William J. Hyde
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William J. Hyde was born April 1865 in Van Buren Co., MI, and died November 19, 1946, in Muskogee, Muskogee Co., OK, at age 81; Shot by his son, Donald, at his home. He is the son of William B. Hyde of Gaines Twp., Orleans Co., NY, and Sarah Mary Jane Abbey of Orangeville, Genesee Co., NY.

Florence E. Mitchell was born October 1, 1860, in Washington Co., IN, and died March 17, 1922, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., OK, at age 61. She is the daughter of Elisha C. Mitchell of Washington, IN, and Lydia Colglazier/Colglasure of Washington, IN.

William J. Hyde and Florence E. Mitchell were married October 8, 1884, in Washington Co., IN.

William J. Hyde and Florence E. (Mitchell) Hyde had several children:

  1. Unknown Hyde: Born after 1884 in Kansas; Died before 1900 in Kansas.
  2. Grover Granvel Hyde: Born July 18, 1886, in LeRoy, Everett Twp., Woodson Co., KS; Died about July 23, 1965, in Muskogee, Muskogee Co., OK (age 79). Married (1) July 18, 1909, in Sapulpa, Creek Co., OK, to Marguret B. Elwell: Born about 1885 in Unknown; Died Unknown. Married (2) July 4, 1913, in Creek Co., OK, to Margaret/Margarite Crim: Born about 1883 in Iowa or Kansas; Died Unknown. Married (3) about 1925 to Pearl D. (Hunter) Miller: Born about 1892 in Missouri; Died after 1942 in Unknown.
  3. Edna E. Hyde: Born February 8, 1889, in Neosho Falls Twp., Woodson Co., KS; Died November 28, 1972, at a nursing home in Las Vegas, Clark Co., NV (age 83). Married September 06, 1908, in Sapulpa, Creek Co., OK, to Erwin William Abbey: Born May 11, 1876, in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI; Died December 26, 1941, in (Breckenridge, Stephens Co., TX) Odessa, Ector Co., TX (age 65.)
  4. Homer Francis Hyde: Born September 5, 1890, in Healy, Lane Co., KS; Died June 1968 in Mount Vernon, Posey Co., IN (age 77). Married May 03, 1916, in Sapulpa, Creek Co., OK, to Lenna Vida Skinner: Born June 18, 1893, in Mullhal, Oklahoma Territory; Died July 30, 1959, in Unknown. Edith "Viola" King: Born about 1891 in Oklahoma; Died Unknown. Both buried in Enid Cemetery, OK. Married (2) Pearl M. Unknown: Born August 4, 1893, in Missouri; Died February 10, 1974. in Bend, Deschutes Co., OR (age 80).
  5. Edythe F. "Edith" Hyde: Born October 28, 1892, in Healy, Lane Co., KS; Died March 1975 in Sapulpa, Creek Co., OK (age 82). Buried in South Heights Cemetery, Sapulpa, Creek Co., OK. Married September 22, 1913, in Sapulpa, Creek Co., OK, to Donald Howard "Don" McMasters: Born February 1, 1891, in Glencampbell, PA; Died 1956 in Sapulpa, Creek Co., OK (about age 65). Buried in South Heights Cemetery, Sapulpa, Creek Co., OK.
  6. Eula Sadie Hyde: Born April 20, 1895, in Healy, Lane Co., KS; Died June 29, 1982, in Athens, Henderson Co., TX (age 87). Married October 28, 1919, in Creek Co., OK, to Patrick D. "Pat" Doyle: Born March 30, 1899, in Eufaula, Creek Nation Indian Territory (Oklahoma); Died Unknown.
  7. Willard Bryan Hyde: Born June 05, 1897, in Healy, Lane Co., KS; Died January 27, 1959, in Muskogee, Muskogee Co., OK (age 61). Enlisted in Naval Reserve. Married about 1939 to Lula Madge Harrington: Born August 16, 1903, in Unknown; Died January 16, 1981, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., OK (age 77). Their son: David Harrington Hyde: Born November 10, 1940, in Hutchinson Co., TX.

