THE MURDER OF R S WOODWARD

(The following are copied from the Oklahoman paper. They are placed here in the order they appeared in the paper. They are copied verbatim as written, so please ignore spelling mistakes, as I did not make them. If you have more information on this story, please contact me, and the information will be added here.)

Chickasha, Okla., April 3 – (Special) – Following the death of R. S. Woodward on March 27, supposed to have been caused from ptomaine poisoning, Mrs. Ada Woodward, widow of the deceased, and John Tremont, an Italian shoemaker, were arrested charged with the murder of the deceased. The body of Mr. Woodward was exhumed Thursday and the stomach taken by John C. Lewis, sheriff of Grady county to Norman, where it will be analyzed in quest of poison supposed to have caused the death of Woodward.

The preliminary trial of the accused will be held in Justice T. P. Moore’s court, the date for which, as stated by B. F. Holding, assistant county attorney, will depend largely upon the date of final examination and analysis of Woodward’s stomach by the chemists at the state university at Norman.

Regarding the web of evidence the state will endeavor to weave around the accused, very little information has as yet been given out, but it is said an effort will be made to establish improper relations between Mrs. Woodward and Tremont, while as a direct motive, a $1,000 life insurance policy which Woodward carried, his wife being named as the beneficiary, is said to be destined to play an important part.

Rumor has it that Mrs. Woodward went joy riding with a party of which Tremont is said to have been a member two nights previous to Woodward’s death on Tuesday night, March 25. This fact the state claims to have established.

Mrs. Woodward has been almost hysterical since her arrest and her weeping has been almost incessant, while between sobs she proclaims her innocence. Her mother, Mrs. L. P. Boatwright, is here from her home in Tulsa, having arrived on March 28. She formerly lived here and the family was well known to Chickasha people.

R. S. Woodward and miss Ada Boatwright were married in Chickasha seven years ago and have lived here during the whole of their married life. Mr. Woodward was a groceryman and had been employed by W. C. Wells, the Hill grocery company, and the Abercrombie grocery, where he was working at the time of his death. Mrs. Woodward has three children, the youngest, a baby two years of age. The children are being cared for now by her mother.

Thursday morning at the Grady county jail, Mrs. Woodward talked freely and told her story of her husband’s death.

“My husband was sick a week and two days,” said Mrs. Woodward. “He was taken ill on Tuesday night. I had not been feeling well that day and for supper ate only a slice of bread and butter and a few peach preserves. About 6 o’clock I opened a can of sardines for the children. They ate the contents of the can among other things, and later went to bed. Mr. Woodward came home and opened another can of sardines which he ate. He said he was feeling bad he would only eat a light lunch.

“Some time in the night he complained that his stomach was paining him. I got up and gave him a drink of water. He kept complaining of his stomach and said it was cramping and very painful. The following morning he went to work but came home about 3 o’clock and went to bed again. Thursday morning we called a physician, Dr. J. E. Stinson, who waited upon my husband the remainder of that week. My husband told him that if he would wash his stomach out good he would be all right, but the doctor said they the poison was all out of his system by that time.

“The medicine did not seem to be doing him any good, but he was able to go to town on Monday and Tuesday of the following week. Tuesday morning he was taken very ill again and we called in Dr. A. B. Leeds. He grew worse and died Thursday morning.”

Following the recital of her husband’s illness and death, Mrs. Woodward broke down and wept for several minutes, then said, “I know I am not guilty. The shock almost killed me when I was arrested yesterday. I believe if I was guilty it would not be so hard to stand, but God knows I am not guilty.”

The statement was made Thursday morning at the county attorney’s office that that office has evidence strong enough to warrant the charge of murder committed by the administration of poison at two different times, that Woodward recovered from the first dose, supposed to have been administered, came to town on Monday, and after that time, another dose was given, from the effects of which Woodward died.

The Oklahoman 4/4/1913

BELIEVE ARSENIC POISON WAS USED

State Claims to Be Building Up Strong Murder Case

CONFESSION DENIED

Mrs. Woodward and John Tremont Both Maintain Discreet Silence

Chickasha, Okla., April 4 – From the county attorney’s office it was learned Friday it is the belief R. S. Woodward came to his death as the result of arsenic poisoning, administered at two different times and that the deceased recovered from the first administration, after which another dose was given, from which he died.

“We have made our charge against Mrs. Ada Woodward and John Tremont on the ground of murder was committed, and upon those grounds we will stand,” said Oscar Simpson, county attorney, Friday. “As developments proceed, we have stronger reason to believe in and charge murder than we had Thursday, and it will take the decision of a court to convince this office otherwise.”

May Be Another Woman In Case

Regarding the rumor of another man in the case, Mr. Simpson said that at this time no other man would be arrested, but intimated that another woman might be implicated and that other arrests may follow later.

As early as Thursday noon, the rumor was abroad that Mrs. Woodward had made a complete confession of the crime, but as stated by authorities Friday afternoon, no such confession has been made either by Mrs. Woodward or Tremont. Other rumors are afloat of joy rides and meetings of Mrs. Woodward and Tremont, just prior and immediately after the death of R. S. Woodward. Upon such rumors and information by parties living in the neighborhood of the Woodward home, the investigation, resulting in the arrest of the accused, was startled.

“Within an hour after the death of Mr. Woodward we received information that started us at work upon the case,” said Mr. Simpson.

Bear Out Poison Theory

The statements of the attending physicians in the case, made to the county attorney, are said to bear out the theory of poison by administration of arsenic, and much depends upon the analysis of Woodward’s stomach by Prof. Edwin DeBarr of the state university at Norman.

The report from the examining chemists is expected to arrive Sunday and it is probable the preliminary hearings will be held next Friday before Justice T. P. Moore.

The Oklahoman 4/5/1913

MRS. WOODWARD MAKES CONFESSION

Admits She Poisoned Husband To Collect Insurance Policy

ARSENIC IN SARDINES

Infatuation For An Italian Shoemaker Leads Woman To Murder

Chickasha, Okla., April 5 – In a signed and sworn written statement, made in the presence of four witnesses, Mrs. Ada Woodward, widow of S. P Woodward, who died after eating a can of sardines, confessed she placed arsenic in the sardines with the intention of causing her husband’s death so she could collect the $1,000 life insurance her husband carried and run away with John Tremont, an Italian shoemaker, with whom she has been infatuated for several months past. The confession was made Saturday afternoon, but the full details are being withheld by the officials for the reason, they state, another arrest is expected in the case.

Woodward died after eating a can of sardines at his home in this city on March 27. He had been ill for a week, and it is charged by the state’s attorney that the attempt which proved successful was the second one made to bring about the grocer’s death.

Woodward Displeased with Diagnosis

When her husband complained of sickness and returned home early the following morning after having worked but an hour, Mrs. Woodward called a physician, who made an opinion, it is stated, the grocer was suffering from ptomaine poisoning as a result of eating the sardines. Woodward, however, was not satisfied with this diagnosis, according to Mrs. Woodward’s confession, and called in Dr. Leeds, who is a fellow lodge member in the A. O. C. W. of which organization Woodward was a member. Dr. Leeds, it is said, detected traces of arsenic poisoning and so informed Woodward, but the discovery was made too late to save the man’s life.

Following an investigation by the officials, Mrs. Woodward and John Tremont, the latter an Italian shoemaker, were arrested, and the body of Woodward exhumed and the stomach sent to the state chemist at Norman to be thoroughly examined for traces of poison. The result of this examination has not yet been made public.

Infatuated with Italian

It is charged by the state that Mrs. Woodward has for some time been infatuated with the Italian, and when he would have ignored her, she sent him notes and went on “joy rides” with him. It is said she was more infatuated with Tremont than he was with her, and that on several occasions he sought to evade the woman, but she was persistent and each time it is said to have managed a meeting with him.

