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ROBERT KING'S OKLAHOMA U. S. MARSHALS AND DEPUTY U. S. MARSHALS
Ben Cobb to Wiley A. Cox
Cobb, Ben was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He served with Deputy Marshals George Goodell, Dick Downing and Bud Ledbetter.
(Muskogee Daily Phoenix - January 10, 1922)
Cobb, C. L. was commissioned on September 18, 1890, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Cochran, of Ardmore and Deputy Norvell of Marietta arrested Cal Stewart for murdering his brother five miles east of Marietta, Chickasaw Nation. The two brothers were out of jail on bond awaiting trial for the murder of Dr. S. A. Graham who had been killed on June 6, 1906.
(Marietta Monitor - August 17, 1906)
Cochran, E. F. “Frank” was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas when he arrested Blue Duck and William Christie in the Flint District of the Cherokee Nation. Judge Parker sentenced Blue Duck to the gallows on July 23, 1886 for murdering a white farmer named Wyrick on June 23, 1884 in the Flint District, Cherokee Nation. Blue Duck went to a relative’s home where he tried to get Christie to assist him in killing Wyrick. Christie refused which sent an angry drunken Blue Duck to a field where Wyrick was working. Five shots were heard, and then the work horse that Wyrick was working came to the house pulling a plow. Blue Duck came to the house with an empty revolver where he stood until a boy named Billy Wolf came riding up on a horse that he also shot. Christie was released when he turned evidence against Blue Duck. Belle Starr, girlfriend of Blue Duck used her influence to change his death sentence to life imprisonment when a presidential pardon came from President Grover Cleveland. Blue Duck died in prison. Frank was working out of the Oklahoma City District when he rode with a posse headed by Marshal Stowe to capture the Al Jennings Gang. The gang was running from a train robbery they had committed south of Minco in October of 1896. Frank was in charge of the Oklahoma City District in February of 1896, when Marshal Nagle replaced Marshal Evett Nix. Frank Cochran of Bristow, Indian Territory was mortally wounded by buckshot while pursuing a gang of outlaws who robbed the Bristow bank.
(The Cherokee Advocate - June 24, 1884) (The Beaver Herald - April 25, 1895) (The Woodward Bulletin - February 1, 1901) (Indian Pioneer History - W. F. Jones) (West of Hell’s Fringe) (Experience of A U.S. Deputy Marshal) (Law West Of Fort Smith) (Shoot from the Lip) (Guardian of the Law) (Oklahombres) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
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Cochran, E. F. “Frank” |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Oklahoma City |
1897 |
Cochran, George W. was commissioned on June 16, 1893, in the Western District of Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. George lived in Catoosa, Indian Territory while serving in the Western District. He served in Oklahoma Territory from July of 1894 through June of 1895. The book Outlaws and Lawmen record George being a deputy marshal in 1891.
(Outlaws and Lawmen) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Cochran, Gus arrested Frog Davis in July of 1893, on assault charges. Davis was transported to the federal jail in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
(The Weekly Elevator - July 7, 1893)
Cochran, Jesse was commissioned on May 22, 1894, in the Western District at ft. Smith, Arkansas, under Marshal George J. Crump, assigned to the Cherokee Nation. Jesse was from Chelsea, Indian Territory. In 1874, a Jesse Cochrane was charged with killing a white man named Brooks at Vinita, Indian Territory. In June of 1876, Jesse was tried on murder charges in the federal court. See: Robert M. French
(Indian Journal - Muskogee - June 15, 1876) (Indian Pioneer History - Phil Horton) (Outlaws and Lawmen) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
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Cochran, W. H. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
|
July 9, 1906 to June 30, 1907 |
Cocke, H. C. was commissioned in the Northern District of Indian Territory assigned to the Muskogee court in April of 1895.
(U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (National Archives, Washington, D.C. - Account # 11959)
|
Cocke, H. R. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Muskogee |
1897 |
Cockran, J. C. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Cockran, William M. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Coffey, D. H. served in the Northern District of Indian Territory in the Muskogee court in July of 1894. Coffey was commissioned again in the Muskogee court on July 6, 1896.
(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 Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Coffey, John was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)
Cogburn, Lafayette was a deputy marshal commissioned out of Montgomery County, Arkansas who worked on a case that grew out of the death of Deputy Marshal John Trammel.
(Indian Citizen -December 14, 1889)
Coggins, Dan W. was commissioned on June 27, 1889, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. In July of 1889, Deputy Marshal Coggins arrested Elias Folsom on charges of introducing liquor into Indian Territory.
(Ft. Smith Elevator - July 26, August 16, 1889) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Cohee, Ed was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
(Ft. Smith Federal Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
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Colbert, Benjamin J. |
U. S. Marshal |
Ardmore |
January 21, 1902 |
Former State Marshal Dies
December 10, 1920--The Oklahoman--Services for Benjamin H. Colbert, 87, Hot Springs, Arkansas, who died Thursday at Sulphur, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Hahn-Cook Funeral Home. Burial will be at Hot Springs.
Colbert was a Rough Rider and fought during the Spanish-American War at San Juan Hill under Theodore Roosevelt's command. He was cited for bravery by the Cuban government.
The town of Colbert, where he was born when Oklahoma was Indian Territory, was named after his family.
When Roosevelt became president, Colbert, who had been closely associated with him, was appointed U. S. Marshal for the southern district of Indian Territory. He also attended Baylor and Vanderbilt Universities.
A long-time resident of Tulsa, he moved to Hot Springs to live with his son, Ted Colbert, about a year ago. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner.