William J. Hyde then married Unknown.

 

  1. Son: Donald R. Hyde: Born about 1930 in Oklahoma; Died March 8, 1950. in a Sandia secret weapons prison fire in New Mexico. He was listed as a recruit from Owasso, OK. Buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA.



TIMELINE

Hyde, David Harrington
He was born on 11/10/1940 in Hutchinson County, TX
**THE MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME IS: Harrington, Lula Madge
**THE FATHER'S NAME IS: Hyde, Willard Bryan
 

The 1850 U. S. Census taken August 3, 1850, shows Eli Abby (age 30) born in Connecticut is a farmer living in Orangeville Twp., Wyoming Co., New York. Living with him is his wife Rachel Abby (age 34) born in New York. Also living there are their children, all born in New York: Sarah J. Abby (age 9); Edwin P. Abby (age 7); Issak? J. Abby (age 5); Wm. E. Abby (age 3); and Margaret Abby (age 1).

Constance "Connie" E. Mason

Services for Constance "Connie" E. Mason, 76, of Gun Barrel City are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Eubank Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Terry Thomison officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Mabank under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home of Mabank. Mrs. Mason died Sept. 25, 2000, in Athens. She was born Sept. 6, 1924, in Oklahoma to Patrick and Eula Doyle. Previously of Irving, she lived in Gun Barrel City for 25 years. She was a Catholic. Mrs. Mason was a member of the Gun Barrel City Garden Club and secretary for Tops. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Mason, in 1995. Survivors include son, John Mason of Murchison; daughter, Carol Harris of Scurry; four grandchildren; and other family members. Pallbearers will be Travis Harris, Justin Mason, Otis Hall, Herman Mayfield, Doug Harris and Dudley Mewbill. Family will receive friends from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

The 1860 U. S. Census taken July 25, 1860, shows Eli Abby (age 40) born in Connecticut is a farm laborer living in Ridgeway Twp., Orleans Co., New York with real estate worth $150 and personal estate worth $50. Living with him is his wife Rachael Abby (age 44) born in New York. Also living there are their children, all born in New York: Sarah J. Abby (age 19); Edwin P. Abby (age 7); Hannah E. Abby (age 15); William Abby (age 13); Triphena Abby (age 11); Reuben Abby (age 4); and Franklin Abby (age 2).

Florence E. Mitchell was born October 1, 1860, in Washington, IN.

William J. Hyde was born April 1865 in Van Buren Co., MI.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken July 7, 1870, shows Eli Abby (age 50) born in Connecticut is a farmer living in Neosho Falls Twp., Woodson Co., KS with real estate worth $400 and personal estate worth $250. Living with him is his wife Rachael A. Abby (age 54) born in New York. Also living there are their children, all born in New York: Reuben Abby (age 13); Franklin Abby (age 12); and Brainard D. Abby (age 8). Living two houses away is Eli's daughter Sarah.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken July 7, 1870, shows William B. Hyde (age 28) born in New York to Foreign-born parents with real estate of $400 is a Farm Laborer and is living in Neosho Falls Twp., Woodson Co., KS. Living with him is his wife, Sarah J. Hyde (age 28) born in New York, and their son William J. Hyde (age 5) born in Michigan.

Erwin William Abbey was born May 11, 1876, in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken June 2, 1880, shows Eli Abby (age 60) born in Connecticut to Connecticut-born parents is a farmer living in Neosho Falls Twp., Woodson Co., Kansas. Living with him is his wife Rachel Ann Abby (age 64) born in New York to Connecticut and Ireland-born parents. Also living there are their children, all born in New York: William E. Abby (age 34) a livery worker; and Brainard Abby (age 18) a farmer.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 23, 1880, shows William Abbey (age 27) born in Canada to Canadian and English-born parents is a Farmer living in Aldine Twp., Norton Co., KS. Living with him are: Ida Abbey (age 21) born in Wisconsin to Pennsylvania-born parents; Irwin Abbey (age 4) born in Wisconsin with a disability named billious fever; and Ivey Abbey (age 2) born in Kansas. 

