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ANTI-HORSE THIEF ASSOCIATION
June 1, 1894—Hennessey Clipper—A meeting of the Anti-Horse Thief Association was held in the I. O. O. F. Hall at Dover, Oklahoma on May 25, 1894. H. L. McKee of Downs, in the chair, O. H. P. McDowell of Oneida, Sectary; Thomas Kinder, Marshal. The object of the meeting was stated by the chairman being for the good of the association and various businesses. The following orders were fully represented by delegates:
Hennessey No. 133, Lacey No. 160, Dover No. 113, Banner No 222, Oneida No. 117, Justice No. 174, Downs NO.--, Columbian No.—
The following Orders had no delegates present:
Coronado. No.__, Kingfisher No.__, Marshall No.__, Crescent No.__, Mt. Zion No.__, Lyon twp. No.__.
It was moved and carried unanimously that application be made to the National grand Order for a territorial charter for a Grand Order for Oklahoma which is no attached to the Kansas jurisdiction.
After which they proceeded to the election of officers. H. L. McKee of Downs was chosen president, B. F. Meek of Dover, vice-president; O. H. P. McDowell of Oneida, Secretary; J. W. Lee of Dover, Treasurer.
The president, by virtue of his office will be the delegate to the National Grand Order and will choose his own alternate. There were over 40 delegates present. It was moved and seconded that a repot of this meeting be furnished the papers of Hennessey, Dover and Kingfisher for publication with a request to territory papers to copy. Hennessey was selected as the next place of meeting. A unanimous vote of thanks was tendered the Dover order and its citizens for favors and courtesies shown.
The secretaries of all Orders in the territory are requested to send the number of Orders and address of president and secretary to O. H. P. McDowell, Secretary, Oneida, Oklahoma.
H. L. McKee, Pres.
O. H. P. McDowell, Secretary
The Anti-Thief Association of Oklahoma Territory Organized
July 27, 1894
Secretary Lowe granted a charter to an organization to be known as the “Anti-Horse Thief Association” of Oklahoma Territory. As its name implies, the object of the association is to protect the citizens of the territory against thieves and outlaws who thrive in the territory. The headquarters of the association is Arapaho, G County, and members are enlisted in the organization for a term of four years. The organization has elected the following gentlemen to serve as directors for the first year.
Thomas Omsly, Weatherford
H. Smith, Arapaho
J. W. Wamble, Arapaho
Officers are elected every six months, the preset officials being:
C. H. Smith, President
J. A. Vance, Vice-president
W. J. Weatherford, Secretary
September 26, 1894—Indian Chieftain—Fifteen members of the Oklahoma Anti-Horse Thieves’ association have returned to their homes on Indian Creek, near Hennessey after chasing Charles Smith, the alleged slayer of Gus Holland and Dave Oates, for over 200 miles. The trail was lost in the panhandle country of Texas, where he had taken supper and disappeared from a ranch about eight hours before the arrival of the vigilantes. A careful search for two days failed to show any further trace of him.
September 28, 1894—Afton Week Herald --The A. H. T. A. of Blue Jacket elected the following officer last week: Tom Gambill, president; J. O. Hill, vice president; D. A. Wilson, secretary; T. S. Henley, treasurer; M. A. Gullet, marshal; U. S. Bradfield, door keeper
ENTIRELY UNFAIR
August 22, 1895—Kingfisher Free Press—The Hennessey Clipper makes a mistake and so do the other Hennessey papers when they attempt to prejudice their part of the county against Kingfisher. And this mistake is aggravated by an unjustifiable exaggeration of facts and rumors, seemingly for no other purpose that to create prejudice against this town. Now, we do not believe that Hennessey’s prosperity rests entirely upon the success or failure of Kingfisher. They both have their respective fields and their existence is entirely logical and necessary. Hennessey is a good town—the Free Press has always so maintained and it has never to the extent of a single word, felt that Kingfisher could be benefited by the publication of anything derogatory to that town whether it was true or false. And we defy anyone to point to a single paragraph or word printed in these columns, at any time, which would tend in that direction. The Hennessey press should remember that mouthings of the character referred to, generally have their origin in jealousy, and that the people are smart enough to understand it.
In the last issue of the Clipper, in giving an account of the arrest of Messrs. Vanderwork, Fox and Huff, on complaint of the Willets, it says:
The sentiment, which prompts the arrest of these men, has been encouraged by many of the citizens of Kingfisher. If Willet had been killed under similar circumstance near Kingfisher, the sentiment there would be different. The members of the Anti Horse Thief Association are neither robbers nor murderers, but consist of the best men in the various neighborhoods throughout the county. They are engaged in a good work and the people of Hennessey favor sustaining them. If Kingfisher businessmen prefer to follow an opposite course they may do so.
Now, the charge that “many of the citizens of Kingfisher” have advised or encouraged the arrest of these men is untrue. What one or two, or a half dozen citizens of Kingfisher may have done, we do not know, yet we have not head a single citizen of this town advise or say a word in favor of the prosecution of the Sheridan people, on the contrary it is universally believed that they felt certain that they had overtaken the Yeager party and if the result proves that a mistake was made, it was one of those unavoidable mistakes that sometime happen, for which no one can be justly held responsible.
