stephens had a cocked revolver in his pocket when police burst in on him, the newspaper stated, and “officers consider that he would have made some resistance had there not been three of them current.”
In response to a headline in The Night Repository in Could of 1922, “Oklahoma Slim” urged fellow bandits to get him out of the Stark County workhouse or he would begin speaking about gang actions to police.
Slight probability of Slim squealing
Stephens at first refused to speak to police. Inside a day, nevertheless, he was bragging to Canton police that they need to inform regulation enforcement officers in Parkersburg, West Virginia, that he was the person they’d been looking for since he and two others had pulled a publish workplace theft there in 1914. His accomplices have been doing time. Hagar had jumped bail.
The person identified to Repository readers as “Oklahoma Slim” threatened to sing some extra and implicate others, in response to a daring, banner headline within the Repository early in Could.
“‘GET ME OUT OR I’LL TALK,’ ‘SLIM’ TOLD PALS, POLICE SAY.”
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And gang members did come to the Canton space to spring “Oklahoma Slim” from the Stark County Workhouse, Repository accounts later reported.
“GUNMEN CAME HERE TWO WEEKS AGO TO PLAN ESCAPE OF ‘SLIM’,” stated a headline within the newspaper on Could 8, 1922, solely days after gang members have been concerned in a lethal gun battle.
5 males would die within the hail of bullets on Could 5, 1922, or within the days following it, together with the 4 gang members.
Gunfight was north of metropolis
“GUN BATTLE RAGED FOR HOUR ON STARK FARM,” a Repository headline stated on Friday, Could 5, 1922, the day after police and a posse chased down the bandits. That farm off fifty fifth Road NW in Plain Township, owned then by Obed Oberlin, included the grounds on which Gervasi Winery now could be situated.
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Two males have been killed, three have been severely wounded and two others much less severely harm late within the afternoon of Thursday, Could 4, 1922, in a gun battle “between metropolis police and residents and an car gang of alleged bandits.”
“Police authorities say they consider that the gang had come to Canton to assist John H. Stephens, alias ‘Oklahoma Slim,’ to flee from the county workhouse,” the newspaper reported. “Authorities base their conclusion upon the truth that the bars on Stephens’ cell on the workhouse have been discovered sawed Wednesday and a bundle containing a revolver and clothes, with Stephens initials on it, have been discovered within the backside of the gunmen’s machine (automobile).”
Legislation enforcement officers believed that the bandits have been a part of the Losteiner Gang, which was a band of well-known lawbreakers on the time.
“The battle adopted a chase by Canton police and residents of the 4 alleged bandits after the latter had kidnapped motorbike officer John Sensible and had fled with him north of town,” the Repository reported. “When the bandits noticed that the police have been overtaking them they deserted their automobile, taking Sensible with them and certain and gagged him within the woods about 5 miles north of town.”
Photographs have been exchanged between the posse and the fugitives. When one of many bandits was dropped by bullets, Sensible was deserted by the fleeing the rest of the gang.
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“One of many bandits was apparently crippled and his companions made a stand behind a clump of grees and began firing. The battle between the posse and the gunmen continued for about an hour.”
Loss of life listing grew over following days
Killed within the gunfire was Ralph W. Hoffee, 28, of Canton, a contractor who was a member of the posse.
Much less severely wounded have been Patrolman Jesse Vogley of Canton, who was shot in the proper leg, and Robert Bostin, a member of the posse who was hit within the left foot.
Additionally killed was a bandit who was unidentified on the time, however was believed to be Willie Mitchell of Cleveland. Eddie Stephenson, 32, “a infamous robber and bandit,” died later at a hospital.
Two different bandits, Harry Harpert, 30, of Cleveland’s west facet, believed to be the chief of the gang, and George Brainer of Buffalo, New York, each have been shot within the head and, in response to the newspaper account, “most likely will die.”
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Certainly, each bandits did die from their wounds, however not earlier than he and the gang members confessed to a spree of violent crimes, together with the theft of a financial institution in Grafton, Pennsylvania, and the killing of a cashier throughout that crime.
After which, it bought bizarre.
A couple of ‘Oklahoma Slim’
Aided by a lady who visited them, police realized that Harpert and Brainer weren’t who they gave the impression to be on the time of the gunfight. They have been Andy Kapler and Jimmy Blake, who had come to Canton two weeks earlier than the gunfight, and tried to make preparations for supply of a bundle – maybe the gun and garments – to “Oklahoma Slim.”
“Police consider that Kapler, who’s also called ‘Dutch’ Hartman, and Blake have been among the many yeggs who had been threatened by way of phrase stated to have been despatched out by ‘Oklahoma Slim’ by way of underground channels from the workhouse,” reported the Repository.
Blake, who in addition to being identified to some as George Brainer and Tom Lundy, additionally used the alias Jimmy Saxon. He turned out to be named Tommy Saxon.
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Confused but? Police have been, for a time. And it bought worse earlier than all of it bought cleared up.
Who was the true Oklahoma Slim?
What of Oklahoma Slim on the workhouse? It seems he was solely one in every of a trio who have been identified by that identify. And his actual identify was Norman Warden, not John Hager Stephens.
The actual John Hager Stephens was the initially unidentified bandit on the scene of the shootout. His physique was recognized by his mom when she got here to Canton on Could 10.
