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Davidson, Holmes Deputy U, S. Marshal 1914
Deputy Marshals Killed At Tulsa Two U. S. Officers Shot by Former Police Chief Militia Is Asked For At Mass Meeting Governor Is Appealed to for Aid
July 24, 1914—Tulsa, OK—W. J. Baber former chief of police and first secretary of the Tulsa Commercial club, Thursday afternoon shot and killed Deputy United States Marshals Holmes Davidson and Ed Plank when the officers attempted to search Baber’s residence for whiskey. Ike Wilkinson formerly a police captain under Barber, but in the federal liquor service for the last year, who went with Davidson and Plank to the Baber home, escaped although two shots were fired at Wilkinson. Telling the enforcement officers that he had no liquor hidden at his home, Baber warned the officers not to try to force an entrance. When the officers refused to regard Baber’s order to “stand back,” Baber opened fire with a double barreled shotgun loaded with buckshot. Davidson, with a six shooter in his hand was killed outright and Plank died in a few minutes after being shot. Neither officer fired at Baber so far as is known, Wilkinson took refuge behind a tree and after two shots had been fired at him escaped. Baber immediately notified police headquarters of what he had done and asked that an officer be sent to arrest him. Baber was arrested by Chief of Police Burns and Patrolman Bewely. At police headquarters Baber talked feely of the shooting, protesting that he fired to protect his home. Inquests over the bodies of the dead officers will be held Friday. Officer Wilkinson, Baber and Baber’s wife will be the principal witnesses. Marshal Davidson has been in charge of the government liquor officers here for a year and has been very active in the work of raiding whiskey traffickers. Ike was a candidate for the democratic nomination for sheriff of Creek County. Deputy Plank formerly was a deputy sheriff at Claremore and his people live in Claremore Excitement over the killing reached the fever point Thursday night, when a score of speakers addressed an indignation mass meeting of 2,000 people, held on a downtown corner. The result of the meeting was the sending of a telegram to Governor Lee Cruce, signed by citizens, urging him to send Adjutant General Frank M. Canton here with the power to put a ban on bootlegging and gambling. This telegram was ratified by the meeting enmasse.
Federal Aid Sought A telegram signed by fifty members of the Law Enforcement club was sent to United States District Attorney Linebaugh, demanding that Chief Larson of the department of justice and as many deputies as necessary be dispatched to Tulsa, with order to close all whiskey traffic at any cost. It was suggested that at least twenty-five special United States officers be stationed here immediately. Action by the government is expected immediately. General conditions I Tulsa were denounced by a score of speakers. It was declared by on that Tulsa, as it now is, is not a fit place for children to be reared. Rev. Linyd, pastor of the First Baptist church, said” “Unless immediate steps are taken to renovate this city, to reclaim it form the element now standing high, the better people are going to move away. People are not going to rear their children here; they are afraid to” Others in similar terms flayed what they claimed were existing conditions. Members of the Law Enforcement club have prepared to offer at the meeting of city commissioners Friday morning proof that gambling and bootlegging are carried on in the city. As a result of the killing of the government officers and the mass meeting Thursday night a great crowd of reformers will be present at the session of the commissioners. Telegram to Governor The following telegram, signed by two hundred citizens and ratified by the mass meeting of two thousand, was sent to Governor Lee Cruce: “Governor Lee Cruce, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Sir: Today Holmes Davidson, deputy United States marshal, and his assistant Ed Plank, were killed in cold blood by Bill Baber, notorious bootlegger of Tulsa. “It appears that this murder was unquestionable done in pursuance of a conspiracy to kill. “A condition exists in this community which can no longer be tolerated. We do not expect any assistance or law enforcement from our county officers, therefore we appeal to you, as governor of the state of Oklahoma. Law enforcement is a farce and lawbreakers laugh at a righteous public indignation. We must have relief instantly, and respectfully ask that you use every power and authority vested in you as governor of this state to see that the laws are enforced in this community and that crime and law violation, practically licensed by our officers, be suppressed by any and every authority you posses as governor. A petition to that effect is before you for action. ‘We appeal to you to enforce the law. We would be glad if you would send General Canton here at once with full authority to act. We respectively request that you act at once, positively and effectually. Will you act? The above telegram was read at a mass meeting of two thousand people and ratified by them. (Signed) “J. A. Hull President Law Enforcement C and Chairman of Meeting.”
Davis, B. P. was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas in 1899.
Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database Ft. Smith Historical List
Davis, Dad worked with Deputy Marshal Ernest Hubbard in the Eastern District in 1908. Author and ex-Deputy Marshal Selden Lindsey writes about an Alex or “Dad” Davis as an outlaw in his book, Selden Lindsey.
