Frederick W. Scherubel

OFFICERS PROBING SCHERUBEL DEATH

Lengthy Inquest Held Over Body; Witnesses Closely Examined

REFERENCE TO WOUND

No Powder Marks, Feature; Previous Trouble With Cooks Related

Grave doubts that the gun lying on the floor of the bathroom in which was found Thursday afternoon, the lifeless body of Frederick W. Scherubel, manager of the Skirvin hotel, was the one which caused his death, was injected into the inquest over the body of Mr. Scherubel, conducted Friday afternoon in the office of Justice T. F. Donnell. The basis for a murder theory instead of suicide, as universally accepted Thursday night, was laid at the hearing, but the theory itself was not advanced.

            Lines of questioning calculated to bring out the fact that some person other than Scherubel himself had something to do with his death and that the wounds causing his death were not self-inflicted, were taken up by Assistant County Attorney Archie L. Hilpirt, asaleted by John W. Choate, who conducted the examination of the witnesses. All witnesses examined Friday afternoon who had viewed the body were questioned as to the presence of absence of powder marks or burns resulting from the shot fired and as to their opinions regarding the possibility of the shot from a gun the size of the one described leaving no marks of being fired at close range.

            Employes of the hotel were questioned as to who was with mr. Scherubel during the hours preceding the finding of the body as to who first notified the witnesses of Scherubel’s death. Officers of the hotel company and employes were closely questioned as to who last was seen with the deceased.

            The inquest was opened at 2 p. m. The jurors selected and sworn were W. F. Jones, J. L. Tippett, E. M. Hurry, J. E. Ware, W. R. Walters and S. W. Childs. Witnesses sworn were Dr. H. H. Gipson, house physician of the Skirvin hotel, W. R. Skirvin, president of the Skirvin Hotel company; E. Z. Wallower of Pennsylvania, stockholder in the Skirvin Hotel company; Miss Bryce of the Skirvin hotel; E. L Hahn of the Mrashall & Harper Undertaking company; Dr. S. E. Ladd of Wilburton, and ____ Newman, a negro elevator boy in the Skirvin.

Dr. Gipson stated on the stand the details of the call he had received Thursday afternoon to come from his office in The Oklahoma building to the Skirvin, and the conditions he found on his arrival there. He stated that he was met by W. B. Skirvin and Morris Brown and taken to Mr. Scherubel’s apartments on the third floor of the hotel. On entering he stated that he swore no one in the front room or bedroom and the apartments were empty. Then as he was about to leave, he heard heavy breathing in the bathroom behind the closed door. He opened the door and saw Scheruble lying on the floor with his head in a pool of coagulated blood.

            The legs were doubled under the body. The right arm was underneath the head, and a revolver lying a few inches from the outstretched hand. Scherubel was alive with a strong pulse showing. The blood from the wounds had coagulated and formed a clot extending from the mass on the floor to the opening in the wounds. He stated that as the bathroom door was opened and Scherubel’s body revealed, W. B. Skirvin and Morris Brown turned and left the apartments. The Dr. Thomas A. Buchanan, who had been called, came in.

            Doctor Gipson testified that he and Doctor Buchanan lifted the body onto the bed in the next room and examined the wounds. He stated that at first glance he saw there was no hope for recovery and merely placed the wounded man in a comfortable position on the bed. The doctor stated that Scherubel lived about forty minutes after he had been found, and died at 4:33 p. m. He refused to express an opinion as to how long Scherubel had been wounded before he was found.

On further questioning Doctor Gipson told of the position of the wounded man and the discovery of a bullet, imbedded in the wall near a stool on which Scherubel was supposed to have been seated. No questions regarding the caliber of the bullet and whether or not it would fit the gun found near the body were asked. Doctor Gipson stated that the revolver lying near the body was a very large one but he stated that he knew nothing at all about firearms and could not tell the caliber or make.