According to the state’s attorneys, Mrs. Woodward went on another “joy ride” with Tremont the night following her husband’s death, and was several times in his company.

Mrs. Woodward states in her confession, it is said, she and Tremont expected a check from the life insurance company for $1,000, and had planned to leave together as soon as the check arrived. She did not state what their destination was.

Several months ago, it is charged, Mrs. Woodward went to Anadarko where she was found by her husband in the company of another man. Mr. Woodward at that time forced the woman’s paramour to quit the country at the point of a gun and made his wife return to his home with him. She is the mother of three sons, aged 2 years, 4 years, and 6 years.

Private Detective Investigates

When the report gained circulation that Woodward died as a result of ptomaine poisoning after eating a can of sardines, the National Canning company sent a private detective to Chickasha to conduct an investigation, and it is stated this officer unearthed much of the evidence now in the hands of the state’s attorney.

It is stated the attempt to conceal the fact arsenic had been placed in the can of sardines was a very crude one. The can had been opened by Mrs. Woodward, it is charged, and given to her husband on the night of March 27, when he came home from his work. She is said to have told her husband their children had eaten a can of sardines and retired, and he informed his wife not more lunch would be needed for him than the sardines and some bread.

No date has as yet been set for the preliminary hearing of the accused couple.

The Oklahoman 4/6/1913

Chickasha, Okla., April 7 – (Special) – With the arrest in El Reno Saturday night of Mrs. Emma Rivers, wife of the timekeeper in the local Rock Island railway office, together with the complete and signed confession of Mrs. Ada Woodward late Saturday afternoon, the state’s attorneys believe the mystery of the death of R. S. Woodward is practically cleared. Mrs. Rivers was arrested in El Reno late Saturday night to which place she had gone as delegate to a meeting of the Ladies of the Maccabees, and was brought to Chickasha early Sunday morning and turned over to the Grady county officials.

The confession of Mrs. Woodward is said to implicate Mrs. Rivers and John Tremont and the horrible details of the plot and administration of the deadly poison is seldom surpassed in the annals of crime. The motive for the crime, as was at first suspected was according to Mrs. Ada Woodward’s story, to obtain the $1,000 life insurance carried by the deceased.

Previous to the crime, the plot had been abrewing for several weeks, it is said, suggested and promoted by the Italian and Mrs. Rivers. Mrs. Woodward states that when first mentioned she would not consent but after due persuasion had been brought to bear upon her, she says she consented, but refused to commit the murder herself.

Following is Mrs. Woodward’s story: “I have known Tremont for about three months and learned to think a great deal of him, Mrs. Rivers and myself have been quite intimate for a long time and she suggested that we leave Chickasha, go to some other town and establish a rooming house. We did not have the money and that fact alone prevented us from doing so.

“Finally, Mrs. Rivers and Tremont suggested that we put Sherman, my husband, out of the way, obtain the $1,000 life insurance money, leave Chickasha and open a rooming house. I could not bear the idea and told them so, but they insisted and finally I consented.

“The method by which my husband was to be killed was not at first decided upon. Tremont said he would give him rat poison, and that by that method he would linger along several days, giving the general outward effects of some disease. Then the plan was hit upon to give the poison to him in a can of sardines and lay the blame of his death to ptomaine poisoning.

“Some days passed before an opportunity presented itself. I had told Tremont and Mrs. Rivers that I could not do it, but that they could go ahead if they wanted to. Mrs. Rivers told me if we were caught and I told anything and we were into the same cell, she would kill me. Tremont told me if I ever breathed a word of it to anyone he would kill me and the night the poison was administered, he appeared at my house with a razor in his pocket.

“We sent my little boy to a drug store and got some rat poison and on Tuesday, March 18, the opportunity presented itself. Tremont came by my house late in the afternoon. We got two cans of sardines, one of which we opened and gave to the children. Tremont opened the other can, emptied the contents in a bowl and put a quantity of rat poison into it, stirring it up with the mustard in the sardines to kill the taste of the poison.

“Tremont left about 6 o’clock and I was so overcome that I lay down upon the bed. Presently Sherman came home and I told him that I was not feeling well and he would find some sardines in a bowl on the table.

“I had been cautioned by Tremont and Mrs. Rivers not to call a doctor when Sherman got sick. About 9 o’clock Sherman began to complain and I got up and got him a drink of water. He complained all night and Wednesday morning he continued to vomit everything he took into his stomach. Thursday the neighbors became some interested in the case that a doctor was sent for. We called Dr. Stinson and under his treatment Sherman began to improve.

“The following Monday morning Sherman got up and went to town as he did also on Tuesday morning. Tuesday evening Tremont called at the house. Sherman was in bed when Tremont went to the cupboard. Got a cup, filled it with warm water and which he dissolved a portion of the rat poison which he had left.

“We were in another room from where Sherman was lying in bed. When the rat poison was thoroughly dissolved, Tremont went into the sickroom carrying the cup. I followed him as far as the door where I could stand it no longer and had to turn back. I heard Tremont say “Here Sherman is the medicine your wife has fixed for you. Drink it and you will feel better.”

“From that moment on, my husband grew worse. Dr. Leeds was called at the repeated request of Sherman and made his first visit on Wednesday. He came several times that day and left about 1 o’clock Thursday morning. Sherman died Thursday morning at 5 o’clock.

“In dividing the insurance money, Tremont was to get one-third for doing the work and Mrs. Rivers and myself were going to take the remainder and start a rooming house.”

“Tremont contends he is innocent and that he was at the Woodward home but one time. The state’s attorneys claim they can prove by a score of witnesses that Tremont was a frequent caller at the Woodward home and that on numerous occasions Mrs. Woodward left the children at home with her husband, went to a picture show, where she was met by Tremont and later the two were seen walking home together. “

When taken from the train at Chickasha Sunday morning, Mrs. Rivers stoutly proclaimed her innocence and says that she known nothing of the affair and cannot imagine why she is implicated.

Sunday morning the officers went to the Woodward home and one of the little children took them to the drug store where. With a note, he purchased some “medicine for papa” that is believed to have been the rat poison with which Woodward was murdered. The druggist says that as the occurrence is some three weeks in the past he cannot remember definitely regarding the note or what it called for.

At her own request, Mrs. Woodward was taken before Justice T. P. Moore Monday morning and waived the preliminary hearing being remanded to jail without the right to bond. She states she will enter a plea of guilty to the charge of murder before Judge Baily, in the district court, and throw herself on the mercy of the court.

The examination of Woodward’s stomach, according to the report telephoned the officials Monday morning from Norman, shows clearly the traces of poison, thus corroborating the confession made by Mrs. Woodward.

It is due to Dr. A. B. Leeds, who was called in the case after it was too late to save the man, that the arrests were made and the confession secured. Dr. Leeds recognized poisoning and held up the payment of his insurance policy, and in the presence of the county attorney and Dr. Leeds, with witnesses, her confession was secured.

CONFESSES TO MURDER OF HUSBAND; IMPLICATES TWO

MRS. ADA WOODWARD AND JOHN TREMONT

Chickasha, Okla., April 8 – Special – Mrs. Ada Woodward has been arraigned in a justice court on a charge of murdering her husband, R. S. Woodward, by placing rat poison in water and giving it to him as medicine, waived the preliminary hearing and held in jail without bond. It is stated she will enter a plea of guilty when arraigned in the district court, but no date has an yet been selected for the hearing.

John Tremont, the ‘Italian’ who is charged by the state and by Mrs. Woodward with having purchased the poison, sending a 5 year old son of the murdered man after the rat biscuits, and handing it to Woodward with the statement the concoction was medicine prepared for him by his wife, had not as yet been arraigned. He protests his innocence, but in her confession, Mrs. Woodward declares Tremont was to have received one-third of the $1,000 life insurance carried by Woodward, and Mrs. Rivers, the third one accused and under arrest in the case, was to have accompanied Mrs. Woodward to some locality where they intended opening a rooming house. Mrs. Rivers has not yet been arraigned for a preliminary hearing.

