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McAlester Capital 1894-1896
DEPUTY MARSHALS
March 22, 1894—The McAlester Capital—As there is always two sides to a story, we, the U. S. Deputy Marshals of the First Judicial Division, Indian Territory, wish to lace our side before the public. As every person living in the Indian Territory, today, knows there is not a rich U. S. Deputy Marshal in the Territory, nor is there any but whom are in debt. Speaking about the compensation a deputy marshal receives, the truth of the matter is this--- a deputy is very poorly paid considering the risks danger and hardships he is at all times exposed to. There are today thousands of men living in the Indian Territory that could not be employed to do the duties of a U. S. Deputy Marshal for as large a salary as the President of the Unite States receives, and why? Simply because these men value their lives too highly and will not stand up as a target for horse thieves, whiskey peddlers, cattle thieves, murderers and other desperadoes, and be killed at any time.
A deputy marshal does not receive any stipulated salary and if he does not work, receives nothing. A. U. S. Deputy Marshal may pursue a criminal for weeks in any and all kinds of weather, sunshine, rain sleet or snow, and if he doesn’t get his man, which is very often the case he never receives penny for his labor, besides being out many dollars for horse hire, feed and his own board bills. How many men are there in the United States who are willing to work for the United States government on these terms. But the overworked, misrepresented deputy marshal keeps a stiff upper lip and fight life’s battles on this line, only looking and longing for better times.
Five years ago it wasn’t safe for a person to risk his life too far from home after night for if he did he might be help up and robbed and perhaps murdered. This state of affairs is now changed, and most of those desperadoes have either been hung, sent to the penitentiary, or have taken to new fields to carry out their plots. Who is the cause of this change of affairs? Why no one but the u. S. Deputy Marshals. And for all this labor, exposure and risk, how rich is he today? Those who were fortunate enough not to be shot down by some desperate character, still pursue the vocation of a U. S. Deputy Marshal, barely eking out a living. We, the U. S. Deputy Marshals of the First Judicial Division, Indian Territory, only ask for justice. Give honor to whom honor is due, and we will try and protect the people of the Indian Territory and will be satisfied if we can make a living without becoming rich. Our experience has aught us that should we all live to be as old as Methuselah, we could not become rich, following the business of U. S. Deputy Marshal, no difference how hard we work. Hoping this will throw the light on our business, we remain,
U. S. Deputy Marshal’s Association, First Judicial Division, Indian Territory.
G. G. Tyson,
Second Vice President.
George R. Levering,
Secretary
BEN HUGHES CAPTURED
March 7, 1895—The McAlester Capital—A special correspondent of the St. Louis Republic from Checotah, I. T. in his article dated Feb. 27, says:
Officers and a posse surrounded a house at Brush Hill, eight miles west of here, before daylight this mooring, which was occupied by Ben Hughes and Judd Southerd, whose name is supposed to be Sivers, who are wanted for the train robbery at Gordon, Texas October 19 last.
A dog barking aroused the inmates of the house and spoiled the plans of the officers. A hot running fight followed in which Deputy Marshal Nakedhead was instantly killed and Ben Hughes was shot through the right arm an captured. Southerd escaped into the timber and is still at large. Sam Baker was arrested at his house near by, by may prove an alibi.
The officers were Detective S. M. Farmer, Deputy Marshals Williams and Britain of Fort Worth, Texas, Deputy Marshal Nakedhead of Muskogee, I. T. Deputy Marshals McCann and Hosey, with R. A. McClain, Lee and Sid Palmer and tom Harrison as posse men.
Hughes was once sentenced to 99 years for robbing a train at the same place, but after a new trial was acquitted. Detective Farmer has followed the Hughes gang for months, and claims this is an important arrest. Other arrests may follow. James Nakedhead of the Cherokee Indian police, and a Deputy Marshal, was a brave and fearless officer whose death is sincerely regretted. Hughes located here temporarily last fall.
April 4, 1895—The McAlester Capital—The life of a man who died yesterday in the city hospital is a thrilling romance. That man was James Keellan, a Confederate spy. Of all spies he was one of the few trusted by President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet. For cool-headed daring there were few men his equal, and he became a valuable man to the Southern cause. Keelan was the one spy relied upon for conveying important information from the Confederate cabinet to different army commanders. As the scene of the conflict shifted he was transferred from one section of the South to another.
