What We Know

James Jonas Claxton was born on November 22, 1867 and was a well-known figure in Garvin County, Oklahoma. On New Year's Eve, 1931, he was shot — a violent end to a life lived in the heart of the Lee and Claxton family story.

What makes this case remarkable is that Jonas returned fire when shot — he did not go down without a fight. Despite several arrests being made in connection with the shooting, no one was ever convicted of his murder. The case appears to have gone cold, leaving the family without justice and with many unanswered questions.

What We're Looking For

• Newspaper accounts of the shooting and arrests
• Court records from Garvin County, 1931–1933
• Names of those arrested — who were they?
• Motive — was this personal, a dispute, or random?
• Eyewitness accounts passed down through family stories
• Confirmation of exact death date (1931 vs 1932)