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FIGHT WITH THE CHRISTIANS 

August 24, 1895—Dallas Morning News—Paris, Texas—A telegram was received at the United States marshal’s office today which seems to indicate that a pitched battle has occurred between the Christian gang and a posse of deputy marshals.  The gang was surrounded about eight miles fro Purcell by the posse of deputy marshals and a fight ensued in which Deputy Marshal Hocker was wounded. Deputy Marshal Good immediately repaired to Purcell for reinforcements and the telegram states that quite a large posse returned with him to the scene of the encounter.  The telegram was from United States Commissioner Gates and is therefore reliable. 

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ARDMORE DETAILS

Ardmore, I. T. August 23—An encounter between the noted Christian gang, who broke jail at Oklahoma City several months ago and a posse of United States marshals in charge of Ben Good, occurred shortly after daylight this morning six miles west of Purcell, in which Deputy United States Marshal Jake Hocker was shot and mortally wounded and Bob Christian shot, but how serious his injuries are  can not now be determined, as when his horse was cut down from under him and he was shot by Deputy Hocker his brother, Bill Christian, rode out of a thicket and placing his wounded brother on his horse ahead of him the two escaped. Hocker was shot by Bill Christian.  After Hocker received his wounds the other marshals turned their attention to the wounded officer and the outlaws saw a chance and they at once broke cover and fled.

            At 10 o’clock United States Marshal Sowe received the following telegram from the United States commissioner at Purcell:

            Purcell, August 22—To Stowe, marshal” Send all deputies possible on first train.  Have Christina gang surrounded six miles west of here.  Fight this morning.  Deputy Hocker and bob Christian both shot. Quick work necessary.

            P. J. Thompson, Commissioner.

            This information created great excitement.  Two strong posses of marshals, one in charge of Commissioner gibbons of the Paris court, were at once organized and left at ll o’clock to join the chase.  The latest advices from the scene is to the effect that the marshals are in close pursuit and capture is expected