This remarkable man was born at Caseyville, Ill., August 25, 1844. His father was a section boss on the Ohio & Mississippi railroad, the first railroad to enter St Louis. It connected that city with Cincinnati and the East. Keellan’s parents removed to East St. Louis, then but a station, a few years after he was born. When he was but 5 years old his parents died of the cholera and he was left under the care of some friends of his father. In 1855, when but 11 years old, he began life as a newsboy on the Baltimore & Ohio, running between St. Louis and Cincinnati. After three year’s work on this road he began running on the Missouri Pacific, which was then completed to Jefferson City. He continued in that place until the breaking out of the Civil War.
Claiborne F. Jackson was then governor of Missouri. He strongly sympathized with the South in the cause of session. He supported those in the legislature who were in favor of Missouri withdrawing from the Union.
While carrying papers between St. Louis and Jefferson City, Keelan became a favorite among the politicians at Jefferson City, and when the faction in the legislature which favored secession was beaten and forced to leave the state, Keelan, then about 15 years old, began carrying mail between the Missouri secessionists, who had taken quarters at Memphis, Tenn., and their friends and relatives at home. Through Keelan Missouri mothers sent money to their husbands and son in Gen. Price’s army. For these services Keelan was arrested in 1861 at Jefferson City. He was taken to St. Louis, tried before a court martial and, on account of his extreme youth, his sentence was limited to banishment from the state. Notwithstanding this, he continued to transfer mail from men in the Confederate army and people in St. Louis and Jefferson City. IN 1863 he was captured at St. Louis, just as he was stepping aboard a steamer bound for Memphis. During the excitement, which ensured he managed to thro into the Mississippi River a bag of mail from people living in and around St. Louis. The mailbag sank before it could be recovered. If it had fallen into the hands of the authorities it would have been found to contain correspondence, which would have place d many prominent people of St. Louis, who sympathized with the Confederacy, in perilous situation. Some might have been summarily executed. Keelan was court martialed and condemned to be shot. He was locked up in McDowell’s college, and then used as a military prison. The night preceding the day, on which he was condemned to be executed, he managed to escape from the college and make his way back to Memphis. It was reported that his friend aided in his escape, but whether or not this was true he would never say.
Enters The Confederate Service
From Memphis Keelan went to Richmond, where, it is said, on recommendation of some of his Western friends, he was employed as a spy, by the Confederate president. His daring enabled him to furnish the cabinet with much valuable information. About his time the steady advance of the Federal army was threatening Richmond. It was necessary that something decisive should be done to check the approach, and Keelan and Cavalry Office Harry Gilmore of Baltimore, Md., were selected to place torpedoes under the tracks of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad in such a position that they would explode when a train would pass over them. Several trains loaded with Federal troops were blown up and many soldiers were killed and injured. It should be stated that this method of warfare did not meet with the approval of General Robert E. Lee or Jefferson Davis, though many members of the Confederate cabinet approved it.
Secrets Safe With Him
Keelan was of slender build, about five feet seven and on-half inches in height. His hair was raven black and was always worn long. He was a delicately featured man and was as modest as a schoolgirl. He never alluded to his past history. To his grave he carried, not only the secrets of the confederate cabinet and congress, and he was said to be the repository of many of them, but also the secrets of many old Missourians who actively sympathized wit the South.
On these matters he was as silent during life as in death.
At one time he had considerable wealth ye he died penniless, and his body now lies at Newcomber’s undertaking establishment. He leaves no relatives and unless his friends respond his body will be buried in a pauper’s rave.
Since the war Keelan had not been engaged in any legitimate business. At first he lived on his means and afterwards he degenerated into a professional car player and was always to be found wherever a new railroad was being built.
BANDIT KILLED
April 18, 1895—The McAlester Capital—News was received yesterday at the United States Marshal’s office of a battle with bandits, which occurred at Cushing Wednesday night. Charles Wilson, Charles Moore and Jack Sims, alias “Polka-Dot Bill,” members of the Doolin gang, rode into Cushing, heavily armed. Tying their horses, the bandits repaired to a saloon, after which they proceeded to place a crimson hue on the town. The outlaws, who finally mounted their horses and rode through the village, shooting out lights and yelling like demons, raided several stores. The municipal officers gave chase to the desperadoes and a fusillade of shots was exchanged. During the firing “Polka-dot Bill” was shot through the head by one of the officer and instantly killed. This alarmed the other two ruffians, who put up their guns and allowed themselves to be capture. The two prisoners were at once taken to Stillwater and lodged in the county jail.
