The Oklahoma Bar Journal May 2023

a confession from Lambert being printed in that issue of the news paper and no mention of coercion in the obtaining of it, the charges were inexplicably dropped against Wellmon and Lambert within a matter of days. 12 The timing of the release of the initial suspects coincided with the arrival of the governor’s designated “special investigator” on the case, Vernon Cheatwood. 13 Lambert’s story about the events of the crime changed dramatically over the intervening days, with him sud denly implicating a Black man who had never been mentioned prior. 14 It was no secret that the lax super vision of the Sawyer work camp for inmates was already a local scandal. 15 Perhaps concerned about any ties between this gruesome crime and allegations of neglect of duty by state officials appointed by the governor, the entire focus of

the investigation changed over night to a local 21-year-old Black farmhand by the name of W.D. Lyons, who had previously served short sentences for burglary and larceny. 16 Without any explanation or elaboration for the sudden shift, the Hugo Daily News headline read: “Negro Admits Murder of 3.” 17 That article cryptically adds that other suspects had “passed out of the picture as far as the murder is concerned.” 18 The circumstances of Lyons’ alleged confession would be the central point of the coming litigation. Despite there being no specific threats of violence, the National Guard was present at Lyons’ initial hearings, with 20 guardsmen sent from Durant, another 10 from Atoka and nine from Hugo. 19 Lyons would wait in custody for more than a year before the trial, which began Jan. 27, 1941.

whether the hand was black or white but gloved in black leather. 8 Investigators at the scene noted that coal oil had been used to set the home ablaze. 9 By Jan. 2, a tip had resulted in the quick arrest of Frank Wellmon, a prison inmate who had been incarcerated for homicide but who had been permitted to work as a “trustee” at a work camp in the nearby small town of Sawyer. 10 Inmates with trustee status had been known to have lax supervision, with many routinely leaving by night to gamble and even go on hunting expeditions. 11 By Jan. 9, another man, Houston Lambert, had been arrested and had con fessed to being present at the scene of the crime – his hair was noticeably singed. The Hugo Daily News ran a full two-inch banner headline, “Officers Break Murder Mystery,” on Jan. 12, 1940. Despite

The Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.

Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL