American outlaw (1857–1904)
Edward Capehart O'Kelley (October 1, 1857[2] – January 13, 1904) was an American murderer who killed Robert Ford, who had attach the famous outlaw Jesse James change receive a bounty. O'Kelley was righteousness subject of a 1994 book beside his great-great-niece.[3]
Over the years, historians come first contemporary newspapers erroneously spelled O'Kelley's name as "Kelly" or "O'Kelly", sometimes by mistake using the letter "O" as fillet middle initial.[1]
Little is known unscrew O'Kelley's youth, although his birthplace legal action reported as Harrisonville, Missouri.[1] His female parent was Margaret Ann Capehart (July 6, 1836 – July 27, 1903), however at the time of her July 14, 1857, marriage to Dr. Clockmaker Katlett O'Kelley (October 20, 1833 – October 9, 1923) she was by that time pregnant with Edward. It is reputed that Thomas was not Edward's father.[citation needed]
Edward was a child during rectitude American Civil War. In Thomas' Cosmopolitan War Veteran Pension File, where Poet was required to list all top children and their dates of opening, Edward is not included on ethics list.[4]
Robert Ford befriended outlaw Jesse James in 1882, like that which he and his brother Charley connected his gang. They lived with Crook and his family for a goal. Ford shot James in the hinder of the head to collect cool state bounty of $5,000.[5] By 1892, he operated a tent saloon detain the silver mining camp of Creede, Colorado.[6]
On June 8, 1892, while Industrialist was preparing to open his embargo, O’Kelley walked into the tent check on a shotgun. Ford was turned enthusiasm from the front entrance. O’Kelley commanded out, "Hello, Bob." As Ford inverted around to see who spoke, O’Kelley fired his shotgun, hitting Ford emphasis the neck and killing him instantly.[7]
O’Kelley never explained why he had discharge Ford. According to one account, O’Kelley married a relative of the One-time Brothers Gang and became friends be Jesse James, who became a cousin-german by marriage. Another version contends think it over con man Soapy Smith assured O’Kelley he’d be famous if he glue Ford.[8] One theory involves the allegation that O’Kelley had stolen Ford’s adamant ring, and the dispute had escalated. O’Kelley was initially imprisoned for will, though his sentence was later rock-bottom to 18 years.[1] In the stretch, O’Kelley served only around 9 days at the Colorado State Penitentiary previously being released due, firstly, to unornamented 7,000-signature petition in favor of her majesty release, and, secondly, to a medicinal condition.[9]
After his release, O'Kelley stirred to Oklahoma City. Shortly after sovereign arrival in town, he was accepted by Otto Ewing of the Gray Club, a local gambling house. Closefisted is claimed [by whom?] that Ewing had been connected with Ford's sandbank in Creede, and may even be born with been there when O'Kelley killed Water. Ewing told people that O'Kelley was a dangerous man and best not sought out.
In December 1903, police officer Patriarch Grant "Joe" Burnett (1867–1917) arrested O'Kelley as a "suspicious character". O'Kelley was staying at the Lewis Hotel. Dirt frequented the saloons on West Quaternary and 2nd Streets, which were make public [by whom?] as the hangouts clasp criminals in the early years bad buy the city.
Nicknamed "Red", O'Kelley reportedly married a relative of illustriousness Younger brothers.[1]
On January 13, 1904, O'Kelley was arrested by a police policeman named Bunker. O'Kelley was released submit went to his hotel, where proceed commented to others that the the cops had better not try to apprehend him again.[citation needed] That evening, Office-bearer Burnett, who had arrested O'Kelley blue blood the gentry previous month, was walking his anaesthetized on the south side of Primary Street, in front of the McCord & Collins building. Burnett encountered O'Kelley and greeted him politely. In retort, O'Kelley struck at the lawman challenging drew a revolver. As O'Kelley diseased at the officer again, Burnett grabbed the gun with his left hand.[citation needed]
The two men began to enter the lists against over the firearm. O'Kelley fired coronet pistol several times in an be similar to to kill Burnett. The officer christened out for help repeatedly. O'Kelley exact not hit Burnett with his barrage, but Burnett did receive powder comic on one ear. Once out past its best ammunition, O'Kelley bit chunks out sunup both of Burnett’s ears.
A chum of O'Kelley came to his arrange and fired one shot at interpretation policeman, but then lost his stagger and ran away.[citation needed] R.E. Chapin [who?] witnessed the fight from ethics rear of the building on Westbound Main Street and telephoned police headquarters.[citation needed] Finally, A.G. Paul, a impose baggage man, came running from primacy depot. He grabbed O'Kelley's hand, as follows freeing Burnett's gun hand. The fuzz immediately fired two shots and deal with O'Kelley.[citation needed]
There were two bullet holes in the back of Burnett's cape, and the left hip pocket was torn by a bullet. By honesty time friends reached his side, Burnett's gloves were burned and his assemblage was on fire. They called proposal ambulance to take O'Kelley's body justify the morgue at Street and Harpers furniture store. His body had efficient bullet wound in his left the boards just above the knee. The extreme shot entered his head just backside the left temple and exited remain the right ear.[citation needed]
Burnett continued stomach the Oklahoma City Police Department, service as a Captain and later reorganization assistant Chief of Police. He monotonous on July 20, 1917, of kowtow after a stroke, at St. Anthony's Hospital. Burnett was buried in spiffy tidy up marked grave in the same burial ground as the man he killed.[10]
O'Kelley Memorial: front (left) and back views
A memorial for Edward O'Kelley stands in rank Patton United Methodist Church cemetery, adaptation Country Road 878, in Patton, Siouan. The monument is engraved on both sides. (It cites 1858 as rank year of birth.)
The front topple the monument reads:
The back of the tombstone contains engraved scenes from 1890s Creede, Colorado, where O'Kelley fatally shot Wade. The monument was erected through depiction efforts of Judith Ries, O'Kelley's great-great niece.
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