The Oklahoman 4/9/1913

NO PROMISE OF IMMUNITY MADE

So Declares State’s Attorney, Referring To Mrs. Woodward’s Confession

Chickasha, Okla., April 8 – (Special) – As the days wear on and known and alleged facts regarding the Woodward case are unfolded, rumors bob up, growing ever in magnitude as they progress. Tuesday afternoon, the rumor that others were implicated in the crime had gained such headway that it was being talked on the streets as facts, the would be informants going so far as to state positively the names of those said to have been named in Mrs. Woodward’s confession as direct conspirators in the murder of Sherman Woodward.

Oscar Simpson was seen on the subject and stated positively that no others than Mrs. Woodward, Mrs. Rivers and John Tremont were implicated in the crime.

“The evidence does not show that there were others connected with the murder of Woodward,” said Mr. Simpson, “and it is the opinion of the county attorney that there were no others connected with the affair. You can give that statement on authority.”

When asked whether or not Mrs. Woodward was promised immunity in order to draw from her a complete confession, Mr. Simpson stated that no such promise was made by the authorities or asked by Mrs. Woodward.

“In the last paragraph of her written confession,” continued Mr. Simpson, “Mrs. Woodward says that she asked no immunity from the authorities in return for her confession and would not ask the leniency of the court when arraigned for final judgment to be passed upon her.”

Tremont and Mrs. Rivers continue to maintain the same strict silence that has been their attitude since their arrest. F. E. Riddle of Chickasha, is their attorney. According to present plans the preliminary hearing of Tremont and Mrs. Rivers will open before Justice T. P. Moore Thursday afternoon and it is expected that it will take the greater part of two days.

The Oklahoman 4/9/1913

ENTERS FORMAL PLEA OF GUILTY

Mrs. Ada Woodward Arraigned in Chickasha District Court

IS OF SOUND MIND

States She Fully Realizes Consequences – Be Sentenced Saturday

Chickasha, Okla., April 10 – (Special) – Thursday morning at 10 o’clock Mrs. Ada Woodward was taken before Judge Frank M Bailey of the district court and entered a plea of guilty to a charge of murder in the first degree for the murder of her husband, Sherman Woodward.

Judge Bailey arrived here last Tuesday from Duncan and immediately assigned Eugene Hamilton as counsel for Mrs. Woodward. Thursday, after a long private consultation between Mrs. Woodward and Mr. Hamilton, she expressed her desire to go before the court and enter a plea of guilty to murder as charged.

Before Judge Bailey would accept her plea, she was admonished there could be but one of two punishments inflicted upon her, life imprisonment or death. Witnesses were summoned and closely examined as to the defendant’s mental condition since the commission of the crime. Dr. A. B. Leeds, the last physician to attend Mr. Woodward at the time of his death, testified he had observed Mrs. Woodward’s actions closely as to her mental condition form the time of her husband’s death, up to the present time and that he had seen nothing to indicate she was mentally unbalanced.

The county attorney’s office insisted that George W. Petty and John C. Lewis be called. These gentlemen stated they were present at the time Mrs. Woodward made and signed a written confession of her guilt and the statement came of her own free will and accord. The witnesses were carefully examined as to Mrs. Woodward’s mental condition at the time of making the statement and testified that mentally she appeared to be sound.

Reiterates Confession Statements

Thursday morning Mrs. Woodward reiterated the statements made in her written confession, stating the confession embodied facts as they occurred and that she had nothing to retract.

She stood up well under the ordeal while, before accepting her plea, Judge Bailey explained at length to her the seriousness of the charge and the ultimate result of the plea she was about to enter. He repeated that she was charged with murder in the first degree and that the penalty could be nothing except death or imprisonment for life. Mrs. Woodward stated that she realized the serious nature of the charges.

Will Pass Sentence Saturday

Being fully satisfied as to the sanity and understanding of Mrs. Woodward, Judge Bailey accepted her plea of guilty to murder in the first degree and extended her constitutional rights of two days’ respite before sentence is to be passed upon her. Saturday, then, is the day not when she will be sentenced, the only alternative within the power of the court being to choose between life imprisonment and death.

Mrs. Woodward is still firm in her statements that she was drawn into the affair by Mrs. Emma Rivers and John Tremont and that Tremont’s is the hand that administered the fatal doses of poison.

Owing to the absence of F. E. Riddle, counsel for Mrs. Rivers and John Tremont, the preliminary hearing of these two defendants will be postponed until Monday or Tuesday of next week. Two of Tremont’s brothers are here, one coming from Waco, Texas, and the other from Kansas City. They will remain until after the preliminary hearing.

The Oklahoman 4/11/1913

PRELIMINARY TRIAL OR MRS. RIVERS ON

Is Charged With The Murder Of Chickasha Grocery Clerk

WIDOW ON THE STAND

Mrs. Woodward Looks Mrs. Rivers In Eye and Repeats Accusation

Chickasha, Okla., April 15 – (Special) – With standing room in the district courtroom at a premium, the throng of spectators, including a considerable number of women, the preliminary hearing of Mrs. Henry Rivers, charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward jointly was opened before Justice T. P. Moore shortly after 10 o’clock Tuesday morning.

Tremont was brought into the courtroom but was taken back to jail afterward. Through his attorney he had waived preliminary hearing upon the statement of the county attorney that the testimony against him and Mrs. Rivers would be substantially the same. County Attorney Simpson and his assistant. Judge Holding, appeared for the state, while the defendant was represented by F. F. Riddle.

Up to noon only three witnesses had been examined, these being the undertaker and three physicians, all of the testimony relating to the manner of Woodward’s death.

List of State Witnesses

Previous to opening the hearing, the county attorney called the list of state witnesses, as follows: S. J. Anderson, John C. Lewis, Dr. A. B. Leeds, Dr. J. C. Ambrister, Dr. J. E. Stinson, Miss Una Rushing, Louis Payne, John Boatwright, S. W. Meadows, Mrs. Stoddard, Sam Dwyer, Professor Edwin Debarr and Mrs. Sherman Woodward.

It was announced that the latter would not be called to the courtroom until she was needed.

B. J. Anderson, undertaker, was the first witness called. He said he was called to the Woodward home about 5:30 a.m., March 27. He took the body to the undertaking room and later buried it in the Odd Fellows’ cemetery. About a week later he said he took up the body and again conveyed it to the undertaking parlor, where Doctors Leeds and Ambrister took charge of it; removing the stomach and other organs, in the presence of Sheriff Lewis and others. Afterward he reburied the body.

Mrs. Woodward Reiterates Statements

Mrs. Woodward was placed on the stand at 1:45 o’clock and kept there until 4:15 o’clock. Her testimony through the questions by the state’s attorney, was practically the same as told in her written confession. She sat with downcast eyes almost the entire time, and after an hour of rigid cross-examination by F. E. Riddle, she broke completely down. The last hour that she was on the stand was spent in an endeavor by Riddle to discredit her testimony implicating Mrs. Rivers.

On cross-examination Mrs. Woodward said she had known Mrs. Rivers four years, and when asked what year she first met her, said 1910. She testified to having planned poisoning her husband several times, with Mrs. Rivers and Tremont, but when questioned closely could not state exactly when she knew of meeting between Tremont and Mrs. Rivers except at a picture show and a dance. She was asked by Riddle if she could look Mrs. Rivers in the eyes and tell her she was implicated in the murder of Sherman Woodward.

Denial From Mrs. Rivers

Mrs. Woodward did so, when Mrs. Rivers partially rose and said: “Mrs. Woodward, you know better than that.”

