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McAlester News 1901-1893
THE U. S. MARSHALSHIP
January 4, 1901—McAlester News —For some time past there has been a little speculation in political circles in the Indian Territory as to whether United States Marshal Jasper P. Grady would be a candidate for re-appointment in the Central District.
It has been known that there are a number of gentlemen in the District who felt themselves peculiarly adapted to this work, and, as a matter of course, would be glad to receive the emoluments of the office. Mr. Grady had not signified his intentions—the time had not arrived. The knowledge that it will be the policy of President McKinley to retain the present office-holders throughout the country, and that no changes will be made except for cause, makes it reasonably certain that Mr. Grady will succeed himself as U. S. Marshal, and it is not likely that any opposition will manifest itself that will place him on the anxious seat. He will be a candidate for re-appointment and desires his friends to so understand.
It may be said in behalf of Mr. Grady that he has made a faithful and efficient officer. He has given the office his undivided personal attention and has lived up to the law in every particular. It has been a matter of comment, and has come to be a recognized fact, that the Central District, which comes under Mr. Grady’s jurisdiction, there has been less crime and less riotous conduct therein of any district in the territory. There are no organized gangs of robbers that formerly terrorized the territory—they have been wholly weeded out. This is particularly noticeable in the extinction of the notorious Carpenter and Lee gangs, the members of which are now serving sentences in the penitentiary through the efforts of Marshal Grady and his vigilant deputies. Not only that, but during his administration of less than four years, more than 1000 criminals have landed in the penitentiary from his district, not counting the large number who have served jail sentences in the Ft. Smith and South McAlester jails for minor offenses. Especially has Mr. Grady and his deputies been active in the suppression of the liquor traffic—there is not boot-legging nor joints, and even the drug stores are not permitted to handle the stuff. If for no other reason than this Mr. Grady is entitled to respect and consideration at the hands of the people who weigh his official acts. During Christmas week, when there was a carnival of crime in the territory, there was but one killing in the Central District, and that was by Indian policemen at Old Town, who shot down a drunken bully who sought to intimidate and brow-beat him.
In this and many other ways, can it be said that the present incumbent has been a leader in the suppression of crime—the embodiment of what a faithful officer should constitute—and The News feels that it but reflecting the sentiment of the people, irrespective of party affiliation, when it says there is no desire for change in the U. S. Marshal’s office for the Central District.
No charge of dereliction of duty or malfeasance in office can be successfully maintained against him,--in submitting his names as a candidate for re-appointment. He has been faithful to his trust, and President McKinley and his political advisor will undoubtedly so decree.
INDIAN TERRITORY ITEMS
Passage of Creek Treaty
It Is Thought It Assures the Early Allotment of Lands
January 18, 1901— —the people of the section around Muskogee hailed the passage by the senate of the act ratifying the treaty between the United States and the Creek nation with delight. There is no doubt now that the treaty will be promptly ratified by the Creek council and become a law. Its adoption will place the Creek nation far ahead of the other tribes, it being the only one in which the Dawes commission has recorded selections of allotments. The other tribes preferred not to make their selections for allotments until their rolls were completed and their lands appraised so that they could get all the land to which they are entitled at one filing. It is estimated that by the end of the year authorities will be issuing deeds, not only to town lots, but also to farming lands in the Creek nation. The treaty authorizes the towns of the nation to issue bonds for putting in waterworks, sewers and other public improvements, and as soon as the treaty becomes a law Muskogee and other towns of the nation will arrange for putting in these much needed improvements. The treaty will also be of vast benefit to the educational interests of the towns in that it allows real estate in the towns to be taxed as soon as deeds have been issued for the lots.
TROOPS CALLED TO SUPPRESS INDIAN UPRISING IN TERRITORY
Five Hundred Full Bloods Would Drive Whites Off Reservation
January , 1901—McAlester News —Muskogee, I. T., Jan. 22—Three hundred full blood Creek Indians armed to the teeth are scouring the country forty miles southwest of here, terrorizing the whites and trying to make the members of their own tribe observe the old tribal laws. News of the uprising reached the United States Marshall Bennett here today.
Marshal Bennett has kept well informed as to the movements of this band of Indians, which is known as the “Snake Band,” but never before did he think that their actions would call for federal interference. Information received by him today, however, convinced him that he could not quell the present uprising and he immediately telegraphed the secretary of war for a troop of cavalry and is expecting word any moment saying that a troop had been ordered from Fort Reno, Oklahoma. A troop from Fort Reno can reach the scene of the uprising within twenty-four hours after receiving orders, but whether or not a single troop will be able to quell the disturbance is considered problematic.