The Willet boys, however, had many friends in the neighborhood where they formerly lived a few miles east of this town, who unquestionable believe in their innocence and sympathize with them in their present great misfortune. These men may have advised the arrest and prosecution of the Sheridan people. The brother of William and John Willet commenced the prosecution. It is not wonderful that these boys, after coming here to find one of their brothers dead, another wounded, held in jail and under prosecution on a criminal charge, should manifest the common emotions of human nature. Any other result would be a plea either of guilty, or of unexampled inhumanity, and would have justified the public in concluding that they were entitled neither to sympathy nor respect. The whole matter, as it appears at the moment, is unfortunate. There is no occasion for harsh criticism, but rather for the exercise of greatest charity toward all parties. The Clipper’s unwarranted insinuation that “Kingfisher businessmen” uphold outlawry and sympathize with outlaws and horse thieves is totally void of all justification that it will have no other effect than to arouse, in every thoughtful persons’ mind, a feeling of contempt for its authorship.
The Free Press has tried to be entirely fair about this matter; in the absence of evidence of guilt, it has not assumed that anyone is guilty. And, now it is prepared to say, with deliberation, that, if the pending preliminary examination in the case against the Willet boys fails to show evidence of their guilt, they should e promptly discharged. And, on the other hand, the prosecution against the Sheridan people will inevitably end in acquittal. No jury can be empanelled which will ever consent to a verdict of guilty against them. This is plain talk, but every intelligent man, acquainted with the conditions, circumstances and facts knows that it is true. If the Willet boys were wrongfully attacked, it was simply the result of a deplorable misunderstanding, and its unfortunate results cannot be helped. No one believes for a moment that these Sheridan farmers intended to fire upon innocent persons; they had been warned that Yeager and Black were expected in the neighborhood (and it is a fact that they were in the neighborhood when the fight occurred); they had received notice that the Willet party was the Yeager party and they confidently believed that they had come up with the Yeager party.
It is not the custom of the Free Press to “try cases” its columns during their pendency in the courts, but this is an extraordinary case and we are firmly convinced as before said, that if the investigation now in progress fails to develop evidence to justify further proceedings against the Willets, the case should be promptly dismissed and the same proceedings should be taken in the case against the Sheridan farmers. Such a course would be, in the interest of public economy, public morals, public and private peace. The people of this county are in no mood to be put to the expense of three or four thousand dollars and endless personal annoyance when it is patent from the out start that it will be productive of no good whatever.
February 7, 1896—Alliance Courier—Fifty members of the Anti-horse Thief association of Kingfisher County trailed the murderer of Howard Roberts twenty miles Saturday. The robber’s horse gave out and he entrenched himself in a small canyon in the ‘gyp” hills, where he was besieged five hours. When one of the posse came within 100 yards of the refugee he was met by a volley from a Winchester repeater. A man named Richards received a shot in the arm. Finally by strategy the hunted man was captured and taken to Vilas. He is not know there, but several of the posse are sue it is Bill Thompson. The law will take its course. His victim died Sunday.
W. W. GLOVER’S DEATH AVENGED
George Miller and Red Buck, Alias Gant, His Murders, Resist Arrest
And Are Killed by Officers of the Laws
March 5, 1896—Arapahoe Argus —Ever since the killing of W. W. Glover on Feb. 14, last, officers Shannon XE "Shannon" , XE "Shannon" Duckworth , Wamble and Leonard X, with a posse of citizens, have been following his murders, trail like bloodhounds. After the killing of Glover, his murderers, George Miller and Red Buck alias Gant, went to their hiding place on the Canadian river, to the edge of ‘D’ county, some thirty miles north of Arapahoe. Officers of that county, learning of their whereabouts, attacked them but were repulsed by the desperadoes, who then turned south heading for the Wichita mountains with the above named officer and citizens and deputies Joe Ventinor , Bill Quilian and Wm. Holcomb , of ‘D’ county, close on their trail. After reaching the mountains, Miller and Gant or Red Buck, separated each starting on the back trail, thinking to elude the officers, but the officers soon discovered the change and turned back, trailing them to the mouth of Elm and from there to Oak Creek. Readying Oak Creek Tuesday afternoon, they learned that Miller and Gant were at the dugout of one Pickelsimon , on the head of Oak Creek and would likely remain there all night. So just before day yesterday morning a posse composed of T. L. Shahaa , J. T. Duckworth , constables of ‘G’ County, Louis N. Williams , of Washita county and deputies Ventinor Quillin and Halcomb, of ‘D’ county, surrounded the dugout and waited for daylight to come and until Miller and Gant emerged from the dugout which was not until the sun was fully two hours high, when George Miller and Picklesimon came out and started to the lot, it is supposed to feed their horses. The officers called on them to surrender. Miller when for his revolver and just at that juncture a ball from one for the officers guns made him drop it firing into the ground at the same time. Miller then made for the dugout calling for Red Buck to come to his assistance. Red Buck appeared on the scene shooting at the officers. Officer Ventinor was shot in the lower part of the abdomen, the ball passing out just above the left hip making a serious but not fatal wound, in the opinion of Dr. Williams The firing was kept up on both sides until Red Buck was killed and Miller had retreated into the dugout. After some little time had elapsed Miller called out to the officers to come to him as he was shot all to pieces. The officers being somewhat slow to venture into the dugout where so desperate a man as Miller was, but on being assured by Miller that he was so badly wounded that he could do nothing they went to him and found that three fingers had been shot off his left hand and his right arm broken in two place, which will necessitate amputation. The dead and wounded were brought to town last night. Officer Ventinor is at the Hotel Arapahoe and resting as easy as could be expected while Miller is in the District Court room receiving all the attention that can be bestowed upon him. Miller talks rather feely and says that he does not know Red Buck’s true name; that Deputy U. S. Marshal Banks knows him; that the (Red Buck) called himself Bill Doolin No. 2; that most all crimes charged to Doolin within the last two years were committed by Red Buck. At the time Glover was killed it was thought that it was Jim Harbolt having been wounded in the left shoulder in that fight.