BELLE STARR’S GRAVE
May 23, 1895-- The McAlester Capital—On Sunday morning, May 12, 1895, W. W. Wallis, Esq., and the editor left Enterprise and drove to Hoyt and stopped with the hospitable family of W. W. Casey. We took him in and visited H. H. Hyden, who is dangerously sick.
After dinner Mr. and Mrs. Casey, Mr. and Mrs. John I. Cates, and Mrs. John Porter, Mr. Wallis and ourselves went to Younger’s Bend to visit the grave of Belle Starr, and the scene of the exploits that gave her unenviable notoriety, her unsavory fame.
The grave has been well taken care of and, is in the front yard of her residence, not more than 25 feet from the door, which is now occupied by W. H. Potter and father. It is walled up with stone and the wall filled with broken stone. The roof of the vault is of two stones set like the roof of a house. A marble slab adorns the front of the tomb that has a horse chiseled on it that is said to be modeled from a favorite horse that she had buried when he died; on a level with the feet and at the head is a hand bell, at back above is a star, the design supposed to be the name. Below are the words: “Belle Starr, Born, Carthage, M., Feb. 5th, 1848, Died Feb.3, 1889.”
“She not for her the bitter tear,
Nor give the heart to vain regret;
‘Tis but the casket that lies here,
The gem that filled it sparkles yet.”
The house is built of cedar logs, and has a puncheon floor. It has two rooms now, but had only one then. The yard is full of choice fruit trees.
Mr. and Mrs. Cates were present at her funeral. Mr. Cates made the coffin.
She was assassinated about a mile and a half from home, the assassin being hid in a fence corner. After the funeral a man named Watson was suspected of the killing and a man called Charley Afton threw a gun o him and ordered him to throw up his hands Watson took hold of Cates and pushed him between himself and the fun. After a minute or so Cates said throw up your hands and don’t get us both killed. He then gave up. Mr. Cates thinks that they both were in great danger. This man was in great danger of being killed, as a single shot would have been the signal for a desperate fight. As the crowd was breaking up, Watson asked not to be left alone with the desperadoes, and Ben Statham and wife, Jack Rowe and Mrs. Watson remained. July and Ed Reed took Watson to Ft. Smith, Jack Rowe going along to keep them from killing him. He stood trial was acquitted. July went to the Chickasaw country and was shot and died in jail at Ft. Smith, Watson was sent to the Arkansas penitentiary for stealing horses.
The members of our party were here during the days of the gang and knew them. Upon out return they became reminiscent and told numerous incidents, many of which have never been published, and which are very interesting.
The home and resort of the Starr gang is called Younger Bend of the South Canadian River, and some say it was the resort of the Manes and Youngers, but this is exceedingly doubtful. It was then an ideal place to hide, but now is a peaceful hamlet, occupied by enterprising farmers.
Near the house is school louse, and as we passed the swains and lasses had gathered to spend an hour in singing.
In a field about a quarter of a mile from the house is a lofty cedar timed to the top, only a small tuft of limbs being left at the top. This is called “The Marshal’s Pole,’ and the local legend, given by the desperadoes themselves, Is that when a luckless Deputy Marshal feel into the clutches, he was taken to this pole and forced to climb it; then, for the delectation, they shot him out of it like a squirrel.
August 15, 1895-- The McAlester Capital—Jim Clark, The Rio Grande railroad detective, was shot and killed in the street at Telluride, Col., last week. He was formerly a desperate outlaw and is believed to have killed at leas twenty men. During the war he was a member of Quantrell’s band of guerrillas, and known as Jim Cummings. After the war he was government scout and Indian fighter. He was with the Jesse James gang and after it was broken up he committed numerous stage robberies. Eight years ago he settled at Telluride and was made town marshal, in which position he strictly enforced the law.
August 15, 1895-- The McAlester Capital—Frank James does not believe that his old friend and pal, Jim Cummings, was shot at Telluride, Col., last Tuesday.
“It’s a thousand to one shot,” said James to a Republic reporter yesterday, “that the City Marshal of Telluride, Jas. Clark, was not Jim Cummings. He may have been some Missouri Cummings, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Jim. That man had too much sense to be City Marshal of any town. He couldn’t possible have escaped recognition, out in that country because it is full of people who knew him in the old days and wouldn’t hesitate to give him up in the hope of securing a reward. If I remember rightly there are a number of indictments hanging over Cummings.”