            After the patient was placed on the bed he was examined by Doctor Gipson, he stated, and the appearance of the wounds noted. The point of entrance was near the right temple just inside the hair line and the bullet had ranged back and upward making its exit high up on the left side, above the left ear. The entrance was described as being very small and without powder marks. The skin was nearly closed. The wound at the point of exit was large and ragged, according to the testimony of the witness. Doctor Gipson refused to express an opinion of the range at which the gun appeared to have been fired and also an opinion as to the length of time necessary for the clot from the floor to the wound being formed. He also testified as to the previous bad health of the deceased and the operations which had been performed for the relief of the adenoids.

            On being questioned regarding the appearance of a discoloration beneath the right eye, he stated that he had gone to the undertaking parlors Friday morning to examine the body and had then seen the discoloration. This, he stated, had not been observed Thursday afternoon.

Testimony of Hahn

E. L. Hahn was called and stated that he had been connected with the Marshall & Harper undertaking firm for the past nine years as embalmer and had prepared Scherubel’s body for burial. Mr. Hahn told of the appearance of the body and its surrounding when he arrived at the apartments to take charge. He stated that the body was lying on the bed with the head wrapped in several towels. He then testified as to the appearance of the wounds on examination at the undertaking parlors. He testified that after washing the wounds no powder marks or burns were to be observed and that the hair had not been scorched. He stated that on careful examination, one speck was seen that might have been a grain of powder in the scalp beneath the hair. The wound of entrance was very small, he testified, and the wound at the point of exit very large, and ragged with much tissue destroyed. On being questioned he stated that a bruise had appeared on the face Friday morning that had not been apparent Thursday. The discoloration he stated was underneath the right eye and might have been caused by a bruise. Mr. Hahn also refused to give an opinion of the probable distance at which the gun had been fired. He stated that in previous cases where no clothing protected he had found that the flesh had been burned with grains of powder imbedded and that when the gun had been placed in close contact with the flesh, it had been charred.

            Dr. G. E. Ladd of Wilburton testified that he had been stopping in the Skirvin hotel for some time and had not heard of the reported suicide of Mr. Scherubel until after supper Thursday night. He stated that he did not know who had first announced the death or who had first announced the death or who had first told him it was suicide. The line of questioning appeared to be an effort to determine who had been first to circulate the news through the hotel.

            W. B. Skirvin and E. Z. Wallower, both large stockholders in the Skirvin Hotel company testified as to the financial affairs of the hotel company and their management by Scherubel. Both testified that Scherubel as manager had complete control of all financial affairs and had conducted the hotel profitable. Both testified that the stockholders had unlimited confidence in Mr. Scherubel and had been commending him for the management on the afternoon of his death. They stated that several stockholders were holding a meeting Thursday afternoon and had asked for several bills and accounts. Mr. Scherubel had left the room he stated, and said that he would bring back the required data in about an hour. This was about 2 p. m. At 4 o’clock they were notified by Morris Brown of his death. They stated that the firm had been making a profit since last September.

Mr. Skirvin testified that the gun found lying by the wounded man was the property of Morris Brown and had been taken by Scherubel when some cooks had caused trouble a few days ago and that Scherubel had taken the gun from Brown’s room to protect himself. He stated that it had been lying on Scherubel’s desk for some time.

            Newman a negro elevator boy testified to carrying Morris Brown and Scherubel up the elevator on the afternoon of the latter’s death. He stated that he had brought Scherubel and Brown down from the ninth floor and Scherubel had gotten off at his apartments on the third floor and Brown went on down to the lobby. He stated that sometime later he had seen Brown looking excited and few minutes after a doctor appeared, and then another, both going into the apartments on the third floor. He was questioned as to who first told him of the death and who had told him it was a case of suicide. He could not remember and stated that things had just looked queer all at once and he believed something unusual had happened.

