ROBERT KING

Lacey to Warren Lurty

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

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Lacey, Martin A. was commissioned on September 19, 1892, 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)

Lackey, John H. was commissioned on October 2, 1891, 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)

Lacy, was sworn into the Northern District Indian Territory in 1897.

(Picture - Experience of A U.S. Deputy Marshal)

Lacy, Joseph L. was commissioned on December 1, 1894, in the District Court at Muskogee, Creek Nation. Deputy Marshal Lacy lived in Webber Falls, Chickasaw Nation. (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)

Lacy, J. M. was commissioned on July 17, 1893, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under George J. Crump. Deputy Marshal Lacy lived in Neosho, Missouri. (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Lacy, Thomas E was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Ladd, W L. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. In July of 1891, a Negro desperado, Jeff Shoale killed L. V. Baldwin near Baldwin. Deputy Marshal Lad was sent to serve a warrant of arrest to the outlaw in August of 1891 and became engaged in a gun battle in which both Ladd and Shoale were killed.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - August 8, 1890) Killed in the line of duty.

Ladd, W. T. was a deputy marshal who was working in the Choctaw Nation in 1890, when the officers confronted notorious highwayman Eastman Battiste. Battiste was a Choctaw Indian who preyed on any traveler that came his way. In May of 1889, John Hyde, a white man, was traveling along the trail near Caddo when he passed through Battiste’s area. Battiste, seeing the traveler was white and traveling alone, robbed him of his possessions and killed him. A common saying among the highwaymen in this area was “Dead Men Tell No Tales”. Deputy Marshal Ladd knew that a gun battle was evident when he confronted the robber and murderer. A gun battle did develop which left the outlaw dead. The Ft. Smith Elevator reported on January 2, 1891, that Deputy Marshal Bill Ladd murdered his wife and then shot himself at Antlers a few days ago.

(The Territorial Topic - January 30, 1890) (Ft. Smith Elevator - January 2, 1891) Killed in the line of duty.

LaFlore, Louis was appointed as office deputy in 1904, for Marshal George K. Prichard of the Central District. Deputy Marshal Leflore was stationed in Atoka, Choctaw Nation. (Woodward Bulletin - April 1, 1904) (The Choctaw News - June 2, 1904)

Lake, M. F. was commissioned on May 4, 1894, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. He was commissioned from October of 1894 through December of 1895, living in Pawnee, Oklahoma Territory.

(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)

Lake, Frank was assigned to Pawnee on July 15, 1893, appointed by Marshal Evett Nix of Oklahoma Territory. Lake rode with Deputy Marshal Chris Madsen to capture the Bill Doolin Gang. In May of 1894, Steve Burke and William Nix captured Ben Cravens and William Crittenden who were placed in the Perry jail. The Perry jail was not secure enough to hold the outlaws. After escaping they were soon recaptured and placed in the Newkirk jail where they again escaped. Cravens was captured this time by Deputy Marshal Frank Canton and Frank Lake.

(Bill Doolin O. T.) (Charles Francis Colcord) (Picture - Oklahombres) (Picture - West of Hell’s Fringe)

Lally, Martin A. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Lamb, Charles J. was commissioned on October 28, 1891 in the Western District of Arkansas. In March of 1892, he served a warrant of arrest to Frank Hamilton for charges of adultery committed in the Cherokee Nation. He was commissioned again on June 5, 1893, while living in Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation. In September of 1893, Deputy Marshal Lamb arrested Willie Squirrel near Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation for introducing and selling liquor in the Indian Nation. The prisoner was taken to federal jail in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In November of 1894, two brothers, John and George Pierce, traveled from Missouri to Indian Territory to seek employment. A friend they knew from childhood, William Vandever was in their companionship when they arrived at Spring River, eight miles inside of the Cherokee Nation. After working several weeks the two brothers headed toward Tahlequah with a horse and colt that once belonged to Vandever. On January 15, 1895, while camped alongside the trail, Deputy Marshals Lamb, Bob Clark and Ed Reed confronted them, inquiring about the mare and colt they had in their possession. Inspection of their belongings revealed a pair of boots and a suit that once belonged to Vandever. They explained the boots were found on the prairie and Vandever left the suit, mare and colt when he became frightened after shooting a man’s dog along the trail. In his fear, he took a train to Texas and asked them to return his horses to his family in Missouri. After being arrested, the brothers were taken back the same way they came and shown a dead body, identified as Vandever. They said they never saw this person before and it was not Vandever. Following their arrest, they were taken to the Ft. Smith jail to stand trial and were executed on the gallows, April 30, 1896. Charles Lamb died in October of 1901.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - March 18, 1892; September 7, 1894) (The Weekly Elevator - September 8, 1893) (Hell on the Border - Harman) (Woodward Bulletin - November 1, 1901) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Lamb, William was commissioned on November 1, 1892, 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)

Lambert, William served in Central District in 1894.

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

Lambkin, E. M. was commissioned on April 27, 1896, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Deputy Marshal Lambkin lived in Poteau, Choctaw Nation.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Lamons, Stephen A. was commissioned on March 9, 1892, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In December of 1893, Deputy Marshals Lamons and Bauck were working the Creek Nation where they made several arrests. Noble Dennis and Charles Walker were apprehended near Ft. Gibson on assault charges. Ed Ross was arrested on larceny charges for robbing the express office in Ft. Gibson. The prisoners were transported to the Ft. Smith federal jail to await trial.

