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

James B. Bacon to Bonta Baxter

Bader, Mitchell was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas in 1892, by Marshal Jacob Yoes. 

(Ft. Smith Historical List)

Baer, J. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.  He served as deputy and Court Crier. 

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

Bailey Wood E. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, by Marshal Jacob Yoes.  In June of 1889, Deputy Marshal Bailey brought in three prisoners from Indian Territory who were charged with introducing liquor into Indian Territory.

(Ft. Smith Elevator -June 21, July 21, 1889) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Baird, Charles was commissioned in the Central District by Marshal J. J. McAlester from June of 1895 through June of 1896.  He rode with Deputy Marshals Jim Cole, and Jim Brazell trying to capture an escaped outlaw named Harris who was traveling with another unknown outlaw in 1896.  The outlaws were confronted at Denton Mills, twenty five miles southeast of McAlester, Choctaw Nation where a running gunfight occurred.  The chase ended in heavy timber where the outlaws were able to elude the deputy marshals.  The outlaws left their horses, escaping on foot, leaving behind a Winchester rifle, burglar tools and a pistol which had been taken from jailer William Weaver when Harris escaped from jail. 

(The Woodward News - June 5, 1896.) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Baird, Lewis was commissioned by Marshal W. H. Darrough of the Northern District in August of 1902, being assigned to the Bartlesville District. 

(Ft. Smith Elevator - September 12, 1902) (The Woodward Bulletin - August 22, 1902) (The Taloga Advocate - August 28, 1902)

Baker, Allen was commissioned from October 1, through December 31, 1894, in the Northern District Court of Indian Territory. 

(U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (National Archives, Washington, D.C. - Account # 8714)

Baker, Isaac was commissioned on July 9, 1869, under Marshal William A. Britton of the District Court in Van Buren, Arkansas. 

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Baker, James was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas in 1897, by Marshal Solomon F. Stahl. 

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

Baker, John was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. 

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Baker, William was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas on October 1, through December 31, 1894, by Marshal George C. Crump. 

(U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 1896)

Bales, William was commissioned in the Southern District Court of Indian Territory at Paris, Texas in 1894, by Marshal Shelby Williams.

(U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896)

Ball, William was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas under Marshal Jacob Yoes on April 13, 1892. 

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Ballard, William Joseph “Joe”, U. S. Marshal 1937

Marshal to Ask For New Deputies

October 31, 1937—Daily Oklahoman—Joe Ballard, federal marshal, said Saturday he will ask Washington for two more deputy marshals to be stationed in the Oklahoma City office.

          “Business has increased so we do not have the staff to handle it,” he said.

          Appoint of a deputy to succeed Fred Settle, who was discharged last week as the result of a wreck of John H. Peacock’s car near Guthrie will be delayed to the last of November, he said.

Ballad Submits Marshal Nominees

November 23, 1937—Daily Oklahoman—Definite promise he will be given one more deputy marshal has been received by Joe Ballard, federal marshal, he revealed Monday.

          “I’ve sent in five or six names to the department of justice for selection,” Ballard said, “and hope to have a decision by December 1,”

          No action has been taken on appointment of a deputy to succeed Fred Settle, who was discharged recently as the result of a car wreck near Guthrie.

Joe Ballad, Federal Marshal, Dies on Goodwill Trip To Mexico

November 26, 1940—The Oklahoman—W. Joe Ballard, United States Marshal of Oklahoma, died in Mexico City of a sudden illness.

          The long-time peace officer was 62 yeas old, was a member of the Oklahoma “goodwill” party which arrived in Mexico City last Monday for the international football match to be played there between a Mexico City team and the Capitol Hill high school eleven.

          Ballard died while Frank Smith, Oklahoma City chief of police, was talking to his son, Joe P. Ballard, by phone.  Smith’ called the younger Ballard, who is a deputy sheriff here, to tell him his father was ill.

Death Follows Quickly

          Before the conversation was concluded, the marshal died.  Death was attributed to a brain hemorrhage.

          Information from Mexico City indicated the marshal had been in high spirits, and apparently in good health, during the trip.  Tuesday morning, he made a sightseeing tour of Mexico’s capital city with Smith and his wife’ Leonard Dickerson, city councilman and his wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Robison.

          The marshal complained of stomach distress, and returned to his hotel.  Feeling worse, he sent for a doctor and died while the physician was examining him.