            The coroner’s jury was recessed to meet Saturday morning at 9 o’clock at which time other witnesses will be examined and several are to be recalled. The questioning Friday was along lines tending to establish the range at which the gun had been fired and whether or not it was possible for the wounds to have been self-inflicted. All the witnesses asked about the revolver were rather indefinite as to details and the revolver was not produced in court. One man stated that the gun appeared to be about two feet long, and another on being shown a revolver belonging in the court, thought it was the one which had been found lying on the floor beside the wounded man. No testimony concerning the size of the bullet wounds compared to the gun was brought out, and the caliber of the bullet found in the wall was not shown. Witnesses questioned in regard to powder marks stated that they saw no black grains in the skin but made no statement regarding the possible use of smokeless powder in the cartridge fired.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Midnight Masonic Service Will Be Held Tonight

Funeral services over the body of Fred Scherubel will be conducted under the suspicen of the Masonic order of which the deceased was a member, and in accordance with the request of Mrs. Scherubel. Extensive and elaborate arrangements for the burial ceremonies have been made by the order. The Knights Kodash of the McAlester Indian consistory No. 2 will conduct a midnight service Saturday at the Masonic temple, Third street and Broadway, which will be opened to the public.

            The funeral ceremonies will be observed Sunday afternoon, beginning at 2:30 o’clock and will be under the auspices of Slloam lodge No. 276. The blue lodge rituals will mark the ceremony, which also will be held at the Masonic temple, after which the body will be escorted by local Knights Templar to the First Christian Church. Rev. J. H. O. Smith, the pastor, will officiate in the final ceremonies at the church, after which interment will be at Fairlawn cemetery.

            The midnight services Saturday will be under the suspices of the following Knights Kodash team which will perform the ceremonial rites; W. P. Freeman, master; Geogre Lonaberry, senior warden; P. M. Anderson, junior warden; P. B. Stone, orator; Jon Mazer, secretary; J. B. McAlester, treasurer; W.. J. Schaefer, almoner; Ed Bavitt, spirit of the past; Mrs. Ed Bevitt, musical director; Frank Craig, A U. Thomas, J. G. Redpath, W. H. Fuller, Sim Naylor and Louis Berlowitz, members of the team. The doors will be opened to the public at 11 o’clock Saturday night, the ceremonies to begin one hour later.

            Relatives of both Mr. and Mrs. Scherubel arrived last night and more are expected today, including Dr. H. M. Burkhart of Rock Island, Ill., the supreme recorder for the Royal Neighbors of America; a sister of Mrs. Scherubel, Mrs. G. A. Myers of Centerville, Iowa; another sister of Mrs. Scherubel, Edward Scherubel, dean of Crescent college at Eureka Spring, Ark., a cousin of the deceased, and his sister, Mrs. June Alexander of St. Louis. Repeated attempts were made to reach his brothers in California , and cablegrams sent to his brother Charles, who is abroad traveling, could not be delivered. Other brothers and sisters in Dallas and points in Missouri are expected to arrive.

            More that a hundred telegrams of condolence were received by Mrs. Scherubel during Friday, notably from managers of famous hotels in Chicago , Philadelphia , Washington , New York , Cincinnati , St. Louis , New Orleans , and elsewhere. Sam Dutton, manager of the Albany hotel in Denver , president of the National Association of Hotel Managers, and a close personal friend of the deceased, sent a long message of sympathy and paid Mr. Scherubel a high compliment as a manager and a man. Editors of the Hotel World and Tavern Talk publications devoted to the interests of hotel management, also wired expressions of sympathy. An unusual eulogy was from the management of the Gayoso in Memphis , as were also messages from managers and owners of hotels in Muskogee , Tulsa , Guthrie and other points within the state. Congressman Scot Ferris wired from Washington , as did other public men in various sections, including a high tribute from the officers of the Elks’ lodge at Joplin , Mo. , 501, of which Mr. Scherubel was a charter member.

            It was announced Friday afternoon by Prof. Kaheiski, the director, that the Skirvin hotel orchestra will render favorite sacred selection of Mr. Scherubel at the Christina church services.