Jim Cummings was born in Clay County, Missouri, 54 years ago, with in three miles of the home of the James boys. Frank and Jesse James, Cummings, the Youngers and others of the band that became famous for its daring robberies in later years were boys and playmates together. When the war came on they espoused the cause of the Confederacy, and all enlisted in the company that was raised in Clay County and the adjoining country by the notorious Quantrell. Cummings served through the war with Quantrell’s raiders.
Shortly after the war Cummings was suspected of having robbed a bank at Liberty, but nothing could be prove against him. Later he was arrested for stealing horses, gave bond and jumped the bond. Then he joined the James boys and the Youngers, and was with them in nearly all their big jobs. When Cole and Jim Younger conceived the idea of go8ing up to Northfield, Minn., to rob the bank there, Cummings opposed the project strenuously, but the sentiment of the gang was in favor of it, and the attempt was made with disastrous results that are a matter of history. Cummings refused to accompany the party.
When the James boys came back to Missouri after their awful fight and narrow escape from the Minnesota mob, Cummings joined the gang again. In 1879 or thereabouts, he, in company with Jesse James, Tucker Basham, Will Ryan and others, held up a Chicago and Alton train and furnished material for the history of the famous Glendale robbery. Shortly after this Cummings rode into Independence on horseback and consulted an attorney concerning his chances of getting clear of the charge or robbing the train, if he surrendered. The attorney assured him that conviction was certain.
“Well, then,” said Jim, “I’ll leave the country.”
He walked downstairs leisurely from the lawyer’s office, mounted his horse and rode away. Since that time Jim Cummings has not been seen in Missouri.
Frank James thoughtfully spat on the ground yesterday and remarked, quietly: “That couldn’t have been Jim. You see, Jim was one of those men that won’t let nobody shoot him.”
HERO OF THE MARCH
August 22, 1895—The McAlester Capital—Bill Arp refuses to contribute 25 cents to the General Sherman monument fund. These are Billy’s own words in answer to a letter of the “chain” system:
“I received your letter, asking for 25 cents to help build a monument to General Sherman, the hero of the ‘march to the sea,’ and wanting me to send three other names and warning me not to break the chain, etc. I will go as far as any other rebel, so called, to keep the peace and bury the past and be friendly, but you must excuse me. I have lived all my life in the path of that march to the sea, and for thirty years I have been straining my mind to see the heroism in it, and I can’t do it. It just shows how blind we poor mortals are. All the heroism I see is the retreat of Joe Johnson, who with 40,000 men, resisted that march of Sherman with three times that number and killed more, man for man, than he had soldiers. There is where the heroism comes in. We will make a fair compromise with you. If you or your boys will contribute 25 cents each for a monument to Joe Johnson, the real hero of the march to the sea, we’ll let you build one to Sherman and say nothing about it. We are very tired of all this gush about the Grand Army of the Republic, especially when you know, or ought to know, that you have on your pension rolls more men than we had all during the war. You can’t knick the truth out with monuments.”
October 31, 1895—The McAlester Capital—Ed Reed, son of the noted Belle Starr, killed two brothers, Zeke and Dick Crittenden, at Wagoner last Thursday evening. Reed had a special commission as deputy marshal to arrest Zeke Crittenden. He resisted and shot at him. Reed returned the fire killing him. He then stepped into the telegraph office and wrote a message to Marshal Crump, when Dick shot at him through the window. He ran to the door and fired twice killing him the second shot. Some months ago it was thought that Reed would develop into an outlaw, but he has been a tolerable quiet citizen.
November 5, 1896—The McAlester Capital—The suit of Ledbetter and Tolbert against the American Express Co. attracted considerable attention at the U. S. court room a day or two the fore part of the week. The express company offered a reward of $1,000 for the killing of any one attempting to hold up or rob the train on which the company was a carrier. It also offered $500 for the wounding or disabling of any one engaged in a similar undertaking. Messrs Ledbetter and Tolbert were guards on a Katy train in November 1894 when an attempt was made to hold it up at Blackstone, this side of Muskogee, and in defending the train they shot and wounded a man named Nathan Reed, who then and there called upon his companions to aid him in escaping, which they did. Reed afterward testified to these facts when Deputy Burrell Cox captured him at Seneca. Col. Sedgwick of Parsons represented the company. The jury returned a verdict for $500 for plaintiff.