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Coldwater Star  1905--1906

June 18, 1905—Coldwater Star—“George Miller  of ranch 101, lately made a stage coach trip inland fifty miles from Ravalli, Montana, when he asked the driver what the fare would be, the latter replied: ‘First class, $7; second class, $3, and third class $1.50.’  Miller bought a first class passage and climbed aboard.  A moment or two later a stranger came up and after counting his money carefully, purchased a $3 seat.  Then came a native with holes in his shoes and his wearing apparel tied up in a red bandana handkerchief.  He managed to shake $1.50 out of his pockets and seemed glad to ride anywhere.  There was no difference, however, in the desirability of seat, whereupon Mr. Miller raised his voice in protest and upbraided the driver form making him pay $7 for a seat that was no better than one for which the tramp had paid $1.50.  “Keep your shirt on, pardner,’ replied the state drive, ‘and don’t begin kickin’ before anybody rolled the steel into you.  Yer getting’ a squaredeal.’  After traveling ten or twelve miles the road started p the almost perpendicular side of a mountain.  The driver halted the horses, turned in his seat, and in a voice that sounded like a station agent calling the departure of trains, exclaimed:  ‘First class passengers, keep yer seats; second class passengers, get down and walk; third class passengers, get out and push, and push like hell.”

DON’T UNDERSTAND TAXATION

Quanah Parker  Will Enlighten Members of His Tribe

August 31, 1905—Coldwater Star—Chief Quanah Parker , of the Comanche has gone to visit each family of his tribe and explain the law concerning the Indian taxes.  Heretofore they have paid no tax whatever and they don’t understand the new order.

            Chief Parkers says it will take him until far into the winter to make the round and that the Indians cannot pay until the spring.  He asks the county commissioners to extend the time till then and promises every cent will be paid.  They do not pay on allotments nor improvements thereon, but only on personal property, earned or purchased by themselves, as the government retains no interest in such effects.

MAY SHUT OUT CATTLE

Powers of Oklahoma Live Stock Board Are Explained

August 31, 1905—Coldwater Star—Attorney General Simmons has decided, in response to a request fro Thomas Morris, secretary of the Oklahoma live stock sanitary commission, that he commission has full power to designate the prohibited period during which cattle shall not be permitted to cross the territorial quarantine line, and full power to enforce any and all regulations deemed necessary by the board for the protection of the cattle interest of Oklahoma.

            A large number of cattle have been shipped across the Canadian River into the Chickasaw nation this summer for pasture, which the owners will probably want to return into Oklahoma during the open season.  ‘There was no provision in the law by which such cattle could be returned even during the open season, but according to the attorney general’s opinion, the sanitary commission has full power to make rules covering the point.

QUARANTINE FOR OKLAHOMA

Official Proclamation Issued By Territory Board of Health

August 31, 1905—Coldwater Star—the Oklahoma board of health has issued a formal quarantine proclamation.  The proclamation requires health certificates, containing prescribed data, from all persons coming into the territory fro Louisiana and Texas, either direct or by way of Indian Territory.  In the border counties of Comanche, Canadian, Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Lincoln and Pawnee all trains will be held up and each passenger required to show a health certificate.

MANY MEN WEARING CORSETS

Feminine Fad Has Made Its Way West to Chicago

November 5, 1905—Coldwater Star—“A surprisingly large percentage of well dressed men, or maybe I should say perfectly dressed men, in Chicago and some of the eastern cities are wearing corsets,” said E. Edward Blaine, a traveling man.  “Their clothing dealers’ and haberdashers are having a strong run on men’s corsets, which are made especially for this class of trade.  Is suspect that the new Paletot and tight-fitting overcoats are responsible for the fad, if such it is.  Men who wear clothes that fit them like the paper on the wall have long abandoned suspenders to support their trousers.  The new corsets give them the shape and their trousers are now made to fit over their hips like a woman’s skirt.

            “The men’s corsets are laced tightly to give the wearers shape and to keep them from stooping or becoming round shouldered.  This is a difficulty, which is being encountered in fitting Paletot coats.  Men are either stoop shouldered or are what the cutters call ‘hollow backed.’  Corsets assist in correcting these misshapes.  I hardly think that men in the smaller cities will wear corsets for some time at least.  Chicago dealers report that there has been a large demand for the corsets and that they sell all they can get in stock.”—Milwaukee Free Press

November 22, 1905—Coldwater Star—Major Gordon W. Lillie , popularly known as “Pawnee Bill has sold his interest in the Wild West show for $150,000 and will return to Pawnee to become one of her substantial citizens.

OKLAHOMA GANG BROKE UP

February 21, 1906—Coldwater Star—An organized gang, which is said to have done a wholesale business in the stealing of horses, cattle and hogs was broken up by the Anti-Horse Thief Association with the arrest of the Doolin brothers  , Arch and Otis, Arthur Wainscot  George Alderman  Thomas Saunders  and Earl Stanley , a Ponca butcher.  The particular charge on which they were arrested was the stealing of nine fine hogs from James Van Winkle  , living near Ponca City about a week ago.