(The Weekly Elevator - December 22, 1893) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Lampston, Dean was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Lampton, telegraphed Marshal Crump in October of 1894, the Gibson Station had been robbed. The small town was hit by the Bill Cook Gang. The express office and stores were all robbed. Six men took part in the robberies. The Illinois Station was also robbed and the deputy marshals felt they were close in making contact with the gang. Ten men were spotted near the Illinois Station and it was felt that they were staking out the station for a train robbery. Crump’s response to the telegraph was to shoot Bill Cook on sight.

(The Advocate - November 2, 1894)

Lamson, Rube was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Land, J. W. was appointed as field deputy marshal in April of 1904, by Marshal George K. Pritchard of the Central District Indian Territory. Deputy Marshal Land was stationed in Carbon.

(Woodward Bulletin - April 1, 1904) (The Choctaw News - June 2, 1904)

Land

D.U.S. Marshal

McAlester

4/16/1908 OK Eastern--1907 I. T. Central

Former Deputy Has Disappeared

Relatives of J. W. Land Believe He Has Met With Foul Play

January 11, 1919—McAlester, OK—Sheriffs and police departments throughout eastern Oklahoma are being requested to make inquiries and investigations to ascertain the present whereabouts of J. W. Land of Krebs, former deputy United States marshal and late candidate for sheriff of Pittsburg County.

Land has been missing from his home since January 2, and his relatives believe that he has met with foul play. As an officer he incurred the enmity of many persons in the law-breaking class, and it is believed that he has been killed by some enemy or has been the victim of some highwayman for his money.

An active investigation has been started.

Landers, Al was remembered as a deputy marshal by Charles Hepner and Clara Clifford in Indian Pioneer History.

(Indian Pioneer History - Charles Hepner - Clara Clifford)

Landis, Allen J. was commissioned on June 5, 1893, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Deputy Marshal Landis lived in Bartlesville, Osage Nation.

(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)

Lane, Joe R. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Langley, F. C. was commissioned at Alva, Oklahoma Territory, in July of 1894 through June of 1896, serving under Marshal Evett Nix, assigned to Woods County. The Cleo Eagle-Chief newspaper showed Langley to be a deputy marshal assigned to Major County.

(Cleo Eagle-Chief - March 8, 1894) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Oklahombres)

Langley, Pete was assigned to the Cheyenne Reservation replacing Deputy Marshal Will Etherton.

(Indian Pioneer History - Will Etherton)

Langston

Jack

D.U.S. Marshal

Guthrie

Guthrie-4/1/1911 OK Western--Guymon-November 19, 1907 OK Western

Large, Sam was commissioned at Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory from July of 1894 through December of 1896, serving under Marshals Evett Nix and Patrick S. Nagle. He shot and killed T. V. Powell in August of 1894, while trying to serve a warrant of arrest for horse rustling, ten miles southeast of Cleveland. Large rode under Captain Lillie and Deputy Marshal Red Lucas when a warrant was served to “Chicago” a member of the Doolin Gang near Alva at Chimney Rock. In March of 1895, Large brought in G. W. Wilson from the Creek Nation who was charged with killing Zack Thatch on Rock Creek. The murdered man was an uncle to Wilson who when arrested had the dead man’s money and goods on his person. He did not deny the ownership of either but said his uncle had left him in charge of the outfit before going to Shawneetown. He entertained hopes that his uncle was still alive. The corpse of a man was found near where he had camped. The body was partially decomposed but the marshals made a partial recognition thinking it was the uncle of Wilson. No papers were found on the body for definite proof. Large took Wilson to Ft. Smith to stand trial. (Watonga Republican - March 20, 1895) (Experience Of A U.S. Deputy Marshal) (Shoot from the Lip) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Large

Sam

D.U.S. Marshal

Shawnee

March 11, 1905

Largen, R. T. was commissioned on June 23, 1894, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. Deputy Marshal Largen lived in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Larney, Este was commissioned on January 23, 1895, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. Deputy Marshal Larney was commissioned again on July 3, 1896, while living in Wewoka, Creek Nation.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Latham, Thomas B. was commissioned as deputy marshal in the federal court at Antlers, Choctaw Nation in 1900. In April of 1907, a young girl named Mismer was home alone when a Negro named Jim Williams came by wanting food. The young girl ordered him to leave. He took the girl and assaulted her for more than forty minutes. Williams fled to the woods looking for an avenue of escape for his deeds. When the town of Colbert heard the story, a search was started. Six local Negroes joined the search and one of them captured Williams, turning him over to deputy marshals working out of Durant. The Deputy Marshals A. N. Wilcox, T. J. Sexton, Tom Latham, C. L. Dobbs and Sam Cone assembled several Negroes into a lineup where the young girl identified Williams and a revolver he took from her home. The Negro was taken to Sterrett, (present day Calera) where the deputies waited to catch a train before a mob could take their prisoner from them. A group of men rushed the train station, ripping the door off its hinges. The officers drew their guns and held their ground for a moment but the number of men proved too great as they pushed their way through the door and crawled through the windows. The four officers, against the huge mob who were crying for the life of the prisoner, were too few to protect him. As the train came into the station more men joined the party and the Negro was marched away to an old oil derrick where he was badly beaten and his throat slashed. He was suspended high in the air as a hundred shots were fired with only one bullet finding its resting place in his side.