So dense was the crowd Tuesday afternoon, the sheriff and bailiffs had to repeatedly rap for order and the crowd was quieted only by threats from the judge to put the disturbers out. Dr. Edwin Debarr took the stand at 4:15 o’clock and testified he had examine the contents of the jars delivered to him by Lewis on April 3. He said he found arsenic and corrosive sublimate in Woodward’s stomach and liver. In the stomach, four and one-half grains of corrosive sublimate, one and one-half grains of arsenic were found. One-half grain of arsenic and one-fourth grain of corrosive sublimate were found in the liver.

The Oklahoman 4/16/1913

MRS. RIVERS IS HELD ON CHARGE

Defense Submits the Case Without Argument On Testimony

Chickasha, Okla., April 16 – (Special) – At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing in a justice court, Mrs. Henry Rivers, accused jointly with Mrs. Ada Woodward and John Tremont with the murder of Sherman Woodward, was Wednesday morning held for the district court and remanded to jail. Mrs. Woodward and Tremont both waived the preliminary hearing, and are now occupying cells in the county jail at his place.

The court room Wednesday, as on the occasion of the opening of the hearing Tuesday, was crowded to its capacity, and many among the spectators and listeners were ladies of prominent families of Chickasha.

Mrs. Stoddard, Sam Dwyer and John Boatright were the state witnesses at the hearing Wednesday morning, and at the conclusion of their testimony, the state rested and after a recess of twenty minutes. The defense announced it had no witnesses to introduce. The case was submitted to the court without argument.

“As soon as the transcript of the testimony of the various witnesses can be transcribed,” state Attorney F. E. Riddle, one of counsel for the defense, “we shall go to the district court and ask for bond for Mrs. Rivers. This will be in the nature of babeas corpus proceedings, and will in all probability be reached some time this week.”

During the noon hour Wednesday, a party of Italians visited the jail, went to the rear section in which Tremont’s cell is located and serenaded the prisoner Tremont almost the entire noon hour.

The Oklahoman 4/17/1913

MRS. RIVERS LEAVES JAIL; $10,000 BOND

Chickasha, Okla., May 1 – Following the approval of a bond of $10,000 by the clerk of the district court, Mrs. Emma Rivers has been released from the county jail, leaving for her home on South Sixth street in this city.

Mrs. Rivers will be free until summoned to appear for trial in the district court, where she will answer to the charge of murder. The exact time of the trial has not been set. John Tremont, who waived preliminary hearing, remains in the county jail.

The Oklahoman 5/2/1913

CONFESSION MAY AFFECT VERDICT

Conflicting Testimony Offered In De’Andrea Trial For Perjury

On the validity of Ada Woodward’s confession in regard to the murder of her husband at Chickasha on March 17, hangs the fate of Joe De’Andrea, on trial in the district court for perjury.

De’Andrea testified before the habeas corpus hearing of Emma Rivers and John Tremont, alleged accomplices of of Ada Woodward in the murder of her husband that Tremont could not read or write the English language. Mrs. Woodward, when she confessed in the courtroom at Chickasha, that she, together with Tremont and Emma Rivers murdered her husband, state that John Tremont wrote the order in English for the rat poison which was given to Woodward.

Mrs. Woodward, under a life sentence for the self-confessed murder of her husband, took the stand Wednesday afternoon and reviewed the story of the murder. She stated that the murder was planned by Tremont, Emma Rivers and herself and that Tremont wrote the order for the poison in English. She stated that the rat poison was sprinkled over a can of sardines that her husband afterward ate.

John Tremont was placed on the stand by the defense and under oath he stated that he could not read or write the English language and that his brother did the most of his letters and read to him the ones that he received.

De’Andrea, testifying in his own behalf, stated that he had never seen Tremont read or write or had never heard of him being able to read or write the English language. He was questioned in regard to the similarity of the English and Italian languages, and he answered that there was little similarity. Tremont is an Italian, born in Sicily.

Maude Crisp, the daughter of the woman who kept the boarding house at Chickasha where Tremont stayed, was placed on the stand by the defense. She testified that she knew Tremont well, and had corresponded with him. She said she had never seen him read or write English with the exception of a few words that he wrote under a copy that she set for him. Tremont, she said, told her that he got his brother to read and write his letters for him. She was shown several letters addressed to her and signed by Tremont and asked if she recognized them. She stated that she did.

A number of young women of Chickasha were placed on the stand by the defense. They testified that at different times they had been asked by Tremont at dances to write on his dance program the names of girls with whom he had dates.

Taking testimony in the case is expected to be completed by noon Thursday. It is believed that the case will not be given to the jury before Friday.

The Oklahoman 5/15/1913

De’Arnea Acquitted of Falsely Swearing In Chickasha Case

TREMONT IS WITNESS

Outcome of Trial As Accomplice May Hinge On the Evidence

Joe De’Arnea of Chickasha, did not perjure himself when he swore before the court of criminal appeals that John Tremont could not read or write the English language, according to the verdict of the jury in the De’Andrea case which reported Thursday afternoon at 6 o’clock.

The case went to the jury at 5 o’clock Thursday afternoon and after an hour’s deliberation it returned a verdict of not guilty.

John Tremont and Emma Rivers of Chickasha, were implicated in the poisoning of Arthur Woodward by the confession of Ada Woodward, the wife of the murdered man, who state that Tremont and Emma Rivers were accomplices to the murder. In her confession, Mrs. Woodward stated that Tremont wrote the order in English for the rat biscuit that was used to poison Arthur Woodward. Tremont and Emma Rivers appealed to the court of criminal appeals for a habeas corpus hearing and it was during that hearing that De’Arnea, a close friend of Tremont’s is alleged to have perjured himself when he swore that Tremont could not read or write the English language.

On the fact of Tremont’s ability to read and write the English language largely depends his fate when he is arraigned at Chickasha for being an accomplice to the Woodward murder.

Murder Details Enter

The Woodward murder case was so closely interwoven with the De’Arnea perjury trial that it was next to impossible to keep the Woodward case our of the perjury trial.

Tremont was placed on the stand to testify in De’Arnea’s behalf. He was cautioned by the court that whatever the said on the Stand here could be used against him when he came to trial at Chickasha. Attorney Riddle for the defense was severely scored by County Attorney Simpson of Grady county, for his failure to ask Tremont, while on the stand, if he did not write that order for the rat biscuit. Riddle interrupted Simpson and attempted to argue the matter with him.

In his argument for the state Judge Thompson charged that De’Arnea and Tremont were partners in the girl ruining the business, and that they were responsible for the warwardness of not only Maude Crisp, but many other Chickasha girls and that is was infatuation for Tremont that led Mrs. Woodward to take her husband’s life.

Argument for Defense

In the argument for the defense, Attorney Riddle reviewed the testimony of the several witnesses placed on the stand who swore that they had never seen John Tremont write a line of English. He also referred to Tremont’s alibi in which he stated that he was at home at the time the note was supposed to have been written. He talked for more than an hour.

County Attorney Simpson of Grady county, closed the argument for the state. His speech was marked by a severe denunciation of Tremont and De’Arnea. He reviewed briefly the Woodward murder and stated that to his mind, it was the blackest, coldest blooded murder that ever had been recorded in the criminal annals of Oklahoma. Referring to Ada Woodward’s confession which brought upon her head a life sentence in the penitentiary, he stated that it would not have been reasonable for a woman to lie her way into a life sentence in the penitentiary.

Freed from the charge of perjury against him, De’Arnea can now be used to a good advantage as a witness for the defense in the John Tremont and Emma Rivers cases which will come up at Chickasha.

The Oklahoman 5/16/1913

SAYS RAT BISCUITS GIVEN TO HUSBAND

Mrs. Woodward on Stand Confesses to Implication in Plot

Chickasha, Okla., July 2 – (Special) – The trial of John Tremont, charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward, was opened shortly after 9 o’clock Wednesday morning before Judge Bailey in the district court with the prospect that it will last till the end of the week. The opening statement for the prosecution was made by Judge Holding, assistant county attorney, who outlined at length the testimony to be offered by the state.