Five Hundred Don War Paint
There are four distinct bands of these Indians, who are armed to the teeth, and they claim a membership, including men, women and children, of over five thousand. Their leader Crazy Snake , was in Choctaw yesterday purchasing supplies, and was heard to remark that five hundred full bloods are ready to fight for their old laws and customs and were going to oppose to the end all schemes to deprive them of their independence. He stated that they would better die than be trampled under foot by the white man and that they were going to fight for their rights. The towns mostly affected by the uprising are Fentress, Furris, Senora, Watsonville, Proctor, Burney, Bald Mountain, Bad Creek and the settlements along the Deep fork of the Canadian river, altogether embracing an area of about twenty-five miles square.
Information received by Marshall Bennett is to the effect that white men, women and children are fleeing from the town located in this district, stores are locked up and barricaded and the riotous Indians are confiscating all the good horses in the settlements. So far there has been no report of bodily harm to the whites, but those Indians of the Creek tribe how have anything to do with the whites or employ them in any way are handled roughly by the bands.
The feeling against the whites and friendly Indians is so bitter that they deem it best to leave immediately. Notices have been posted by the Snake band, stating that all members of the Creek tribe who employee white labor will be given fifty lashes on the bare back. General Pleasant Porter the chief of the Creeks, is in Washington and the Indian authorities are powerless to afford any protection.
CHOCTAWS IN ARMS
Full Bloods Hold Nightly Meetings In Which They Inveigh Against the Existing Order of Things--A Company of One Hundred Braves in Session Within Seven Miles of South McAlester--Under States Grady Awaiting Instructions from Washington.
January 25, 1901-McAlester News —The action of a band of rebellious Choctaws meeting in council last week, and seeking to dispose of Governor Dukes and installing in his stead a war governor in the person of Bell, is assuming a more serious phase than at first expected it would develop. Reliable information is to the effect that the warriors are not only heavily armed, but have held nightly meetings, in which they had inveigled against the existing order of things in the Choctaw Nation; they will not recognize the United States authorities as having any power over them; the Atoka agreement is not worth the paper it is printed on in their estimation, and they have threatened destruction to railroad property particularly that of the Katy railway, and this threat was embodied in the form of a resolution. The conservative Indians, those in favor of the new treaties, come in for a big portion of their wrath, and these Indians are afraid of their life and property. The rebellious Indians do not conceal their hatred from the present form of government and in fact are in open arms against the government. A condition of outlawry exists that calls for prompt and decisive action. They should be disarmed and made to disperse.
United States Grady has telegraphed to Washington, recounting the situation, giving it as similar as that now exists in the Creek nation, and says that he feels able to quell any disturbance if empowered to swear in a sufficient number of deputies, but it is likely that U. S. troops will be sent here within a short time.
INDIAN NEWS EXAGGERATED
Reports of the Creek Uprising Believed to Be Overdrawn
Unless Crazy Snake's Followers Get Whiskey They Will Probably Surrender Without a Shot
February 1, 1901—McAlester News —That the reports of the situation regarding the Creek Indian uprising have been exaggerated there can be no doubt. It is true the Indians are restless, but so far no violence has been done, and it is questionable if a shot will be fired. It is problematical, however, as the Snake band is well organized, and if they should get whiskey, or some deputy marshal should become indiscreet, there might be some trouble. But so far a general uprising at the present time is out of the question. The presence of U. S. troops at Henrietta is bound to have a good effect, not that they will be needed to do any active fighting, but the Indians who have taken Crazy Snake's words as gospel will be convinced that the President of the United States has not given Snake the authority to make Creek laws, as he has been claiming.
Probably the most important feature of the situation is the rumor regarding William A. Jones , Commissioner of Indian Affairs at Washington. Crazy Snake contends that when he was last in Washington he called upon Mr. Jones nd prayed to him for relief from the unjust terms of the Curtis Act. He says that Mr. Jones told him to return home and that the Creeks might make their own laws as heretofore. Snake not only says this is true, but insists that he has signed letters from Jones to prove his assertion. The charge is a most serous one, if true, as it is in the direct contradiction to the law established by Congress, and will have more to do to keep the Indians dissatisfied than anything else.