          The Mexico City coroner Tuesday night returned official verdict of death from cerebral hemorrhage.  The body will be brought to Oklahoma City as soon as it is released by the Mexican government, probably Thursday.  Mr. and Mrs. Robison and possibly others will accompany the body.

Came to State in 1908

          Ballard’s full name was William Joseph, but he never used it. He widely known as “W. Joe,” just  plain “Joe,” or “Uncle Joe,”

          The marshal is survived by his wife, Mary c. 2617 West Park Place, and two sons, Joe P., 34 years old, of the home address, and Hardin, 37, of 316 Northwest Twenty-second Street.

          Ballard was born March 30, 1878, in Liberty, Clay County, Missouri, and married there, his wife being the former Mary C. Porter.  The family came to Jefferson County, Oklahoma, in 1908, and Ballard was elected sheriff of the county, retaining the post until 1925.

A Neighbor of Josh Lee

          He moved to Norman that year, so his sons could attend the University of Oklahoma and he became a neighbor and close friend of Josh Lee, United States senator, who was then professor public speaking at the university.

          During the following yeas Ballard saved successively as deputy sheriff of Cleveland County, investigator for the state bureau of criminal investigation and identification and other positions as investigator and peace officer.

          He was made Unite States Marshal in July 1937.

          The marshal was a horse enthusiast.  His desk in the federal building here is littered with miniature horses and other racing paraphernalia, and among his proudest possession is a racing shoe from the hoof of Man O’ War.

