C. L. Harkins
American veterinarian
Columbus Lee Harkins (1864 – July 30, 1920) was an American veterinary surgeon, serial child rapist, and suspected mass murderer.
Early life
Columbus Lee Harkins, commonly known by his initials or "Lum", was born in Georgia in 1864, as the youngest child of Ashberry and Nancy Harkins (née Terry). His parents moved to Missouri, then Kansas, first in Parker Township in 1885, then Coffeyville the following year.
Harkins earned a degree in veterinary medicine before moving to the town of Delaware in Nowata County, Indian Territory, in modern-day Oklahoma, around 1900. He practiced veterinary medicine, farmed, owned a boarding house, and owned and operated a merry go-round and other amusements at local carnivals and country picnics. He was quite wealthy for the times, reportedly having a net worth of between $10,000.00 (equivalent to $387,000 in 2025) and $20,000.00 (equivalent to $774,000 in 2025).
Criminal history
On February 12, 1887, Harkins was accused of theft from the landlord of a hotel in Arkansas City while working there as a desk clerk the previous winter. He was acquitted on April 14, in part owing to his "well know, highly respected" status and "good standing" as supported by his parents and friends, and the court dismissing one of the witnesses for being a "colored man with an unsavory record". Harkins also spread the rumor that his accuser, A. E. Kirkpatrick, was in an incestuous relationship with his daughter. The judge instead ordered Kirkpatrick and his witnesses to pay a fine of $15 (equivalent to $537 in 2025).
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