Centennial of “Four Men Hanging” Noted in Ada, Oklahoma
By Chuck Parsons
Every western buff is familiar with James Brown “Jim” Miller, the most deadly hired assassin of the Old West. In his last moments of life he claimed, or confessed, to having killed fifty-one men. That may have been true, or maybe it was no more than a final, boastful statement. He and three other associates were forcibly taken from the Ada, Oklahoma jail during the early morning hours of April 19, 1909, taken to an old livery stable and strung up by the neck until dead. The mob which did the deed was convinced they would escape justice by the tricks, or talent, of a sharp lawyer. They were determined Miller would pay the price for the murder of their friend, A.A. Bobbitt. Miller and his three friends who were associated with the deed – two who put up the money, Jesse West and Joe Allen, and one who “fingered” the victim, B.B. Burrell, -- paid the price with their lives. It was “Lynch Law” justice. Illegal, but quick and effective
The four men hanging were photographed by professional photographer Noah B. Stall. His picture has been reproduced in many forms, black and white photographs; colored versions; engraving on stone; even a wooden mockup. Some day perhaps there will be a ballet about it, to go along with Aaron Copeland’s ballet, Billy the Kid, based on the life of the outlaw Billy the Kid. That image is among the most famous photographs dealing with the history of the Old West.
A century later, on April 19, 2009, the hanging was commemorated in Ada by members of the Oklahoma Outlaws, Lawmen History Association (www.okolha.net) , organized by OKOLHA President Herman Kirkwood. The program began with an opening prayer by a local pastor. Then Bill C. James, member of the OKOLHA Board of Directors, gave thanks to all those individuals who had assisted with organizing the program, and especially to those who had assisted him in getting the site of the hanging marked for future generations. The large black China marble marker was erected in 1997, only a few feet from where the original livery stable stood in 1909.
Chuck Parsons followed with remarks about his research into the life and career and especially the final days of J.B. Miller, the events leading up to the assassination of his last victim, and how the mob worked to gain access to the prisoners, and how they lynched them.
Miller was not only a “killer for hire” although that is what made him notorious. He was involved in a few other killings which were of a personal nature, the result of arguments, such as his personal feud with Reeves County Sheriff G.A. “Bud” Frazer, and the killing of his own brother-in-law some years before. Miller apparently considered killing men as a business, much as robbing a bank or train as did the James and Younger Gangs. Miller may have been involved in the murder of famed lawman Pat Garrett, the slayer of Billy the Kid, although this remains controversial even to this day.
During the previous day many interested parties attended the book signing in Ada. Several descendants of the men lynched were present, and enjoyed visiting with others who held the same connecting link to their past – their antecedents were related to the four men in the famous photograph. Following the Sunday morning program, which attracted over a hundred people, some visited several cemeteries in the area where the graves of early day lawmen or outlaws are buried.
OKOLHA is a national organization organized in 2003 for people who have a deep interest in the history of Oklahoma and preserving that history. The organization publishes a Journal which appears four times annually. Membership is available to all with dues $25.00 annually. For further information consult the website or contact President Herman Kirkwood at srkirkwood@usa.com; or Treasurer Larry Walls at lawalls4@sbcglobal.net, or Chuck Parsons at chuckintexas2004@yahoo.com
PHOTOS OF PLACES VISITED AND PEOPLE ATTENDING
Bruner Cemetery and Center Cemetery
Families of Jim Miller and Jesse West
Photos of Caravan and people on tour
Photos of Jesse West home site Violet Springs
OKOLHA HAS A 130 plus PAGE BOOK OF HISTORY, NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, GENEALOGY, FAMILY STORIES, ETC. about the four men who were hung on April 19, 1909 in Ada, OK
AVAILABLE FOR SALE: $25 Includes S & H.
To Order Contact:
Herman Kirkwood
Phone: 405-946-2096
email: srkirkwood@usa.com