Andrews

ROBERT KING'S OKLAHOMA U. S. MARSHALS AND DEPUTY U. S. MARSHALS

Elias Andrews to William R. Ayers

Andrews, Elias "Silas” was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas, in 1883, under Marshal Thomas Boles. Silas was assigned to work in the Cherokee Nation. On March 30, 1884, Silas served a warrant of arrest to a Cherokee named Parchmeal. Parchmeal, with a Negro accomplice named Jim Arcine, killed Henry Feigel. Feigel was traveling on the Ft. Gibson road near Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation on November 25, 1872, when he was confronted by the two men who killed him. Like two vultures the killers stripped the traveler of all of his earthly possessions which was his boots, hat and twenty five cents. To hide their hideous crime, a shallow grave was dug to hide his body. Parchmeal and Arcine were suspected of the murder but there never was enough evidence to make a conviction and his body was never found. Deputy Marshal Andrews’ persistence in solving this crime finally made Parchmeal confess. Parchmeal’s guilty conscious tormented him until he showed the grave of his victim to the deputy marshal. The duo kept their crime hidden for twelve years. Parchmeal and Arcine were taken to Ft. Smith where they stood trial before Judge Parker on March 28, 1885, and went to the gallows on June 26, 1885. In February of 1885, Frank Watson killed a sheriff in Cook County, Texas. Watson, trying to run from his crime, crossed the Red River, hiding in the Chickasaw Nation where he changed his name to Joe Cox. Deputy Marshal Andrews captured Frank Watson without incident and collected a $1000 reward when he returned the killer to Texas. During one visit to the Cherokee Nation, Deputy Marshal Andrews arrested twenty-one prisoners which were transported to the federal court in Ft. Smith to stand trial. Their charges included larceny, liquor violations, and violating revenue laws. In May of 1892, he arrested Grant George and John Tagg for selling whiskey in Indian Territory. The Ft. Smith Elevator reported Silas making arrests and brings the prisoner to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, in September of 1893.

(Atoka Indian Champion - February 14, 1885) (Atoka Indian Champion - July 26, & August 14, 1884) (Ft. Smith Elevator - February 12, 1886; May 6, June 17, 1892) (The Weekly Elevator - September 22, 1893) (Hell on the Border-Harman) (Hell on the Border) (Law West of Fort Smith) (Black Red and Deadly) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Andrews, T. M. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. In April of 1894, he arrested John Edwards, a white man for introducing and selling whiskey in the Indian Nation. The prisoner was transported to the Ft. Smith, Arkansas federal jail.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - April 13, 1894)

Angell, H. W. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Anible, John was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas in 1899, by Marshal Solomon F. Stahl.

(Ft. Smith Historical List)

Ansley, William T. “Bill” was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He worked an area from the Red River to Greer County in 1889. In December of 1889, William was working with Deputy Marshal C. P. Smith in Greer County when the Indian police of that county turned over six white men who were caught cutting timber on government land. He was summoned to Greer County in April of 1893, to serve a warrant of arrest. A bad element of the citizens of that county joined together with Winchesters to confronted Ansley and his posse. Being outnumbered the officer and his forces decided to leave and fight another day. Ainsley fleet of foot escaped but his posse was captured. U.S. Attorney Stone wrote Greer County wanting to exchange prisoners. Ft. Smith federal records show Ansley being commissioned again on October 1, through December 31, 1894.

(The Kingfisher Times - May 25, 1893) (The Territorial Topic -August 1, December 26, 1889) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Ansley, W. W. was appointed chief deputy marshal of the Kingfisher area in 1889. He worked under Marshal Thomas Needles who was in charge of the Muskogee and Oklahoma District. Ansley was appointed to work the Oklahoma

Land Rush of 1889. In March of 1892, it was reported: at a fire in Lexington, Indian Territory, Benjamin Montgomery lost his life. During the investigation, the source of the fire was from an incendiary origin and saloon keeper, W. H. Carr, hotel keeper; W. W. Ansley, C. E. Elkins, and George Elkins were arrested and charged with arson and murder. They were all ex-deputy marshals.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - March 25, 1892) (Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889) (The Territorial Topic - August 15, 1889) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896)

Archer, Arthur O.

D.U.S. Marshal

Muskogee

November 11, 1908

Archer, T. J. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Armistead, C. A. was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas in 1899, by Marshal Solomon F. Stah

(Ft. Smith Historical List)

Armour, Ed was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He is pictured in the reunion of U.S. Marshals at Ft. Smith, Arkansas in 1908.