Banks, William “Bill” Dudley was commissioned in Oklahoma Territory and assigned by Marshal Evett Nix to the Cheyenne District on July 15, 1893.  In 1894, Officer Bank’s rode with Heck Thomas, Bill Tilghman and Chris Madsen to try to apprehend the Bill Doolin gang.  In February of 1895, Banks rode with Deputy Marshals Eichoff, Madsen, Prather, Morris and William Brown to capture outlaws, Jim Harbolt and Dan McKenzie, charged in the murder of Canadian, Texas Sheriff Tom McGee who was killed on November 24, 1894, during a robbery.  The sheriff’s killers fled to Cheyenne country where they were captured.  After capturing Harbolt and McKenzie, the marshal’s force arrested five other men who were implicated in the killing of Taloga county treasurer, Fred Hoffman near Taloga.  In April of 1895, the Bill Doolin gang robbed a Rock Island train at Dover, Oklahoma Territory and dared the deputy marshals to catch them as they fled the robbery scene.  Some thirty miles west of Hennessey, at the mouth of Coyle Creek the deputy marshals caught up with the gang and engaged them in a gun fight.  During the battle “Little Bill” Raidler lost several fingers when he was shot in the hand and Banks fired a shot that killed notorious outlaw, “Tulsa Jack” Blake.  Banks and Deputy Marshal Prather took his body to Hennessey to collect the reward being offered for his body, while the rest of the officers gave chase to the band of outlaws.  In February of 1896, Banks worked with Deputy Marshals Prather, Eichoff, and Perry in Cheyenne country at El Reno, under Marshall Nagle.  Banks rode with Deputy Marshals Alberty and Dobson in July of 1898, when they killed Bill Nail of the Moose Miller Gang.  Nail was suspected of killing a man named Taylor a few days earlier near Melvin.  The incident occurred three miles from Garfield near Greenleaf Creek, Cherokee Nation.  In July, 1895, Deputy Marshals Banks, W. D. Fossett and Fossett’s sixteen year old son Lou traveled to the Gloss Mountains west of Fairview where outlaw’s Nelson Wyatt, alias “Dick Yeager”, alias “Zip Wyatt,” and Ike Black were supposedly surrounded by a band of local farmers and citizens.  Yeager and Black terrorized the Fairview residents until they decided it was time to take the law into their own hands.  The two outlaws lived in this area and knew it so well they had no problem in being able to elude their captors.  They had built fortified dug-outs all through the area, and knew the location of several caves which had several openings they could use to make their escape.  A small percent of the wealth received from their robberies was shared among several residents who provided them with fresh horses, ammunition, and supplies and warned them when the law enforcement was in the area.  The two outlaws had contact with the Bill Doolin gang which they used to increase the fear in their victims.  The two outlaws slipped away from the vigilante's unseen into a canyon making their way toward the west.  Banks, Fossett and sixteen year old son, Lew Fossett arrived on the scene just after the two criminals made their escape.  Yeager and Black’s trail was relatively easy for the lawmen to follow beings the outlaws were traveling fast; not taking time to hide any signs or tracks.  The area the outlaws traveled was very sandy and sparsely settled leaving the tracks from their horses’ unshod hooves clearly visible.  After traveling westward their trail turned southward as it passed through Griever Canyon which was named after a cattleman who owned a large ranch there during territorial days.  One would have suspected the outlaws to turn northward trying to get to their stronghold in the Gloss Mountains or to their caves to the northwest but for some reason their journey was to the south.  Another factor forcing Black and Yeager to head southward instead of traveling north could have been the horses that the Fossetts and Banks were riding, being known throughout the territory for their excellent speed. The outlaw’s southward journey took them some forty miles to the homestead of Amos Chapman, a famous Indian scout.  Amos lost one leg during an Indian battle while scouting for the United States government in which he received the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Amos Chapman trailed and brought many outlaws to justice but it was also suspected that many came his way when they needed supplies and fresh horses.  Black and Yeager knew Chapman and hoped he would come to their rescue.  The lawmen did not scare even though the odds seemed against them.   Bank’s and Fosset’s reputations were such that very few outlaws wanted to take them on even up.  The two outlaws brought a hornet’s nest to the Chapman home of which Amos wanted no part.  As the three lawmen approached the Chapman homestead Black and Yeager were seen making a fast retreat, crossing the North Canadian River heading back northward toward Griever Canyon.  The battle with the Fairview residents and the on and off running gunfight with the marshal’s force left Yeager and Black very low on ammunition so they were forced to stop at a small store on the north side of Griever Canyon, possibly Sherman.  Finding the store closed they went to the proprietor’s home which was a half mile east of the store.  Here the outlaws left word for the marshals; they would ambush them someplace along the trail.  The retreating outlaws were continuously pursued for several weeks being followed by a large number of farmers from Woods county, Major County and lawmen from the surrounding areas.  The two outlaws were found at a farm house just north of Longdale where they stopped to eat dinner with a widow woman.  As Black and Yeager left the house they were greeted with gunfire which killed Black instantly and left Yeager seriously wounded.  A wounded Yeager headed southeast trying to outrun a large number of pursuing farmers.  Everyone in the country wanted to take part in the capture of the two outlaws.  The fame of being the person to kill Dick Yeager continued to grow for every sheriff; deputy and deputy marshal wanted that honor. The chase now became so intense that Yeager left his horse, taking cover in the weeds, on foot.  Yaeger soon found another horse, taking to the corn fields which provided more cover for him.  Three weeks would pass before Yeager would be forced from his hiding area into an open field.  A group of farmers from Woods county and law officials from Garfield County were on his heels, driving him back into a tall cornfield.  The hunted outlaw’s freedom was about to come to a quick end as he was located in a cornfield.  Jailer Poak and Deputy Sheriff Woods of Garfield County were the first to come upon Yeager, ordering him to throw up his hands.  Yeager made a move which the two lawmen perceived as him going for his Winchester and pistol.  Both men fired simultaneously sending two bullets into Yeager’s hip.  The two bullets struck within one half inch of one another.  Yeager cried, “For God sakes don’t kill me” then he rolled over.  Sheriff Thralls of Garfield County took Yeager to Hennessey before transporting him by train to the Enid jail.  Yeager told the Enid City Marshal Pratt he wanted to go with him.  He didn’t want those people to get him meaning the farmers who had pursued him.  The description given for Yeager as he was entered into the Enid jail was:  He is six foot tall, spare built and not at all bad looking.  He has pierced black eyes with burnt skin from to exposure from the sun.  Ellsworth Wyatt, alias “Zip Wyatt” alias “Dick Yeager” died in a hospital at Enid, on September 8, 1895.  Two sheriff’s deputies, Marion Hildreth and Ab Harmon of Fairview, took credit for firing the fatal shots that killed Ike Black.  Dick Yeager was shot three times by several which made it impossible to say who killed him.  Yeager was shot in the right side when Ike Black was shot north of Longdale.  The State Order of the Anti-Horse Thief Association sent an order on August 10, 1896, to the Governor of Oklahoma and the Rock Island Railroad billing them for the capture of Ike Black and Dick Yeager.  Marion Hildreth a member of the association had his name on the order to collect money for which he spent during the capture.  Ellsworth Wyatt was never tried for any of his crimes.  He was accused of robbing two post offices, which also served as general stores. One store was the G. H. Phelps farm and the other was at Plymouth, both sites are near Fairview, Oklahoma.  Black and Yeager’s worst crime was their most minor crime.   This was when they welcomed themselves to the farmer’s home to eat a meal then pay for it with twenty dollars, hoping to find where the farmer hid his savings, and then return during the night to take all of the money. This crime joined more than one hundred farmers to kill the two bandits.  Many writers and historians felt Black and Yeager took part with the Bill Doolin to rob the train in Dover.  The two outlaws had a close connection with Tulsa Jack for they had in their possession a picture of Tulsa Jack when he was placed on display after being shot by Deputy Marshal’s Banks and Captain J. S. Prather.  Banks and Prathers eyes were poked out in the picture.  Black and Yeager had a horse ranch northwest of Dane where they were in partnership with a man named Freeman.  Stealing horses was another pastime the two outlaws were often accused.  This ranch served as an outlet for their activities. On June 3, 1893, Ike Black, and Dick Yeager, along with Belle Black, Ike’s wife and Jennie Freeman, Yeager's lover were involved in a shootout with the lawman from Alva which was led by Deputy Marshal Gus Hadwiger.  Yeager and Black escaped the lawmen but their women, Belle and Jennie were captured and taken to Guthrie where they were placed in jail.  Jennie Freeman had previously left her husband to become Yeager's lover.  Note, that Yeager's partner in the horse ranch operation was named Freeman.  Wyatt made a death bed confession of a man named Shoemaker who was serving a life imprisonment sentence for killing a man named Townsend of Kingfisher.  Wyatt said Shoemaker is on a count of murder of Townsend and his sentence is unjust.  Before Wyatt's death at the Garfield jail county jail, the widow Townsend recognized him as the slayer of her husband.