They were both well mounted and carried Colt’s 45 caliber pistols and 45-90 Winchester rifles.
The officers and citizens who took it upon themselves to run these outlaws down deserve great praise for their faithful work. They were out 19 days and traveled several hundred miles over some of the roughest country in the Territory and during the severest storm that we have had this winter.
The officers and posse from ‘G’ and Washita Counties were working under the immediate direction and the expense of the Anti Horse Thief and Protective Association for the Territory, whose aim and object is to run down and capture all such chaps as those fellows are.
It is thought that his about winds up the worst gang of outlaws that ever infested the Territory.
HORSE THIEVES DOOMED
October 29, 1896 --Guthrie Daily Leader The Anti-Horse Thief association of Oklahoma territory met at the county court house yesterday and transacted much business pertaining to the grand lodge. President W. T. Parnell of Kingfisher presided.
The morning session was held with open doors, and several citizens of the city were present. The afternoon and night sessions were devoted to the secret work of the order and no one was admitted, not a member in good standing. There were about 100 delegates present
This evening the following officers were elected:
F. Leach, national president, of Arkansas City, Kansas.
W. T. Parnell, general territorial president, Kingfisher
J. D. Patten, grand vice president, Lacey, O. T.
D. C. Farnsworth, grand secretary, Lacey, O. T.
Executive committee
E. A. Bourne, chairman, Waukomis, O. T.
G. W. Conrad, Homestead, O. T.
Ed D. Harade, Hennessey, O. T.
Other portions of the territory will organize and join the order.
The following delegates attended the convention:
Onefo lodge No. 9, J. C. Smith
Cherryvale lodge No. 2, Bond, William Goal, J. D. Masion, J. H. Oyler and George A. McArthur.
Otter lodge No. 17, Keil post office, Marshall Payne
Lodi lodge No. 9, W. C. Hawell, J. W. Haigler
Lacey lodge No. 6, Lacey, J. M. Kinnett, L. G. Rose.
Star lodge No. 26, Stroud, A. R. Burris
Paris lodge No. 5, Paris, J. W. Henthorn
Oak Center lodge No. 44, Oak Center, W. R. Davis, J. W. Courtney.
Newkirk lodge No. 11, Newkirk, William Reynolds
La Homa lodge No. 24, La Homa, Phil Potter, G. W. Martin
Britton lodge No. 27, Britton, Henry Hasly John Body, I. D. Cellin
Alameda lodge No. 45, Alameda, N. M. Main
Cheyenne Creek lodge No. 54, Cleveland, C. A. Bullard
Fairview lodge No. 35, Rusk, M. H. Deen
Ridge lodge No. 34, Seay, Lew Pope
Parkland lodge No. 4, Parkland, George Gin
Newkirk lodge No. 12, Newkirk, John Mitchell
Hackberry lodge No. 2, Hackberry, E. A. Bourne, H. H. Jones, W. H. Haggart
Hennessey lodge No. 5, Hennessey, D. Harader, M. D. Byde
Arlington lodge No. 97, Arlington, Mr. Schwentse, W. K. Davis
Crescent lodge No. 29, Crescent City, J. S. Lowell, A. Sanderson, G. G. Norris,
B. F. Moore
Fairview lodge No. 22, Fairview, E. J. De Witt
Edmond lodge No. 23, Edmond W. F. Moore
Alpha lodge No. 35, Alpha, Josiah Williams
Seiling lodge No. 16, Seiling, Wm. E. Price, J. W. Barnes, J. M. Morgan.
Lodge No. 56, L. A. Hampton
Flynn lodge No. 7, Flynn, F. N. West
Altona lodge No. 58, Altona, Albert Huston, W. W. Kelly
Stillwater lodge No. 20, Stillwater, H. F. Tinker, P. G. Alexander
Parner lodge No. 57, Paide, G. G. Norris, J. W. L. Saunderson, D. E. Moore.
Homestead lodge No. 2, Homestead, J. P. D. Maurquind, L. C. Heart, John Philpot
Model Lodge, O’Keene, J. M. Haigler
Taloga lodge No. 30, Taloga, M. K. Payne, W. E. Clark.
August 12, 1898— The Hennessey Clipper -The horse stealing mentioned last week, resulted in the arrest of George Grothe and a man named Vinson Grothe was brought before squire Burdrick Saturday morning and subpoenas issued for witnesses and the delay of getting them here put the case over to Monday. On Monday the A. H. T. A. boys brought in Vinson as a participant, and Howerton , the real genuine, clear quill, a natural born, died in the wool thief, who had reached this vicinity from Kansas nearly as soon as his pursuer who had lost him did. County Attorney Campbell reached town in time to take charge of the prosecution and soon determined that the evidence would not hold Grothe and Vinson and they were turned lose. Howerton admitted his guilt and his bail was fixed at $1,000, which he could not furnish and he now languishes in the Blaine County Rooster pen. (He said he would not stay in it long.) The guard who cared for him surfeited on his zealous stories of past feats of crime and his experience in the Leavenworth pen and coal mines. He seems to have been well pleased with his residence there and has no sense of shame for the lawless course he has led. A life sentence might just as well be imposed on him at next term of court as not as he will only come out to commit some crime against decent, law abiding men to be returned and make a stack of costs.
