Clarence Schwartz - 2

I am humbled by how quickly family history can fade away with the passing of grandparents. With their deaths, also scatters their stories—then, we, of the present, are left to piece the puzzle together again.

For my younger family members who have asked, "Who is Clarence Schwartz?" Clarence Schwartz was the sixth child of John Schwartz and Nannie Hollen Black born in Caddo, Blue County, Indian Territory on the 4th of September 1894. Clarence was your Grandmother Catherine Schwartz Welborn's uncle. He did not reach adulthood; his life was cut short at the hand of Arthur (Hinsley) Hensley.

A mention of his tragic death is written in The Blue County Democrat, November 10, 1905. In error, the newspaper names Clarence Schwartz incorrectly as Clay Schwartz.

Arthur and McKinley Hensley, aged 13 and 11 respectively, had a preliminary hearing before Judge Parker yesterday. They are charged with the murder of Clay Schwartz, aged 11, while out hunting near Caddo Monday. The young defendants claim the gun went off accidentally and killed their young companion. However, they said nothing of the matter ‘til the body was discovered on Tuesday.

Catherine's version of the story as I recall:

There was brewing prejudice against the Germans because of the war. The family always believed that young Clarence Schwartz was invited to go hunting with the older boys so they could murder him because he was of German descent. It was due to this prejudicial climate that Arthur Hinsley was set free and basically got away with murder.

Catherine's version of the story as Linda Welborn Cox recalls:

The only thing I remember is that Mother never stopped believing that the boys were much older, and that they took Clarence out and murdered him. She believed that the Woodmens of the World got the boys off. She never for one minute believed that it was an accident.

Come with me, as I try to sort out what really happened...