(The Woodward Jeffersonian - March 2, 1895) (The Taloga Advocate-September 14, 1895) (Western Oklahoman - April 13, 1896) (Marietta Monitor - August 2, 1898) (Indian Pioneer History - W. D. Fossett - 2nd. Interview) (West of Hells Fringe) (Temple Houston) (Bill Doolin O. T.)  (Shoot from the Lip) (The Guardian of the Law) (Bill Tilghman) (Picture with Tulsa Jack - Blake - West of Hell’s Fringe) (Pictorial History - Fairview & Major County) (Oklahombres) (Twin Territories Times) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 -1896)

Barbee, Ed was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, by Marshal George C. Crump.  He was involved in a shoot-out with members of the Bill Cook Gang, on March 28, 1895, George Sanders, Sam McWilliams, and Sam Butler.  McWilliams and Sanders were killed during the shoot-out while a seriously wounded Sam Butler made his escape. 

(See W. H. Barbee for a more detailed account.) (Law West Of Fort Smith) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Barbee, W. H. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas on December 14, 1891, by Marshal Jacob Yoes.  On January 22, 1895, he was again commissioned while he lived at Braggs, Indian Territory.  Barbee was in Braggs in April of 1895, standing in front of the hotel when Sam McWilliams alias “Verdigris Kid” , George Sanders and Sam Butler  who were wanted for robbery and murder, rode into town ordering everyone to put up their hands.  The outlaw gang marched all of their prisoners into the Madden store, the main general store of the town.  The store clerk panicked, causing him to run to the street where the outlaws shot him down, critically wounding him.  The thieves robbed the general store exchanging their old clothing and boots with new.   One of the prisoners was sent to bring a horse to the store.  The outlaws took the saddle from one of their horses changing it to the fresh horse.   The owner of the store was not at the store at the time of the robbery but watched the robbery take place. The owner reported the robbery to two of the town deputies who rode to the store to confront the outlaws.  One of the deputies shot the Verdigris Kid, killing him instantly which allowed Deputy Marshal Barbee to run to the street where he picked up the Verdigris Kid’s Winchester and opened fire on the rest of the gang.  George Sanders, seeing the Verdigris Kid killed quickly realized the gang no longer outnumbered their captives, tried to escape.  Sanders attempt to run from the lawmen was too late for he was also killed.  Sam Butler was able to elude the officers but was seriously wounded as he escaped. On July 15, 1896, Barbee was commissioned while living in Sallisaw, Indian Territory. 