HORSE THIEVES CAPTURED
What the Association Has Accomplished the Past Year
October 27, 1898—The Oklahoma Leader XE "The Oklahoma Leader" —The next annual session of the Oklahoma Anti Horse Thief Association will be held at Enid on the third Wednesday in October.
During the past year twelve horse thieves have been captured, convicted and sent to the penitentiary by the various associations in the territory. There are nearly 200 local lodges now in Oklahoma and a membership of upwards of 2000 is rapidly growing. Not only is it spreading in the country but also businessmen in the towns have begun to take an interesting in its work and are joining to help it. The past year over $1000 worth of stolen property has been recovered and returned to the rightful owners through the instrumentality of the association, which is fast becoming a terror to evil doers. Officers who do not do their duty and people who become bondsmen for apprehended thieves get their just deserts through the instrumentality of this order.
April 13, 1900—Tecumseh Republican—From the number of horses and mules that are stolen in this county is would seem that an Anti-Horse Thief association among the farmers would be a good move for mutual protection. Then whenever an animal belonging to a member of the association was stolen a large reward could be offered by making a small assessment on each member, and the loss would not fall so heavily upon any one individual. We believe it would help to rid the county of these horse thieves, for in addition to assisting the unfortunate members; every member should make it his duty to assist in running down and convicting the thieves.
Anti-Horse Thief Society
Hold Interesting Session In Oklahoma City—Officer Elected-
October 19, 1900- Guthrie Daily Leader Oklahoma City, Oct. 18—The fifth annual meeting of the anti horse thief association of Oklahoma convene at the opera house yesterday morning at 10 o’clock. In the absence of the mayor Hon. Sidney Clarke extended a cordial welcome to the convention, dwelling briefly upon the work of the association and kindred organizations in the encouragement of peace and good order. The grand president of the order James Kirkwood of Osage City responded to the address of welcome.
The organization has 209 subordinate lodges and has extended its organization into every count in Oklahoma. It has 500 members in the territory. Its subordinate organizations are most numerous in Pottawatomie, Lincoln, and Payne counties along the Indian Territory.
In the present gathering every subordinate lodge is represented by one or more delegates. There are about 500 delegates in attendance. The morning session was devoted to preliminary routine including the appointment of the usual committees. The afternoon and evening sessions were held in the district court rooms behind closed doors.
At today’s session considerable business was transacted and new officers were elected.
Grand President—James Kirkwood.
Grand Secretary—Charles Liston
Delegates to national convention—James Gibson of Sheridan, Kingfisher County.
The National Convention meets at Springfield, Missouri in October 1901.
There was considerable good natured rivalry for the place of meeting for next year but Perry succeeded in landing the prize and the delegates from that city have promised the association a fine time and that it will be well taken care of.
October 26, 1900—Tecumseh Republican—Mike O’Malley, one of the notorious O’Malley gang, was arrested at Norman yesterday by Sheriff Trousdale, of Tecumseh, charged with horse stealing. The arrest was made and O’Malley was brought here and confined in the county jail until this morning when he was taken to Tecumseh to answer the indictment found against him by the grand jury in session there. O’Malley is one of the brothers who have been engaged in horse stealing, post office robbing, train wrecking and other congenial pursuits for a number of years. Tom O’Malley was arrested a few days ago at Shawnee and was positively identified as one of a gang that robbed a post office in the Indian Territory a few days ago. The Anti-Horse Thief Association claims to have evidence that will convict Mike when he is arraigned at Tecumseh.
BORDER OUTLAW CAPTURED
Jim Rogers , Who Last Of The Notorious Gang, At Last In Custody
May 3, 1901-- Checotah Enquirer —Jim Rogers, the last of the notorious Rogers Brothers , who have been terrors along the borders for the past ten years, was brought in to Vinita Sunday and is carefully guarded in the Federal prison.
The prisoner is a muscular fellow, a typical outlaw, though only 22 years of age. When only fourteen years old he emulated the daring of his brothers, and entered the store of Henry Hayden, at Hayden post office, and lined the proprietor, at the muzzle of a Winchester, with nine Negroes who were in the place at the time. He made them all deposit their valuables in a pile, which he placed in a bag, and mounting a horse, got away, since then he has been an outlaw, but as far as is known took no part in the train and bank robberies which his brother’s gang are accused of. Bob Rogers, noted bank and train robber and horse thief, was killed in a running fight with deputy marshals four years ago.
Sam Rogers, another brother, was shot through the thighs by Deputy Marshal Heck Brunner and is now his father’s home a helpless cripple. He was not prosecuted up on his promise to be good.
Jim, the young men now under arrest, was captured in Southern Kansas last fall, but escaped in January from jail and Independence, Montgomery County, after killing the jailer. Since then he has stolen 21 horses from farmers in the vicinity of Ruby, forged and passed a number of checks, in these charges together with fourteen counts of selling liquor, each of the latter being a felony, are what he will have to face in court next month. It is certain that he will be sentenced to a long term in the penitentiary.
