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

Albert J. Imhoff to William M. Ivey

Ianson, Lauson, Janson, H. A. was commissioned at Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory in July of 1894.  He was one of the thirteen deputy marshals that fought in the “Battle of Ingalls”.  Deputy Marshal Hixon headed the deputy marshals from Guthrie and Stillwater to the prairie town of Ingalls.  Two covered wagons were used to conceal the deputy marshals.  The notorious Bill Doolin gang had been charged with crimes ranging from train robbery to murder.  Bill Doolin selected all of the gang members with William Dalton being his number one man.  The gang was feared and revered by the whites and Indians that lived in Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory.  Most of the deputy marshals shied away from them.   Trying to serve one of the outlaws with a warrant of arrest was risky for the outlaw was under the protection of the feared gang.  The Indian newspapers made heroes out of the gang members and made light of the marshal’s force for not arresting them.  The town of Ingalls catered to the outlaw’s needs partially due to fear and the money being spent in their town.  The Wharton train robbery along with the bad press from the newspapers brought about the Ingall’s battle.  The deputy marshals outnumbered the Doolin Gang. They had a good plan of attack but their surprise element did not work.  The marshals who were supposed to kick off the show were late for the battle, which started before they arrived there.   When the battle was over, three deputy marshals lay dead with only one outlaw wounded, who escaped capture. Arkansas Tom was the only member of Bill Doolin’s gang to be captured.  In March of 1895, Ianson came from Lincoln County with Emma Briggs who was charged with passing counterfeit money.  The money was of one dollar to fifty cent denominations.  Her counterpart was Frank Christy who had been lodged in the Pottawatomie jail before being sent to the federal jail. 

The Watonga Republican - March 20, 1895

The Alva Chronicle - March 22, 1895

West of Hell’s Fringe

Bill Doolin O. T.

Shoot From the Lip

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

Impson, Ben was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. 

Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database

Ft. Smith Historical List   

Killed in the line of duty.

Ingle, John was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.  Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database Ft. Smith Historical List

Ingram, N. B. was commissioned on May 6, 1895, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. 

Picture - Experience of a Deputy U.S. Marshal

Ft. Smith Oaths of Office

Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database

Ingram, John M. was commissioned on February 22, 1895, in the Western District of Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump.  It was reported that he passed through Atoka, Choctaw Nation, transporting fugitive Jim Self to the Ft. Smith federal court who was charged with stealing and selling livestock.  Will Harris his partner in crime, had been captured earlier but Jim Self escaped from the deputy marshals.  

The Atoka Record - May 31, 1912

Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database

Ft. Smith Oaths of Office

Ft. Smith Historical List

Irby, J. P. was commissioned in the Southern District, assigned to Ardmore, Chickasaw Nation in 1906, working under Marshal Grosvenor Porter.  Deputy Marshal Irby’s main duty was to control the flow of liquor from Gainesville, Texas into Ardmore, Chickasaw Nation.  A large amount of the liquor being brought into Indian Territory came by the railway.  While Irby was working the train station he observed two women that seemed to gain weight every time they left Gainesville.  Irby arrested the two women as they arrived from one of their frequent Texas trips.  A body search revealed several hot water bottles filled with whiskey strapped to their waists with waist belts. 

The Seiling Guide - June 14, 1906

Lenora Leader - June 22, 1906

Gunman’s Territory

 Irelan, O. M. was appointed deputy clerk in the Western District. 

Picture - Notable Men of Indian Territory

Irwin, Newton B.  was commissioned on May 6, 1895, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.  Deputy Marshal Irvin was a part of the posse that arrested the Buck Gang near Sapulpa, on August 10, 1895.  The Buck Gang was charged with robbery, several rapes, and the murder of a deputy marshal.  The crimes that the gang committed were so heinous that their capture was demanded by the citizens of Indian Territory as well as the federal court.  Everyone wanted to volunteer for this posse which was headed by Deputy Marshals Irwin and Sam Haynes, Creek Lighthorsemen and one-hundred citizens.  The Buck Gang would not surrender when they were confronted for they knew what their fate when they would be taken before the “Hanging Judge” Parker.  The gang had prepared for this day; for their brag was they would fight to the end.  A fierce gun battle lasted for seven hours until the gang realized there was no way out for them.  All five gang members were captured with the exception of Lewis Davis, who was captured a few days later. The gang was transported to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, where they faced Judge Parker.  All five members of the gang hung from the gallows.  Irvin was commissioned on June 1, 1896 while living in Sapulpa, Creek Nation. 

