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                                                                Mark Reader

 

According to the Purcell Register, on November 5, 1914, because of the election difficulties among the Democratic contenders, the voters, in their indignation, elected the Socialist, Mark Reader of Blanchard, over the Republican and the Democrat, Frank Ferris. Ferris had been certified as a candidate after the previous chairman of the Election Board was discharged because of a delay caused by mutilated ballots according to the October 1, 1914 paper. In the short paragraph of a full page of election news, very little was said of the problem other than the results of the election.

In January of 1915, a short report certified that "Sheriff Reader, the Socialist member of the official family, is taking hold of his office in a pleasing manner. He seems to be fully imbued with the idea of giving an economical administration of affairs, having as yet, named but two deputies. Of these, W.S. Hames of Blanchard is under-sheriff and jailer, and the other, Mr. J.W. McGaha, is doing outside work."

Sheriff Reader was sworn into office the first working day of 1915 and served for two years. After his term of office expired, he later moved to Oklahoma City in 1918 and was employed with the Smiser Construction Company, later operating his private business of water well drilling.

Mark Reader was born January 27, 1887 in Texas and died January 12, 1973 in Oklahoma City. Family survivors were his wife, Hattie, of the home; a step-daughter, Mrs. Kem Westellison, OKC; a half-brother, Alvin C. Wade, Lawton; two sisters, Mrs. Ethel Cannon of Fairfield, TX; and assorted step and full grandchildren and nieces and nephews. His portrait is pictured in the gallery of the county sheriffs office.

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