John C. Nelson A. Buton, Jim Mayes and Ples Childerscaptured Rogers after he had openly asserted that he would not be taken alive. The men belong to the Anti Horse Thief Association. There was a reward of $250.00 offered for Rogers. The men caught him napping on a sofa at Jack Taman’s ranch near where the Shawnee Indians are holding their annual spent dance. He was heavily armed, but they broke down the doors and had him covered with their Winchesters before he could reach his pistols.
THE AHTA WEEKLY NEWS
St. Paul, Kansas,
February 20, 1902
Territory News
The T. B. Rhea Mere. Co., of Claremore has failed, liabilities about $3000 assets about $1500.—Vinita Leader
The only store at Hall was robbed by two unmasked men last week. They took $50 and some groceries. Vinita Leader
Jack Barr, who has been on trail at Atoka for being an accomplice in the Caney, I. T., train robbery, was acquitted by the jury.
Ben H. Colbert, was sworn in as United States Marshall of the Soother district at Ardmore recently—Prior Creek Clipper
Burglars about to break into a store in Sallisaw last week were frightened away by the night watchman who fired some shots at them.—Vinita Leader
Isaac L. Gillstrap is now deputy marshal with headquarters at Vinita. He was offered choice of Okmulgee, Bristow or Vinita and promptly chose.—Vinita Leader
Mrs. L. J. Williams, a widow from Alabama, had $1471 stolen from her valise while on route from South Canadian to South McAlester, last week. Vinita Leader
Oklahoma authorities have been in formed that the Ben Cravens gang of outlaws are charged with murder of Sheriff Powers and the robbery of the bank at Clarksville, Arkansas and that $3,500 are offered inn rewards for the arrest of the right parties.
It is claimed that two for the men engaged in the killing of Sheriff Smith and deputy Beck near Anadarko have been captured near Ada by ex-deputy marshal Bobbitt and others. The arrested men were taken to Oklahoma City for safe keeping.—Vinita Leader
City marshal J. F. Ledbetter has been in communication with the Arkansas police officers ever since the killing of Sheriff John Powers by bank burglars at Clarksville. Finally he was asked to go to Clarksville to assist in the detection and capture of these desperate men who killed his old comrade. He left at once and if Ledbetter can’t find them they are well hid.—Vinita Leader
Prior Creek is the first town in the Indian country to revise a relief fund to be invested in corn and distributed among the suffering and destitute full blood element surrounding this city.—Clipper
A gang of six cattle thieves have been run into a hole by Deputy United States marshal Bryan near Chouteau, eight miles south of here. For some four months past they have been butchering and disposing of other than their own cattle unlawfully and are now enjoying a much needed rest in the Muskogee sing sin.—Prior Creek Clipper
Notes From Crane
The regular meetings of our order are held the first Saturday night of each month, but our president calls special meetings so that during the winter season we meet twice a month in order to be thoroughly trained and ready for action should we be called upon to take the trail of some outlaw.
No. 226 is not as large as some others, as to number of members, but we believe that should an occasion or occur that would callus out after a thief we would prove ourselves little but mighty.
Our order is alive, in fact seems to be very enthusiastic in the upholding of the A. H. T. A. in this part of the country. We had a rousing meeting Saturday night February 15. Several members were out and took an active part in the meeting.
Our vice-president Brother Cy Ringle, being absent, inquiring revealed the fact that he was slick. The committee to aid the sick was advised to look after him. This was the first time a meeting has been held since the organization of our order in 1894 without Brother Ringle’s presence, as he served as president seven years.
There has not been any property stolen from any of our members yet but farmers in our neighborhood not members of the Antis have lost horses and other property that the have not recovered, neither have the thieves been caught. Well, as to the A. H. T. A. News, it is a rand little paper and we trust that it may become a great factor for the dissimilation of the great truths and principals of the A.H. T. A.
Several members of our sub-order have become subscribers with the first issue.
C. L. Davis
No 226, Crane, Kansas
THE AHTA WEEKLY NEWS
February 27, 1902
A STOLEN TENT
B. B. Fitzsimmons, secretary of No. 29, hands us the follow letter from > N. Watson, president of sub-order No. 324 Angola, Kansas.
I see by the last issue of the News that your order, No. 29, has been successful in running down and capturing a gang of thieves headed by the Wainscott boys. Among the plunder you found in their possession, the paper says, there were some tents. An Anti in my neighborhood had a large tent cloth stolen off of his threshing machine and requests me to write in regard to the matter.
The main body of the tent cloth was 27 ½ by 18 feet with an extra lap on front end to cover the self-feeder. This piece was 8 by 5 feet. I think the large part of the tent has the name “Case” about center. I had a hole burnt in it right where it come over the right hind wheel of the machine. Also another hole 10 or 12 inches long cut crossways of the cloth 2 or 3 inches from the hind end of the canvas. If not too much trouble would like you to inform me if a tent of the above descriptions was found among the articles recovered from the Wainscott gang.
I. N. Watson
Pres. No. 324, Angola, Kansas
* * * *
The owner for the tent recovered from the Wainscotts has been found. It did not fill the above descriptions. Perhaps some of the Brothers elsewhere may know something of this lost tent.
* * * *
The preliminary hearing of Edgar Wainscott and G. A. Vines, under arrest for stealing a tem of mules, was held before Justice Riney, I St. Paul, this afternoon. The men were bound over to the district court. Their bonds were fixed at $200 each, but neither of these attempted to give bond. It is said Wainscott was recently relieved from the Kansas penitentiary and is an old offender.
OWNERS FOUND
Owners have been found for about all the property found in possession of the
Wainscotts when the raid was made on them by A. H. T. A. lodge No. 29, St. Paul, Kansas, a short time ago.