(Outlaws and Deputies of I. T.) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Barker, William “Bill” was commissioned in the District Court at Muskogee, serving under Deputy Marshal Leo Bennett in 1898.  Barker rode with Bud Ledbetter, Dave Adams, and Lon Davis to capture the Hughes gang near Bristow.  Refer to Dave Adams for more information of the arrest. He was working with Deputy Marshal Gideon White in August of 1902, when they served a warrant of arrest to Bill Smith alias “Wendy” Smith at Chelsea, on charges of larceny.  Resisting arrest the thief was wounded in the arm. 

(Ft. Smith Elevator - August 15, 1902.  (Chronicles Of Oklahoma - Volume 46, 1968)  

Barling, Frank R. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith Arkansas on July 1, 1880, serving under Marshal Valentine Dell.  In December of 1885, Frank arrested three white men who were charged with introducing liquor into Indian Territory.  The three prisoners were taken to the Ft. Smith, Arkansas jail.  In 1885, Barling was living in the San Bois area. 

(Ft. Smith - Elevator - December 25, 1885) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Barling, Jerry “Jerre” K. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas on April 17, 1888, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes.  During that month he was appointed court bailiff of the Ft. Smith federal court.  In July of 1888, Deputy Marshals Barling and Cabell were dispatched to pick up six prisoners that Deputy Marshal John Phillips had in his possession when he was killed at Eufaula by Dan Barnett and accomplices Thompson and St. Lopks.  In August of 1888, he served a warrant of arrest to Thomas Allen alias “Pitts” on charges of horse stealing.  On the same trip, Thee Barnett, Lewis Jackson, and Jim Daniels were all charged with larceny and Albert Brashiers was arrested for introducing liquor into Indian Territory.  All of the prisoners were taken to the federal jail in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.  In May of 1889, Deputy Marshal Barling arrested Lafayette Terry on charges of Introducing into Indian Territory.  The arrest was made at Waldron, Scott County, Arkansas. 

(Ft. Smith Elevator - April 6, August 10, 24, 1888; May 24, 1889) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Barling, Robert F. was first commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, before 1896, under Marshal John Carroll.  Another oath was made on July 1 through December 31, 1894, by Marshal George Crump.  Deputy Marshal Barling headed a posse going near White Bead, Chickasaw Nation, where they confronted a band of outlaws.  During a gun battle posse man Ben Ayers was shot and not expected to live.  The report was that mortification was setting in. 

(Ft. Smith Elevator - December 25, 1885) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (National Archives, Washington, D.C. - Account # 8714) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Barnell, John was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, by Marshal Jacob Yoes.  He rode with Deputy Marshals Salmon, Sevier and Wallace McNac when they killed Wesley Barnett who had killed Deputy Marshal John Phillips in January of 1889, near Okmulgee. 

(Ft. Smith Federal Employee Database) (Black Red and Deadly)

Barnes, C. M. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas on September 3, 1884, under Marshal Thomas Boles.  Barnes position was chief deputy assigned to handling prisoners in the Ft. Smith jail.  In December of 1884, Barnes transported a fugitive to Louisville, Kentucky where he was wanted for altering a mail contract. In March of 1886, Deputy Barnes retired his office as chief deputy.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - March 5, 1886) (Black Red And Deadly) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Barnes, Edward was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. 

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

Barnes, Harry C. was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas in 1899, by Marshal Solomon F. Stahl. 

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

Barnes, Preston was commissioned on May 11, 1892, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas under Marshal Jacob Yoes.

 (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Barnes, Race was commissioned out of the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, by Marshal Jacob Yoes.  In March of 1890, Race served a warrant of arrest for assault to kill to Jack Baxter.  He served another warrant to a white man named Freeman Battershell, who was charged with intruding in Indian Territory. 

(Indian Citizen - March 8, & 29, 1890) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Barnett, C. W. was commissioned on June 21, 1893, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas under Marshal George J. Crump.  He lived in Choska in Wagoner County, Indian Territory. 

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Barnett, John W. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. 

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Barnhill, A. S. was commissioned on January 11, 1889 in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas under Marshal Jacob Yoes. 