Attorney Riddle, for the defense, made no statement but reserved the right to offer it later. The court room was well filled with spectators at the opening and despite the intense heat that grew more intense as the day wore on, the crowd continued to increase until standing room was at a premium.

The entire forenoon devoted to the testimony of Dr. J. B. Stinson, Dr. A. E., Leeds, and Sid Anderson, undertaker. The testimony was relative to the professional services rendered by the physicians during the last illness of Sherman Woodward and their testimony was that he met his death by poisons that were the main ingredients of rat biscuits. Dr. Edwin DeBarr, state chemist, testified that he had made an analysis of certain organs of a human body turned over to him by Sheriff John Lewis and stated the exact amount of poisons he found. His testimony corresponded with that of physicians regarding the poisons. Sheriff Lewis testified that he superintended the exhuming of Woodward’s body, and the removal of certain organs which he delivered to DeBarr.

Mrs. Ada Woodward, wife of the deceased, and self-confessed accomplice, took the stand at 2:45 and remained during the rest of the afternoon session. She told of her meeting with Tremont and of his subsequent visits to her home and finally of the plot between Mrs. Rivers, Tremont and herself to poison Woodward, secure his $1,000 life insurance money and start a rooming house. She told of two doses of rat biscuit given about a week apart by Tremont to her husband. Attorney Riddle, for the defense, pent two hours in cross-examination of the witness and succeeded in tangling some of her statements to a certain extent but did not discredit her testimony as a whole.

The Oklahoman 7/3/1913

Chickasha, Okla., July 3 – (Special) – A melodramatic interest was given to the Tremont trial here Thursday morning when the two little sons of Ada Woodward, sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her husband, entered the court room to testify against the man alleged to be their mother’s partner in the poison plot, and the pathos in the situation was not entirely overlooked by the curious audience present.

Owing to the excessive heat in the county court house the court has moved to the federal building. The climax of the morning session came when Herbert Woodward, 7 year-old son of Mrs. Ada Woodward, was placed on the witness stand after a long consultation between the lawyers and the judge as to the competency of the witness. After administering the oath to the witness Judge Bailey said to him, “You understand if you do not tell the truth what will happen to you, don’t you Harbert.” “Yes sir. I’ll be sent to jail,” was the reply. He said he knew John Tremont and had seen him at their home several times.

“Did he ever give you any money?” asked Judge Holding. “Yes, sir, he gave me a quarter once to get some sardines.”

“He gave me a nickel to buy some candy with but I didn’t get candy. I got a little pipe.” Answered the boy.

Going further into the story the boy said that his father had eaten some of the sardines and that the next morning he did not feel like going to work. After that his father got sick said the boy, and a lot of people came to the house and his father died and the ambulance came and got him. He said he did not go to the cemetery with his father because he had no way to go. On cross-examination by Riddle, the boy said he knew Judge Holding and said he had been taken to Holding’s office several times by his mamma. He said he saw his “Uncle Buddle” at home while his father was sick and that he was there about four days and that he came while his papa was sick.

Attorney Riddle asked, “What you have told here you know is the truth don’t you, because your mamma and your grandma told it to you and you know what they tell you is the truth don’t you?”

“And the reason that you know it is the truth is because your mamma told it to you?” asked the lawyer.

Ralph, the 5-year-old son of Mrs. Woodward was called to the stand, Judge Bailey overruling an objection by Attorney Riddle as to the competency of the witness. He told the story of Tremont giving him two dimes and of his going to the drug store after “medicine for papa.” Also of spending at Hill’s grocery store an extra nickel given him by Tremont for candy.

J. L. Hill testified on the stand that about March 17, he remembered the smaller boy coming into his store and buying a nickels worth of candy. He remembered the date because it was about the time of the primary election. He stated that the boy had a small package in his hand and remembered this by the fact that the package dropped to the floor and he picked it up.

Una Rushing testified to having been out with Mrs. Woodward and Tremont several times and that she had seen Tremont hug and kiss Mrs. Woodward and that she had heard Tremont say that if Mrs. Woodward had anything to do with any other man he would kill her.

The state closed its case at 6 o’clock Thursday evening and Friday morning the defense will open.

FORTUNE TELLER IS STAR WITNESS

Says Mrs. Woodward Had Sought His Aid in Dometic Trouble

SOLD LUCK CHARMS

Maud Crisp Testifies Mrs. Woodward Sent For Rat Biscuits

Chickasha, Okla., July 4 – (Special) – Featuring Friday’s progress in the Tremont murder trial was the testimony of Ed Wright, fruit peddler and fortune teller, who forecasted some of the events that have later developed as the dragnet of evidence lays bare the facts.

Wright said that for six years he had told fortunes as a pastime and sometimes took money for it. He met Mrs. Woodward in January or February at Gannon’s when she came to have her fortune told. She wanted to get rid of her husband and wanted witness to teach her the “central power”, he said.

“I told her that a dark complexioned man was in love with her,” said Wright. “The next time she came to me she told me about Tremont and asked me to make her a love charm. I said I thought I could fix it up some way. I didn’t much want to make it. The chief thing on her mind was that she wanted to get Tremont. She often sent for me when Tremont didn’t come when she expected him. She sent me three or four times to make dates with Tremont to meet her at a show. Every time I went to see her she had me run the cards to tell her fortune,” continued the witness.

According to his testimony Mrs. Woodward had him go ask Tremont to come to attend a dance and that Tremont attended and danced with Mrs. Rivers. He further said that a few days later Mrs. Woodward called him in and seemed “awful man” and called Mrs. Rivers names and said she would make Tremont sorry if he ever danced with anyone else. Witness said Mrs. Woodward asked him how to make a “bust up” between her and her husband, and he told her to burn cayenne pepper and put it in her doorstep. He said she told him that she and Tremont were saving money to go to Kansas City and run a rooming house and that she would get rid of Woodward, as he was mean to her and that she “cussed” him. On one occasion in conversation with her something was said about rats and witness suggested traps to catch them. “She said she wanted to catch bigger rats.”

Sold Charms For $2.50

On cross-examination witness said he had sold two or three luck charms and the price with fortune telling was $2.50. The charm, he said, was a little cloth bag containing a lock of hair, a piece of flannel and dirt. “I don’t know whether there is anything in it or not. Sometimes I believe there is. Some things I think I can tell. It was the jack of clubs in the run of cards in fortune telling that indicated the ‘dark complexioned man’” said the witness. Witness said Mrs. Woodward often spoke of Tremont as “so sweet and cute”. He said Mrs. Woodward phoned him on Friday after her husband was taken sick and her notions led him to believe that something was wrong.

Maude Crisp’s testimony was in substance that she was at the Woodward home on the afternoon that the rat biscuits were purchased and that Mrs. Woodward sent her son Ralph after the rat poison and that Tremont was not there that day. Cross-examination failed to shake the witness from her statements. Several letters purporting to have been written by John Tremont, the defendant in the case, to Maude Crisp, at the request of the prosecution were read in court to establish the intimate relations between Tremont and Maude Crisp.

The Oklahoman 7/5/1913

WOMAN TO BLAME SAYS SHOEMAKER

Tremont Denies He Sent For Rat Poison to Kill Husband

Chickasha, Okla., July 5 – (Special) – John Tremont, on trial here charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward, finished his testimony in his own behalf Saturday morning, closing for the defense. In a low musical voice and in his Italian dialect, he told the story of the alleged associations with Ada Woodward from the beginning, admitting the existence of improper relations between them, but contending that from the start the woman was to blame and continually seeking his company. He categorically denied any knowledge of the poisoning of Woodward and stated positively that he had nothing whatever to do with it. He said he did not love Ada, but was in love with Maud Crisp to who he was engaged to be married.