“With the identification of Stephens Wednesday evening police say it has been established that there have been three males touring below the alias of ‘Oklahoma Slim,’ ” reported the Repository on Could 11, 1922. “The unique ‘Oklahoma Slim’ is now serving time in a western penitentiary, whereas Norman Warden on the Stark County workhouse and the useless bandit, additionally used the identical alias.”
One of the vital fascinating and often-repeated crime tales of Canton historical past, by the way in which, considerations the destiny of the physique of the bandit named Kapler. In response to an article written by the Repository’s Tim Botos in 2015, he was not buried. He was displayed.
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“Kapler’s physique was closely embalmed – mummified – on the former Hiller Funeral Parlor in Canton. Since no relative claimed him, his mummy was positioned on public show on the parlor,” Botos wrote. “It remained there for a number of years till it was offered to a sideshow operator in San Francisco. The mum later was offered to a collector earlier than it in the end was donated to the Smithsonian in 2003.”
Attain Gary at gary.brown.rep@gmail.com. On Twitter: @gbrownREP.
This text initially appeared on The Repository: The Monday After: Fixing the thriller of ‘Oklahoma Slim’
St. Isidore, which aims to serve 1,500 students online within Oklahoma by its fifth year of operation, has the backing of Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt as well as former state schools superintendent Ryan Walters. Proponents of the plan say the online school would be a boon for rural Oklahoma students who do not have a Catholic school in their area.
The Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board had in April 2023 voted unanimously to disapprove the school’s application, later in June approving the contract 3-2 after revisions to the application.
Brett Farley, executive director of the Oklahoma Catholic Conference and a board member for the proposed school, told CNA following the first disapproval that the plan’s backers were “not discouraged at all.” He said at the time he believed Oklahoma’s government presents a “favorable environment to negotiate protections for religious liberty” to ensure that the school’s Catholic identity is not threatened by the acceptance of public funds.
The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City had pushed for approval of the school after former Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor issued an advisory opinion in late 2022 stating that because of the Supreme Court’s recent rulings, Oklahoma’s provisions banning religious schools from accessing public funds as charters could be unconstitutional. He cautioned that this legal change would not mean that religious schools using public funds “can necessarily operate however they want.” Drummond withdrew his predecessor’s opinion on the matter.
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In a dissent to the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s majority opinion, Justice Dana Kuehn argued that St. Isidore’s would be a partner of the state, not a government entity, and thus the state denying funds to St. Isidore’s because it is religious would violate the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.
“St. Isidore would not be replacing any secular school, only adding to the options available, which is the heart of the Charter Schools Act,” she wrote.
“The state is not required to partner with private entities to provide common education. But if it does, it cannot close the door to an otherwise qualified entity simply because it is sectarian … Contracting with a private entity that has religious affiliations, by itself, does not establish a state religion, nor does it favor one religion over another.”
Jonah McKeown is a staff writer and podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, as a producer for public radio, and as a videographer. He is based in St. Louis.
SALLISAW, Okla. (AP) — An Alabama man accused in a string of killings in Oklahoma and Alabama has pleaded not guilty to two Oklahoma killings.
The pleas were entered on behalf of Stacy Lee Drake, 50, during a Monday court appearance, KHBS-TV reported. He faces two charges of enhanced murder.
Drake has has until Aug. 7 in the Oklahoma case to find a lawyer to represent him, or a public defender will be appointed for him, KHBS reported.
Relatives and friends of the victims packed the courtroom where Drake appeared.
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Drake was apprehended Thursday in a wooded area in the Morrilton, Arkansas, area after a search that spanned multiple southern states, Arkansas State Police said.
Drake is accused of homicides and carjackings in Oklahoma, Arkansas State Police said. They said he’s also wanted on other felony warrants from multiple jurisdictions on charges including aggravated robbery, carjacking and murder.
A man and a woman were found dead inside a business near Gans, Oklahoma, near the Arkansas state line, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said. Both had injuries consistent with homicide, and the agency said Drake is a person of interest.
In Alabama, Drake is accused of killing Russell Andrews on May 14, according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Capt. Jack Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit said there is a warrant for Drake on a murder charge. News outlets reported that Andrews, 62, was found dead inside the Alcoholic Anonymous building.
Tuscaloosa authorities said Andrews’ vehicle was stolen when he was killed and hours later was picked up by cameras travelling along an interstate near the Arkansas-Oklahoma border.
OKLAHOMA CITY (CBS) — Alex Caruso has returned to where his pro career began, in Oklahoma City, after being traded by the Bulls to the Thunder for Josh Giddey last week.
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Caruso was waived by the Thunder in 2016, and played for the NBA’s G-League’s Oklahoma City Blue. Now, he will join a young Thunder squad after a straight-up exchange between the Thunder and the Bulls.
But the defensive specialist’s time in Chicago won’t be forgotten.
“I loved playing my three years with Billy [Donovan]. He’s a great coach, and me and him had some really good conversations,” Caruso said. “Great memories—I’m not going to lose those relationships even though I’ve left Chicago. You know, I’ve made great relationships over three years with people in eth city, Chicago itself, and obviously, teammates and coaches.”
Caruso, an All-Defense guard who has spent the past three seasons with the Bulls after winning the 2020 championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, had been the subject of trade rumors for several years. The Bulls resisted offers built around draft picks throughout his entire time in Chicago.
But in Giddey, the Bulls land a former No. 6 overall pick who was in desperate need of a fresh start.
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Caruso is one of the best defensive perimeter players in all of basketball. He is capable of guarding