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 7, 1880, shows William V. Hyde (age 39) born in New York to English-born parents is a Farmer living in Everett Twp., Woodson Co., KS. Living with him is Sarah Hyde (age 34) born in New York to Connecticut and New York-born parents, who is Keeping House. Living with them are their three children, all born to New York-born parents: William J. Hyde (age 15) born in Michigan who is a Farm Laborer; Edwin Hyde (age 7) born in Kansas; and Blanche H. Hyde (age 1) born in Kansas.    

By December 10, 1881, the William Searle Abbey family of four was back living in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI when Mary Maude Abbey was born.

William J. Hyde and Florence E. Mitchell were married October 8, 1884, in Washington Co., IN.

The 1885 Kansas State Census taken on March 1, 1885, shows William V. Hyde (age 44) born in New York, removing to Canada and then removing to Kansas is a married Farmer living in Everett Twp., Woodson Co., KS. Living with him is a married woman, Sarah J. Hyde (age 44) born in New York. Also living there are two Hyde children, both born in Kansas: Charles E. Hyde (age 12); and Hattie B. Hyde (age 6).

The 1885 Kansas State Census taken on March 1, 1885, shows William J. Hyde (age 21) born in Michigan and having moved to Kansas from Canada is a married Farmer living in Everett Twp., Woodson Co., KS. Living with him is a married woman, Florence Hyde (age 24) born in Indiana and having moved to Kansas from Indiana.

About 1888 or 1889 the William Abbey family removed to Dodgeville, Iowa Co., WI.

Edna E. Hyde was born February 8, 1889, in Neosho Falls Twp., Woodson Co., KS.

The 1895 Kansas State Census taken on March 1, 1895, shows W. J. Hyde (age 31) born in New York is living in Cheyenne Twp., Woodson Co., KS. Living with him are: F. E. Hyde (age 35) born in Indiana; Grover Hyde (age 10) born in Kansas; Etna Hyde (age 8) born in Kansas; and Homer Hyde (age 5) born in Kansas.

Between 1898 or 1899 the William J. Hyde family removed to Baldwin, Palmyra Twp., Douglas Co., KS.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 26, 1900, shows William Abbey (age 47) born April 1853 in Canada to English and Canadian-born parents is a Farm Laborer renting his home in the City of Dodgeville, Dodgeville Twp., Iowa Co., WI. Living with him is his wife of twenty five years, Ida Abbey (age 48) born September 1858 in Wisconsin to Pennsylvania-born parents. All of their children (except for Iva who had married and Ruth who died) are living in the household in the City of Dodgeville, Iowa Co., WI. Irwin Abbey (age 24) born May 1876 is a traveling stationery salesman; Maude Abbey (age 18) born December 1881 is a dressmaker; Emma Abbey (age 16) born February 1884; Truman Abbey (age 14) born May 1886; Eda Abbey (age 5) born March 1895; and Allen Abbey (age 2) born June 1898. All of the children were born in Wisconsin.  

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 7, 1900, shows William J. Hyde (age 35) born April 1865 in New York to New York-born parents is a Hardware Merchant owning his own home in the City of Baldwin, Palmyra Twp., Douglas Co., KS. Living with him is his wife of 15 years, Florence E. Hyde (age 39) born October 1860 in Indiana to Indiana-born parents, with 6 of the 7 children born to her still alive, all unmarried and living at home and born in Kansas to New York and Indiana-born parents: Grover G. Hyde (age 14) born July 1885; Edna E. Hyde (age 11) born February 1889; Homer F. Hyde (age 9) born September 1890; Edith F. Hyde (age 7) born October 1892; Sadie U. Hyde (age 5) born April 1895; and Willard B. Hyde (age 2) born June 1897.