Colbert, Bill was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas, working from the Ft. Smith court. On September 24, 1891, Bill Colbert was summoned in Atoka to serve a warrant of arrest to Bill Alexander. Alexander resisted arrest forcing Deputy Marshal Colbert to kill Alexander in self defense. In March of 1894, Jackson Fletcher was served a warrant for introducing and selling whiskey into Indian Territory. Fletcher was a full blooded Choctaw Indian who had committed crimes under the jurisdiction of the Choctaw Indian court system. His crimes were unknown, but having to be either murder or rape. He had been convicted and charged by the Indian court to be executed by shooting on October 6, 1891. Jackson Fletcher escaped from the Indian court never to be arrested again by the Indian police. The fugitive knew the sentence from the national court would be minor to what he would face when he was turned over to the federal court. Bill Colbert, a Negro marshal was the wrong man to become involved in a shoot-out. Jackson Fletcher fell to the gun of Bill Colbert on March 11, 1894. Bill Colbert and Bass Reeves, working out of the Paris, Texas court in 1895, tried to capture the Christian Gang. The Christian Gang was wanted for killing an Oklahoma City police chief. Milt Jones had killed the officer during an escape from jail. The two lawmen searched the Choctaw Nation then the Creek Nation without making contact with the gang. During the search they came across two other outlaws, Will Stevenson and Dick Sanger. The outlaws would not surrender to the lawmen without a gun battle. Will Stevenson was killed during the gun battle and Dick Sanger was taken prisoner. Other deputy marshals that Bill Colbert worked with at Atoka were, Deputy Marshals Charles Kilgore and Charles Faudree. Bill Colbert was credited with killing twenty one men while performing his duties as deputy marshal. Bill Colbert was held for robbery at the McAlester jail on December 11, 1908. Bill lived to be 98 years old living most of his life in the Atoka area, being born in 1835, then dying in 1933.
(Indian Citizen - May 17, 1890) (The Weekly Elevator - May 3, 1893) (The Taloga Tomahawk - March 31, 1894) (Watonga Republican - January 15, 1895) (Indian Pioneer History - J. R. Johnson) Indian Pioneer History - Joe Southern) (Black History in Oklahoma) (Picture - Black Red And Deadly) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)
Colbert, Bynum was commissioned on June 10, 1889, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. Bynum rode in a posse
directed by Columbus Ayers into the Cherokee Nation to arrest Johnson Jacks. Jacks was wanted for the murder of Deputy Marshal Beck in October of 1883. Several arrests were made by Bynum in 1890, which included Bob Rose charged with larceny, Hill charged with larceny, Gilbert charged with larceny, Campbell charged with rape, McVaughn and Phillips charged with assault. Bynum was commissioned again on June 1, 1893, under Marshal George J. Crump.
(Indian Citizen - March 29, April 12, December 21 & 28, 1890) (The Weekly Elevator - December 2, 1892, May 5, 26, June 23, September 8, 22, December 15, 22, 1893) (Black Red And Deadly) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Colbert, E. F. was commissioned in the Southern District of Indian Territory at Paris, Texas, in 1894.
(U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T.& O. T., 1893 - 1896)
Colbert, Tolbert, Paden served as a deputy marshal around 1895, assigned to the Northern Court in Muskogee, Indian Territory, living in Vinita.
(Iron Men) (Picture - Muskogee Genealogical Society)
Colcord, Charles Francis, was commissioned in 1889, Oklahoma Territory by Marshal Richard L. Walker assigned to Oklahoma City. He was commissioned by Marshal Evett Nix on July 15, 1893 working out of the Oklahoma City District. Later in 1893, Charles was placed in charge of the 4th District at Pawnee. Charles Colcord is pictured with Bill Tilghman at Perry in 1893. Charles was placed in charge of the Perry District in February of 1896, under Marshal Patrick S. Nagle. He was summoned to the Sac and Fox Agency to identify Dick Ainsey who was killed when officers wounded and arrested Ben Cravens during a shoot-out. On June 25, 1896, Deputy Marshal Colcord transported Bill Raidler to the Columbus, Ohio prison. Around 1891, Charles was sheriff of Oklahoma County. Charles was born in 1859 and died in 1934.
(The Cherokee Strip) (Guardian of the Law) (Picture -West of Hell’s Fringe) (Shoot from the Lip) (Justice for All) (Charles Francis Colcord) (Frontier Trails) (Outlaws on Horseback) (Picture- Oklahombres) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) Charles Colcord was also a member of the Cherokee Strip Cow Punchers’ Association
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Colcord, Charles Francis |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Perry |
1897 |
June 25, 1896--Kingfisher Free Press--U. S. Marshal Colcord left for Columbus, Ohio, Friday morning with the notorious Bill Raidler a member of the Dalton gang, who goes to prison for 20 years for robbing a Rock Island train at Dover two years ago.
