For the first time in 30 years, Comanche-co. has been stirred this week with the details of a supposed murder case within her borders.

Early last Sunday morning, the news spread quickly that Ed Basey who lived on his farm about 20 miles southeast of this city, had been killed by means of a shot fired from a 410 gauge shotgun, the shot taking effect in the right side of Mr. Basey's head and penetrating the brain. Evidently death was instantaneous.

Many reports became current regarding the shooting, and no little excitement prevailed for a few days, especially when the findings of the coroner's inquest became known, but cooler judgment has prevailed and there is a quite general disposition on the part of our people to await further developments in the case and to give the accused parties a perfectly fair hearing.

The outstanding facts in the case, as nearly as the Star has been able to learn them, are as follows: On last Saturday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Basey, their son, Clyde, aged 12, and H. W. (Bill) Ford, who for some time had been working as a hired man at the Basey home, went to a dance at the home of Mrs. Eva Watseka, about 12 miles southeast of this city, going in the Basey car. They arrived home about 4 o'clock a.m. on Sunday. The car was stopped just north of the house. A few minutes later the shotgun, which had been taken in the car, was fired, the contents of the shell striking Mr. Basey, as stated, while he sat at the wheel of his car.

Mrs. Basey and Ford proceeded to use the phone in an effort to summon neighbors and the officials. Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Alley, who are among the nearest neighbors, were called, but failing to get them over the phone, Ford rode over to the Alley home and told the family that "a man was shot at the Basey home," and requested that Mr. and Mrs. Alley come over as soon as possible. They responded and were the first to arrive at the scene of the shooting. They and Mrs. Basey and Mr. Ford waited for nearly an hour for the arrival of Dr. T. H. Crawford, Sheriff J. L. Williams and Oscar Taylor. They arrived at the Basey home shortly before daylight. They found that the dead body of Mr. Basey was still at the wheel in the car. The head was bent to one side and apparently the position of the body had not been changed after the shooting occurred. The body was then taken into the house, and afterward brought to town and placed in the Roberts undertaking room, where on Monday, a coroner's inquest was held.

The inquest was in charge of the coroner, Dr. W. G. Ramey of Protection, and if County Attorney C. E. Baker. They, accompanied by the sheriff, visited the scene of the shooting Sunday morning. The jury was composed of Dr. T. H. Crawford, Philo Gregg, Harry York, H. R. Burnette, M. M. Funkhouser and H. W. Chapman. About half a dozen witnesses were examined, including Mr. Ford and Mrs. Basey. Mrs. Basey testified that when they arrived home from the dance she and her son were in the back seat of the car and the two men in the front seat, with Mr. Basey at the wheel; that her boy was asleep, and that as she awakened the boy and attempted to get out of the car, the shotgun, which had been in the car near her, was, in some manner, accidentally discharged with the result already stated.

Ford's statements tallied quite closely with those of Mrs. Basey, but toward the close of the inquest he appeared to weaken, and finally confessed to the coroner's jury that the murder of Basey had been planned and carried out by himself and Mrs. Basey. The jury thereupon rendered a verdict that Basey came to his death at the hands of Mrs. Basey and Ford.

It was thus that the coroner's inquest was brought to a sudden and somewhat tragic ending. Warrants were soon afterward sworn out for the arrest of Mrs. Basey and Ford, charging them with first degree murder and they were held to be conjointly responsible for the terrible deed.

On Tuesday forenoon Mrs. Basey was taken before Judge Geo. S. Silsby in this city to answer to the charge which had been lodged against her. She entered a plea of "not guilty," and adhered to her statement at the coroner's inquest that the shooting was entirely accidental. The date for her preliminary hearing was set for next Tuesday, the 17th. Her bond was fixed at $20,000, but, she stated that she would make no effort to give bond, and was placed in charge of Deputy Sheriff Roy Row of Protection.

County Attorney C. E. Baker is in charge of the case for the state and Mrs. Basey is represented by Jay T. Botts.

Ford will probably be kept in the Comanche-co. jail until the convening of the May term of court, at which time his case will come up for hearing.

