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Old Opera House Mystery
The Daily Oklahoman, Saturday, 12 November 1910, pg. 2
Official Accused of Slaying Girl
Inquest Shows Alva Girl Was Choked to Death With Own Scarf
Evidence is Strong
Married Man - Who Employed Her, is Held as Murderer.
Alva, Okla., Nov. 11 -- (Special) -- The coroner's jury is now in session and holding an inquest upon the dead body of Mabel Oakes, found yesterday afternoon in the back room of the old opera house here, which is connected with the office of N. L. Miller, a justice of the peace in this town. Mabel Oakes had been in the employ of Miller, and the autopsy disclosed that the girl was in a delicate condition and had been so for five months. When found she was lying upon her back with her hands folded upon her breast and the fascinator which she wore tied about her neck, with the ends carefully tucked in at the back.
The physicians testified that the heart was in a normal condition and that the stomach was empty, this evidence precluding the theory of suicide. The doctors also testified that the girl was strangled to death - the fascinator being used for that purpose, and that some person had committed the deed. The father of the girl testified that he had charged the girl with being in a delicate condition and that he had also accused Miller to his face of being responsiblie for her situation.
This Miller denied, but afterward called the father in and said that he intended to procure a divorce and marry the girl, thus practically confessing that he should protect the girl.
Mabel Oakes was about twenty-two years old and was a bright and cheerful girl. Miller is a man of family and has a wife and two beaufiul daughters. He has been a hard drinker. There are indications here that the people might take the matter in their own hands, but the sheriff is an official who will protect his prisoner to the last, and the people know this. The coroner's jury returned a verdict saying that Mabel Oakes came to her death at the hands of N. L. Miller and recommending that he be held for trial. The evidence disclosed that he was seen going into his office yesterday afternoon and that he was alone with the girl.