The 1905 Wisconsin State Census taken on June 1, 1905, shows Wm. Abby (age 53) born in Canada to England and Canadian-born parents is a Farmer Owning his own home with a mortgage and living in the City of Dodgeville, Iowa Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Ida E. Abby (age 47) born in Wisconsin to Pennsylvania and Indiana-born parents. Also living there are his five unmarried children, all born in Wisconsin to Pennsylvania and Indiana-born parents: Wm. A. Abby (age 29) a Traveling Salesman; Emma J. Abby (age 21) a Housekeeper; Chas. T. Abby (age 19); Edna B. Abby (age 10); and Glen A. Abby (age 7).

The 1905 Kansas State Census taken on March 1, 1905, shows William J. Hyde (age 39) born in Michigan and having moved to Kansas from Canada is a Miller owning his own home with a mortgage and living in the City of Baldwin, Douglas Co., KS. Living with him is Florence E. Hyde (age 43) born in Indiana. Also living there are six children, all born in Kansas: Grover G. Hyde (age 19); Edna E. Hyde (age 16); Homer F. Hyde (age 14); Edith F. Hyde (age 12); Sdie U. Hyde (age 9); and Willard B. Hyde (age 7).

C. T. Abbey got an appointment to West Point after he graduated from high school but apparently was not old enough to accept the appointment. He went out to North Dakota and for two years was a cowboy. Part of that time, at least, he was in a cabin out on the prairie all by himself. He saw the Northern Lights many times, sometimes parallel to the ground and would come just like a big tube of light along the ground. While he was a cowboy he participated in two roundups. At that time (1905 -1907) there were no fences and the roundup would begin with cowboys like Mr. Abbey going out and rounding up all the cattle they could find and bringing them in to camp. The cattle would be sorted out by different brands and the brands from their ranch stayed there. Evidently the other brands were taken forward and dropped off at wherever they belonged. Mr. Abbey said that the sun came up about 4:00 a.m. and went down about 10:00 p.m. They would get up, have breakfast, and then roundup until noon when they would come back to headquarters (that is to the chuck wagon). They would get a new horse, eat lunch, and then go rounding up again until about 9:00 p.m. The trail boss when he was on the roundup was named Favor, and was from Texas. There were some terrific cowboys on the roundup. Some of the older cowboys would never go to sleep at night, and would sit and talk and play poker. I guess they slept in the saddle some times during the daytime. The roundup he was on apparently went for about 300 miles and crossed the Little Missouri River. He said most of the cowboys swam across the river with their horses, but that there was one man that had taught his horse how to walk on the railroad trestle and he would walk his horse across. Mr. Abbey said some of the older cowboys could rope a calf over a cow.

While Mr. Abbey was a cowboy he got a second appointment to West Point but it did not reach him until the time for acceptance had expired. Apparently he never got another opportunity for an appointment. About this time C. T. Abbey went to Oklahoma to work for his brother, Erwin, drilling oil wells. Several years earlier Erwin had shot a man and thought that he had killed him, so he fled and for a long time the family did not know where he was. Erwin would send post cards back to the family and say that he was OK, but would not tell them where he was because he thought that the law was after him. It turned out that the man didn't die, so Erwin eventually contacted the family and it was after that time that Mr. Abbey went down to work for him. This must have been about 1907 or 1908. Glenn Abbey said he remembered seeing Erwin only two times in his life; his parent's 30th and 50th wedding anniversary family reunions.

William and Edna were married on September 6, 1908, in Sapulpa, Creek Co., OK.

Sapulpa, Creek Co. Marriage Records, 16 Nov 1907 - 15 Mar 1921

ABBEY, Erwin W.                   HYDE, Edna E.                    September 06, 1908         Book 1, Page 218

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 19, 1910, shows William J. Hyde (age 46), born in Michigan to New York parents is a Plumbing Shop Operator who owns his own house and is living at 626 South Park Street, 3rd Ward, City of Sapulpa, Sapulpa Twp., Creek Co., OK. Living with him is his wife of 26 years, Florence E. Hyde (age 49) born in Indiana to Indiana parents, with all six of the children born to her still alive: Also living there are his five children, all born in Kansas to Michigan and Indiana-born parents: Homer F. Hyde (age 19) a grocery store clerk; Edith F. Hyde (age 17) a saleslady in a racket store; Paula? F. Hyde (age 14); and Williard Hyde (age 12). Also living there is his son-in-law: William Abbey (age 33) born in United States to United States-born parents is an Oil Field Driller. Living with him is his wife of 1 year, Edna E. Abbey (age 21) born in Kansas to Michigan and Indiana-born parents, and his only child, Ruth E. Abbey (age 9/12) born in Oklahoma to United States and Kansas-born parents.