(The Antlers Democrat - January 26, 1900) (The Durant Statesman - April 5, 1907) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Latta, was commissioned at Van Buren, Arkansas, serving before any marshal was placed over Indian Territory. In March of 1851, Marshal George Knox was placed over the District Court at Van Buren. In 1846, along the Texas Road, near Fort Washita, Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, a number of Cherokees settled along the rivers where they were engaged in stealing horses. Emigrants traveling the trail from the Boggy Depot area to Fort Washita traveling to and from Texas became their prey. It was found that the Starr gang, who established headquarters at Younger Bend on the Canadian River in the Cherokee Nation, ran stolen horses to Texas and brought back stolen horses when they returned to the Cherokee Nation. In October of 1847, Mat Geurring broke into a home of a free mulatto and mixed-Cherokee blood people at Fort Gibson and kidnapped two girls. In the presence of the girls’ mother the girls were tied and carried off to the states. Deputy Marshal Latta was called to try to arrest the gang and arrested Tom Starr in Evansville, Arkansas. Starr had a previous murder charge for killing an old Negro man in Crawford County, Arkansas. Tom Starr was in jail in Clarksville, Arkansas in 1848 when he and Michael Doolin escaped jail. Deputy Marshals Latta and Smith was summoned from Van Buren, Arkansas to serve warrants of arrest in the Flint District in June of 1848. During the attempted arrest, Mat Guerrin, the notorious land pirate, Ellis Starr and Washington Starr were killed.

(Cherokee Advocate - October 7, 1847; May 29, June 5, June 12, July 3, 1848) (The Five Civilized Tribes)

Lauderback, John H. was commissioned on July 16, 1872, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, under Marshal Logan S. Roots. Deputy Marshal Lauderback lived in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Laughrin, Frank, was appointed deputy marshal by Marshal Grimes of Oklahoma Territory in January of 1891. Deputy Marshal Laughrin was assigned to the eastern part of Beaver County, Oklahoma Territory.

(The Territorial Advocate - March 4, 1891.)

Lausory, G. P. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Law

Adolph

D.U.S. Marshal

Ardmore

February 20, 1897

Law, L. P. was commissioned in the Southern District of Indian Territory at Paris, Texas, in 1894. He served as Special Deputy Marshal.

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

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

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List

Lawrence, Sam was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Deputy Marshal Lawrence arrested Silas and Corpelius Homes on larceny charges. The two prisoners were taken to the Ft. Smith federal jail to await trial.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - December 25, 1885) (Picture - Muskogee Genealogical Society) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Lawson, George P. was commissioned on July 19, 1893, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, while living in Yellville, Arkansas. He conducted twelve of the eighty-six executions at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In December of 1891, John Pointer killed two men named Baird and Bolding after stealing a team and wagon from them, four miles from Wilburton, Choctaw Nation. Deputy Marshal Lawson was given the privilege of arresting John Pointer and transporting him to the federal jail in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. On June 4, 1894, Deputy Marshals Lindsey Hart and George Lawson led a posse to the Wallace farm near Elk, Oklahoma, where “Loss” Hart shot William Dalton as he tried to escape. William Dalton was second in command in the Bill Doolin Gang. In February of 1895, George was working with fellow Deputy Marshal Grant Johnson when they arrested Wade Chamberlee in a Muskogee saloon. Chamberlee was wanted for the Blackstone train robbery. George worked with Deputy Marshal W. C. Smith to persuade friends of outlaw, Cherokee Bill, to divulge evidence and Bill’s whereabouts. The disclosed information resulted in Cherokee Bill’s capture, which eventually led to his hanging on the gallows on March 17, 1896. On August 14, 1896, he was commissioned again while living in Claremore, Cherokee Nation. In November of 1897, Deputy Marshals Lawson and Heston Bussey tried to arrest Dan Clifton, alias “Dynamite Dick” on the Sid William’s farm which was sixteen miles from Newkirk, Oklahoma. Dynamite Dick opened fire on the officers when they intercepted him on his horse. Deputy Marshal Lawson fired back with the slug breaking Dick`s arm which knocked him from his saddle. The wounded Clifton made his way through the brush to a nearby cabin where he hoped to elude the officers. The lawmen trailed Dynamite to the cabin where the outlaw fired as he ran from the cabin. The outlaw only made a few yards before he was shot again forcing him to the ground where he died in minutes. Dynamite Dick was the last gang member of the Doolin Gang. Deputy Marshal Lawson was commissioned again on June 28, 1898. George Lawson was still alive in 1930 living at Coweta, Oklahoma.

(The Weekly Elevator - December 15, 1893) (Indian Pioneer History - W. F. Jones) (Hell on the Border - Harman) (Outlaws on Horseback) (The Lawmen) (Experiences of A U.S. Deputy Marshal) (Shoot from the Lip) (Black, Red and Deadly) (Guardian of the Law) (West of Hell’s Fringe) (Encyclopedia of a Western Gun-Fighter) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Lawson

D.U.S. Marshal

July 1, 1896

Lawson, Robert C. was commissioned on May 12, 1871, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Logan S. Roots Deputy Marshal Lawson lived in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Lawson, William H. was commissioned on February 22, 1895, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. Lawson was a guard for the Western District Court jail at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Lawson and was on duty when Cherokee Bill and Henry Starr tried to escape from murders Row. Deputy Marshal Lawson lived in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Picture - Hell on the Border -Harman) (Black Red And Deadly) (Outlaws on Horseback) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Layman, David H. ”Dave” was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In 1885, he was one of the oldest deputy marshals in terms of service. Dave Layman was working in the Chickasaw Nation near the Texas line on April 10, 1883, where he set up camp with three prisoners in custody. One of the men was the father of Nelson Maroney who was arrested for introducing whiskey into Indian Territory. The other two men were Gillian and Davis. The prisoners gained advantage as Gillian shot Layman and as he was falling to the ground, he fired a second shot. As the fallen officer lay prostate on the ground, Davis shot him two more times to make sure he was dead. Gillian and Davis escaped while Maroney was captured. Nelson Maroney was an accessory in the murder. Maroney received four years for his part in the killing.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - December 25, 1885; January 1, 1886) (Heck Thomas) (Oklahombres) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List) Killed in the line of duty.