PITCHED FROM A TRAIN
Tramps Rob a Companion and Then Try to Kill Him
Cole, George W. was commissioned on July 15, 1893, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Cole, James N. was commissioned out of the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. When Cole first started his job as deputy marshal he rode with Deputy Marshal George Scruggs. Most of the warrants assigned to the two deputy marshals were for robbery and whisky peddling. Arresting a whisky peddler was often just as dangerous as arresting a murderer. If you killed a whisky peddler there was not any fee to collect. When you killed a murderer there was usually a reward which paid you to bring him in dead. Frequently the deputy marshal had the privilege of paying for the burial of those not covered by a fee, so it was usually best not to bring them in dead if there was not a dead or alive order on the warrant. Deputies Cole and Scrugs found out they could have a problem in holding the prisoners after they arrested them. To make their trip profitable they needed to bring in at least fifteen to twenty prisoners. The prisoners were handcuffed with their legs placed in shackles and chained to trees or to the wagon. If the prisoners were left without a guard they would often be gone when the deputies returned from their days work. If one of the prisoners freed himself he would then release the rest of the prisoners. Relatives or gang members would also free the prisoners when they were left unattended. On one occasion Cole rode with Tine Hughes and Charley Barnhill to arrest Belle Starr. It was general knowledge among the deputy marshals that Belle Starr was hard to apprehend. Belle Starr’s gang was on continual watch to notify Belle when the deputy marshals were coming so she could flee without being captured. The three deputy marshals worked out a plan that did surprise Belle Starr, allowing them to arrest her. Arresting Belle Starr was one thing but getting her to a jail was another. The lawmen knew that Belle’s gang would try everything in the book to free her. The Ft. Smith jail was a long distance with a lot of good places to be ambushed. The deputies knew an ambush was inevitable so they placed Belle in the center of their party, riding close together. The gang set up an ambush but was reluctant to fire, knowing Belle could be hit. The gang fired at the lawmen but they would not disperse. Belle Starr, seeing that she was in danger called for her gang to stop firing. Belle knew her chances would be better to stand trial in Ft. Smith. When the deputy marshals got Belle to Ft. Smith, she was searched before they put her in a jail cell. A 45 Colt was found under her clothing. On January 17, 1887, Cole was working with Deputy Marshal John Phillips taking several prisoners to the Ft. Smith jail when a prisoner named Seaborn Kalijah, a Creek Indian, killed two guards and the cook. Seaborn killed the three men with an axe before he escaped. Seaborn was charged with the murder of Mark Kuykendall, M. Smith and William Kelly. Seaborn went to the gallows on October 7, 1887. Another account of Phillips death is given under his name. Cole found out early in his job that it was embarrassing to deliver a prisoner that was not guilty. Transporting a prisoner for several days, feeding him, and then being unable to collect any bounty for him was costly. The officer learned to hold his own court making the prisoner confess everything to him. The prisoner normally would not change his story after being taken in and Cole was usually assured that he had the right man. James Cole quit working as a deputy marshal in 1882.
(Indian Pioneer History - James N. Cole) (Indian Pioneer History - John Milan) (Picture - The Western Peace Officer)
August 26, 1898—Indian Journal--Last Tuesday evening deputy James Colbert, of Vian, passed through Wagoner having in custody Mose Miller, who has been scouting from the officers since the killing of Thomas R. Madden at Braggs in April 2 years ago and who for the past few months especially, has gotten his name before the public as a vile, sneaking, desperate outlaw. He was at the head of the band that attempted to make a raid on the bank at Checotah, but this desperate work was not well planned, or at least they met woeful defeat. A short time after this Mose Miller and Bill Nail went to the store of Mr. Tailor at Melvin and shot the latter down in cold blood. A reward was offered any number of Wagner’s citizens subscribed to it. Officers were put on the trail of the desperadoes. A short time ago and end was put to Bill Nail’s career by the officers who were in pursuit of him. Mose Miller was arrested about 10 mi. East of where Nail was killed. His arrest is a good piece of work in the short reign and a dreadful fate of this band of outlaws is convincing proof.
Cole, James R. was commissioned on July 31, 1886, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. He rode with Deputy Marshals Jim Brazil and Charles Baird to Denton Mills, which was twenty five miles southeast of McAlester where they tried to capture a fugitive named Harris. The fugitive had escaped from jail and was riding with a man unknown to the officers. The outlaws fled from the lawmen knowing they were being trailed. As the officers closed their distance a running gun battle developed, forcing the outlaws to take cover in thick timber. The two outlaws fled the scene leaving behind their horses and a pistol taken from jailer William Weaver when Harris escaped from jail. On November 27, 1887, Jim Cole and Deputy Marshal Frank Dalton held warrants of arrest for a horse thief named Dave Smith. They found Smith with Lee Dixon, Dixon’s wife, and William Towerly, near the Arkansas River. Frank Dalton was killed during the arrest and Cole was hit in his side with a slug . Cole killed Dave Smith and Dixon's wife in a kill or be killed situation. A critically wounded Dixon died from his gunshot wounds in the Ft. Smith jail before he could stand trial in Judge Parker’s court. See: Frank Dalton for more information. On September 11, 1880, a young man named Rhody was full of liquor and in a shooting rage. The young man had moved to Camp Creek in December of 1879 from New York and wanted to become the “Bad Man From Bitter Creek.” His rage started as he crossed the river on the ferry boat where he shot off twenty-five shots just to show how bad he was. The first person he met as he got off the ferry was James Cole. In a rude manner, with drawn pistol, he approached Cole. James Cole was taken by surprise, not knowing what his assailant meant; he stepped on the opposite side of his horse from Rhody. In an instant he shot at Cole who returned fire killing his man as the slug struck him in the collar bone before going downward into his heart. The officer took Rhody’s body to the Ft. Smith side of the river for burial which he paid for himself. In July of 1894 and April of 1895 he was commissioned in the Northern District of Indian Territory at Muskogee. James’ last commission as deputy marshal was on November 10, 1914.