Tells of Meeting

On his direct examination Tremont said he was born in Italy, and came to America about six years ago and that he had lived in Chickasha for about eighteen months during which time he had worked for Joe Deandrea as a shoemaker. He said he first saw Mrs. Ada Woodward at the Majestic theater, when she set near him and said to a woman companion, look at his pretty hair,” and that she game him a piece of orange. He said he again sat near her at the show about a week later, and after it was over Mrs. Woodward asked him to walk with her, but that he did not care do and went home. “I saw that woman every place I went,” testified Tremont, who said that when he afterwards met Mrs. Woodward on the street she invited him to come to her home the day following and that upon his complying with her request, she invited him to attend a dance, to which he went and danced with her, after which he accompanied Mrs. Woodward home. According to his testimony the two later went for a walk to the Oklahoma Central station, and there she told him she loved him and wanted him to love her. Tremont said he told her that he had a sweetheart, and couldn’t love her; he said that it was on this occasion that he learned for the first time that Mrs. Woodward was married. Tremont said Mrs. Woodward told him.

In reply to a question the defendant said: “I never met Mrs. Rivers at the Woodward home and never talked to them about poisoning Woodward. I never gave the Woodward boy money to get medicine or sardines. I never threatened to kill Ada. I never was in love with her and never tried to get her to go away with me. I never carried a pistol to the Woodward home. I can’t read and write English, except my name and the words Waco, Beaumont and Lake Charles.”

Continuing he said, “I never wrote a note ‘send rat poison,’ “I never had anything to do with Woodward’s death and never talked to Ada about poisoning her husband. I was in love with Maude Crisp and was engaged to be married to her. I never threatened to kill Sherman Woodward.”

Arguments in the case were begun at 1:30 Saturday afternoon after Judge Bailey had instructed the jury. The instructions were of the usual nature, except the jurors were told that the defendant could not be convicted upon the testimony of Mrs. Woodward, unless the same was corroborated.

Judge Holding made the opening speech for the prosecution and County Attorney Simpson will close after Attorney Riddle has spoken for the defense. No limitations has been placed on the speeches.

The Oklahoman 7/6/1913

Chickasha, Okla., July 7 – (Special) – Since 10:30 Saturday night the fate of John Tremont, charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward, has hung in the balance, the jury not having reported at a late hour Monday night. On account of the intense heat in the jury room in the basement of the courthouse, the twelve men have been transferred to the district court room, where all day Monday they deliberated without ultimate results. Judge Bailey has not indicated how long he will hold them.

During Sunday and Monday anxious crowds hung about the courthouse in the vain hope that a verdict would be forthcoming. Rumors are plentiful as to how the jury stands but the most authentic report is that eleven are for conviction and one for acquittal. Some think the jury is hopelessly stuck. Only once during the day was there anything to give an indication of the course of the argument among the jurors, and this was when they asked that a transcript of certain portions of Ada Woodward’s testimony be sent to them.

The case of Emma Rivers, who is also charged with the murder of Woodward, and now out on bond, was called in the district court Monday morning and on request of both sides was continued for the term. It cannot possibly go to trial before October, when the next term convenes.

Tremont, together with Mrs. Ada Woodward and Emma Rivers, were arrested on the charge of having brought about the death of Sherman Woodward, husband of Ada Woodward, by administering to him poison in the form of rat biscuits. It is alleged that Tremont, who is an Italian shoemaker, sent one of the children of Mrs. Woodward to the drug store for the poison, and that it was administered by Tremont by being mixed with a can of sardines and placed upon the kitchen table of his home, and that when he returned home from work one evening, he found his wife in bed and was told by her that she was not feeling well enough to get supper, but that he would find a lunch on the table. Tremont ate the sardines and died. Mrs. Woodward has made a confession in which she involves the other defendants, but denies that she participated in the poisoning of her husband, although admitting cognizance of the act.

According to her statement her husband was poisoned in order that his insurance policy might be collected and divided among the three. She says that she and Mrs. Rivers intended to purchase a rooming house with their part of the insurance money.

TREMONT JURY IS UNABLE TO AGREE

Charged With Administering Rat Poison to Sweetheart’s Husband

Chickasha, Okla., July 8. – (Special) – After being out since Saturday night at 10 o’clock the jury in the John Tremont case reported to the court Tuesday evening about 6 o’clock, that it was hopelessly divided and unable to reach a verdict as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant. It is said the jury stood ten for conviction and two for acquittal.

Tremont, together with Mrs. Ada Woodward and Emma Rivers, was charged with having brought about the death of Mrs. Woodward’s husband, Sherman Woodward by means of rat biscuits placed in sardines.

Following the arrest of Mrs. Woodward, while she was attending a lodge meeting, she made a confession of knowledge of the alleged poisoning and implicated Tremont and Emma Rivers. According to Mrs. Woodward’s confession the motive for bringing about the death of Sherman Woodward was an insurance policy he carried. This policy, according in Mrs. Woodward’s statement, was to have been divided between the three.

Mrs. Rivers will not be tried until next fall.

The Oklahoman 7/9/1913

SECOND TRIAL FOR TREMONT JULY 21

Chickasha, Okla., July 9 – On July 21 John Tremont will again face the charge of murdering Sherman Woodward. Judge Bailey Wednesday made an order fixing that date for the second trial and unless some unforeseen contingency arises the case will go to trial one week fro next Monday.

Following the discharge of the jury attorney’s for the defendant made the application for bail for the defendant and Judge Bailey will hear arguments on the motion at 9 o’clock Thursday morning.

The state is expected to interpose strong objections to bail being granted.

The Oklahoman 7/10/1913

TREMONT ASKS BOND PENDING NEW TRIAL

Chickasha, Okla., July 10 – Thursday morning at 9 o’clock in the district court here Judge Frank M. Bailey heard argument for and against the granting of bail to John Tremont, defendant, charged with murdering Sherman Woodward.

Judge Bailey took the matter under advisement and will render a decision Friday. Attorney Riddle argued that bail should be granted on the grounds that under the statute a prisoner is allowed bail after being tried with the case resulting in a hung jury and that in this case the jury could not reach an agreement, hence the right of the defendant to bail.

The state’s attorney argued that the statute further provided that when a trial resulted in a hung jury owing to the misconduct of the jury the defendant was then not entitled to bail. Six of the jurors who recently sat in the Tremont case were summoned and swore that two of the jurors admitted the guilt of the defendant, but would not convict because of such heavy punishment. It was stated that one of the two men who hung the jury said that he would be willing to give the defendant as much as twenty years, but would not agree to life imprisonment or death. Alleging this conduct on the part of the jury and introducing these men to prove it, the state asked that the bail be denied.

The Oklahoman 7/11/1913

MRS. WOODWARD TO BEGIN SENTENCE

Chickasha, Okla., July 10 – Mrs. Ada Woodward, sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her husband, Sherman Woodward, left Thursday morning in the custody of Deputy J. A. Thompson for McAlester, where she will begin her term in prison. Since she was sentenced, following her plea of guilty. Mrs. Woodward has been confine in the Grady county jail. She was used as the star witness for the prosecution in the Tremont trial.

The Oklahoman 7/11/1913

TO TRY TREMONT AT LAWTON AUGUST 25

Chickasha, Okla., July 21 – Judge Frank M. Bailey announced Monday evening that the second trial of John Tremont, charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward would begin in Lawton Monday, August 25. The delay is caused by the court clerk’s announcement that it will be impossible to get a transcript of the record to Lawton before next week.

It is the desire of the court to get the trial off the docket before the regular term of court opens. Attorney Riddle Monday filed his motion for a change of venue in accordance with the understanding reached before the criminal court of appeals Saturday when the application for change of judges was dismissed.