The WWI Draft Registration Card and Registrar's Report dated September 12, 1918, at Empira, OK, shows Erwin W. Abbey (age 42) was judged "No". Erwin W. Abbey signed his name on the form. Tall Height, Medium Build, Brown Hair and Brown Eyes. He was employed as a Driller for John Sherman in Skiatook, Osange Co., OK. He was living at 105 1/2 N. Main Street, Sapulpa, Creek Co., OK. His wife, Edna E. Abbey of the same address, was his nearest relative.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on February 7, 1920, shows E. W. Abie (age 43) born in Wisconsin to United States and Wisconsin-born parents is an oil well driller renting in Justice Precinct 1, Stephens Co., TX. Living with him is his wife, Edna E. Abie (age 30) born in Kansas to Indiana and New York-born parents. Also living there is his daughter, Ruth Abie (age 10) born in Oklahoma to Wisconsin and Kansas-born parents.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on February 2, 1920, shows Ruth Abbey (age 10) was a pupil at the St. Joseph's Academy, Sherman, Grayson Co., TX. She was born in Oklahoma, with her father born in the U.S. and mother born in Kansas.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 13, 1920, shows William J. Hyde (age 55) born in Michigan to New York-born parents has his Own Garage Shop and owns his mortgaged home at 105-1/2 North Main Street, 2nd Ward, City of Sapulpa, Sapulpa Twp., Creek Co., OK. Living with him is his wife Florence E. Hyde (age 59) born in Indiana to Indiana-born parents. Also living in the household is his unmarried son Willard B. Hyde (age 22) born in Kansas to Michigan and Indiana-born parents, who is a Mechanic in a Garage; and William J. Hyde's widowed mother, Sarah J. Hyde (age 78) born in New York to Connecticut and New York-born parents. Leigh Larson note: William J. Hyde is the son of William B. Hyde and Sarah Abbey, both born in New York.

Florence E. (Mitchell) Hyde died March 27, 1922, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., OK, at age 61.

Levy Joe Boggs and Ruth Egan Abbey  were married about 1928 in Stephens Co., TX.

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 22, 1930, shows Levy J. Boggs (age 27) born in Texas to Texas and Arkansas-born parents and first married at age 25 is a Repair Shop Welder renting his home for $10/month and is living in the North Part of Justice Precinct 1, Stephens Co., TX. Living with him is his wife, Ruth Boggs (age 20) born in Oklahoma to Wisconsin and Kansas-born parents and first married at age 18.

William J. Hyde died November 19, 1946, in Muskogee, Muskogee Co., OK, at age 81; Shot by his son, Donald, at his home.


The Ada Evening News, Ada, OK, Wednesday, November 20, 1946

Muskogee Boy Says He Shot Aged Dad

Claims Meant to Scare Him When Father Advanced On Him With Hammer

MUSKOGEE, Okla., Nov. 20. - Police Capt. Homer Pitman said today Donald Hyde, 16, had admitted he shot his 81-year-old father, William J. Hyde, whose body was found last night on the kitchen floor of his home. Pitman quoted the youth as saying he fired a .22 caliber rifle "just to scare" his father when the aged man threatened him with a hammer during a quarrel. Earlier the boy had denied knowledge of how his father died, saying only that he had found the body on his return to the house. The elder Hyde, a state pensioner, died from a bullet in the heart. No charges have yet been filed against the youth. Police said young Hyde related that after the shooting, he hid the gun in some bushes, then returned to the house. "After I seen he was dead," Pitman quoted him, "I went to the neighbors and called an ambulance or something." Pitman said the hammer which the youth said his father wielded was found under the dead man's body. According to Pitman, young Hyde told him he seized the gun and retreated to the porch of the house when his father advanced on him menacingly. "I didn't mean to hit him, just to scare him." the officer said the boy told him. "He got in the range of fire. He started cussin' and I didn't know I killed him." Pitman said young Hyde told of numerous "spats" with his father and said the boy attributed last night's quarrel to his parent's anger at his attending school.