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Barnhill, Charles was commissioned on February 1, 1884 in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas under Marshal Thomas Boles.  He was commissioned through 1889 with his commission showing him living in Krebs, Indian Territory.  He served a warrant of arrest on December of 1886, to Jackson Crow, a half-breed Negro-Creek who was wanted for the murder of Charles Wilson on August 7, 1884, near Kuly-cha-ha in the Choctaw Nation.  The victim was confronted by eleven men, all of whom were full blood Choctaws with the exception of Jackson Crow, who had neglected to take advantage of the Freedmen’s registrations law.  This would have classified him as a Choctaw citizen, exempting him from the white man’s law.  The incident occurred when the group of men met Wilson on the road, confronting him about his views on an election.  In the heat of the argument, one of the men named Benton, shot him three times.  Wilson fell, but quickly arose and grappled with Benton as Crow shot him in the back with his Winchester, killing him, then he beat out his brains.  In December, 1885 Barnhill took his posse to the Palean Mountains where they found Wilson and his family in a log house.  Cold weather made the arrest very difficult, for Crow was at an advantage having protection inside of the dwelling while the lawmen braved the adverse weather.  After freezing one of his feet, Barnhill set fire to the cabin forcing Crow outside where he was arrested. Wilson’s gun was still in his possession when he was apprehended.  He was taken to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, where he was hung on the gallows, April 27, 1888.   In August of 1888, he arrested Bud Casey alias G. W. Dodson, charged with killing Deputy Marshal Joe Henderson at Lockwood, South Carolina in 1870.  On the same trip he brought in Jack Smith, Annie Martin alias “McCann”, Louisa McCann, and Julie McCann alias “Martin”, all charged with the murder of a man named Suggs at Sculleyville March last.   In March of 1889, Jefferson Jones murdered an old man of sixty-five years named Henry Wilson.  Wilson left Laflore, and the Choctaw Nation, going to Polk Arkansas, to buy a horse and was never seen alive again.  The old man had been missing for more than a week when Deputy Marshal Barnhill made an investigation.  In the Winding Stair Mountains, Barnhill found Wilson’s gun at the home of George Beams who confessed that Jefferson Jones had robbed and killed the old man. The old man’s body was thrown in a creek and his gun was left with Beams.  Jones confessed to the crime stating no one else took part in it.  Mary Elizabeth Goodnight remembered Charles Barnhill when he served as a deputy marshal at Kuly-cha-ha, Indian Territory in 1879.  Charles teamed up with Deputy Marshal Heck Thomas to capture the Bill Cook Gang.  The gang was hiding near Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation.  In the darkness of the night the deputy marshals surrounded a log cabin where the gang was suspected to be hiding.  The lawmen held their positions until daylight then they called to the gang ordering them to surrender.  The outlaws immediately opened fire which led to a full pledged gunfight.  The cabin offered very little protection as the bullets from the lawmen’s Winchester rifle and shot gun ripped through the cabin walls.  The gang knew they had to abandon the cabin or be killed. The small cabin was poorly fortified, having only one window and a door.  The deputies blocked the door on the front of the cabin leaving the window as the only means of escape.  The gunfire had ceased with all attention being placed on the window which was well covered.  Jim Cook made the mistake of being the first outlaw to come through the window.  As Jim Cook crawled through the small opening of the window he was met with a blast of gunshot from one of the deputy’s shotgun.  The wounded Jim Cook fired his Winchester rifle as he fell to the ground.  When the outlaw hit the ground he rolled to his side rapidly firing his rifle which forced deputies Thomas and Barnhill to take cover.  Cherokee Bill and Bill Cook dove through the window, taking advantage of the firepower that had pinned down the two lawmen.  Cherokee Bill and Bill Cook went directly to their horses which were nearby then rode to the cabin where they gathered up the wounded Jim Cook.  Barnhill and Thomas were forced to lay pinned to the ground knowing they would be shot if they rose from the ground.  The gang was able to gain distance from the two marshals due to their head start but decided it would be to their advantage to hide the seriously wounded Jim Cook before the gap was narrowed.  Jim Cook’s condition due to loosing blood was quickly worsening, making it difficult for him to ride any further. The shotgun blast blew several fingers off of Jim’s left hand, leaving the rest of his hand seriously mangled.   As the gang rode into a canyon on Grand River they knew Jim Cook’s only chance for survival was to be left at this spot.  Bill Cook left his brother, hoping to draw the deputy marshals away from him, then to return back to him.  As Barnhill and Thomas rode through the canyon their instincts told them that Jim Cook was still in the area.  The outlaw’s trail led to the river where it quickly vanished.  The two officers had to decide to follow the river or wait near the river.  Intuition told them Jim Cook was in hiding near-by and his brother Bill Cook would come back for him.  Jim Cook’s wound worsened becoming so painful he had to leave his cover to travel to the river where he could wash and bandage his wound.  Jim Cook’s direction of travel took him directly to Marshals Thomas and Barnhill where he was arrested and taken to jail in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.  The federal court returned Jim Cook back to the Cherokee Nation because he was a Cherokee citizen with his crimes occurring in the Cherokee Nation.   The Cherokee courts never punished Jim Cook for he either escaped or jumped bond, never to be arrested again.  Indian Pioneer History interviewer, James M. Calhoun reported that death finally found Jim Cook when he bought a yearling from a Negro who had stolen the animal from another Negro.  The two Negro men were riding along with Jim Cook when they engaged in an argument over the yearling.  The Negro owner knew his immediate danger was Jim Cook so he elected to shoot the famous outlaw first, and then kill the man who had stolen from him.  Charles Barnhill went to Younger Bend with Deputy Marshal Tyner Hughes where they arrested Belle Starr, then transported her to Ft. Smith Arkansas federal court. 