Layman, Frank was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Leafy, T. H. was commissioner at Pawhuska, Osage Country when Evett Nix was marshal. Evett Nix was marshal over Oklahoma Territory from May, 1893 to January, 1896

(Oklahombres)

Leake, Charley T. was commissioned on December 12, 1895, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. Deputy Marshal Leake lived in Southwest City, Missouri.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Leatherman, Letterman, Joe H. was working out of the Western District at Ft. Smith Arkansas, in May of 1899, when he went to the Chickasaw Nation to arrest Henry Deitz who robbed a store in Burneyville. in September of 1889, he was appointed office deputy marshal in the Southern District Court of Indian Territory at Paris, Texas. Leatherman served in the Southern District until 1898. On June 7, 1894, Leatherman rode after the Bill Dalton Gang.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - May 24, 1889) (The Territorial Topic - September 19, 1889) (Selden Lindsey) (Picture - Notable Men of Indian Territory) (West of Hell’s Fringe) (Ralph Evans - File #1161, Ardmore Library) (Southern District Court Notes - Purcell, November 11, 1901)

Leatherman-Letterman

Joe

D.U.S. Marshal

Purcell

July 1, 1898

Leatherman, R. E. was appointed as chief deputy marshal at South McAlester in April of 1904, by Marshal George K. Pritchard of the Central District Indian Territory.

(The Choctaw News - June 2, 1904)

Leattens, from the Southern District in Indian Territory at Paris, Texas arrested David Vaughn on larceny charges, in December of 1893. Vaughn was transported to the Ft. Smith, Arkansas jail to await trial.

(The Weekly Elevator - December 15, 1893)

Ledbetter, James Franklin “Bud” was sworn in as deputy marshal on June 5, 1895, then commissioned on June 25, 1895, by Marshal S. Morton Rutherford in the Northern District of Indian Territory with headquarters at Muskogee. Marshal Evett Nix had such high regards for him that he gave him a special commission with full authority to represent his office in any emergency that might arrive. In 1895, James Ledbetter wounded desperado Nathan Reed alias “Texas Jack” near Wagoner, Indian Territory. The Texas Jack Gang was wanted in Texas, Missouri and Kansas for train robbery. Texas Jack recovered from his gunshot wounds and reformed. He spent the rest of his days giving lectures on “Crime Does Not Pay”. In November 1897, Ledbetter captured Morris O`Malley, of the Jennings - O’Malley Gang on Snake Creek between Checotah and Okmulgee. The gang, specializing in train robberies, was made up of the Jennings and O’Malley brothers along with several other outlaws who were feared by many citizens in Indian Territory. Deputy Marshals Bud Ledbetter and Frank Jones confronted an outlaw, known as Zonia who had fled Arizona and joined the Al Jennings gang. He was confronted at Younger Bend on the Canadian River where shots were exchanged and Zonia was killed. Remaining Jennings's gang members consisted of Al and Frank Jennings and Pat O’Malley. Ledbetter captured the rest of the gang on December 6, 1897, near Rock Creek in the Chickasaw Nation. The gang was taken after a gunfight in which Pat O’Malley was shot in the leg and Al Jennings was slightly wounded. The train robbers were taken to Ardmore, Chickasaw Nation, where they were charged with assault to kill Deputy Marshall Ledbetter. O’Malley and Frank Jennings received five year sentences. Al Jennings was given life imprisonment for robbing a federal train in Chickasha, Chickasaw Nation. In 1895, Bud worked with Jess Jones and McCann to capture the Pemberton - Turner gang near Sapulpa. Also in 1895, Deputy Marshal Ledbetter took part in the arrest of the ruthless Rufus Buck gang charged with murder, rape assault and highway robbery. The mixed blood gang was executed by hanging on Judge Parker’s gallows on July 11, 1896. Bud Ledbetter arrested the first two men to be sentenced to death by hanging in the Northern District of Indian Territory. The two prisoners were Henry Whitfield, convicted of murder and K. B. Brooks, a Negro preacher convicted of rape. The two men went to the gallows in Muskogee on July 1, 1898. This was the first legal hanging in Indian Territory. Deputy Marshal Ledbetter attempted to arrest Clifton Webb alias “Dynamite Dick”, in the Creek Nation when he escaped from the Muskogee federal jail but when the outlaw resisted arrest Dynamite Dick was killed in the gunfire exchange. Bud Ledbetter was born in Arkansas in 1852, coming to Vinita, Indian Territory to live in 1893, where he served as city marshal. Officer Ledbetter served as a deputy marshal for nine years. Bud Ledbetter became sheriff of Muskogee County, known as one of the oldest living officers in the Southwest. Bud was still living in 1930 at Muskogee, Oklahoma.