The Oklahoman 7/22/1913

TREMONT MURDER TRIAL IS STARTED

Lawton, Okla., Aug. 26 – The case of John Tremont, charged with complicity in the murder of Sherman Woodward of Chickasha, brought to this county for trial on a change of venue, is now under way, the jury having been secured at 1:30 o’clock Tuesday. The afternoon was devoted to statements by attorneys and the taking of testimony. A large number of witnesses are here from Chickasha and three from the state penitentiary at McAlester. It is understood that the defense will attempt to show that Mrs. Woodward has made statements since being in the penitentiary which conflict with those made at the former trial and which resulted in a hung jury. Mrs. Woodward, who pleaded guilty in the murder of her husband and received a life sentence, is in jail here and will be placed on the stand Wednesday morning. There is much interest in the case.

The Oklahoman 8/27/1913

STATE TESTIMONY ALMOST COMPLETED

Lawton, Okla., Aug. 27 – The state practically rested its case in the Tremont murder trial Wednesday evening only one or two unimportant witnesses remaining to testify. Mrs. Ada Woodward, who confessed her complicity in the murder of her husband, Sherman Woodward, and was given a life sentence by Judge Bailey, occupied the stand for five hours. Her two little sons, aged 7 and 5 years also testified as to securing the sardines and poison which were afterwards administered to Woodward. The courtroom was packed with spectators, who heard the woman’s story. The defense has a large array of witnesses here from Chickasha and it is expected the case will not reach the jury before Saturday.

The Oklahoman 8/28/1913

TREMONT TO GIVE CLOSING TESTIMONY

Lawton, Okla., Aug. 28 – The last witness in the trial of John Tremont, charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward, will be placed on the stand Friday morning and will be the defendant himself. The progress of the trial Thursday was marked by a number of sensational disclosures there being two witnesses here are officials at the state penitentiary, Mrs. Hawkins, assistant matron, and Dr. Echols, prison physician. They testified for the defense and to the effect that Mrs. Woodward has stated in their presence that she had been promised immunity for making a confession and being witness in the remaining cases.

This is believed to have been the trump card of the defense. It is thought the effect of these statements was weakened following the rigid cross examination by attorneys for the state. The matron of the woman’s ward is also here and will be used by the state in rebuttal. Every inch of ground is being contested by the attorneys.

The Oklahoman 8/29/1913

FATE OF TREMONT RESTS WITH JURY

Lawton, Okla., Aug. 20 – The case of John Tremont charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward of Chickasha, which was tried here on a change of venue from Grady county will go to the jury Saturday morning.

Crowds packed the court room Friday to hear the arguments of the attorneys and there is a diversity of opinion as to what the verdict will be. The case has been bitterly fought, this being the second trial. The first trial resulted in a hung jury.

Attorneys for the defense charged in their argument that the state had been unfair in its methods. The case went to trial Monday morning with Judge Frank M. Bailey of Chickasha presiding.

The Oklahoman 8/30/1913

TREMONT ESCAPES CONVICTION AGAIN

Jury Hopelessly Divided and Discharged in Murder Case

Lawton, Okla., Sept. 1 – (Special) – The jury in the case of John Tremont, Italian shoemaker who was charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward of Chickasha, was discharged Monday morning at 8:30 o’clock by Judge F. M. Bailey after having deliberated since 10 o’clock Friday morning and reporting the members hopelessly divided.

The first ballot of the vote stood eight for acquittal and four for conviction, the second showed seven for acquittal and five for conviction. After that there was no charge, although several ballots were taken.

Tremont was charged jointly with Ada Woodward, wife of Sherman Woodward, deceased, and Mrs. Emma Rivers with having conspired to take the life of Woodward to secure his life insurance. Tremont was charged with having administered rat biscuit to Woodward. The tragedy occurred last March and Mrs. Woodward, after being arrested, made a confession, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Tremont was tried in Chickasha and the trial resulted in a hung jury.

In the second trial the defendant secured a change of venue to this county. Mrs. Woodward was the star witness for the state in both trials. The case attracted widespread attention throughout this part of the state.

The Oklahoman 9/2/1913

TREMONT BAIL REDUCED

Lawton, Okla., Sept 15 – By court order of District Judge J. T. Johnson, the bond of John Tremont, Italian shoemaker, who is now in the county jail charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward, and who recent trial here resulted in a hung jury, has been reduced for $15,000 to $7,500, which it is understood will be made and the defendant give his liberty until the case is again brought to trial in November.

The Oklahoman 9/16/1913

THIRD TRIAL FOR TREMONT ANNOUNCED

Lawton, Okla., Oct. 25 – That John Tremont, Italian shoemaker of Chickasha, is for the third time to face a jury with his life the stake, was evidenced Saturday when the criminal docket for the district court was issued. Tremont’s case is set for November 17 and word has been received from County Attorney Oscar Simpson of Chickasha that the case would surely go to trial. Tremont is charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward, Chickasha grocery clerk, by having administered rat poison. He was tried at Chickasha for the crime and the trial resulted in a hung jury. A change of venue was then secured to this county and the case tried at the last term of the district court, again resulting in a hung jury. Tremont is in jail here.

The Oklahoman 10/26/1913

TREMONT TRIAL THURSDAY

Lawton, Okla., Nov. 18 – The case of John Tremont, Italian shoemaker of Chickasha, charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward, grocery clerk of the same city, will be called in the district court Thursday morning. Attorney’s and a number of witnesses in the case are already here. This will make the third time Tremont has faced a jury for this crime, both other trials having resulted in a hung jury. The case was brought here from Grady county on a change of venue secured by the defense.

The Oklahoman 11/19/1913

THIRD TRIAL OF TREMONT STARTED

Lawton, Okla., Nov. 20 – The case of John Tremont, Italian shoemaker of Chickasha, charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward of the city was called Thursday afternoon in the district court and examination of jurors is now in process. Twenty-one of the regular pane remained and a special venire of sixty was summoned and from this it is expected to secure the jury.

Mrs. Ada Woodward, star witness for the state, was brought from McAlester Wednesday. She is serving a life sentence, having pleaded guilty to complicity in the murder of her husband. It was upon her confession that Tremont was implicated. Immoral relations between Tremont and Mrs. Woodward were admitted at the former trial.

A large number of witnesses are in the city from Chickasha. This is the third time Tremont has been placed on trial on the same charge, two previous juries having disagreed. The case was brought here on a change of venue from Grady county.

The Oklahoman 11/21/1913

WITNESS’ ILLNESS POSTPONES TRIAL

Mrs. Woodward Is Under Physician’s Care; Tremont Case Waits

Lawton, Okla., Nov. 21 – (Special) – After the jury box had been filed Friday morning for the trial of John Tremont, charged with the murder of Sherwin Woodward of Chickasha, court adjourned until Saturday morning for the reason that it was announced that the condition of Mrs. Ada Woodward, star witness for the defense, would not permit her taking the witness stand. Mrs. Woodward was brought here from the state penitentiary at McAlester Wednesday. Thursday night she was overtaken with a trouble with which she has been afflicted since suffering an operation for appendicitis. She is said to be in a precarious condition and physicians said that an operation may be necessary during the night.

Those who have been in attendance upon her at McAlester say they have grave doubt as to whether she could survive another operation at this time, as she is in feeble health. She was removed Friday evening from the county jail to rooms at the Midland hotel, where she is in charge of Mrs. Kendall, matron of the state penitentiary, and the physicians. Practically all state witnesses had arrived from Chickasha but indications are that the case will be necessarily postponed on account of Mrs. Woodward’s condition.