IS TO BE ONE STATE

Senate Unanimously Passed Amended House Bill

Indians Granted Citizenship

State of Oklahoma to be Composed of Oklahoma and Indian Territory;  Prohibition Effective 21 Years I Indian Territory Part.

March 14, 1906—Coldwater Star—Washington, March 12—The result of the action of the senate in dealing with the statehood bill showed the accuracy of the forecast made in these dispatches, for not only was the referendum, leaving the question of statehood to the voters of Arizona and New Mexico, carried by a vote of 42 to 19, in which the Republicans had a large representation, but on motion of Senator Burrows everything in the bill relating to Arizona and New Mexico was stricken out.

            The bill now goes to the house for concurrence or rejection, with only the provision giving statehood to Oklahoma and Indian Territory retained.  Thus has the senate given its answer to the president and Speaker Cannon.

            Among the more important amendments made to the statehood bill in the senate, as regards Oklahoma and Indian Territory, is the striking out of the provision fixing upon Guthrie as the capital of the new state for a term limited to 1915.  This was done on motion of Senator Teller, and as it now stands, the provision reads:

            “The capital of said state shall temporarily be at the city of Guthrie, in the present state of Oklahoma.”

            Chickasha is added as a place where one term of court shall be held beginning the first Monday in November; Vinita is stricken out and Tulsa gets a term court beginning the first Monday in April.

            The Osage Indian reservation is constituted a separate county, but shall remain until the lands are allotted.

            There is a very grave question whether the house will recede and accept the senate bill.  It is certain that the speaker is not in a humor to do so without a struggle.  On the best of authority it can be asserted that he now has it in mind to call a caucus of the Republicans of the house and ask that caucus to instruct the house leaders on the course to pursue.  The speaker has not relished the attitude in which he has been placed on insisting upon the house statehood bill as a personal matter.  He contends that he has only followed the promptings of a majority of the republican members and he will ask for caucuses with a view to still further the carrying out of their will.  The insurgents contend that they were not given a square deal in the previous caucus, and were cut off from discussing their position while all kinds of promises were made to muster a majority against them.

            There are various views as to what the outcome of the statehood fight will be after the conference.  In some ways the position of the house has strengthened and in others it has weakened.  The elimination of the Foraker amendment which, of course, went by the board with the cutting out of Arizona and New Mexico and all other collateral propositions, leaves nothing for the senate to trade with.  The senate comes to the house with the absolute proposal that it recedes from its position and accepts an open and shut sensate proposal.

OUTLAWS TAKE TO MOUNTAINS

The Indians Said to Have Crossed the Illinois River

March 28, 1906—Coldwater Star—Oaks, I. T., March 26—Word received here indicates that the three Wickliffe Indian outlaws who are being sought by numerous posses, crossed the Illinois river on the night following the fight and are headed for Less Creek, a wild, mountainous country west of Stilwell, settled almost entirely with full blood Cherokees.  If this proves true, the outlaws have a long start.  Marshal Darrough moved his camp from Spavinaw hills to the Illinois River.

“WHITE SQUAWS” AND INDIANS

Mexican Branch of the Tribe Being Looked After

April 4, 1906—Coldwater Star—Johnny Mine, a Kickapoo linguist and philosopher, whose real name is Mah-me-qua-che-mah-che-mah-net and who can speak ten different languages is in Washington I the interest of the Mexican branch of the tribe.  He is said to be the most accomplished Indian linguist in the world.  He has some rather uncomplimentary opinions about the white man’s government methods, but he thinks the white man’s wife is a person entirely above criticism.  “Not much difference between the white squaw and the red man,” explained Johnny.  “They both paint, white squaw with white paint and red brave with red paint.  They both have to wear feathers when they are dressed up; Indian, he wars eagle feathers, and white squaw wears any kind of feathers she can get.  White squaws not much different from the Indian.

GERONIMO TO JOIN A SHOW

April 11, 1906—Coldwater Star—Old Chief Geronimo, the famous Apache warrior, signed a contract with Pawnee Bill  show for next season.  Permission for Geronimo to leave Sort Sill, where he is held a military prisoner was received from the department, through the influence of several of the officers at the fort and General Frank Baldwin, of the Southwest division.  Chief Geronimo will leave and join the show at Canton, Ohio, April 28.  His wife, daughter, niece and also an Apache interpreter will accompany him.

OPEN “BIG PASTURE” TO SETTLERS

April 18, 1906—Coldwater Star—This morning Sub-agent Silcott, with men and teams, began tearing away the fence around the “big pasture,” six miles south of Lawton, preparatory to the opening of the land to settlement.  He will also remove the fences on the pasture in the eastern part of this county, which is included in the Stephens bill.  The posts and wire will be divided among the Kiowa, Comanche and Apache Indians.