The Lawton Constitution, Lawton, OK, Sunday, March 16, 1947

Boy, 16, Is Acquitted In Death Of His Aged Father

MUSKOGEE, Okla., March 15. - Sixteen-year-old Donald Hyde was free Saturday of a murder charge in the fatal shooting of his 71-year-old father last Nov. 10. A district court jury deliberated two hours before returning a verdict of not guilty. The boy claimed self defense. He told of a violent quarrel and said his father, W. J. Hyde, threatened him with a hammer. The boy said he grabbed a .22 rifle and fired.


From the Jeromey Ward website: 

Eli Abbey was born on 12 Apr 1820 in New York. He died on 14 Jun 1884 in New York. He married Rachel Ferguson on 1 Mar 1840 in Connecticut.

From Genforum's Abbey board:
I have an old ABBEY family bible. There is some ABBEY-FERGUSON information recorded in it:
Eli Abbey was married March 1, 1840 to Rachel Ferguson.
Jane Ferguson died February 14/15/18, (no year) - age 73/93 years, 8 mths, 2 days.
Eli Abbey died June 14, 1884 - age 64 years, 2 mths, 2 days.
Reuben Ferguson was murdered June 10, 1856 - age 35 years, 9 mths, 14 days. (Note: Reuben FERGUSON appears to be the brother of Rachel (FERGUSON) who married Eli ABBE/ABBEY March 1, 1840.)
Family tradition indicates that all of these events took place in Upstate New York.
I will greatly appreciate hearing from anyone that is connected to this ABBEY-FERGUSON family.
Thank you for any information.

AND

I have an old ABBEY family bible. Some of the information recorded in it is as follows:
(grouped together on one page): Page 958 Susannah Rogers was born January 11, 1803 Hiram Rogers was born February 14, 1806 William Rogers was born October 24, 1808 Marvin Rogers was born March 31, 1809 Triphena Abbe was born August 31, 1817 Eli Abbe was born April 12, 1820
The way these Abbe & Rogers births are recorded together, could indicate that they are half siblings.
I would greatly appreciate any information regarding this ABBE/ABBEY-ROGERS connection.
Indications are that this ABBEY family was in Upstate New York.
Thank you for any information.

Rachel Ferguson was born in 1816 in New York. She married Eli Abbey on 1 Mar 1840 in Connecticut.

They had the following children:

  1. Sarah Mary Jane Abbey
  2. Edwin Porter Abbey
  3. Hannah Isabel Abbey
  4. William E. Abbey was born 1846 in New York
  5. Mary Triphena Abbey
  6. Reuban Ferguson Abbey

Sandia Base, NM Guard House Fire, Mar 1950

 

FOURTEEN GI'S PERISH IN FIRE.

OIL FED FLAMES ENGULF SANDIA GUARD HOUSE.