(Picture - The Western Peace Officer) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Armstrong was commissioned in the Southern District of Indian Territory at Paris, Texas. He was riding with fellow Deputy Marshals Tom Smith and Dave Booker in a railway passenger car on the Santa Fe train near Thackerville, Chickasaw Nation. The car was assigned to the colored which caused some of the passengers to question why the deputy marshals, being white, were in the car. The conversation led to an argument which resulted in the shooting and killing of Officer Tom Smith. Armstrong and Booker overcame Smith’s killer, and killed him.

(Black Red and Deadly) Killed in the line of duty.

Armstrong, John was commissioned in the Western District where he served as guard at the federal jail in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Armstrong, Silas was commissioned in the Northern District Indian Territory, Muskogee Court in 1895, appointed by Marshal Samuel Morton Rutherford.

(U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (National Archives, Washington, D.C. - Account # 11959)

Arnold, William “Bill” was commissioned in the Western District of Ft. Smith, Arkansas. At Claremore on March 17, 1898, Arnold attempted to arrest a man named Johnson for disorderly conduct when Johnson drew his revolver and shot Arnold killing him instantly. Deputy Marshal Hess Bussey was present during the fracas and killed Johnson before he could escape.

(Indian Chieftain, Vinita - March 24, 1898) (Oklahombres) K

Arnold, W. H. “Wood” was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In June of 1889, Deputy Marshal Arnold brought in three white prisoners from Indian Territory who were charged with assault with intent to kill and larceny. The three prisoners were lodged in the Ft. Smith jail. (Ft. Smith -

Elevator - July 26, 1889) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Arnold, W. J. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Arrington, Joel was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas in 1899, by Marshal Solomon F. Stahl. More than a dozen deputy marshals and Texas Rangers were sent to Taloga, Cheyenne Arapaho country, to arrest Jim Harbolt who had jumped bail when released on a train robbery and murder charge. Harbolt had killed several men, including a sheriff from Canadian, Texas. A three thousand dollar reward, “Dead or Alive” would appear to be pretty alluring but anyone acquainted with Jim Harbolt would have second thoughts before they came against him. The outlaw was drinking in a Taloga saloon where he felt safe from the lawmen. Taloga was a haven for a gang of outlaws that were allowed to operate without restrictions. Members of the Bill Doolin gang such as Red Buck, George Miller, William Dalton, Kid Lewis, Alferd Son, and Jake McKinzie were constant threats to the law-abiding citizens. Sheriff Smith, knowing that Harbolt was in town, chose to leave him alone until officer Arrington came to him and told him he would help him make the arrest. Seeing the lawmen inside of the saloon Harbolt bragged there was a $3000 reward on his head and challenged any lawman to take him in. Arrington went to the bar to order drinks for everyone and everybody accepted except a drunken Jim Harbolt. Sitting at a table with a bottle of whiskey in front of him, Harbolt reached to take another drink when Arrington and Smith stuck their pistols in his face. Their prisoner was handcuffed and taken to Texas where he was placed in prison.

(Taloga Times Advocate - May 23, 1940) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Asbil, William G. was commissioned in the Western District court of Arkansas under Marshal Jacob Yoes. In August of 1889, Asbil brought in Anderson Wilshire from Indian Territory on charges of introducing liquor into the Indian Nation. In 1890, Asbil arrested William Ellis who was charged with assault and threatening to kill in the federal court at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Indian Citizen - April 12, 1890) (The Weekly Elevator - December 2, 1892, January 22, March 3, May 5, 1893) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Asher, W. R.

D.U.S. Marshal

Tecumseh

November 19, 1907

Atha, W. A. was commissioned in the Northern District of Indian Territory in July of 1902, serving under Marshal W. H. Darrough and assigned as office deputy marshal at Pryor Creek.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - July 18, 1902)

Ashford, Jim was a commissioned deputy marshal in the Antlers area. A man named Shub Locke was making a public nuisance of himself in a church in Antlers, Choctaw Nation when Deputy Marshal Jim Ashford was called in. Ashford forced Shub Locke to leave the church after which he acquired a gun and shot Ashford without any warning. This was the first killing in Antlers.

(Indian Pioneer History - Tom Ashford) (Indian Pioneer History - B. B. Berry) (Indian Pioneer History - Theresa Ashford Nelson) Killed in the line of duty.

Atkins, C. A. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Atkins, Lee (See Adkins)

Killed in the line of duty.