A man named McConnell, of Labette County, established his claim as owner of the tent. The Frisco railroad claimed the sewing machine and the Santa Fe railroad claimed the bedding. The railroads say the property they claim was stolen from the railroad junction t Cherryvale, while being transferred. The real owner of the machine was L. Durand who was shipping it from Ottawa to Stroud, O. T. A. Mrs. Miller, who now resides in Missouri, was owner of the bedding. She was shipping it from Wichita to Erie. She resided near Shaw for a time after the theft. These people held the railroad companies responsible for the loss of their property; hence the companies were anxious to regain possession of it. There remains a carpet and clothes wringer without a claimant.
STATE NEWS
February 27, 1902
Len Martin has been sent to the penitentiary from Iola for robbery.
A young druggist named Dunsmur is under arrest at Pittsburg for “beating” a hotel bill.
Robert Barnett is in jail at Topeka for breaking into a candy store. He was captured while still in the store.
Dr. Calhoun was convicted of murder in the second degree at Oswego last week. His wife was his victim.
Early Moritz, of Galesburg, is mourning the loss of four shoulders of meat which some person appropriated from his meat barrel.
Henry Behrens is under arrest at Arkansas City charged with embezzling $1500 from the Armour Packing Co. while he acted as their agent.
A number of people have been missing coal during the last two months. One night this week a coal thief was tracked to his own home.
E. G. Nelson, of Mason City, Iowa, was arrested at Ft. Scott Saturday on charge of grand larceny. He will be tried in Iowa where the crime was committed.
Fred Montrey is under arrest at Topeka for passing a forge check. He may have some connection with the fellow who worked the Vinita, I. T. merchants with forged checks.
The wife of Rev. I. B. Tharp, a Baptist minister at Wier City, sold all of his personal property while he was away from home conducting a revival, took about $400 of his money and ran away with another man. She took her nine year old boy with her.
Eleven prisoners escaped from the county jail at Columbus Friday morning. One small man, who was in the corridors, forced some bars apart; disrobed and squeezed thru the opening. He procured a crowbar and assisted the others to escape. None were desperate characters, although two were waiting penitentiary sentences.
Mrs. Loomis, widow of Leavenworth worth $100,000, married a tramp named Curtis, whom she had hired as a farm manager. The tramp proved to be a jewel, worked well, kept straight and quoted Scripture. A week after the wedding he grew sporty got new clothes, bought liquors and cigars by the wholesale and quit work. The trouble dragged along and now the tramp has sued her for 450,000 and thus is cupid put on the bum again.—Iola Register
Sam McCoy was at Okmulgee January 21 with $400 in his pockets. That night his horse came home riderless. Last Saturday his body was found with a bullet hole in his head.
HORSES THIEF CAPTURED
Last Monday about noon while Ed Allen and family, who live one-half mile south and a mile east of Elm City, were at her father’s (S. L. Rainey, who lives two miles west and one-half mile north of Bartlett). John Hahn, who was working for Allen, broke into two trunks and stole a revolver, some jewelry, a vest necktie, pair of gloves, and other trinkets, and a little money. He then took a horse and skipped out. When Mr. Allen and family returned about 3 o’clock, they discovered the theft, and Mr. Allen at once notified Rose Hill Lodge, No. 132, A. H. T. A., twelve members of which were at once ordered in pursuit of the thief, and he was capture Tuesday at 5 o’clock in bed at a hotel at Lenapah, I. T., by Ed. Allen, Sam Triplett, Ira Nye and a lodge man by the name of Bowman, who lives in the Territory and aided materially in keeping the boys on trail. Hahn sold the horse to George Looney, who lies about eight miles this side of Lenapah, on Cedar creek, for $10 and a watch. Hahn gave Looney a sort of bill of sale, and signed his name as John Williams, of Parsons, Kansas. He received a check for $10 on Condon’s bank at Coffeyville, which he cashed at Lenapah, after which he bought a ticket to Wagoner and went to bed at the hotel. Everything he stole was secured by the A. H. T. A., with the exception of a package he left on a load of lumber on which he rode to Lenapah, and that the man owning the lumber will return to Mr. Allen. The check and watch were returned to Mr. Looney, and the prisoner was set astride the stolen horse and made to ride it back to Elm City. There he was put in the hands of Deputy Sheriff A. A. King, who accompanied Ed Allen and J. C. Vance, brought him to Chetopa Wednesday evening where he was placed under arrest and bound over to the district court in the sum of $2000, by Justice Orm, after which he was taken to jail at Oswego. The A. H. T. A. has the man within 24 hours from the time they started after him. This is the fifth theft that members of Rose Hill Lodge A. H. T. A. have suffered and the thief has in every instance been captured. It is expected that Hahn will have his trial at this term of court.—Chetopa Democrat
We are receiving the A. H. T. A. Weekly News, the new official organ of the Kansas Anti-Horse Thief association. It is a neatly printed little paper and is full of good things. It cannot fail to do the order good, for it is well conducted and bright as a new dollar. The Democrat wishes it success, and the wish also extends to the A. H. T. A., which we consider one of the most useful societies of the day, for it stands at the head in the matter of ferreting out crime and bringing the perpetrators to justice.—Chetopa Democrat
TERRITORY NEWS
Thieves took $40 and a pistol from John Veale’s store, Muskogee, last week.