At the time of his death, Mr. Basey was about 36 years of age. His wife is 35. They were married in Barber-co. about 15 years ago, but most of the time since then they made their home in this county, Mr. Basey giving his attention to farming and stock raising. He owned a section of land in Shimer-tp. For a time they lived at La Cresie, Kans., where Mr. Basey was a salesman for the Baker Medicine Co. There had been considerable domestic felicity between the couple and at one time they separated, but later a reconciliation was brought about, and they had since lived together. Before her marriage, Mrs. Basey was Miss Leora Flohr. Her mother, Mrs. Nannie Carlen, formerly lived here, but is said to now be living in Kentucky. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Basey, but only, one, Clyde, aged about 12, survives.

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The Western Star, April 27, 1923.

MRS. BASEY HELD FOR TRIAL.

The Preliminary trial of Mrs. Lenora Basey, wife of Ed Basey, who was killed on the morning of April 8, was held in Judge Geo. S. Silsby's court in this city on last Friday. She was charged with being a party to the shooting of her husband. The trial lasted during the greater part of the day.

County Attorney C. E. Baker put nine witnesses for the state on the witness stand. Mrs. Basey did not testify. The evidence brought out was substantially the same as that given before the coroner's jury. Judge Silsby ruled that, in his opinion, there was sufficient evidence to warrant the holding of Mrs. Basey for trial in district court.

Attorney Sam Griffin of Medicine Lodge assisted Jay T. Botts of this city as counsel for Mrs. Basey.

On Saturday the question of bond for Mrs. Basey was disposed of Judge Silsby fixed the bond at $15,000. However, Mrs. Basey made no effort to secure the required bond, and hence was again placed in charge of a deputy sheriff. The regular May term of district court will convene on Monday, May 21. The case will be called sometime during that week and tried before a Comanche-co. jury, unless a change of venue is asked for and granted.

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The Western Star, May 25, 1923.

DISTRICT COURT NEWS.

The regular May term of district court for the county convened in this city on Monday of this week, and it is probable that all of this week will be required to complete the docket.

A number of court cases were disposed of on Monday. Then the task of seating a jury for the Basey case was begun. In all, 77 men were examined before a jury was finally secured at _ o'clock p.m. on Wednesday. At the time it was evident that the Crail Hall which had been used in which to hold court, was inadequate to safely house the crowds which were present every day, so it was decided best house the large crowds which were present every day, so it was decided best to adjourn to the Community building, where the examination of witnesses was begun at 9 o'clock a.m. on Thursday. It is probable that the case will extend through most of Friday. As was expected, much interest in the outcome of the case was manifested from the start. Assistant Attorney General Wm. Smith is assisting County Attorney C. E. Baker in handling the case for the state. Mrs. Basey is represented by attorneys Jay T. Botts of this city and Sam Griffin of Medicine Lodge. The charge against Mrs. Basey is that of being jointly responsible with Wm. Ford for the felonious killing of her husband on the morning of April 8.

The following Comanche-co. citizens compose the jury in the case: F. T. Curry, Lee Elzen, Loyd Bond, Frank Emerson, W. C. Murphey, Otto Fitzwater, Reed A. Garten, F. S. Smith, W. A. Jordon, R..R. Sibbit, Jas. O'Connell Jr. and E. S. Harbaugh.

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The Western Star, June 1, 1923.

"NOT GUILTY," THE VERDICT IN THE BASEY CASE

Case Occupied Nearly One Week's Time - Wm. Ford Out on Bond - Court Still in Session

Almost the entire time of district court in this city last week was required to dispose of the case of the state vs. Mrs. Ed Basey, in which she was charged, jointly with Bill Ford, with the murder of Mrs. Basey's husband on April 8. The taking of testimony in the case occupied all of Thursday and Friday. The argument of counsel began at 9 a.m. on Saturday and continued until 12:40, when the case was submitted to the jury. In a little less than eight hours therefore the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty," whereupon Mrs. Basey was given her liberty. The case was ably conducted by the counsel on both sides, and was free from personalities and wrangles which sometimes occur between attorneys in such cases. The case against Ford will come up at the December term court. He gave a $500 bond for his appearance then and is now at liberty.

This week the time has been occupied with a number of jury cases, seven in number. It is probable that most of the week will be required to clear the docket. We reserve for next week's issue of the Star to report the disposition of various cases of public interest.

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Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!