(Ft. Smith Elevator - September 17, 1880) (The Woodward News - June 5, 1896) (Selden Lindsey) (National Archives, Washington, D.C. Account # 8714 & 11959) (Encyclopedia Of A Western Gun - Fighter) (Outlaws and Peace Officers of I. T.) (U.S. Deputy Marshals of I. T. & O. T. 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
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Cole, J. R. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Whitefield |
1897 |
Collins, Ben was commissioned as deputy marshal in 1898 in the Southern District of Indian Territory, Ardmore court, under Marshal John S. Hammer. In October of 1898, Ben was summoned to Texas to transport Tilman Murphy to Tishomingo, Chickasaw Nation for a court hearing. Before this time, he served as an Indian policeman in the Choctaw Nation. In 1905, Ben served a warrant of arrest to Port Pruitt in Emet, Choctaw Nation. Pruitt regarded as a prominent Choctaw citizen resisted arrest which resulted in a gun battle, leaving him seriously wounded. Collins was charged with assault with intent to kill, but was cleared during his examination court and the case was dismissed. On August 1, 1906, about 9:30 P.M., Ben was traveling home after spending the day in Emet. He traveled nine miles west of Emit toward his home which was near Twelve Mile Prairie and Milburn where he rode into an ambush. A number of unknown assailants lay in wait for him as he passed them on the trail. When his wife returned home she found his dead body on the trail. Due to the late hour, several deputy marshals assigned at Durant, Choctaw Nation, were deployed to investigate the murder the following day. Bloodhounds were used to try to track the killers with no avail. Events reenacted by the deputy marshals concluded an unexpected shotgun blast struck Ben Collins in the stomach, knocking him from his saddle. Four empty cartridges fired from Ben’s pistol gave indication that he was still alive when he fell to the ground. A second blast from the assailants shotgun struck Collins directly in the face. Before leaving the scene of the murder, the assailants cut the telephone wires. About a month after Collin’s murder, an insurance agent named Wash Mood of Durant, was arrested for taking part in Ben Collins death but was released due to lack of evidence. In November of 1906, authorities arrested Sugden Dan Sie, a well known farmer who was also charged with complicity in the assassination. In December of 1906, Jim Miller was arrested at Hobart, Oklahoma Territory where he owned and operated a grocery store, by Marshal Jack Abernathy for the murder of Ben Collins. Miller was transported to Guthrie, before being returned to Ardmore where he stood trial for Ben Collins’ murder. Henry Prewitt, Clint Prewitt, and Wash Mood were all indicted for taking a part in the killing. During the arrest of Clint Prewitt he managed to escape from a deputy in Cornish and went into hiding. The officers concluded that Ben Collins was killed because of an old grudge when Port Pruitt was shot by the officer. Jim “Killer” Miller most likely fired the shotgun blasts that took Ben Collins life for this was his weapon of choice. Jim Miller bragged of killing fifty-one men, the first two being his grandparents when he was only eight years old. Preplanned alibi’s, paid witnesses, and good defense lawyers allowed Miller to beat the system and continue his dastardly deeds. Miller met his justice after ambushing U.S. Deputy Marshal Gus Bobbitt in an assassination similar to Collins. A group of citizens from that town decided that the courts would not release him again to commit another cowardly act as he had done so many times in the past. Miller and three of his cohorts were taken from the Ada jail to an old barn and hung from the rafters. Ben Collins was remembered in Pioneer History by Robert Thompson when Ben lived north of Ninnekah, owning there the first livery barn. Ben Collins was buried in Colbert, Choctaw Nation.
(The Bennington Tribune - August 9. 1906) (The Sterrett Sun - August 3, October 5, December 7, 1906) (The Taloga Times - October 11, 1906) (Lenora Leader - November 23, 1906) (Indian Pioneer History - John P. Brownlee) (Indian Pioneer History - Jennie Selfridge) (Indian Pioneer History - Robert Thompson - John P. Brownlee) (Ralph Evans - File #1161 Carnegie Library Ardmore, Oklahoma) Killed in the line of duty.
Collins, Bill was remembered as a deputy marshal living at Roff, Chickasaw Nation in an Indian Pioneer History interview with J. H. Hair.
(Indian Pioneer History - J. H. Hair)
Collins, Charles was appointed to serve as a deputy marshal during the Oklahoma Territory 1889 land rush. He served at Guthrie under Marshal William Jones.
(Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889)
Collins, Ed worked at Kingfisher in 1889, during the land rush, appointed by Marshal Thomas Needles.
(Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889)
Collins, James was commissioned on July 10, 1872, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Logan Roots.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Collins J. B. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)
Collins, M. D. was commissioned out of the Western District of Arkansas at Ft. Smith. In April of 1890, Collins served a warrant of arrest to Frank Rosson for larceny. In May of 1890, Collins captured Frank Funk for introducing liquor into Indian Territory. Both of these prisoners were taken to Ft. Smith where they went to trial before Judge Parker. In July of 1890, he was sent to the Cherokee Nation to serve a warrant of arrest to William Merrel and Hiram Johnson, on charges of introducing whiskey into Indian Territory.
(Atoka Indian Citizen - April 19, & May 17, 1890) (Ft. Smith Elevator - July 25, 1890)
Collins, Oscar was remembered as a deputy marshal living at Roff, Chickasaw Nation and working with Deputy Marshal Bill Collins.
(Indian Pioneer History - J. H. Hair)
Colter, James was commissioned in the Northern District of Indian Territory out of the Muskogee Court in July of 894.
(U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (National Archives, Washington D.C. - Account # 8714)
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Colville, Frank M. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Claremore |
July 8, 1902 |
Compton J. C. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)
Conden, W. R. arrested J. R. Greenwood for introducing spirits in Indian Territory, in May of 1890, at Siloam Springs.
(Atoka Indian Citizen - May 24, 1890)
Condon, Alf was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)
Cone, Sam was commissioned in the Southern District of Indian Territory, assigned to the Durant area. He was summoned to the Colbert area where a Negro had been taken prisoner after assaulting a girl named Mismer who refused to give him food when he asked for it. A posse made up of local residents found their culprit hiding in the nearby woods and turned him over to Cone and three other deputy marshals from Durant. The prisoner, Jim Williams was taken to Sterrett (present day Calera) hoping to catch a train to Durant before an angry mob, which was rapidly forming, took him. Inside of the train station, the officers found very little protection as the crowd tore the door off of its hinges and crawled through the windows. The marshals drew their weapons holding the rushing mob off only for a few moment before they were surrounded by the group. As the train pulled into the station more men joined the mob which was now demanding the life of the prisoner. He was torn away from the officers and taken to an old oil derrick where he was badly beaten and his throat slashed. As he was being hoisted into the air, more than a hundred shots were fired around him with only one bullet striking his side. (The Durant Statesman - April 5, 1907)
Conely, John was a commissioned deputy marshal before 1893. John was killed in a gun battle at a saloon in Cushing (Old Town) by a man named Johnson, the owner of the saloon.