Albuquerque, N.M. (AP) -- Oil-fed flames, leaping lightning fast through a Sandia Base guardhouse, snuffed out the lives of 14 military prisoners last night.
Trapped with them in the tinder-dry wood structure, the prison's other two inmates were injured critically. It was the first major disaster in the history of the war-built installation -- now a semi-secret assembly point for the atomic bomb.
Two guards, alerted by prisoners' cries, vainly tried to rescue them from behind bars and meshed wire windows. They were overcome along with six others fighting the blaze. Twenty additional officers and men also were treated for smoke effects.
It was all over 25 minutes after the first alarm was sounded at 7:35 p.m. (MST). Thirteen of the prisoners apparently died in the first few seconds;
the other succumbed two hours later at a hospital.
Most of the victims were believed to have inhaled the intense, almost instantaneous heat and suffocated, Sandia authorities said. Guards reported there were few outcries to indicate any suffered long.
Contrary to first reports Maj. Kenneth Kolster, Sandia's intelligence officer, said there was no evidence of an explosion.
Examination of the charred, dank smelling structure afterward bore him out. Damage consisted principally of badly scorched ceilings and walls, mostly in a 100-foot L-shaped corridor and three cell blocks. It appeared the fire flashed overhead in less time than it takes to tell.
The prisoners had finished their evening meal a short time before. Some already were in bed, reading or sleeping. Bodies of two were found in a shower room; three others lay just outside the door.
Personal effects littered their quarters, some scarcely touched by the blaze. Nearly a fourth of the two-tiered bunk-beds were not even scorched.
Several contained magazines, obviously dropped as their owners leaped in alarm. Helmets and freshly shined shoes stood under some. Clothing,
hung in head-high racks, generally was part burned.
Major Kelster described five of the prison inmates as "hard cookies," jailed after conviction on serious charges by a military court. The others he labelled minor offenders. He declined to detail charges on which any were courtmartialled.
The two guards were the buildings only occupants
besides the 16 prisoners. One, Cpl. RICHARD A. MILLER, 27, of 5524 E. Hobart, Stockton, Calif., was in the guardhouse office at the opposite end of the building from the flaming stove when fire was discovered. The other, Pvt. WILBUR HENRY, 22, of Rt. 2, South Zanesville, O., was walking back to the office midway along the corridor. He had passed the stove five minutes earlier.
Both were overcome by smoke, but attendants said they probably would be able to leave the hospital today or tomorrow.
Condition of the injured:
Pfc. ROBERT C. DARANEK, 20, of Minneapolis and Pvt. HARRY C. HANDLEY, 24, of Hamilton, Ohio, both remained grave this morning. Authorities reported shortly before 8 a.m. (MST). Both were in oxygen tents.
Newsmen were told neither the injured prisoners nor the guards could be interviewed.
The provost marshal Lt. Col. Ralph Tolve, and post
police and prison officer Lt. Stephen H. Perry, and four unidentified civilian firemen also were overcome by smoke.
Kolster said the fire-swept guardhouse -- a temporary type building -- is at least three-quarters
of a mile from the nearest restricted area in which activities are secret.
He reported a representative of the Provost Marshal General's office in Washington inspected
the base less than a month ago and pronounced all buildings, including the prison, in excellent condition from a safety standpoint.
Sandia is a field installation of the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project. It works closely with Los Alamos Atomic Installation, 60 miles to the north, and nearby Kirtland Field, the Air Force's Special Weapons Command.
The sprawling 26,800-acre reservation on the Eastern Albuquerque limits and just under the shadow of the Sandia mountains originally was an air field and later used to store hundreds of war retired planes. It became a secret installation after World War II and has mushroomed in size and importance in recent years.
The fire was sighted at 7:35 p.m. (MST). A prisoner called out to one of the guards. In approximately 15 minutes the building was gutted.
The guard, corporal MILLER, said he saw a flash of light and called out to Private HENRY to sound the fire alarm.
"I started to try to release the prisoners from the cell Blocks," he related to investigators. "Before I was able to unlock the first door, the flame and heat and smoke drove me back."
HENRY said he sounded the fire alarm and tried to get the prisoners out "but there was fire all up and down the hallway and I couldn't get to the door. When the fire department got there, I helped them remove the prisoners."
The guards were quoted by Major Kenneth Kolster, public information officer, as saying there was little outcry from the prisoners after the initial alarm.
"The only blessing -- if there can be a blessing," Kolster said, "Is that there was almost no suffering. They must have died almost immediately from inhaling the intense heat."
Flames were visible to motorists on U.S. Highway 66, just off which the main entrance to Sandia is located.
No civilian agency was called to the emergency.
The Sandia fire department -- located just half a block from the prison -- was unable to get the trapped men through the smoke.

Clovis News Journal New Mexico 1950-03-09