(The Antlers Democrat - January 26, 1900) (Marietta Monitor - December 29, 1905) (The Bennington Tribune - August 23, 1906) (The Sterrett Sun - February 23, April 4, 1906) (Indian Pioneer History - Jesse Lee Blakemore) (Indian Pioneer History - J. W. Brewer) (Indian Pioneer History - James Calhoun) (Indian Pioneer History - William Carnahan) (Indian Pioneer History - William C. Cook) (Indian Pioneer History - Mrs. Ellen Cunningham) (Indian Pioneer History - Samuel L. Davis) (Indian Pioneer History - David Dickey) (Indian Pioneer History - Bill Hart) (Indian Pioneer History - Charles Hepner - Clara Clifford) (Indian Pioneer History - Samuel L. Davis) (Indian Pioneer History - W.F. Jones) (Indian Pioneer History - M. B. Louthan) (Indian Pioneer History - D. L. Mayes) (Indian Pioneer History - Sarah McConnell) (Indian Pioneer History - George McIntosh) (Indian Pioneer History - Leland A. Mosteller) (Indian Pioneer History - W.R. Mulkey) (Indian Pioneer History - John Palmer) (Indian Pioneer History - Josephine Pennington) (Indian Pioneer History - Nathan Reed “Texas Jack”) (Indian Pioneer History - John C. Robinson) (Indian Pioneer History - Dan Smith) (Indian Pioneer History - James T. Spencer) (Indian Pioneer History-E. D. Sunday) (Indian Pioneer History Lafayette Teel) (Indian Pioneer History - I. F. Williams) (Indian Pioneer History - W. . Worley) (Frontier Trails) (Black Red And Deadly) (Picture - West of Hell's Fringe) (Picture-Outlaws and Peace Officers Of I. T.) (Hell on the Border-Harman) (Hell on the Border) (Oklahombres) (Outlaws on Horseback) (Tales of Old Fort Gibson) (The State Of Oklahoma / Its Men and Institutions) (Picture - Notable Men of Indian Territory) (Heck Thomas) (Picture-Experiences of A Deputy U.S. Marshal) (Picture - Iron Men) (Chronicles Of Oklahoma - Volume 46, 1968) (Picture - Muskogee Genealogical Society) (Oklahoma Outlaws) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Ledbetter	J.	T.	D.U.S. Marshal		Western--February 1, 1906 I. T. Western--1907
Ledbetter	R.	F.	D.U.S. Marshal		March 21, 1905
Ledbetter	James	Franklin	D.U.S. Marshal	Nowata	1897 I. T. Northern--Muskogee- January 1, 1904 I. T.

Retired Oklahoma Peace Officer Dies

‘Uncle Bud’ Ledbetter, 84 Had Battling Record

July 10, 1937—Muskogee, OK—Funeral services will be held here Saturday afternoon for J. F. “Uncle Bud” Ledbetter, 84 years old, for a half century a battling Oklahoma and Arkansas peace officer, who died Thursday night.

The services will be held in the Muskogee civic auditorium. Members of the United States marshal’s office and city and county officers will attend in a body.

“Uncle Bud,” as thousands knew him retired to a farm near here in 1928 after serving since the 1890s as special officer, United States marshal, policeman and police chief in eastern Oklahoma. He began service as a peace officer in the 1880s as an Arkansas deputy sheriff.

Lee, David M. was commissioned on June 7, 1889, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. In August of 1888, Hiram Bias gave his wife a severe whipping from which she died. Before dying her last statement was here husband killed her. David was summoned to Vian, Cherokee Nation, where he served a warrant of arrest to Bias, taking him to the federal jail in Ft. Smith where he stood trial. In 1889, he arrested Will and Sam Hammons who were wanted for assault. On October 26, 1894, he was commissioned while living in Muldrow, Indian Territory. Lee is pictured in the 1908 reunion of the U.S. Marshals at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - August 24, 1888) (Atoka Indian Citizen - December 14, 1889) (Picture - The Western Peace Officer) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Lee, H. M. was commissioned at Shawnee, Oklahoma Territory from July of 1894 through December of 1895, serving under Marshal Evett Nix. (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896)

Lee, James B. “Jim” was first commissioned on May 28, 1889, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. Jim Lee came to McAlester, Indian Territory in 1888, where he lived in a tent with his brother, Crockett Lee. Shortly after locating in Indian Territory he arrived back in Ft. Smith with Marshal Carter charged with murder, Walter Hawkins, Gabe Brown, and Bill Miller charged with intent to kill, Viola Hull, Lena Miller and William Morris on charges of defrauding the federal government. Carter killed a man named Gaines in 1887, at Tishomingo, Chickasaw Nation and had been on the scout ever since. Miller and Brown way laid and attempted to kill George Hawkins on July 20, 1888 because he was a witness against the two in the Chickasaw courts. In 1889, Jim worked as a posse man under his brother. The two brothers were commissioned by Marshal J. J. Dickerson of the Eastern Texas District in Paris, Texas. One of the reported arrests that Deputy Marshal Lee made was of James McCalle who was wanted for assault. On June 17, 1893, Jim was commissioned while living in South McAlester, Choctaw Nation. In 1904, Deputy Marshal Lee was appointed deputy marshal by Marshal George K. Pritchard of the Central District Indian Territory, where he was stationed at Howe, Choctaw Nation.

(Atoka Independent - May 12, 1888) (Ft. Smith Elevator - November 2, 1888) (Atoka Indian Citizen - December 28, 1889) (The Weekly Elevator - September 8, 22, 1893) (Woodward Bulletin - April 1, 1904) (Indian Pioneer History - Crockett Lee) (Indian Pioneer History - Joe Southern) (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)

Lee, John was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. In October of 1888, he arrested a Negro Charles Overton, on charges of murder. Overton shot and killed another Negro named Albert Reed near Lehigh on October 2, 1888. Being wounded by Reed, Overton claimed Reed shot first and he killed him in self defense. The incident occurred over a fall-out over a girl. Overton was left suffering with a serious wound caused from a ball that entered his abdomen and lodged in his back.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - October 26, 1888)