Now Wholly Without Politics
Of course, there is some politics in the exaggeration of the reports sent out from this section. The present United States Marshal, Leo E. Bennett, bold and fearless man, has a bidder for his office. His enemies have been giving color to the reports and saying that another marshal would have made wholesale arrests from the start, and thereby put a stop to even the suspicion of an uprising. The fact of the mater, however, is that under recently adopted regulations by the department of Washington, Bennett has been powerless to act without permission from Washington. This permission came only Friday night. He immediately began to act. He is busy getting supplies and provision together and left Muskogee Saturday morning, with about twenty deputies to join the troops at Henrietta.
His mission is to fight, if necessary, but principally to convince the Indians that Snake has no authority from the government to make laws and that Snake and they are violating the laws of the United States when they attempt to enforce the laws of the Nation as Creeks.
Marshal Bennett, Indian Agent J. Blair Shoenfelt and J. W. Zevely of the Interior department, are in constant consultation. All agree that they do not anticipate serous trouble, but are ready to care for it should it come.
Indian Agent Not Hopeful
J. B. Shoenfelt , the United States Indian Agent, says: “Many of the reports which have been sent out have been greatly exaggerated, although there I no disguising the fact that the Indians are restless, particularly among the most ignorant. Some of the young bucks have said that they will not submit to the government’s plan of land allotment. At the same time they have the most intense feeling against the Missouri, Kansas & Texas road. They say that the road has no right to urn through their land and are threatening to burn brides and tear u racks. They also say they will murder Indians who have white tenants on their lands.
“The particular object of Marshal Bennett ’s party and the soldiers is to arrest those who have been making threats. With the party will be Thomas A. Sanson, United States Commissioner, and J. A. Huckleberry , assistant United States Attorney. The offenders will be arrested and tried on the spot. The charge will be treason against the United States government. I expect the marshal’s party and soldiers will be out about a week or ten days.”
Whatever may be the justice or the injustice of the Curtis act, it is certain that this law is lately and entirely responsible for the threatened uprising among the Creek Indians. The Indians say the law is distasteful to them and furthermore that if the United States authorities attempt to cram its provisions down their throats bloodshed is bout to follow. The fulfillment of none of these threats is probable. The Curtis act was passed in 1898. Its principal point, so far as the Creeks and Cherokees are at present concerned, is that it abolishes all tribal laws of these tribes and says that all their members shall be governed by and be punished by the laws of the United States, just the same as any other citizen of the United States. It was at this the Creeks balked from the start, and two years ago, or directly after the passage of the act, there was in insignificant rebellion which was promptly suppressed. Ever since the Creeks have not been satisfied. They have been surly, and immediately began to organize to, at the proper time, rise and show the government that they were all powerful.
Crazy Snake The Agitator
In their midst, not far from Eufaula, lives the full-blood Chitto Harjo or in English, Crazy Snake. He is an organizer. He is a power among his countrymen and his power for good or evil is apparently unlimited. The real chief of the tribe is Lah Tah Mekko . It is he who signs all official documents, both the leadership, the brainwork, comes from Crazy Snake. What he says goes. No sooner had the former uprising been put down than Crazy Snake began a plan of organization. He gathered about him the warriors who were dissatisfied and they took his name, “The Snake band.” Today he has about 800-armed men and most of them mounted. He appointed what is known to the whites as deputy sheriffs, but to the Indians as lighthorse. The lighthorse are those Indians who are supposed to keep order, but have in reality been riding the country doing Crazy Snake’s bidding and assisting in the organization.
The binding together of the Snake band went on quietly, although the United States authorities had a suspicion that something of the kind was in progress. Although these actions were reported at Washington, no authority was given to the act. It was not until last October that the Creeks showed their hand. On the morning of January 1 a notice against land lessees or renters was posted.
The effect of this notice was that the Creeks openly defied the Curtis act and openly stated that the Creeks were still governed by their own laws. It was in direct defiance to the plan of land allotment adopted by Congress. The Indian in peculiar, or human if you will. The government has said that the land shall be allotted to him in a certain way. The Creek says that if he wants forty acres of land worth, say $400, no one has the right to compel him to take another tract, worth twice as much, if he insists on having the first, which has probably been his home ever since he could remember. He is quoted as saying: “It’s mine and the land of my forefathers, and no one—not even the Great Father, can make me take anything else.” He says he is right. The Curtis act says he is violating the law when he rebels The Lah Tah Mekko notice or proclamation saying that the Indian should own and control only his home place and that all adjacent property which he might be cultivating should be confiscated by the Nation was against the law and cause the authorities to act.
Leo E. Bennett, United States Marshal, sent word that whether the law was a good or bad one he was not called upon to say, but it was the law and must be obeyed; else he would take extreme measures to enforce it. The marshal’s warning was not heeded, as there were some attempts, to punish Creek offenders by the so-called Creek government.