(Bill Doolin) Killed in the line of duty.
Congdon, George S. was commissioned on June 2, 1893, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, where he served as bailiff. In September of 1893, Deputy Marshal Congdon was summoned to serve a warrant of arrest to Sam Whitehead and Haywood Thomasson. The two men charged with murder were taken without incident and transported to the federal jail in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, where they awaited trial. He served in the Northern Judicial District in 1895 and 1896.
(The Weekly Elevator - September 8, 1893) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (National Archives, Washington, D.C. - Account # 11959, 22683 & 30085) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
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Congdon, George S. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Tahlequah |
1897 |
|
Conlan, Mike |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Atoka |
May 1, 1898 |
Conlan, Mike was selected as feeder of the prisoners for the Central District by Marshal Benjamin F. Hackett when he was selected as marshal over the Central District on March 19, 1901.
(The Antler Democrat - April 12, 1901)
Connelley, Barney Bernard was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He rode with fellow Deputy Marshal Gideon White to serve a warrant of arrest to Kep Queen and John Barber in 1888, for charges of train robbery and murder. The outlaws resisted arrest and were able to escape from the marshals. Queen and Barber were killed in two separate shoot-outs, one occurring near Claremore and the other at Spring Creek in the Saline District. The reward on John Barber was $4000 for his capture and $1000 for his body. Barney and Gideon White divided the $1000 reward. In September of 1890, Barney was summoned to serve a warrant of arrest to Redbird Coldweather, charged with introducing liquor into Indian Territory. Barney was killed on August 19, 1891, serving a warrant of arrest on charges of adultery to “Shep” Bushby and his son ex-Deputy Marshal Sheppard Bushby of the Cherokee Nation. “Shep” the father of Shepard had left his fort to attend a county fair a few miles away in the state of Mississippi, and during his absence the officers surrounded his home waiting for him to return. The cabin was well fortified being constructed like a fort with heavy logs. As “Shep” approached his fort he noticed the marshals and began firing on them. Barney Connelley was killed when he was fired upon as he approached the cabin. Sheppard Bushby was sentenced to the gallows on April 27, 1892. Bushby’s son was sent to the Detroit penitentiary, serving ten years for manslaughter.
(Ft. Smith Elevator - August 23, December 13, 1889; May 2, 1890) (Indian Citizen - March 22, April 12, 19, & June 28, 1890) (Ft. Smith Elevator - September 5, 1890) (Indian Pioneer History - C. B. Rhodes) (Hell on the Border - Harman) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List) Killed in the line of duty
Connally, Ben rode with fellow Deputy Marshals White, Petty & Rutherford in Cherokee country to serve a warrant of arrest to John Barber alias “George Wright” who was wanted dead or alive. Barber killed three sheriffs in Texas and had robbed the M. K. &T. Railroad. John Barber knew that he would be a dead man if taken in by the lawmen. If Texas officials got him they would hang him for killing the three sheriffs, if he went to Ft. Smith, Arkansas the “Hanging Judge” Parker would not show him any mercy. The Judge would either turn Barber over to Texas authorities or send him to the gallows in Ft. Smith. The marshal’s force located him near Spring Creek, twenty five miles north of Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation. The officers asked him to give up his guns and surrender. His expected answer was given when he fired his Winchester rifle. Deputy Marshal Connally immediately returned fire as Barber fled the scene on horseback. Barber rode some 300 yards before he fell dead from his horse. The slug from Ben Connally’s rifle ripped through Barber’s chest, killing him. The officers divided a $4000 reward which was issued by the state of Texas. Connally was one of the sixteen deputy marshals that stopped outlaw Ned Christie on Ned’s Fort Mountain near Tahlequah , Cherokee Nation in November 1892. Note: Refer to “The Capture of Ned Christie” for more information. Ben Connally worked under Marshal Patrick S. Nagle in 1896, assigned to Perry.
(The Territorial Topic - December 12, 1889) (Heck Thomas) (Hell on the Border-Harman) (Iron Men) (Charles Francis Colcord)
Connally James was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)
Conner, O. L. “Lonzo” was commissioned in the Northern District by Marshal W. H. Darrough. Lonzo was from Fairland and served as office deputy marshal at Vinita, Cherokee Nation. He served as deputy marshal from July, 1902 to 1914.
(Ft. Smith Elevator - August 1, 1902) (Indian Pioneer History - Lonzo Conner)
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Conner, O. L. “Lonzo” |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Vinita |
July 17, 1902 |
Conners, there were two deputy marshals named Conners that died on July 4, & 12, 1878.
(Arkansas Gazette - 1879) Killed in the line of duty.
Conway, David was turnkey of the federal jail in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, before April of 1889. In April of 1889, he became jailer. He served in the Central District in 1894, as jailer and turnkey.
(Ft. Smith Elevator - April 19, 1889) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Conway, John was commissioned on July 27, 1872, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Logan Roots. John lived in Sebastian County, Arkansas.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Cook, Harry G. Deputy U. S. Marshal
Harry G. Cook, State Resident 65 Years, Dies
December 8, 1948—Harry George “Teen” Cook, 79 who first came to Oklahoma in 1883, died Tuesday morning in the home of his daughter Mrs. Leonard C. Williams, 123 NE 14, after an illness of two weeks. Cook’s home was in Pawhuska.
A resident of Oklahoma when it was Indian Territory, Cook took part in all the land openings in the state. His autobiography, “Boomer-Sooner,” was published in 1939. In it he discussed life in the new country.
