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ABANDON SEARCH
FOR MAN'S BODY
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Oklahoma Sheriff Doubts Carthage
Man In Car When It Plunged
Into Lake
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Jay, Okla. Feb 19 --- Official doubt as to
the reported drowning of a third occupant of a stolen motor car which
plunged into Lake Eucha Monday led to abandonment of the search for a second
body late today.
Dragging operations continued yesterday and into today after the
body of Charles Chesterfield West, 39. of Welch, Okla., was found in 10 feet
of water.
Monday, Hulen Stapleton, 35, of Commerce, told officers that a
third man was in the car when the vehicle plunged into the lake.
Stapleton escaped through a rear window and swam to shore.
However, sheriff George Francis said today, "I doubt if we'll find
another body," despite Stapleton's insistence that another man
was in the vehicle. |
Carthage,
Mo. police said a Ray Sutkey, 33, of Carthage, is believed to have stolen
the motor car in which West was drowned. The vehicle, owned by Floyd
R. Smith of Carthage, was stolen Saturday night from the 43 Club, west of
Joplin, on highway 66.
Sutkey is the object of a pick up order broadcast to peace of-
ficers in the district, but he has not yet been located. Officers do
not believe he was in the car when it plunged into the lake.
Meanwhile, Stapleton was held in Tulsa county jail in lieu of a
$1,000 bond after entering a plea of innocent upon arraignment before Common
Pleas Judge Dale J. Briggs on a second degree forgery charge.
Preliminary hearing of evidence in the charge was set for February 28.
Assistance County Attorney Sam Taylor said Stapleton is accused of
cashing a forged $30 check on December 24, three days after his release from
the state penitentiary -- where -- he served a term for forgery. |
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[courtesy of Judy K. Roberts]
Grave marker for Hulen D. Stapleton in Plot: Slumbeland,
Block 4, Lot 0, Row 2, Grave 34 of the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery,
Miami (Ottawa county), Oklahoma.
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