Francis Stipe's Son, McAlester Watercooler Operator Harold King Involved In 'Altercation'

The crusading operator of the McAlester Watercooler web site and the son of the late Francis Stipe were involved in an "altercation" in McAlester on Saturday, it's reported today.

The incident is being investigated by McAlester police.

McAlester Police Capt. Don Hass said the incident involving Wayne Stipe and Harold King took place outside a local grocery store. An incident report on the case said it is being investigated as an assault and battery.

Police said Stipe and King, who operates the McAlester Watercooler that has been critical of the late Francis Stipe and his brother, Gene Stipe, both went to a McAlester hospital after the incident. Hass said King had a bloody lip and Stipe had a hand injury.

No arrests had been made in the case as of Monday morning.

Hass said a copy of the report would be turned over to the office of District Attorney Jim Bob Miller.

"It happened outside the store and there are different stories as to what happened," Hass said.

In a post on the site, King said Stipe accosted him outside the store after a brief, non-confrontational encounter inside the store. King writes that Stipe followed him out, "mumbled something" and then hit him in the face, after which Stipe got into his car and drove off.

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