Born in Yolo County, California he settled near Healdton when he first came to Oklahoma 65 years ago. In 1887 he moved to Purcell where he lived before moving to Norman. He has resided in Pawhuska 35 yeas and operated a real estate business there before his illness.
While in Norman he was a deputy U. S. Marshal. He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and the ‘89er club.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Bertha Haydon Cook, Pawhuska; three daughters, Mrs. Williams; Mrs. Jesse J. Worten, and Mrs. Hazel Hunter, both of Pawhuska; a son, Harry G., who lives on the Phillips Petroleum Co. lease on El Reno; two sisters, Mrs. Belle Dillard, 421 N. Broadway, and Mrs. Bird Price, Childress, Texas; three stepdaughters, Mrs. Marie Nelson, Vallejo, California; Mrs. Oralane Pope, California; and Mrs. Lorena Gamble, Biloxi, Mississippi, and a step son, Donald Ballew, 2205 NE 22.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Johnson funeral home, Pawhuska, with burial in Pawhuska .cemetery.
Cook, Matt was commissioned in the Southern District Court in Indian Territory at Paris, Texas. On April 12, 1889, Cook captured Jeff Frazier who stabbed Joe Irvin near Anadarko. In June of 1894, was working in the Seminole Nation, when he was shot in the face by a Negro. Matt served a warrant of arrest to C. Peer near Stonewall, Chickasaw Nation for introducing and selling whiskey in the Indian Territory. Matt worked with Deputy Marshal John Swain when they arrested two whiskey peddlers, Lee Masters and James Jullen, fifteen miles south of Purcell, then transported them to the jail in Paris, Texas.
(The Ft. Smith Elevator - June 20, 1894) (The Advocate - October 19, 1894) (Atoka Indian Citizen - May 3, 1890) (The Territorial Topic- October 29, 1891) (Indian Pioneer History - Lem F. Blevins) (Indian Pioneer History - Billy McPeters) (Picture - The Chronicles Of Oklahoma - Summer 1990) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)
Cooper, James A. was over the Kingfisher District on July 15, 1893 working under Marshal Evett Nix of Oklahoma Territory. Marshal Patrick S. Nagle left Deputy Marshal Cooper in charge of the Kingfisher area when he replaced Marshal Nix on February 1896. In February of 1897, Deputy Marshal Cooper traveled to Enid, Oklahoma Territory where he was in charge of empanelling a jury for the upcoming court. In July of 1895, Deputy Marshal Cooper was part of a posse that went into the Gloss Mountains west of Fairview to try to capture the notorious Dick Yeager and Ike Black gang.
(The Kingfisher Times - August 1, 1895) (The Enid Weekly Sun - February 10, 1897) (West Of Hell’s Fringe) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)
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Cooper, James A. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Kingfisher |
1897 |
Cooper, Thompson was commissioned on April 11, 1886, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal John Carroll.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oath of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Cooper, William G. was commissioned on October 27, 1891, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Indian Pioneer History - Margaret Sains) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Copeland, Charles E. was commissioned on February 3, 1892, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He is pictured in 1880 -1890, in Glen Shirley’s book Heck Thomas, being six foot tall, weighing 170#, handsome with a very athletic build. Charlie Copeland was one of the sixteen members of the posse that stopped the dreaded Cherokee outlaw Ned Christie. Christie was a fugitive of justice for several years being wanted for violation of liquor laws, killing deputy marshal Maples and wounding several other deputies. The charged murderer had a number of Cherokee tribesmen who were dedicated to his cause, willing to give their own lives to protect his. Christie built a fortified fort on a strategic point, a mountain called Ned’s Fort, where he felt he could hold off the deputy marshals. Christie’s fort was constructed of heavy logs which were laid two logs thick with openings just large enough to shoot from. Copeland made his arrival at the fort during darkness. Copeland found a wagon that was loaded with rails, then pushed it to the fort providing a barrier between Christie and the deputy marshals. Two deputy marshals attacked from the left side of the barrier while two others attacked from the right side. The advancing deputies, with their Winchesters firing, forced Christie and his Cherokee comrade to take cover, which allowed Copeland to plant six sticks of dynamite under the front of the fort. Charley lit all six sticks of dynamite as the deputies close to the fort fled to a safer position. The dynamite blast forced Christie to flee from his stronghold where he was gunned down. It was this act that ended Christie’s career as an outlaw on November 2, 3, 1892. See “Capture of Ned Christie” in this book for more information. The Cherokee Advocate reported the killing of an Cherokee Indian Policeman named Med Hair on February 1, 1888. This may have been the same Med Hair that fought with Ned Christie. Another Cherokee ally of Christies was Arch Wolf who was arrested a year after Christie was killed, on charges of selling and introducing whiskey in Indian territory and two counts of assault. He was taken to the Ft. Smith jail to await trial. Wauhoo Hampton was a full blood Cherokee Indian who evaded the marshal’s force for a long period of time. The Cherokee outlaw was charged with murder and other crimes which made him attractive to the deputy marshals. He being brave and cunning made it difficult for the officers to capture him. Wauhoo took refuge in the hills of Adair County where he was never known to meet anyone on the trail due to his keen sense which allowed him to ride away before he could be seen. Charley Copeland tried several times to trail the Cherokee outlaw without any success until he was told where to find his prey. About daylight, Copeland approached the cabin where he met someone on horseback. The rider was Wauhoo Hampton who grabbed his horse by the neck then slid toward the ground trying to position himself between his horse and the deputy marshal. Copeland fired at the outlaw killing him as his feet hit the ground. Charles was assigned to the Northern Court at Muskogee in 1895, living in Vinita Indian Territory. (Ft. Smith Elevator - November 17, 1893) (Indian Pioneer History - J. W. Brewer) (Indian Pioneer History - Robert Choate) (Indian Pioneer History - Joe Hogner) (Indian Pioneer History - Andrew J. Langley) (Indian Pioneer History -R. Y. Nance) (Indian Pioneer History - James R. Padgett) (Indian Pioneer History - C. B. Rhodes) (Experience Of A U.S. Deputy Marshal) (Heck Thomas) (Law West Of Fort Smith) (Black, Red And Deadly) (Picture - Iron Men) (Picture-Hell on the Border-Harman) (Picture - Chronicles of Oklahoma - Summer 1990) (Picture - Muskogee Genealogical Society) (Iron Men) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
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Copeland, Charles E. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Siloam Springs |
July 1, 1896 |
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Cordel, John |
D.U.S. Marshal |
|
1907 |
Cordel, John was commissioned as deputy marshal on June 26, 1898, working out of the Muskogee court. John served a warrant of arrest to Barney Fixico and an Indian called “Wild Cat” who was wanted for murder. Wild Cat had been arrested some twenty years earlier but had escaped while he was being transported to Ft. Smith federal court. John was still living in 1930 at Holdenville.