A Choctaw Negro named McCoy was murdered near Okmulgee last week. By whom no one knows.
John Cox found guilty of the murder of John Carroll was given a life sentence last week by Judge Gill at Muskogee.
Noah Long’s body was recovered from the Kaw River Wednesday. He had been robbed and thrown into the river.
John Flight was arrested in Pawnee County, O. T., and taken to the Chandler jail to await trial for cattle stealing.
Lee Humphries was sent to the Kansas penitentiary from Guthrie Monday to serve a sentence for forgery.
F. C. Jamson, a trusted employ of the McAlester Coal Co., has been arrested charged with embezzlement. It is claimed that the stuff the pay roll.
G. W. Trout is under arrest at Wichita on charge of forgery. He was arrested at Goff, I. T., after being shot by an officer for resisting arrest.
The A. H. T. A. Weekly News
March 6, 1902
Any officer of the A. H. T. A. who solicits subscriptions to this paper is authorized to deduct cost of money order and postage from his remittance.
John W. Wall, state secretary of the A. H. T. A. spent an hour in our sanctum Saturday afternoon between trains. He says the A. H. T. A. is growing more rapidly now and doing more effective work than ever before in the history of the order in Kansas.
Sub-order No. 26, at Labette, Kansas, has posted notices that it will pay $10 reward for information that will lead to the conviction of any one for stealing from its members. This is another good method of stopping the nocturnal prowlers. That reward will prevent many a crime.
Brother Perry writes us from Cherokee that sub-orders wishing to purchase blood hounds can get genuine English bloodhounds from the Rookwood Kennels, Lexington, Kentucky, at a cost of $75 a pair. When you write for catalogue please say you saw this notice in the News.
Brother Gaddie’s remarks in this issue about prosecuting criminals are timely. Where a county attorney does not do his duty in prosecuting criminals the Antis should employ attorneys, who will look after the matter right. But after all the best method is to see that you elect a good county attorney, regardless of what his politics may be.
The cities of Topeka and Wichita are both interested with footpads
and hold-ups are numerous. Some robberies are occurring in day time as well as
night. These would be good places for A. H. T. A. deputies to get in their work.
In the District court at Oswego last week, H. D. Murphy plead guilty of larceny. John Green, plead guilty of burglary in the third degree, and Charles Cruch, alias Charles Chaffes was found guilty of embezzlement. John Hahn, the horse thief captured by the Elm City lodge, plead guilty.
Arthur Langford has been sentenced at Emporia to serve Arthur Langford has been sentenced at Emporia to serve years in the penitentiary. He stole a horse and buggy a few months ago and ran away with a 14 year old girl. Langford although only 24 years old, has served a term in the reform school and a term in an Oklahoma jail.
Deputy Sheriff Keesling went to Hutchison Monday with Dave Frults, of Lafontaine, for horse stealing and George Merrill of Fredonia, for larceny and burglary, who were sentenced to the reformatory at the last term of court. George Merrill is a young man who will still have $225,000 when he becomes of age owning a 120 acre farm near Toledo, Ohio and several pieces of Toledo city property. Neodesha Sun
The A. H. T. A.’s are making life for horse thieves very strenuous. The Elm City lodge in Labette County has captured five in the last year or two and the list includes all who attempted to seal from its members. Chanute Tribune
Last Monday two strangers entered a store at Harrisburg and relieved it of $75 in money. After mounting their horses they left town, stealing a buggy and several fine teams of horses and mules in the country. They went in the direction of the Comanche country, Oklahoma. Prior Creek, I. T. Clipper
The member of Miles A. H. T. A. lodge number 200 have donated $5.00 worth of provisions to the mayor of Vinita to be distributed among the full bloods near Spavinaw post office who are in destitute circumstances. We ask the members of our order to put their shoulders to the wheel and help the poor and needy and we would like to hear from other secret orders as well as the A. H. T. A. Vinita Leader
The county attorney will have to quit prosecuting criminal cases this term. The jail is so full now that it is scarcely a fit habituation for human beings. The long cold winter has been productive of a big lot of petty criminals and these with the city’s prisoners have taxed the jail to it utmost capacity. On that account most of the cases brought on the indictment of the grand jury are being continued to May term. Iola Friend
$35 REWARD
Stolen, from the premises of L. L. Kessler on the night of January 31st, two cow-hide lap robes (both hides from Holstein cows), one black with white on both sides, having thereon the name of L. L. Kessler and the name of the tanner “George Kizzler, 90 East Douglas Ave, Wichita, Kansas,” written with ink, one robe is unlined, the other black with two white spots near one end, was home tanned and lined with blue gray flannel. The owner, L. L. Kessler will pay $10 for recovery of the robes and the A. H. T. A. No. 64, will play $25 for the arrest and conviction of the thief. Send all communications to the president of No. 64, D. Peterson, Wichita, or Charles Simmons, Wichita, Kansas.
Sheriff Sedgwick County
STRAYED OR STOLEN
Oct. 20, 1902 from the Perrier place, five miles north of Skiatook, one bay horse coming 6 hears old, height about 16 hands, weight 1200 pounds, white spot in forehead, left hind foot white, small white spot on top of head on each side of mane, small wire scar on front of nose, has had sore on top of neck
Thirty Dollars Reward
Five dollars for return of horse and twenty five for the arrest and conviction of thief. G. W. Blakeman,
President L. R. Gideon, Sec.