Atwell, Ed was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Atwell, Robert E. was commissioned on May 2, 1893 in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. Robert was commissioned again under Marshal George J. Crump in July of 1896.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Avery, James M. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Ayres, Ben F. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, under Marshal Jacob Yoes and George Crump. In November of 1892, Ben served a warrant of arrest to a counterfeiter named William Knight who was taken to the Ft. Smith jail.

(The Weekly Elevator - November 18, 1892, March 3, July 7, September 8, September 29, & December 15, 1893) (Indian Pioneer History - Wesley McCoy) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Ayres, Columbus C. was commissioned in the Western District Court at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal John N Sarber. In the spring of 1874, Deputy Marshals Ross and Ayers rode into the Cherokee Nation to serve a warrant of arrest to a Negro named Wright. Rather than face his fate at Ft. Smith with the “Hanging Judge” he chose to evade arrest. A gun battle pursued which left Wright dead. In January 1879, there are several records which show Columbus working in the Caddo, Choctaw area. On June 11, 1880, Columbus traveled to Seneca, Missouri to arrest George Goldsby who was wanted for killing a youngster from Ft. Concho, Texas in January of 1878. He was also wanted for deserting from the 10th Calvary in Texas. Goldsby traveled from Texas to Indian Territory and to Missouri where he had taken refuge using the name, Henry Smith. Ayers arrested Goldsby without incident and returned the murderer back to Texas where he received a reward of $500 that was offered at Ft. Concho, Texas. Columbus led a posse of ten men into the Cherokee Nation to capture Johnson Jacks, the man charged with murdering Deputy Marshal Addison Beck and Deputy Merritt in October of 1883. The marshal and party made a forced march in the night, arriving in the neighborhood of where the tragedy occurred about daylight. A neighbor who lived near told them that Jacks was badly wounded in the fight with the officers and had been taken to the home of Tom Bearpaw, about half a mile from where Beck was killed. The marshals surrounded the cabin, but no resistance was offered, and they quietly loaded Jacks into a wagon and took him to the Ft. Smith, Arkansas jail.

(Caddo Starr - March 20, 1874) (The Indian Journal, Muskogee - July 1, 8, 15, 1880) (Indian Journal, Muskogee - October 25, 1883) (Indian Pioneer History - Wesley McCoy) (Black Red and Deadly) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Ayres Jake was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas. He was remembered as a deputy marshal living in the Cherokee Nation. (Indian Pioneer History - Edmond Flint) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Ayers, J. T. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Ayers, Willard M. was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas, in 1871, by Marshal John N. Sarber. While transporting murderer, John Billee to the federal court in Ft. Smith, Arkansas on November 2, 1873, Willard was wounded in the hand and right nipple. Perry Duval, a guard, was killed in the altercation before on of the guards could shoot Bilee. The prisoner was shot in the head and body, seriously wounding him. Bilee made the trip to Ft. Smith and his condition improved enough so he could be hung. On August 11, 1880, Ayers went to Emanuel Patterson’s home near Cherokee Town, Chickasaw Nation to serve a writ for a charge of larceny. The officer was refused admittance and was shot by Emanuel Patterson, a Negro from within the home. Patterson said he killed Ayers because he did not know that he was an officer. Patterson evaded the law for six years after the murder and was finally captured by Deputy Marshal Heck Thomas. Patterson was to be executed on April 27, 1888, but received a presidential pardon and escaped the gallows. His sentence was changed to a life and he died in prison.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - July 6, 1888) (Arkansas Gazette) (Indian Pioneer History - Edmond Flint) (Heck Thomas) (Law West Of Ft. Smith) (Black, Red and Deadly) (Hell on the Border - Harmon) (Oklahombres) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List) Killed in the line of duty.

Marshall Ayers Murdered

September 10, 1880--Cheyenne Transporter--The report of the killing of U. S. Marshal Willard Ayers, has been confirmed by letters. He was shot on Wednesday, 11th ultimately and only lived about two hours. He was buried Cherokee town by his brother, and Ayers, Zach Moody and his brother-in-law, who were out on a trip with him. The Negro made good his escape after firing the fatal shot. $200 reward has been offered for his capture. Willard Ayers was the L. the son of Willard Ayers, watchman of the U.S. Treasury of Washington and was born and raised at Ft. Smith. He has been engaged as Deputy U. S. Marshal since 1871 and had made a fine reputation as an officer, as well as a man.

Ayers, William R. was commissioned in 1872, in the Western District of Arkansas, serving under Marshal Logan S. Roots.

(Ft. Smith Historical List)