(Indian Pioneer History - W. F. Jones) (Black Red and Deadly) (Experiences of a U.S. Deputy Marshal) (Picture - Notable Men of Indian Territory)
Cornelius, B.F. served in the Central District in 1894.
(U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896)
Cornelius, McPherson was commissioned on October 23, 1894, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. McPherson lived in McKey, Indian Territory.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical list)
Cornelius, Gus was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)
Cory, J. G. arrested Tom Watson for having in his possession five gallons of whiskey. He was arrested near the South Canadian River then taken to the federal court in Paris, Texas.
(The Territorial Topic - November 5, 1891)
Cottle, Al R. was first commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He later was commissioned as a salaried deputy marshal on July 1, 1903. In early 1903, Al was sent with Deputy Marshal Bud Ledbetter and E. H. Hubbard to control a racial riot that erupted in Boynton. In this incident one white and twenty-one blacks were arrested. Al rode with Bud Ledbetter and R. C. Fleming to the town of Porum where they seized sixty gallons of whiskey, then spilled it onto the street. The deputy marshals apprehended a local druggist who was charged with selling liquor. In February of 1906, Cottle was appointed office deputy by Marshal Leo Bennett of the Western District of Indian Territory. Cottle was still alive in 1930, living at Tulsa, Oklahoma.
(Marietta Monitor - December 29, 1905) (The Sterrett Sun - February 23, 1906) (Experience of a U.S. Deputy Marshall) (Indian Pioneer History - W. F. Jones) (Outlaws and Peace Officers of I. T.) (Picture - Muskogee Genealogical Society) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
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Cottle, Al R. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Muskogee |
November 10, 1904 |
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Cottle, Al R. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Ardmore |
February 19, 1906 |
|
Cottle, Al R. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
|
1907 |
|
Cottle, Al R. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Muskogee |
July 1, 1908 |
|
Cottle, Al R. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
|
April 2, 1905 |
Damon, Pythias ’Of U. S. Marshal’s Office Post Tulsa Transfer Ends 26 Year Companionship for Two Federal Deputies
January 14, 1929—Muskogee, OK—The “Al and Ernie,” the Damon and Pythias of the United States marshal’s office here, are to be separated after 26 years of constant association.
Tuesday, when Al R. Cottle leaves Muskogee to become chief deputy marshal under Grant Victor, recently appointed United States marshal for the northern district at Tulsa, a law enforcement combination which has endured here since before statehood will be terminated.
Individually and together, Al Cottle and Ernest H. Hubbard, chief deputy marshal for the western district, probably hold more records than any other two federal marshals in the country now in active service.
Cottle himself is believed to hold the record over all marshals now in active service for continuous years as a federal marshal with his 26 years, while at the same time he is said to be the youngest deputy marshal who has served more than 20 years. Cottle now is only 48 years old and became a deputy marshal at the age of 22 years.
Hubbard’s service in the office here antedates Cottle’s by three years, the former having been commissioned a deputy in 1900 and the latter in 1903. But both have the same number of total years service to their credit by virtue of the fact that Hubbard left the marshal’s office for three y ears in 1915 to serve as deputy federal court clerk here. That was the only interruption in the long association of the two deputies. Hubbard returned as deputy marshal in 1916 to continue up to the present.
Thus, both saw service in the Indian Territory days when federal law was the only law in what now is eastern Oklahoma.
Both have served under five United States marshals here. Dr. Leo Bennett was marshal in this office, then the southern division of Indian Territory, when both men were commissioned. Then followed in order G. A. Porter, Grant Victor, E. A. Enloe and Henry Cooper, present marshal.
In transferring to the Tulsa office, Cottle again will be serving under Grant Victor, but this time as his chief deputy. The Transfer was made by the United States Department of Justice on Cottle’s civil service classification.
Cotton, L. L. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Couch, John was working from the Eastern Judicial District Court at Paris, Texas, under Marshal Needles on March 8, 1892, when he shot Van Pendley in the Bob Watkins saloon in Ardmore, Chickasaw Nation. Deputy Marshal’s Milburn Reynolds and George Steward took Deputy Marshal Couch to Sherman, Texas where he appeared before Judge Bryant with a warrant of Habeas Corpus. Couch had been before the court in Ardmore for an examining trial and was to be taken to jail to await trial without bail. Judge Bryant allowed Couch to return to Ardmore under $3000 bail.