The Oklahoman April 19, 1913 Transcribed by Dale Donlon

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NO DOUBT ABOUT SUICIDE REMAINS

Coroner’s Jury To Be Shown Both Motive and Possibility of Act

OFFICER’S STATEMENT

Inquest Over Body of Fred Scherubel Continued To Wednesday

Late developments of the inquiry into the death of Fred Scherubel, manager of the Skirvin hotel, tend to confirm the belief that the wounds causing his death were self-inflickted and that no other person was directly responsible for his death. As the investigators who have been working on the case prove deeper into the affair, they state their belief that the death was suicide and not murder.

            It was stated Saturday that two facts to be established in deciding that death resulted from suicide – a strong motive and the possibility of the wounds having been self-inflicted – will be given to the jury when the inquest is returned.

            After holding two sessions Saturday, the coroner’s jury in Justice T. F. Donnell’s court recessed until 7:30 p. m. next Wednesday upon request of the assistant county attorneys Hilpirt and Choate. It was stated that more witnesses and evidence that would take some time to get it to be placed before the consideration of the jury.

            Although no evidence was given Saturday that would definitely establish a motive or direct evidence that the wounds were self-inflicted, investigators of the affair appear to have satisfied themselves that such was the base.

Among the witnesses testifying Saturday morning at the inquest were : Miss Mable Luty, bookkeeper of the Skirvin hotel; Warren Gill, Adjutant, General Frank Canton and Dr. T. A. Buvhanan. Saturday morning the coroner’s jury visited the scene of deat in the Skirvin and examined the suite of rooms occupied by Scherubel, and the surroundings.

            Miss Luty, who has been acting as bookkeeper since the organization of the hotel company, testified regarding the event on the day of the death of Scherubel and of the actions of those connected with the hotel management. According to the testimony of Miss Luty, the morning of April 17 had been spent by W. B. Skirvin, E. Z. Wallower and Mr. Scherubel in going over various accounts and bills contracted during the establishment of the hotel organization. She testified that a number of accounts were to be prepared to be presented to Skirvin and Wallower by Scherubel that afternoon. These accounts, she said, concerned the initial expenses of the hotel organization.

            She stated that she had the bills prepared, and that Mr. Scherubel had called at her office for them in the afternoon, but had left them lying on her desk when he left the office. She believed that Scherubel took the gun, that was later found by his side, out with him at that time. She stated that Mr. Scherubel had appeared worried, but did not know the cause. She stated that her books balanced and that as far as she had any knowledge of the matter, the accounts were in good condition.

            Warren Gill testified as to the position Morris Brown had occupied in the management of the hotel affairs and his relations with Mr. Scherubel.

Adjutant General Frank Canton testified regarding the effect of gunshot wounds at close range and the appearance of the wounds caused. He stated that the gun found was an old model designed for the use of black powder. He stated that black powder was not used in such a gun, but several members of the police department are now carrying similar guns and it is stated, are using cartridges filled with smokeless powder.

            Dr. T. A. Buchanan testified as to the appearance of the body and wounds. He stated that there were powder blackened marks that were wiped off and slight powder burns near the point of entrance of the bullet. The weapon found near the body was produced in court and shown to be a Colt’s Bisley model of .45 caliber with a short barrel.

            “The young man who took down the testimony at the coroner’s inquest on Friday made several mistakes regarding my testimony,” said Dr. H. H. Gipson, house physician at the Skirvin, Saturday.. “In the first place, it was E. Z. Wallower, instead of Morris Brown, who accompanied W. B. Skirvin and myself t the room in which we discovered Mr. Scherubel’s body. The death occurred at 5:33 o’clock Thursday afternoon, instead of 4:33 o’clock and I stated to the jury that I was not informed as to the nature of the operations on Mr. Scherubel’s nose, as I did not do work on the nose. I made no statement whatever concerning adenoids.”

The Oklahoman 4/20/1913

Transcribed by Dale Donlon