Lee, R. Crockett came to McAlester, Indian Territory in 1888, where he lived with his brother Jim Lee. Jim Lee was a deputy marshal working out of the Western District court of Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Crockett started working with his brother as a posse man in 1889, where he first was commissioned under the Texas Eastern Court in Paris, Texas, under Marshal J. J. Dickerson. On July 24, 1891, Jim Crockett was commissioned under Marshal Needles, stationed at McAlester, Choctaw Nation, where Crockett continued to work as posse man. On November 8, 1895 he was commissioned while living in South McAlester, Choctaw Nation. In 1897, Crockett Lee was appointed deputy marshal in the Northern District Indian Territory, appointed by Marshal Leo Bennett. One of Crockett’s first important jobs came when he took part in trying to arrest the Cook gang, between the Verdigris and Arkansas Rivers, west of Muskogee. The lawmen received word that the Cook gang was holed up in a straw pile near a house. At daybreak, Deputy Burchfield and another deputy approached the haystack as Crockett Lee and Lem Mitchell moved toward the house. At the house, Crockett and Lem found a gang member whom they arrested, and then they heard gunfire coming from the haystack. As they approached the haystack they saw two outlaws running away and one of their lawmen dead. In the fall of 1896, there were three Green boys, Arthur, Bill and Ed who lived near Collinsville. The brothers became involved in a life of crime which started when they robbed two stores, one at Ring Gold and another at Posse Creek south of Tulsa. About the same time two Shawnee Indians traded wives. Milt Barker, the husband of one of the wives learned that his ex-wife had received some money from the sale of Shawnee land. Barker approached the Green brothers, hiring them to kill his ex-wife’s new husband, George Walden. Bill Green went to Walden’s tent asking for some food. George Walden’s new wife fixed him some bacon and eggs. After finishing the meal, Bill Green asked Walden to step outside of the tent to drink some whiskey with him. As Walden stepped from the tent, Ed Green stepped from his hiding place to shoot Walden. Bud Ledbetter and Lon Lewis were summoned to search for the Green brothers who were reported hiding along Caney Creek, in the Osage Nation. Their search was unsuccessful but a week later the Greens turned up at their home. Several lawmen including Lon Lewis, Bud Ledbetter, and Crockett were called to try to arrest the brothers. During a gun battle Bill and Ed Green were killed while Brother Arthur was seriously wounded. Arthur Green recovered from his wounds to serve five years for his part in the Walden murder. In 1901, Lee went to the town of Bache, near McAlester where he looked for a fugitive named Dave Tatum who had jumped bond. Scarface Jim was a noted whiskey peddler who was hard to catch and feared no person. Any lawman knew their chances would be poor to none to go against the bad man. Scarface and his wife traveled to McAlester, pulling a wagon load of whiskey. Making the trip with them was a lady friend named Lou, Bowers. Shortly after arriving in McAlester, Scarface’s wife became quite sick forcing her to return to her home in Roff, Chickasaw Nation. Rumor quickly spread that Scarface had been killed in McAlester. The lady friend, Lou Bowers, went to the marshal’s office in Muskogee to claim Scarface’s wagon, team and money. Lou Bowers told the authorities that Scarface had held her captive but she worked a deal which allowed Crockett Lee to confront Scarface at a designated place to eliminate him. Lou Bowers ended up taking everything that Scarface owned. The marshal made a raid on the gambling houses in Haileyville arresting the proprietors and twelve gambling tables in August of 1902. In April of 1904, Deputy Marshal Lee was appointed field deputy marshal at Claude, Indian Territory by Marshal George K. Pritchard of the Central District Indian Territory. Lee was still alive in 1930, living at McAlester, Oklahoma.

(The Territorial Topic - November 12, 1891) (Ft. Smith Elevator - August 15, 1902) (The Choctaw News - June 2, 1904) (Indian Pioneer History - W. S. Duncan) (Indian Pioneer History - W. F. Jones) (Indian Pioneer History - Crockett Lee) (Indian Pioneer History - Lon Lewis) (Indian Pioneer History L. A. Roberts) (Experiences of A Deputy U.S. Marshal) (Picture - Black, Red and Deadly) (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)

Lee

Crockett

D.U.S. Marshal

July 1, 1906 to April 11, 1907

Peace Officer’s Rites Planned

August 26, 1947—McAlester, OK—Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Chaney funeral home for Crockett Lee, 79, retired peace officer.

Rev. Ben F. Bland, Oklahoma State penitentiary Chaplin, and Rev. Frank A. Grubbs, First Christian church pastor, will officiate. Interment will be in Oak Hill cemetery.

Lee, a state resident since territorial days, began his career as a peace officer in 1891 when he was appointed deputy U. S. marshal. He served for 30 years under various U. S. Marshals.

About 19097 he took a position as special officer for the M-K-T railway. In 1907 he was made McAlester police chief.

After his retirement Lee turned hi attention to stock raising on his farm near Lake McAlester.

Survivors are his wife, a daughter, Mrs. J. T. Harmon, Amarillo, Texas, and two grandchildren, Capt. Jack Harmon, U. S. Army, stationed in Germany, and Mrs. Billie Lee Shores, Tampa, Florida.

Lee, R. L. served in the Central District in 1895.

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

Lee, W. A. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Lee, W. J. was commissioned on July 17, 1894, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. Deputy Marshal Lee lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

(Ft Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Leech, William A. was killed while serving as deputy marshal on April 10, 1884.

(Oklahombres) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) Killed in the line of duty.

Leeper, G. J. served subpoenas at the Wichita Agency on November 2, 1875, to witnesses in the Aaron Wilson murder case. Two Comanche Indians Peat-shi, Pe-way, Lieutenant Matthew Leeper Jr. and Surgeon J. A. McCoy were notified that their presence was required by Judge Charles Parker at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Aaron Wilson killed a Kansas man named James Harris and his twelve year old son, John near the Wichita Agency as they were traveling through Indian Territory to Texas. Aaron Wilson was executed on April 21, 1875, when he admitted his crimes and was hung on the gallows.