(Ft. Smith Elevator - August 24, 1888; June 21, 1889; June 17, 1890) (Indian Pioneer History - James M. Calhoun) (Indian Pioneer History - James N. Cole) (Indian Pioneer History - William Cook) (Indian Pioneer History - Mary Elizabeth Goodnight) (Indian Pioneer History - Wesley McCoy) (Outlaws and Peace Officers of I. T.) (Hell on the Border - Harmon) (Heck Thomas) (Law West Of Fort Smith) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Barrick, W. H. was commissioned on October 5, 1889 in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, under Marshal George Crump. 

(Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Barry, James was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas in 1899, by Marshal Jacob Yoes. 

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

Bartell, Dan was commissioned in Oklahoma Territory in 1894 under Marshal Evett Dumas Nix. 

(U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896)

Bartell, Sam was a deputy marshal that worked the Sac-Fox reservation near Sand Springs.  Marshal Evett Nix assigned him to the Oklahoma City District on July 15, 1893. Two outlaws, Bill Blake and Andy Puckett, were terrorizing the settlers in Major County near the Gloss Mountains.  They were charged with peddling whiskey to the Indians and robbing the settlers of their cattle, horses, and valuables.  A warrant for their arrest was given to Deputy Marshal Sam Bartell by District Deputy Marshal Charles Colcord giving him the option to bring them in “dead or alive”.  While traveling to the Gloss Mountains they learned the two outlaws were in Dewey County near Munce.  When Bartel and his posse confronted the outlaws they knew they were outnumbered but felt their knowledge of the area would be to their benefit.  Bartell’s horse was shot from under him during a brief gun battle.  The outlaws taking advantage of the situation made their get-a-way to their hideout located in the Glass Mountains.  Bartell obtained another horse and headed the posse to the known hideout of the two outlaws.  The outlaws again resisted arrest leading to another gunfight. The outlaws surrendered knowing they were surrounded with no way to escape.  Blake and Puckett were taken to Oklahoma City where they were tried and sentenced to serve time in the Leavenworth, Kansas penitentiary.   In September of 1894, Sam Bartell headed a posse of made up of Dan Bartell, Charles Cannon, William Henry, Dan McClery and John Thomas to capture the Bill Doolin gang, twenty five miles west of Anadarko.  The chase ended in a gun battle where the posse suffered one casualty, Ecnoiska an Indian guide.  The gang escaped to the Wichita Mountains and the posse arrested Tom Platt on their way back to headquarters, for harboring the outlaws.  July of 1895, Ike Black was shot and killed near the foothills of Fairview while a wounded Dick Yeager alias “Zip Wyatt” was shot and captured in a corn field near Ames, then taken to the Enid jail where he died. The third member of the gang, S. T. Watson, fled to the southwest near Anadarko and became associated with a half-breed Indian named Esceness.  Bartell found the pair of outlaws near the Clampton Ranch close to the Washita River some twenty-five miles from Anadarko.  In a shoot-out Esceness was killed and Watson surrendered. Watson was tried and sentenced to prison for his crimes. In 1905, a young married woman from Lenora named Katie James left her home traveling to Ripley.  Mrs. James had filed for divorce before leaving, taking along her thirteen month old baby.  James never reached her designation which caused her father, Henry Dewitt to hire Sam Bartell to find his missing daughter.  An alleged prostitute named Fannie Hamm who had previously killed a Weatherford bartender became the primary suspect in the case.  During questioning Fannie committed suicide by taking poison.  More than a month passed before the badly decomposed body was found.  The head was severed from the body and a bullet hole was found in the skull behind the right ear.  The bullet, a 38 caliber matched the gun found at the crime scene which was owned by Fannie Hamm.  The baby was located in the home of a German farmer who related that a woman had left the baby in a blood stained dress, saying she would return for it in a few hours.  Several years would pass when a man came forward to tell what had happened to him when he was eleven years old.  Early one morning, he was cutting fence post when he was approached by a buggy carrying two women and a man followed by another man on horseback.  As the buggy passed the boy saw blood dripping from the buggy which was detected by the man on horseback.  The caravan stopped and the young boy was forced to view the body of the slain woman.  The group discussed the boy’s fate, to kill him or take the chance of letting him remain free.  The man on the horse dismounted, grabbed the boy by the neck, pushing his pistol to his head where he was told he would die unless he took part in the killing.  In the boy’s hands was placed his axe which he was forced to decapitate the dead woman forcing him to take part in the bloody conspiracy.  Returning to the creek the following morning revealed his worst nightmare was true for the body was still lying as it was left but was bloated from the heat with maggots feasting inside and coyotes had made a meal of some of the flesh.  The man cleared his troubled conscience while the persons responsible for the woman’s death prolonged their judgment until another time in another place. 