Hell on the Border

Black Red and Deadly 

Hell on the Border-Harman

Iron Men

Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database

Ft. Smith Oath of Office

Ft. Smith Historical List

Irwin, Erwin, William, was commissioned in the Western District Court at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.  Felix Griffin was turned over to Deputy Irwin on April 12, 1886, by the Cherokee Police on a charge of robbery.  It was late in the day and getting dark so the officer and his prisoner were riding pretty fast.  Just as they got opposite of Pheasant bluff two men, Jack Spaniard a Cherokee, and Frank Palmer a white man, rode up behind them and called out to Irwin to throw up his hands.  Irwin answered “all right” and reached for his pistol but before he could draw it, Palmer fired two shots at him.  When he fired he turned and run west.  Griffin rode away in the opposite direction while Spaniard followed Irwin shooting four times at him before he fell.  Spaniard then headed toward Griffin telling him that he had killed the officer.  Griffin told the officers when he was captured that Irwin never had time to draw his pistol before Spaniard killed him.  Griffin and his two friends went to their hideout in the Choctaw Nation.  Jack Spaniard was arrested on March 25, 1888, seven miles from Eufaula, Creek Nation, by the deputy marshals.  He was taken before Judge Parker’s court and hung on the gallows on August 30, 1889.  Frank Palmer left the country and was never captured.  Being a widower, Irwin’s body was claimed by his mother and two children at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. 

Ft. Smith Elevator - January 29, 1886; March 30, 1888; April 19, 1889

Indian Journal, Muskogee - April 22, 1886

Indian Chieftain, Vinita - July 8, 1886

Indian Pioneer History - Morris S. Sheppard

Indian Pioneer History - Robert C. Krebs

West of Hell’s Fringe

Law West of Fort Smith

Hell on the Border-Harman

Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database

Ft. Smith Historical List     

Killed in the line of duty.

Isbell, L. P. “Bones” was assigned to the Vinita District working out of the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.  In 1885, Isbel was sent to the Cherokee Nation to serve a warrant of arrest to Cherokee outlaw, Ned Christie.  Ned Christie and another Cherokee Indian named John Paris were both suspects in killing Deputy Marshal Dan Maples.  Paris confessed the crime to Deputy Marshal Heck Thomas, stating Christie fired the critical shot that killed the officer.   In 1889, Deputy Marshal Isabell went to Ned Christie’s home where they surrounded his cabin and set fire to the shop adjoining the cabin.  The lawmen hoped the fire and smoke would flush out their prey so they could capture their enemy without injury.  Christie went to the upper room where he positioned himself to fire from the hole in the gable.  Christie fired on the marshal’s force striking officer Isabell in the shoulder.  The posse, seeing their leader wounded, retreated leaving Christie in the burning cabin.  Christies’ relatives and friends came to his aid when they heard the gunshots and seeing the smoke from the fire.  Inside the house Christie was lay unconscious on the floor with the bridge of his nose broken and one eye blown out. Christie was taken to the hills where he was hid and his wounds were treated.  The ball from the bullet that struck Christie in the face was still inside his skull.  The bullet had to be retrieved from the back of his skull.  Deputy Marshal Isbell did not fair too well from his wound either for his wound left him crippled for life.  Christie seemed invincible for his wounds were so critical that it took a super human to overcome them.  See:  “The Capture of Ned Christie” for more information.  In June of 1886, Isbel and Deputy Marshal Kell came into Ft. Smith with five prisoners.  Two of the prisoners who were charged with murder were John Stephens and Alexander McIntosh.  On May 28, 1886, John Stephens a burly Negro was charged with going into the home of Annie Carr at night, killing both her and her sixteen year old grandson.  Mrs. Carr was found lying on her bed with her skull crushed by the blow of an axe.  The boy lay on a pallet on the floor with his head crushed and severed also by the blow of an axe.  Three quarters of a mile down the road from the Kerr house, Dr. Pyle, his wife and hired man were also found with their heads crushed.  It was suspicion that Kerr’s husband hired Stephens.  John Stephens was executed on January 14, 1887.  John Stephens contended his innocence throughout his trial and execution.  On December 27, 1890, a colored whiskey peddler, Minnie Rogers was run over by a railroad train which left him fatally injured.  On his death bed he confessed to the killing of Dr. Jim Pyle and Mrs. William Kerr.  Minnie Rogers confession was that he done the deed unaided and was hired by enemies of the victims.  In May of 1888, A. J. Blackwell, a white man, who was married to a Cherokee woman, had a set-to with some section hands of the Frisco railroad, in which Blackwell received a black eye.  The following day John Middleton, one of the section hands came to Chelsea, Cherokee Nation to settle the difference.  The two men met in front of Middletons’ store where a face off with pistols took place.  Middleton got off the first round without to much success.  Blackwell promptly lodged two balls into his adversary, who fell to the street.  Blackwell telegraphed the marshal’s office at Vinita, where he surrendered.  Deputy Marshal Isbell transported A. J. Blackwell and W. G. Slaughter to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, each charged with murder.  A. J. Blackwell was released from the Ft. Smith jail within the year.   During August of 1888, he brought in a Negro, Jim Martin, charged with the cowardly murder of a young boy known as Lewie who came to Indian Territory from Virginia.  The boy worked on a cattle ranch where Martin’s wife worked as a cook.  For some reason the boy quarreled with Mrs. Martin before returning back to his work at the herd.  Mrs. Martin related the fuss to her husband who took offense and went to Bill Wood to borrow a shotgun to do some hunting.  Bill Wood told Martin he did not have any shells for the gun but would loan him his Winchester rifle.  An angry Martin went to the herd where he killed the boy in cold blood.  In January and February of 1890, Isbell arrested seven men which he transported to the Ft. Smith court to be tried for charges, which ranged from assault, larceny, to introducing liquor in Indian Territory.  In April of 1890, Deputy Marshal Isbell arrested John Hodge and Sam Ridenhouse, robbers of the M. K. &T. passenger train at Pryor Creek in November of 1889.  On June 25, 1898, Isbell was commissioned again as deputy marshal. He was still living in 1930 at Vinita, Oklahoma. 