(Ft. Smith Records, Jacket #202, 1875)

LeFlar, Eli was commissioned on July 31, 1872, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Logan S. Roots. Deputy Marshal LeFlar lived in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oats Of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

LeFlore, LaFlore, Charles “Captain” was commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas around 1882. Charles also served with the Indian Police in the Choctaw Nation. In November of 1879, Deputy Marshal LeFlore rode with a posse man to arrest a horse thief at Limestone Gap. Leflore gave a warning to the thief to surrender, whose answer was a shot from his revolver. An intense gun battle broke out in which more than twenty shots were exchanged. The outlaw knowing the area was able to escape without injury. On February 25, 1884, Charles was commissioned by Marshal Thomas Boles. On December 2, 1885, he was living in Limestone Gap when he was commissioned. On November 28, 1887, and June 13, 1889, he was commissioned by Marshal Jacob Yoes in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In April of 1887, LeFore captured Steve Bussel who was wanted for a murder that he committed in the Chickasaw Nation. Charles was working in the Atoka area on May 14, 1888, after returning from Judge Parker’s court in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, where he attended the trial of Gus Bogel, the killer of W. D. Morgan of McAlester. Bogel killed Morgan at Armstrong Switch in June of 1887, by choking his victim with a strap and beating him in the face and head until he killed him. Captain LeFlore aided Deputy Marshal Sam Sixkiller in the killing of black desperados Dick Glass and Jim Johnson. The two outlaws were shot down when they were confronted while a third member of the gang tried to escape. LeFlore gave chase in a running gun battle which lasted for six miles. A year later Leflore was present when Jeff Nicolson and Black Hoyt killed Deputy Marshal Sam Sixkiller in the public street. Officers Keyes and LeFlore returned fire which killed Jeff Nicolson. Charles LeFlore was born in 1841 and died at the age of seventy-nine years being buried at Limestone Gap. Charley was married to the sister of a Chickasaw Governor and Deputy Marshal James Guy who was killed in the line of duty. Some of LeFlore’s memorabilia's were Dick Glasses pistol which was silver plated with marble handles. Charley also had in his possession a Winchester rifle taken from one of the Dalton boys when the officers captured them.

(Muskogee - The Indian Journal - November 8, 1879) (Ft. Smith Elevator - December 4, 25, 1885; February 12, 1886, June 6, 1888) (Atoka Independent - May 19, 1888) (The Choctaw Champion - August 19, 1898) (Indian Pioneer History - Lu Ferguson) (Indian Pioneer History - W.W. Gaither) (Indian Pioneer History - Joe Southern) (Picture - Leaders and Leading Men Of Indian Territory - Choctaws And Chickasaws) (Hell on the Border - Harman) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

LeFlore-LaFlore

Charles

Captain

D.U.S. Marshal

Atoka

4/1/1904--1906 I. T. Central

LeFlore, Felix was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

LeFlore, Lewis Campbell was appointed as office deputy to the Atoka court in April of 1905, by Marshal George Pritchard of the Central District Indian Territory. Campbell also served as jailer to the Atoka jail. A forty by fifty foot brick two story building served as a jail for the Choctaw Indian police and U. S marshals. The ground floor had three apartments. One apartment was for the jailer and guards, the second was for the white prisoners and the third was for the colored prisoners. The upper story had four apartments for women. One for white women, one for colored women and restrooms for each. The jail served until 1913.

(The Durant Times -April 21, 1905) (The Durant Weekly - June 2, 1905) (Indian Pioneer History - Joe Southern) (Picture - Notable Men Of Indian Territory)

Le Flore

D.U.S. Marshal

Atoka

April 1, 1904

LeFlore, LaForce, Newton served in the Central District in 1894. He rode with Deputy Marshal Will Neal and five other deputy marshals to serve a warrant of arrest to Buss Luckey and Tom Root, wanted for the Blackstone and Coretta train robberies. They received word the gang was possibly holed up in a farmhouse owned by Kizzie Lola, near the Broken Arrow settlement, south of Tulsa, Creek Nation. In December of 1894, the deputy marshals arrived at the suspected hideout of the outlaws. As the lawmen approached the farmhouse in heavy fog, the outlaw’s watchdogs started barking, alerting the gang. The gang evidently knew the lawmen would be coming for them because they were found hiding in a haystack. Running from the haystack, a running gunfight developed in which Roots and Luckey escaped. LeFlore was found after a brief search, severely injured, lying on the ground, shot in the back. Newton LeFlore died on December 12, 1894. Root and Luckey were tried for Newton’s death, but with the help of a shrewd defense lawyer they were able to escape the gallows. Their attorney used a defense that LeFlore was shot by his own posse since he was shot in the back. Luckey was acquitted of the murder charge but did receive fifteen years for the train robberies. Tom Root was later shot and killed near Cohcharty. (Leforces’ remains were shipped to Muskogee, Indian Territory.

(Indian Journal - December 14, 1894) (Indian Chieftain, Vinita - December 27, 1894) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Law West Of Fort Smith) (Black Red and Deadly) (Hell on the Border-Harman) (Oklahombres) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List) Killed in the line of duty.