(The Territorial Topic - March 10, 1892) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896)
Couch, Richard, “Dick” worked out of the Southern District assigned to Ada, Chickasaw Nation. George England was his posse man. Dick was working with Deputy Marshals Bob Hutchins and Bob Nestor when they arrested Jack McDonald who had been charged with the murder of three Seminole Indians. In December of 1879, two Seminole Indian boys by the name of McGeesey and Sampson went to the home of a white family named Leard, knowing the husband was gone, with his wife home alone. The boys concocted a story they were at the home to borrow a saddle from Mr. Leard. Mrs. Leard told the boys that Mr. Leard was away and had taken the saddle with him. The two boys hid out next to the house where they lay in wait, lusting for the woman. Evidently Mrs. Leard sensed something was wrong for as soon as darkness set in she left the large room of the cabin. She walked through the breezeway into the kitchen which was a small room set away from the rest of the house. The two Indian boys knew the time had come for them to take their prey. Traveling from the yard they approached the large cabin room where they took Mr. Leard’s shotgun then walked through the breeze way into the kitchen. Mrs. Leard, hearing the boys approaching her, grasped her baby in her arms, screaming as she tried to escape her attackers. As she ran from the house, a blast from the shotgun dropped her instantly, then the boys took the baby from her arms to the large portion of the cabin where they threw it onto a bed. As they returned to Mrs. Leard she still lay on the ground where she fell. Both boys abused Mrs. Leard leaving her lay at the same spot where she had fallen. During the night the hogs came into the yard where they devoured her flesh. Inside of the house, four small children, eight being the oldest, huddled in fear waiting for the worst. The following day at mornings light, the small children found their mother lying dead. They went to their neighbors to tell what had happened to their mother. The investigation showed robbery was not the motive of the attack for sixty dollars was still tied around Mrs. Leard’s waist when they searched her. McGeesey was the first to be captured. He denied any involvement but was held as a prisoner. Another boy was also arrested who also denied any part of the abuse and killing. The officers told the boy he would go to jail if he did not tell where Simpson was. The boy, told the marshals Simpson would kill him if he talked. He was assured of his safety so he took the lawmen to Simpson’s home near Wewoka. When the marshals approached Simpson’s home he held a gun refusing to open the door. The officers rammed the door with a fence post which scared the Indian boy into surrendering his gun. The frightened boy confessed the crime and the officers placed a chain around his neck. Simpson was led to the crime scene where McGeesey was told that Simpson had already confessed. The two boys talked together in their native tongue, and then both confessed to the crime. Deputy Marshal Nelson Jones allowed the angry mob to take charge of the boys who burned them at the stake. Nelson Jones was sent to prison for twenty -five years.
(Indian Pioneer History - M. C. Roper) (Indian Pioneer History - James Riley Couch.
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Coulter, Earle H. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
Muskogee |
February 1, 1906 |
BENNETT’S DEPUTIES
Most Territory Officers
February 1, 1906—Oklahoma State Capital—Muskogee, I. T.—The first day of February Marshal Leo E. Bennett will assume his duties under his new commission for another four years of service in the Western District. On that day he will appoint all of his office deputies and all his field men, about thirty in all. He is making out these many changes, most of the old men holing over, Ernest Hubbard will be reappointed as chief deputy at a salary of $2,500 a year in the Muskogee office. Deputies R. C. Feming, A. R. Cottle, Ernest Randal and E. H. Coulter will be retained in the Muskogee office. “Bud” Ledbetter, the famous deputy, who has been in the service for years and who is now specially deputized to break up the liquor business in the district will hold over. He probably has confiscated 1l000 barrels of liquor during the last two years.
F. M. Elzee, deputy in Eufaula, will be let out and W. H. Hanna of Hanna, I. T., will succeed him. Elzee is the will be transferred from the Wewoka office to the field. The marshal has not decided upon the other appointments. Marshal Bennett has been in office here eight years and has made an enviable record in one of the most difficult positions that could be created for a marshal.
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Coulter |
H. |
H. |
D.U.S. Marshal |
July 1, 1906 to April 1, 1997 |
Courtney, George L. was commissioned on November 9, 1872, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Logan Roots. George lived in Sebastian County, Arkansas.
(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)
Covington, Tom arrested Henry Flakes also known as “Jackson” Flakes was charged with assault to murder a Texas sheriff named Minnick. Flakes was returned to Texas where he awaited trial.
(Marietta Monitor - September 23, 1898.)
Covington, Joe was commissioned in the Southern District Court Of Indian Territory at Paris, Texas. In May of 1890, Deputy Marshals Dave Watson and Joe Covington were on their way to the Paris court transporting Dick Everheart who was charged with lynching an old man named Keys, near Healdton last fall. Two riders rode up on the officers and pulled their guns, ordering them to put up their hands. As they raised their hands, the two men told the lawmen they never intended to be arrested, shook their hands and rode off. The two men were lawmen, Bill Isbell and John Blackburn. Deputy Marshal Covington was summoned to serve a warrant of arrest to J. J. Knight of Wilson Creek, who was charged with assault on his eleven year old stepdaughter and was taken to jail in Ardmore, Chickasaw Nation. Later he was sent to Paris, Texas where he was held without bond. In June of 1899, John Ward a member of the Dalton gang was shot and killed by Deputy Marshal Covington, near Duncan, Chickasaw Nation. The outlaw made a desperate fight to avoid arrest and was filled with bullets before he gave up. His death ensued a couple of hours later.
(The Kingfisher Times - February 22, June 21, 1894) (Ft. Smith Elevator - May 9, 1890)
Cowden, C. L. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, under Marshal Jacob Yoes. In May of 1890, he arrested S. H. Coke and found later he was wanted on murder charges in Terrey County, Missouri. He also served a warrant of arrest to B.S. Stevens and William Shelton, charged with introducing and selling liquor in Indian Territory.
(Ft. Smith Elevator - May 9, 16, 1890)
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Cowan, J. G. |