INDIANS WANT IMPROVED LANDS

April 18, 1906—Coldwater Star—The Comanche Indians are desirous of selecting their allotments for children born since 1900 in the pasture reserve near Duncan, I. T., and it is quite probably that the majority of selections will be made there.  These lands have been leased for agricultural purposes for three years, and every one of the 288 quarter sections has farmers on it and the land is improved, thus making it the most valuable of all the pasture lands at the present time.  “The Indians do not care anything about living near one another, or in any particular section, as they did formerly,” said Indian Agent Silcott.  “They want the very best lands and are going to have them.”

QUANAH PARKER IS NEAR DEATH

May 11, 1906—Coldwater Star—Chief Quanah Parker, of the Comanche Indians, is dangerously ill with a complication of malarial fever and a severe attack of rheumatism.  He has been in bad health for the past year and has been confined to his bed for a month or more.  There is little hope for his recovery and the tribesmen are already figuring on his successor.  Chief parker’s only son died some years ago and the chief will be elected by the tribe.  It is conceded that White Eagle, a medicine man, and the brightest of the Comanche, will succeed Parker as chief should the latter succumb to this attack.

THE PASSING OF FREE RANGE

May 18, 1906—Coldwater Star—On July 1 the days of free range for Beaver County will probably expire.  As long as five years ago, the cattlemen realized that the settlers were getting too thick for their interests.  They accordingly had called a special election, which declared for free range for five years.  During that time herd law could not be voted within the county.  The five years expires on July 1 and after that date if the homesteaders of each district prepare a petition to the county commissioners, the latter must call elections to vote on the herd law proposition.  The county is being settled up so rapidly, that it is expected that herd law will carry in at least two thirds of the county.

A BAD MAN KILLED NEAR LAHOMA

June 15, 1906--Coldwater Star—Bryon Cole, or Ward, a notorious criminal and outlaw, was killed nine miles southwest of Lahoma, Friday of last week by Deputy Sheriff Charles Campbell, of Garfield county, and Deputy Sheriff Burwelll, of Woods county, while resisting arrest.  A most sensational story has developed out of the abduction of May Ward by Bryon Cole, her half brother, from the humble Ward home at Lahoma, Thursday night of last week.  Cole had kept the family in terror and by quarrel with his father, whom he had threatened to kill, also threatened Miss Ward if she did not go with him.  The father immediately notified Sheriff Campbell in Enid and with a posse he started to the scene.  They arrived at a farmhouse, Eld.  Burchfield’s and Mrs. Burchfield who had seen Cole that morning gave the information, which led the posse to his discovery.  The following is re-printed from the Enid Eagle:

            The story of the shooting is best told by Deputy Sheriff Campbell:

            “We were preceding as rapidly as we thought advisable, knowing that we were not far from the object of our search.  In passing a knoll, which was higher than the rest near it, densely covered with timber, I thought I heard voices.  I stopped and listened, and the voices ceased.  When I started on again, the talking was resumed, and I soon became convinced that Cole and the girl were on the hill, and that he was trying to keep her quiet.  The balance of the posse was not in sight, but was close at hand.  I turned and passed partly round the knoll, and to the top.  Cole and the girls then ran out of a clump of black jacks making across the top of the knoll to get away.  As they passed a glade between the trees I called to Cole to halt.  He turned and fired at me with his Winchester.  I fired and he started to run.  I fired again and he fell to his knees and brought his gun I position to shoot again.  I stepped behind a clump of trees, and in looking around for a chance for another shot, saw that he and the girl had both disappeared.  In a few seconds I heard two more shots, and ran over the top of the knoll, supposing that Cole had killed the girl.  But Deputy Burwell had come up that side of the knoll, and it was he who had done the shooting.  Cole was down, and asked to be let alone, as he was dying.”

            Campbell’s second shot was undoubtedly the one, which killed Cole, as the latter was running at the time it was fired, and the bullet entered his back.

            Cole was a giant, measuring six feet four and one half inches as he lay, which would make him about six fee three inches standing.  His feet were very large.  His features though somewhat coarse, were not bad, and his facial contour was one of great determination and considerable intelligence.  His physique was superbly powerful, his weight being two hundred and ten pounds, with no superfluous flesh.

            After being shot, Cole made a confession to the officers, stating that he had killed a man in Colorado, had assisted in a bank robbery at Denver and had participated in several train robberies.  Cole knew from the time he was shot that he would die.  Another confession, the most sensational of all, was that it was he who had killed Martin Julian, near Ponca City in June 1905.  The story of that killing is as follows:

            Martin Julian was killed near Ponca City, in June 1905, while driving with Al Harpster and two girls.  Harpster was arrested and charged with murder and in the Kay County court last April, was convicted before Judge Bayard T. Hainer and sentenced to life imprisonment in the penitentiary.  He stoutly maintained his innocence and was convicted purely on circumstantial evidence.  Martin Julian at the time was driving with a girl, which was supposed to have made Harpster jealous, to which motive the crime was attributed.