LeForce, J. S. was commissioned on January 28, 1895, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. Deputy Marshal LeForce was living in Wagoner, Creek Nation at the time of his commission.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

LeForce, Perry was commissioned on January 5, 1895, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. Perry was living at Muskogee, Creek Nation at the time of his commission.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

LeForce, Robert was commissioned on January 7, 1895, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, under Marshal George J. Crump. Deputy Marshal LeForce was living in Muskogee, Creek Nation at the time of his commission.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Lehman, Charlie was remembered as a deputy marshal by Thomas Bradford Watts.

(Indian Pioneer History - Thomas Bradford Watts)

Levering, George served in the Northern Judicial District in 1894.

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

Lewis

D.U.S. Marshal

Tulsa

March 11, 1905

Lewis, Lon was commissioned in the Northern District Indian Territory in 1892, under Marshal Samuel Rutherford. Deputy Lewis served in the Northern District for ten years stationed at Tulsa. In 1895, Deputy Marshals Lon Lewis and Tom Wilson, working out of Muskogee, formed a posse consisting of Tom Wilson’s nephew, Lack Wilson and Lon Lewis’s brother S.R. Lewis to serve a warrant of arrest for “Texas Jack”, a train robber who escaped from the Muskogee jail. A gambler whose name was not known escaped with “Texas Jack”. A third warrant was in the lawmen’s possession for an Indian named Gube Childers who was charged with stealing cattle. The posse arrived at Springtown during the evening to find the town celebrating a festival. A thorough search of the town did not turn up any of the fugitives. Around 8:00 P.M. a colored man came to the officers asking if they were looking for Gube Childers. The lawmen were told Gube was not in town but would be there later when the dance started. Deputy Marshal Tom Wilson arrested Gube Childers at the dance and placed him under guard for the night. The next morning Gube refused to mount his horse to make the trip to the Muskogee jail. Gube told the lawmen he had been tried in the Creek Indian court where he had been acquitted of the cattle rustling charges. A large group of the town’s people gathered around the officers, holding their rifles, covering the officers. The marshals knew they would be lucky to be able to ride away without getting killed. N. B. Childers, Judge of the Creek Coweta District, who was standing in the group of people, told the lawmen the stolen cattle belonged to a white man who was married to a Creek Indian woman. The Creek court did not have jurisdiction over the case. The judge was an uncle to Gube Childers, who told Gube he would have to go with the officers. The older Childers said he would come to Muskogee in a couple of days to give bond. Gube Childers was taken to Muskogee where he was sentenced to three years in the federal penitentiary. In the fall of 1896, three brothers, Arthur, Bill and Ed Green, all farm boys living with their father who was an inter-married Cherokee. They lived on Caney River, four miles north of Collinsville. The three boys became cowboys and began to stray; their first undoing was to rob a store at Ring Gold then another store on Posey Creek, south of Tulsa. Murder became their next crime on their agenda when they were hired to kill a Shawnee Indian, George Walden by another Shawnee, Milt Barker. The source of trouble came when Walden and Barker traded wives. Shortly after the trade Milt Barker found that his ex-wife had received $500 from a Shawnee land sale so he decided to have the Green brothers eliminate George Walden. The Green brothers hired on to do the job for $250. Bill Green went to George Walden’s tent asking for food and Waldens’ wife fixed him some eggs and bacon. After eating Bill Green asked Walden outside, telling him he had some whiskey and wanted to talk with him. As Walden stepped from his tent, Ed Green stepped from his hiding place killing Walden. Brother Arthur was nursing a wound he had received during one of their robberies. Bud Ledbetter and Lon were called to make the arrest of the brothers. The brothers were reported to be in hiding in the eastern part of the Osage Nation along the Caney River. A week later, the Green brothers returned to their home where they went into hiding. Lon Lewis hired Charles McClelland, a well known Indian fighter and killer to help capture the Green brothers. McClelland was to gain confidence from the Greens. Charles Trainer, a man wanted for larceny, was selected to carry out the plan for leniency in his charge of cattle stealing. Trainer went to the brothers persuading them to rob a bank with him. Trainer met with Deputy Marshal O’Brien giving him the plan for the capture of the Green brothers. The Green brothers rode into an ambush at Grasshopper Ford on the Verdigris River. The lawmen divided into two parties using shotguns and rifles as firepower to stop the Greens as they rode single file down the trail. When Trainer approached the river he rode into the deep water where he allowed his horse to drink before crossing the river. After Trainer had crossed, Arthur Green laid down on a flat rock to drink. Bill and Ed Green rode to the top of the bank. Deputy Marshals Lewis, Ledbetter and McClelland came into sight giving an order to give it up. The Greens headed for the river trying to make their escape as Lon Lewis fired at Bill Green, hitting him in the shoulder. McClelland fired his shotgun loaded with turkey shot at Ed Green, wounding him without killing him. Ed fell from his horse onto the flat rocks in the river where he went for his pistol. Osborn and Crockett Lee fired from the distant bank as Bud Ledbetter fired the shot that killed Ed Green. Smith Bushyhead shot Arthur Green through the lungs leaving him seriously wounded. Bill and Ed Green both died from their wounds and Arthur was taken to Muskogee where he received five years for his part in the killing of George Walden. Milt Barker also received a five year sentence for hiring the killers. Lon Lewis was a part of the deputy marshal posse, made up of Paden Tolbert, Bud Ledbetter, Joe and Gus Thompson, John McClannahan and Jake Elliot which captured the Al Jennings Gang in 1897. Lon was born in 1867, served in the Texas Rangers, then came to Indian Territory in 1894.

(The Antlers Democrat - January 26, 1900) (Indian Pioneer History - Lon Lewis) (Indian Pioneer History - Chauncey Moore) (West of Hell’s Fringe) (Oklahombres) (Tales of Atoka Heritage) (Iron Men) (Ft. Smith Historical List)