Ft. Smith Elevator - June 11, 1886; August 24, 1888; May 9, 1890

Territorial Topic - January 23, 1890

Muskogee Phoenix - April 10, 1890

Off The Record Indian Pioneer History - Stanley A. Clark

Indian Pioneer History - Phil Horton

Indian Pioneer History - W.F. Jones Indian Pioneer History - C. B. Rhodes

Indian Pioneer History - E. H. Whitmire

Hell on the Border Experiences Of A U.S. Deputy Marshall

Law West Of Fort Smith

Old West Magazine - 1974 Spring Edition, Page 20-21

Shoot from the Lip

Black Red and Deadly

Encyclopedia of Western Fighters

Outlaws and Peace Officers of Indian Territory

Outlaws and Lawmen

Hell on the Border-Harman

Iron Men Moment in Oklahoma History

Heck Thomas U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896

Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database

Ft. Smith Historical List

Ish, William “Will” was commissioned in January of 1876, out of the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal James S. Fagan.  In April of 1876, Deputy Marshal Ish served a warrant of arrest to a white man named Knowles at Atoka, Choctaw Nation.  Knowles stole a yoke of cattle in Pauls Valley then sold them in Atoka.  Knowles, having two previous arrests, escaped from the officers each time.  In November of 1877, William Ish served a warrant of arrest to Henry Nolan who was charged with intent to kill.  Deputy Marshal Ish turned Nolan over to Deputy Marshal T. A. Twyman.  It was common practice for one deputy marshal to turn over his prisoners to another officer that was returning to Ft. Smith.  This allowed the lawman to work in the field longer to capture other lawbreakers.  Sometimes prisoners were kept for several weeks before enough prisoners could be collected to make their trip profitable.  Henry Nolan escaped from the Twyman camp before he could be delivered to Ft. Smith.  

(Atoka Vindicator - February 2, April 26, 1876)

(Atoka Independent - November 23, 1877)

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) 

Isle, William was commissioned on August 7, 1872, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Logan S. Roots.  William lived in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. 

(Atoka Indian Citizen - January 18 & February 15, 1890)

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

(Ft. Smith Oaths of Office)

(Ft. Smith Historical List)

Ivey, Augustus Ed was commissioned on June 10, 1893, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. Deputy Marshal Ivey lived in Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

(Ft. Smith Oaths of Office)

(Ft. Smith Historical List)

Ivey, Henry served in the Central District in 1894. 

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

Ivey, William M. was commissioned as deputy marshal on July 15, 1893, in the District court at Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory by Marshal Evett Nix.  William was assigned to the Choctaw Indian Nation. 

(West of Hell’s Fringe)

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