Selden Lindsey Gunman’s Territory
Davis, G. W. was commissioned on May 29, 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
Davis, G. R. was commissioned in the Northern District of Indian Territory in February of 1902, when he was deployed to serve a warrant of arrest to Fred Tiner, a Shawnee Indian charged with outraging three Shawnee Indian women. The charged would have been killed if it had not been for Deputy Marshal Davis who kept him from an enraged mob who wanted to lynch him.
Ft. Smith Elevator - February 28, 1902
Davis James C. was commissioned on June 27, 1891, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes.
Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database Ft. Smith Historical List
Davis, John met Sam Butler at Island Ford on the Verdigris River on August 1, 1895, where he served a warrant of arrest to the wanted murderer. Sam Butler, a member of the Cook Gang, resisted arrest which led to a shoot out. The outlaw fired the first shot which struck John Davis and as he fell mortally wounded he fired one last shot that found its mark, killing Sam Butler instantly. Justice was served. John was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database Killed in the line of duty.
Davis, John B. was first commissioned in the Southern District assigned to Durant, Choctaw Nation. In July of 1898, Officer Davis arrested Julius Person and Bob Forman when they disturbed religious services in Kemp. The two men were put in the Tishomingo jail. Davis reported court would be held in the towns of Madill, Colbert and Tishomingo, starting May of 1901. Tishomingo had previously handled all cases in these areas. Davis was appointed as field deputy to Colbert, Choctaw Nation in April of 1904, by Marshal George K. Pritchard of the Central District, serving until after statehood.
Marietta Monitor - July 15, September 23, 1898 The Antlers Democrat - April 12, 1901 The Choctaw News - June 2, 1904 The Ardmore Admorite - December 11, 1908 ndian Pioneer History - Jim J. Hunter
Davis, John F.
Ft. Smith Historical List
Davis, John T. was commissioned on June 12, 1893 and July 22, 1896, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George Crump. John resided in Huntington, Arkansas. In September of 1894, he served a warrant of arrest to a white man, Thomas Weaver on charges of bigamy near Huntington. The prisoner was taken to the federal jail in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
Ft. Smith Elevator - September 7, 1894 Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database Ft. Smith Oaths of Office Ft. Smith Historical List
Davis, John T. was commissioned on July 1, 1895, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. John lived in Wagoner, Indian Territory.
Ft. Smith Oaths of Office
Davis, Lon was commissioned in the Muskogee Court in 1898, serving under Marshal Leo Bennett. In 1898, Lon worked with Bud Ledbetter, Dave Adams, Bill Barker and Harry Adams, closing down gambling joints in Sapulpa and arresting the Hughes gang in Bristow. The three Hughes brothers would not succumb to the officers without a gunfight which left one dead. He was assigned to Sawyer, Indian Territory in 1905. On May 15, 1905, Deputy Marshal Lon Davis was summoned to quiet a drunk who was disturbing the peace. Will Dunn, in a wild drunken state, started a disturbance in the Sawyer pool hall. The proprietor of the pool hall closed the establishment to get rid of the unruly Dunn. Will Dunn finding everyone gone from the pool hall made his way down the main street, firing his pistol as he went. The deputy marshal found the rebellious Dunn at J. A. Hiner’s store reloading his gun. Davis made his way toward Dunn getting as close as possible, then he asked him to surrender his firearm but he refused, causing the officer to grab him, scuffling with him, trying to keep him from using his pistol. Davis pulled his own gun in self defense and shot Dunn four times with his 45 caliber pistol, critically wounding him. Dunn dropped his pistol after he was shot, never being able to fire it. The pistol was picked up by a bystander who found the weapon cocked and ready to fire. Will Dunn was taken to the town’s hotel where he lived until 2;00 A.M. the next day. Davis stood an examination trial in the Antlers court where he was released.
The Antlers News - May 19, 1905 Chronicles Of Oklahoma - Volume 46, 1968
Davis, William Floyd was commissioned from 1899 to 1902, assigned to the Bartlesville District. Davis rode with Deputy Marshal Al Lovett to serve warrants of arrest and transport prisoners to the federal court in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. As the railroads were installed, prisoners were hauled in railway cars to Ft. Smith, Arkansas. The railway made the journey faster, easier and safer for the prisoners, deputy marshals and witnesses that testified in court. On January 1, 1907, William was appointed deputy marshal under Fred Keeler working with Deputy Marshal George Williams who was killed on November 17, 1907. All deputy marshals lost their commissions on the Eve of Statehood, November 16, 1907. Some of the early marshals that Deputy Marshal Davis had contact with were: Snake Thompson, Charlie Warner, Bob Hubbard, Hi Stevens, Jim Walker, George Williams, Fred Keeler and Scott Bruner.
Indian Pioneer History - William Floyd Davis |