A. H. T. A. No. 93 Ramona, I. T.
$70.00 Reward
Stolen--One Collins & Morrison saddle made in Omaha, Neb., No. 131 on front corner of each skirt brass bound, wood stirrups, extra high horn and long straps. A reward of $20 will be paid for the return of the saddle, and $50.00 for conviction of the thief.
A. H. T. A. No. 304
I. P. Collison, Pres.
Turley, I. T.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE
A Tragedy
Monday morning, February 24, Jess Glenn, who represented Miles lodge No. 200 in the annual meeting and who lives in sight of my place, went to a tenant named Montgomery on his place and shot him killing him instantly. He also shot Montgomery’s son, wounding him so badly an arm had to be amputated. The next morning Glenn shot himself with a target rifle and died instantly
Brother Glenn was an honored member of No 200 and was greatly respected in the neighborhood. Mr. Montgomery was also a respectable gentleman, who was preparing to start for Canada in a few days.
Gossip assigns various reasons for the rash act but I am no able to venture an opinion as to its cause or causes
J. T. Kenworthy No. 297, Vinita, I. T.
More Points on Branding
Our lodge has received three issues of the News and is well pleased with it. We thin it indispensable, for thru it we can come in touch with all parts of the country that we could not in any other way. We know whoever reads it is a friend that will help in case of need.
About branding on the foot, I think it a poor way, for it can’t be seen without close inspection. Some of the members here tired it about five years ago and pronounced it a failure. I think the A. H. T. A. ought to have a brand that would be universal among its members; all use the same brand. At our next meeting we will bring up the brand question and see what we can do with it.
We have had no stealing in your neighborhood this winter to give our boys a trial but we expect some horse stealing when grass starts in the spring, but we are going to be on the lookout.
We are taking in new members at every meeting. We are enthusiastic over the work.
D. J. Omstead
No. 489, Owasso, I. T.
OBITUARY
George E. Stoney, born in Spencer Co., Ky., Oct. 25th, 1835, died at his home near Edna, Kansas, Feb. 22, 1902, after a lingering illness of many months.
Brother Stone was initiated into No. 130 A. H. T. A. on June 4th, 1898, and has even been a worthy member. Owing to his age and infirmities he could not often attend our meeting, but always expressed himself as wishing to stay with us as a brother member.
Brother Stone has always been prominent in the civil affairs of his county and this is why we wished to employ every safeguard for the upholding of our laws.
No. 150 loses a worthy, respected and beloved brother and the community at large a most respected and worthy citizen.
G. J. McCarty No. 150
Valeda, Kansas.
Terrorized A Town
March 6, 1902
On the 25th of February, 1901, five men came into Wauneta, a little town on the Missouri Pacific R. R., 14 miles west of Sedan, Kansas, and began firing their revolvers at any, and every thing that come in their way, causing terror among the citizens of the quiet little place. People had to take shelter in their houses to avoid being shot. After they had emptied their revolvers and had every thing coming their own way, the mounted their horses and leisurely rode away in a southwest direction. Mr. Taylor, sheriff of the county, was notified by wire to come over and arrest the outlaws. It was nearly night when Mr. Taylor and his deputy arrived and in order to get a states warrant issued had to go to cedar Vale, some seven miles distant. In the meantime the five men, names as follows: Bert Read, Ross Groves, Art Baming, Sid and Sol Appleby, had stopped over night at the widow Appleby’s, Sol and Sid’s mother, living three miles southwest of Wauneta.
Mr. Taylor came back fro Cedar Vale, with a warrant and sufficient number of deputies to capture them.
Night having closed in, Mr. Taylor and his men surrounded the Appleby house and waited for daylight to come.
Between daylight and sun rise Bert Read started from the house towards the barn, a distance of some 60 or 7i0 yards. When near the barn and while in the lot, one of the deputies called top him to “Throw up you hands,” and instead of obeying the officer, he drew his gun and was in the act of shooting, when a well directed Winchester ball entered his brains, he falling dead in his tracks.
As soon as the first shot was fired the four remaining men in the house, opened fire from windows and doors upon the sheriff and his men, a brisk fire was kept up on both sides, the battle waged warm until about 9 o’clock a.m. Something near one hundred shots had been fired on both sides.
Kate Appleby, sister to two of the boys came out and negotiated terms for the boys surrender, the sheriff agreeing if they would surrender he would insure them against bodily harm until they were safe in the county jail. The four men were loaded into a wagon and driven to Sedan, and placed I the county jail charged with “An attempt to commit murder.”
Bert Reid’s body was taken to Sedan, and an inquest held, the verdict was, “Come to his death by resisting an officer in the discharge of his duty.” At the May 1901 term of district court Sid Appleby was found guilty as charged and sentenced to five years in the state prison. The remaining three their trials were laid over to the October term, when Baming and Groves pleaded guilty to the charge and were sentenced to three years each at hard labor. Sol Appleby, the fourth and last one was tried at the October term of court with “A hung jury.”
At the present term of court Sol’s case came up again, this time with a verdict of guilty as charged in the complaint. His sentence was four and a half years at hard labor. It is just one year today since the boys raided Wauneta, and the results sum up in this way; one dead and four in the state prison and Chautauqua Co. has rid herself of one of the toughest gangs that ever infested the state. During the excitement of receiving the prisoners, caring for the dead etc., the half dozen or more horses that were in the lot were overlook (had been stolen no doubt) and darkness coming on they were spirited away.
Eli Sanborn
Hewins, Kansas
No. 312, February 25th