FREEDOM FOR THE YOUNGERS
May 10, 1901—McAlester News —St. Paul, Minn., May 7—Coleman and James Younger, the most noted convicts in the state prison at Stillwater, today won the first step toward freedom from the institution, to which they were sentenced for life over twenty-five years ago.
For twenty-five years their friends have been working in their behalf, each governor being importuned frequently for a pardon. The third brother, Bob, died in the Stillwater prison a few years ago, but the efforts for the liberation for the now old men have never ceased.
Ten years ago a pardon board, composed of the governor, attorney general and chief justice was created, one of he arguments in its favor being the relief it would give the chief executive from the friends of the Youngers . Since then the pardon board has been asked repeatedly to act favorably on applications of pardon of the Youngers, but the required unanimous votes could never be secured.
Two years ago a bill was presented to the legislature providing for the parole of life prisoners and passed the senate, but was killed in the house. This year a similar bill, after several encounters on the floor of the two houses, got through and secured the approval of Governor Van Sant , but an amendment to it required the unanimous approval of the board of pardons before paroles of life prisoners could become effective. The opponents of the Youngers let the bill go through in this stage, but nothing could come of it.
Under the provisions of this law the board of prison managers today unanimously recommended the parole of the Youngers . This recommendation will be at once presented to the board of pardons but none of the members of the board would say whether a special meeting would be called to consider he matter.
AN OLD TIME FIGHT
Pitched Battle Last Week Like Old Times
Officers Thinning Out Gang
Details of a Bloody fight with Slayers of Anadarko Sheriff at Wewoka Last Friday—Casey Still at the Bat
February 27, 1902—McAlester News —Indian Territory will be set back several years more in the estimation of readers of Eastern papers through a bloody fight at Wewoka Friday between a posse and the survivors of the murderous Cravens gang. A Guthrie special to yesterday’s Kansas City Journal thus tells the story as brought out by a confession:
Two of the men, Joe Mobbley and Al Williams who were captured at the Wewoka, Seminole nation, fight last Friday, and brought to the Federal jail here for safe keeping, have confessed the entire story of the murdering of Sheriff George Smith and his deputy, Beck near Anadarko a few weeks ago. The confession was voluntary on the part of the prisoners and evidently made with a view of saving their necks and to throw the blame on Bert Casey , the only member of this gang of outlaws that escaped at the Wewoka fight.
The confession states that a party, composed of Casey, Mobbley, Williams , and Swafford, had gone into Caddo county with the intention of robbing some saloons, and to see what chance there would be to rob the bank at Mountain View. The gang took on a big drunk at Anadarko, and while going to the deserted hut where the killing took place held up a farmer and stole his saddle and ran his horse off. As is known, the farmer told Sheriff Smith and he and his deputies went to the hut to capture the robbers.
The result was a pitched battle in which Smith and Beck were killed and the outlaws escaped. The prisoners insist that Casey, who escaped and Swafford, who was killed at Wewoka Friday, shot the officers and Williams even insists that he was forced to do as he was bid. The prisoners state that after Casey had mortally wounded Smith he kicked the dying officer in the face and stood on his hands while robbing him.
Shortly after the murder of Smith four other members of the gang, who were to join Casey, were arrested in Anadarko. City Marshal Morison , of Hobart, who was in the city at the time and was unknown to the prisoners, put up a job on the outlaws and told them he would assist them to escape. Sheriff Thompson in accordance with a prearranged plan, caught Morrison in the act of passing a revolver into the jail, arrested him and threw him in with the outlaws. Morison soon had the entire confidence of the gang and they told him that Casey was their leader, that he and his three pals had killed Sheriff Smith and that as soon as they could escape they were to join Casey near Wewoka. With this clue the officers closed in on their den Friday and in the battle that followed Swafford was killed, Casey escaped. Bill Watson Mobbley and an unknown man were captured and one of the officers, Stone, was dangerously wounded.
There is no doubt as to the truth of the confession as the dead outlaw had on Sheriff Smith ’s revolver and the horses of both of the dead officers have been found where Casey and his gang had left them. The younger of the two prisoners, Williams is a new hand at the business and he not only told the officers of the fact enumerated, but told that the real leader of this, the worst gang of cutthroats in Oklahoma and Indian Territory, is none other than Ben Cravens , who is laying low to escape the officers for murdering Alvin Bateman at Red rock last fall.
