Henderson Franklin Garten
Henderson Franklin Garten
The Barber County Index, September 20, 1899. A race between R.R. Kathren's bay colt and Hen Garten's gray mare will be run on the Sparks track south of Dr. Garten was a man of generous impulses and never forgot the hospitable ways of a pioneer. The stranger, even though a beggar, never failed to find food and shelter if sought at his hands. He was honest, kind hearted and had many virtues. He will be missed in Linddsay by many friends.
Henderson Franklin Garten was born in Bourbon County Kentucky, Aug. 26, 1868 and died Nov. 12, 1931, at his home in Lindsay. He was united in marriage with Allie Marie Morris, Aug. 31, 1891, at Purcell, Oklahoma, moving to Medicine Lodge from Kentucky while a young man. During the territorial days in Oklahoma, he was engaged quite extensively in stock raising, driving his cattle overland from the territory country to the Kansas markets.
In 1905, he moved to Lindsay, Oklahoma, taking up veterinary work as a profession, having graduated from the American Institute of Veterinary Science of Chicago, Ill. in 1898. He bought his home in Lindsay soon after he came here and had been more or less active in the community life of this city until his passing. He was a member of several fraternal organizations in this city and maintained his membership in the local camp of the Modern Woodmen of America until the time of his death. He was a staunch democrat and took an active part in local politics since Oklahoma became a state.
The Lindsay News, November 20, 1931.
SLAYER IS HELD
James Seals Arrested for Murder of Dr. Garten - Confesses
James Seals, aged 69, a resident of Lindsay a number of years, is on jail at Paul's Valley and has confessed to the slaying of Dr. H. F. Garten, Lindsay veterinary, on the night of Nov. 11.
Seals claimed he shot Garten in self defense; he used a 32 caliber rifle and says he shot Garten from the front. The wound, however, showed that the bullet entered the body in the back, just below the left shoulder, and the coroner's jury so found. When Garten's body was found a revolver was found under one of his hands but it contained no empty shells.
According to Seals' story, he went to Garten's home to deliver two pints of whiskey which Garten had ordered and paid for, and that Garten accused him of stealing his pocketbook and threatened to shoot him, which prompted him to fire the fatal shot. Seals confessed his guilt here early Tuesday night, to Marshal Roland, County Attorney Hurt, Sheriff Barnhill and others, after statements of his guilt had been made by his wife and step daughter through "sweating" executed by Roland and Hurt. Seals' guilt had been suspected from the first but not enough evidence had been secured to justify his arrest until Tuesday.
The Lindsay News, January 15, 1932.
GARTEN'S BODY EXHUMED
Autopsy held Monday to Determine Facts as to Murder
The body of the late Dr. H. F. Garten, veterinary, was exhumed and an autopsy held in the Brown Funeral Home here Monday; the object being to determine if possible whether or not the slain man was shot from behind.
Three physicians examined the body, namely, Ray Lindsay, Paul's Valley, C. M. Pratt and T. F. Gross of Lindasay. Present at the autopsy was Attorney J. K. Wright of Oklahoma City, who will help County Attorney Hurst prosecute the case against Seals and Henry Hinkle, Jr. attorney for the defense.
James Seals, confessed slayer of Dr. Garten will plead self defense to the murder charge. The case is set down for hearing in district court of Garvin County for Jan. 18.
Attorney Henry Hinkle, Jr., assisted by Moman Prulett of Oklahoma city, will defend Seals. Garten was found dead in his home in Lindsay Nov. 11, his chest and back having been penetrated by a bullet.
The Lindsay News, January 22, 1932.
SEALS DRAWS EIGHT YEARS
Convicted of Manslaughter in Slaying of Dr. H. F. Garten
James Seals, resident of Lindsay, must serve eight years imprisonment in the state penetentiary for the killing of Dr. H. F. Garten, long time resident of Lindsay, a Garvin County jury announced by their verdict early Tuesday morning.
Record time was made in the presentation of the case to the jury. The trial was started at nine o'clock Monday morning and by supper time all the evidence was before the jury. Arguments were completed about 11 o'clock and the jury immediately retired. They deliberated about an hour Tueday morning and brought their verdict into court.
It was considered a difficult case to present to the jury as there were no eye witnesses to the killing which occured at the home of Dr. Garten the night of Nov. 11th. The body was discovered the next day by some neighbors. Officers went to work immediately on the clues found. On Tuesday, Nov. 17th, Seals made a confession to Homer Hurt, Count attorney, F.M. Roland, city marshal and L. W. Barnhill, sheriff. At this time he admitted to the shooting and claimed self defense and accident. This was the story told upon the stand at the trial. Although there were no eye witnesses to dispute the story, exhaustive work by the officers had developed enough of the physical facts to refute his statement, with the result that his story was impeached and the jury convicted him.
The case was defended by Henry Hinkle, Jr., young attorney of Lindsay with the assistance of Moman Pruiett, of Oklahoma City, veteran criminal attorney. Most of the burden fel upon Mr. Hinkle as Pruiett did not arrive at Paul's valley until the trial was well under way, and was not too familiar with the proceedings already had. According to court room comment Mr. Hinkle acquitted himself very well in his first major criminal case.
J. K. Wright, former county attorney of Oklahoma county was retained to assist the county attorney in the prosecution. It was a hard fought battle and the court room was packed at all stages of the trial.
The Barber County Index, November 8, 1899.
Died
Mrs. Henderson Garten, of Mingona township, died last Thursday morning of consumption. The funeral services were held on Friday and interment was in the city cemetery. Mrs. Garten leaves a husband and one child to mourn.
The Cresset, November 10, 1899.
Died
Mary Allie Garten, of Mingona township, who died November 2nd, was only 24 years, 11 months and one day old. The cause of death was consumption. Her husband and relatives desire to express their heart-felt thanks to the many friends who tendered sympathy and assistance in their bereavement.
Also see:
John Garten, brother of Henderson Franklin Garten. John Garten was the subject of "A Whiskey Murder" in When Kansas Was Young by Thomas Allen McNeal.
Nancy Ellen (Pendleton) Garten, mother of Henderson Franklin Garten.
Forrest City/Garten Cemetery, Barber County, Kansas, burial place of Nancy Ellen (Pendleton) Garten, mother of Henderson Franklin Garten.
Thanks to Bonnie (Garten) Shaffer for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news articles to this web site!
This page was created 30 December 2006 and was last updated 14 July 2007.