(Daily Ardmoreite - September 28, 1894) (The Kingfisher Times - October 4, 1894) (West of Hells Fringe) The Southwestern - April 8, 1992) (Old West - Spring, 1998) (Picture-Oklahombres) (Indian Pioneer History - James Calhoun) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896)

Basham, J. E. was commissioned in Oklahoma Territory in 1895 where he served under Marshal Evett Nix. 

(U.S. Deputy Marshals I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896)

Batteries, F. B. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Date Base) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Battles, George was commissioned in the Western District on July 1, through December 31, 1894, under Marshal George J. Crump. 

(U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Baxter, C. N. was commissioned on December 2, 1885, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas under Marshal George J. Crump.  C. N. Baxter was commissioned on same day as James N. Baxter, both living in Van Buren, Arkansas. 

(Ft. Smith Elevator - December 4, 1885)

Baxter, J. M. was commissioned on June 8, 1893 in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas under Marshal George J. Crump.  He was one of the jailers on duty in July of 1895, when Cherokee Bill tried to escape from the Ft. Smith Jail.  During the fracas Charlie Jones was seriously wounded by Baxter.  Ring leaders of the crowd were Henry Starr, Kid Wilson and John Pointer who were placed in solitary confinement after the incident.  Judge Parker gave orders that Henry Starr would be hung on February 20, 1894. 

(Watonga Republican - October 11, December 6, 1893) (Hell on the Border-Harman) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Baxter, James M. was commissioned on December 2, 1885, in the Western District of Arkansas, serving under Marshal John Carroll.  James lived in Van Buren, Arkansas when commissioned.   In December of 1893, a man named Ince spent the evening drinking and quarreling with a blind friend. Ince being in a drunken state spent the night and was awaken the next morning by his noisy friend.  The irate Ince told the blind man to keep quiet, he wanted to sleep.  Again the two men started to argue which ended as Ince picked up an axe and struck the man in the head.  After the man fell to the floor, two more blows were delivered to the dying man.  James Baxter was summoned to arrest and transport Ince to the Ft. Smith jail.  In January of 1905, James arrested Dan B. Brown, his wife, and another man named Dearking who were charged with counterfeiting.  A preliminary hearing was held in Alva with the trial being held in Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory.  Jim Baxter attended court in Watonga in 1905, where he was presented an old peace pipe from an Indian named Old Crow.  The pipe was made of clay and was over two feet long.   In June of 1905, Jim Baxter arrested bank cashier F. A. Hayes who was charged with making false entries to deceive bank examiners. The false entries forced the bank in Lexington, Chickasaw Nation to fail.

(The Weekly Elevator -December 4, 1885; December 22, 1893) (Woodward Bulletin - July 22, 1904; March 24, June 23, 1905) (Fairview Republican - June 23, 1905) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Baxter, Joseph was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. 

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Data Base)

Baxter, Mitchell was commissioned as deputy marshal on June 23, 1892, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. 

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Data Base) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Baxter, Monta was commissioned on October 5, 1893 in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. 

(Ft. Smith Federal Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)