The Oklahoman 11/22/1913

STAR WITNESS ILL, TRIAL IS DELAYED

Lawton, Okla., Nov. 22 – The case of John Tremont, Italian shoemaker of Chickasha, charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward of Chickasha was indefinitely postponed Saturday morning in the district court, owing to the precarious condition of Mrs. Ada Woodward, star witness for the state, and whose confession of complicity in her husband’s murder implicated Tremont. Mrs. Woodward is in a serious condition from complications which have arisen as result of an operation for appendicitis. The Woodward murder occurred on June 13, 1912, and the details were riveting. Woodward was murdered through the medium of a potion which contained a large quantity of rat biscuit, administered to him while ill on two different occasions. Tremont and Mrs. Woodward both admit illicit relations at the time of the murder and Mrs. Woodward later confessed, receiving a life sentence for her part in the crime. She declared Tremont mixed and administered the potion. The case has been tried twice, both trials resulting in a hung jury. The court instructed that no verdict could be returned except acquittal or murder.

The Oklahoman 11/23/1913

CONVICTED WOMAN MAY NOT RECOVER

Third Operation For Mrs. Ada Woodward; Tremont Trial Waits

Lawton, Okla., Nov. 24 – Mrs. Ada Woodward, under life sentence for the murder of her husband, Sherman Woodward, and brought here as a witness in the Tremont case is now hovering between life and death, following an operation early Sunday morning, performed as the only means by which her life could be saved. This was the third operation to which the condemned woman has submitted in the past two months, and her weakened condition greatly decreases her chances for recovery. Physicians Monday night reported her condition as hopeful.

Before going on the operating table Sunday morning Mrs. Woodward having been notified of the gravity of her condition made a statement in the presence of the county officials which she signed, corroborating her testimony given in previous trials and which implicated John Tremont in the murder of her husband. Mrs. L. C. Kendall, matron of the state penitentiary, remained with Mrs. Woodward until after the operation.

The Tremont Case which was to come up last week was postponed on account of Mrs. Woodward’s condition, she being the star witness for the state.

The Oklahoman 11/25/1913

MRS. WOODWARD RECOVERING

Lawton, Okla., Nov. 28 – Mrs. Ada Woodward brought here last week as a witness in the Tremont case and who underwent an operation last Sunday is now believed by physicians on the road to recovery. At the time of the operation, the woman’s life was despaired of.

The Oklahoman 11/29/1913

THIRD TRIAL OF TREMONT STARTED

Lawton, Okla., Jan. 19 – The remaining thirty-four of the regular jury panel having been exhausted in the endeavor to secure twelve men to sit in the case of John Tremont, Italian shoemaker of Chickasha, charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward, Chickasha grocery clerk. Judge J. T. Johnson ordered a special venue of thirty men to report Tuesday morning. It is expected the jury will be secured Tuesday.

This is the third trial of Tremont for the murder, former trials having resulted in hung juries. The state is confident of obtaining a conviction. The case was brought here from Grady county on a change of venue.

The Oklahoman 1/20/1914

WOMAN IN TREMONT CASE TAKES STAND

Lawton, Okla., Jan. 21 – The case of the state versus John Tremont, who is charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward at Chickasha on March 28 last went to trial in the district court at 1:30 o’clock Wednesday, the jury having been secured before noon. Mrs. Ada Woodward, under life sentence for participation in the murder of her husband, was the chief witness for the state, and occupied the stand for five hours. She recovered only recently from the effects of an operation and rested on two occasions. By order of the court, women and children are not permitted to hear the evidence. Wrangling on the part of the attorneys was one feature of the proceedings, but felt progress was made.

This is the third trial for Tremont, and attorneys are contesting every foot of ground stubbornly. Two Chickasha physicians who attended Sherman Woodward following the administering of poison, and the undertaker were witnesses proceeding Mrs. Woodward, and the testimony of Dr. Edwin DeBarr, state chemist, was read from the record. The trial is expected to occupy the remainder of the week at least.

The Oklahoman 1/22/1914

KIDS BUY POISON GIVEN TO FATHER

Woodward Children Testify In Trial Of Mother For Murder

Lawton, Okla., Jan. 22 – An interesting phase of the Tremont murder trial Thursday was the appearance on the witness stand of the two little sons of Ada Woodward, aged 5 and 7 years. The boys testified that John Tremont gave them the money and sent them after the sardines and rat biscuit which afterward, it is alleged, was given to their father and caused his death.

The little fellows made many admittances under cross-examination, answering yes to almost anything else, but they always came back to the point that Tremont sent them for the poison and sardines.

There is a big interest in the Tremont case and the courtroom is packed daily with spectators. Women and children are barred from the courtroom on account of the nature of a portion of the testimony.

The Oklahoman 1/23/1914

TREMONT ON STAND IN MURDER TRIAL

Lawton, Okla., Jan. 24 – John Tremont Italian shoemaker of Chickasha, charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward, took the stand in his own behalf Saturday and was given a grueling cross examination extending over three hours. Tremont makes a good witness but the state succeeded in showing a confliction of his testimony given Saturday and that at his preliminary hearing.

He admitted illicit relations with Ada Woodward, wife of the alleged victim, and who is now serving a life sentence for complicity in the murder of her husband. The defense will close its case with Tremont’s testimony but the state will introduce eight or ten witnesses in rebuttal. It is expected that arguments by attorneys will be started Monday noon.

The Oklahoman 1/25/1914

TREMONT CASE IS GIVEN TO THE JURY

Lawton, Okla., Jan. 28 – The fate of John Tremont, Italian shoemaker of Chickasha,, charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward, is not with the jury, arguments in the case having been completed at 6:15 o’clock Monday night. Attorneys consumed eight hours in please to the jury. The case went to trial one week ago Monday and has been one of the most interesting from a legal standpoint ever tried in the district court here. Interest in the outcome is large, as this is the third time Tremont has been placed on trial. Two previous trial resulted in hung juries.

The Oklahoman 1/27/1914

NO AGREEMENT YET BY TREMONT JURY

Lawton, Okla., Jan. 27 – After being out twenty-seven hours, the jury in the case of John Tremont, charged with the murder of Sherman Woodward of Chickasha, on March 23 last has still failed to reach an agreement. Tuesday night the foreman sent a written request to Judge Johnson regarding the interpretation of certain instructions given by the court. Public opinion at the close of the trial was to the effect that Tremont would be acquitted, but it is now conceded that there is a strong probability of another hung jury, which would make the third jury to disagree in the case.

Ada Woodward, chief witness for the state, and under life sentence for the murder of her husband, has been taken to McAlester. There is big interest in the jury’s findings and crowds were assembled at the courthouse all day in anticipation of the jury reaching a verdict.

The Oklahoman 1/28/1914

CHICKASHA, Okla., Jan 31 – (Special) – The curtain was rung down on another act in the aftermath of the death of Sherman Woodward, March 27, when the case against Mrs. Emma Rivers, one of the three charged with his death, was dismissed on a motion filed in the district court by Oscar Simpson, county attorney.

The filing of this motion and the subsequent dismissal of Mrs. Rivers’ case is the direct result of the acquittal of John Tremont in Lawton, at the completion of his third trial for the murder of Sherman Woodward, and closes up the third act in the drama enacted in the courts since Woodward’s death.

The first act was the confession of Mrs. Ada Woodward, wife of the dead man, in which she implicated Tremont and Mrs. Rivers. She was sentenced to the penitentiary for life. The second act featured the arrest of Tremont and Mrs. Rivers, the trials of Tremont and his acquittal. The last act is the dismissal of the trial against Mrs. Rivers.

Of the dismissal of Mrs. Rivers’ trial, Oscar Simpson, county attorney, had the following to say: “I filed the motion asking that the case against Mrs. Rivers be dismissed on the grounds that I cannot convict her on the testimony of Ada Woodward. I had a much stronger case against Tremont, the jury released him, and I don’t feel that I would be justified in spending any more money in an attempt to convict Mrs. Rivers in the face of conditions as they exist.”