The members of the gang now in custody are Mobbley and Williams, for murdering Sheriff and Deputy Beck; Levi Reed and Dan Moran, for the murder of the Beamblossom boy: Bill Watson , horse thief, and wanted for a murder committed in Kentucky; Gus Conger and Ab Mobbley, in jail at El Reno for stealing horses; George Barclay, under sentence of death for a murder committed in the Osage country; Lee Stanley, serving time for stealing; Bert Weltey , serving a life sentence for murdering Alvin Bateman in the Red Rock hold up; Brown and Simmons and our unknown men in jail at Wewoka; Bob Hardin , horse thief, and Walter Swafford, killed in the Wewoka fight. Bert Casey , Ben Cravens Bob McCune and Bob Sims all murderers and desperate outlaws, are still at large.
Supplementary to this is the flowing dispatch from Shawnee to the same paper:
Bert Casey, who was captured by the officers near Wewoka, I. T., escaped and today was met by a posse in the southwest part of Pottawatomie County. In the engagement that followed he was shot through the left arm. He is now thought to be near Wewoka, at the scene of the first battle. Sheriff Schram and a posse left for that point tonight and his capture is almost certain. His left arm is broken, but it is though he will not be taken alive.
Nine thousand dollars is the aggregate reward that is on his dead, dead or alive. Arthur Swofford , the brother of the dead desperado, who was killed last Saturday, is here today and identified the dead man as his brother. Governor Ferguson telegraphed County Attorney Pittman to deliver the body of Walter Swofford to his relatives. They will take it tomorrow to Asher, in the south part of this county.
CRAZY SNAKE’S BAND
Opposes the Ratification of Supplemental Treaty of Creeks
Two Men Are Dead
One Indian Murdered Because He Voted For The Treaty and Another Is Killed in Making Arrests by the Officers
July 31, 1902—McAlester News —Checotah, I. T., July 29.—A sensational story reaches here from Okmulgee, relating the death of two full-blood Creek Indians, one murdered supposedly by Crazy Snake ’s followers, the other a member of the Snake band, killed by the marshal’s posse, and ten other Snakes captured.
The Snake’s have rebelled against the action of the Creek council in passing the supplemental agreement last Saturday, and have been holding meetings at the Old Hickory grounds about ten miles about of Okmulgee. Marshal Bennett left Sunday for that place with a posse. The posse returned to Okmulgee Monday night with ten full-bloods. They were sullen and desperate. Both opposition and friendly Creeks are gathering at the capital, and trouble is expected.
The second chapter of the story is the report of the murder of Barry Bruner, a member of the house of warriors, the lower body of the Creek council. Bruner left Saturday night to attend an Indian corn dance in the Hickory ground vicinity, and failed to return Monday to attend the council meeting. A runner from the Snake stronghold brought in the news of finding Bruner’s body by the roadside near where the dance was held. His body was riddled with bullets, and it is believed he was the victim of the enraged opposition Creeks.
DETAILS OF FIGHT
Sorrells Killed and Scargil Wounded
A Bloody Fight Near Spiro
Scargil’s Pistol Failed Him and a Fusillade Followed on Railway Train—Special Deputy, a Bridegroom of a Week, Shot Through the Heart—One Desperado Killed and Other Escaped
January 8, 1903—McAlester News —The News contained a brief account Saturday of a desperate battle near Spiro, I. T. The following detailed account of the said affair appeared in Sunday morning’s Ft. Smith News-Record:
The remains of Sam Sorrels , who was killed by a desperado at Coal Creek Friday afternoon, were brought to this city yesterday morning by his sister, Mrs. George H. Coleman and interred in the city cemetery yesterday afternoon at 4 o’clock.
The killing of Sorrels took place Friday afternoon while he and Deputy United States Marshal Ralph Scargil were attempting to arrest two men who are suspected of being the men who killed the city marshal of El Reno, O. T., a short time ago.
There was a desperate fight for a few minutes and when the shooting subsided, Sorrels and one of the desperadoes lay dead on the ground and Scargil lay near by with a bullet wound through both thighs.
The dead desperado is about 40 years of age, dark complexion, about 5 feet 10 inches in height, and weighs 180 pounds. He lay all day yesterday in the depot at Sprio, but no one was able to identify him.
The other desperado, the man who shot Scaril, escaped, and although a posse went out from Spiro in search of him Friday night and a second posse started early yesterday, no news has been received of him. It is thought he made a short detour through the woods and caught the first freight train that comes along. He is reported to be a cool and daring fellow and a man who will not be taken without a fight. Sorrells lived at Kinta and was married only a week ago. He has been riding as a posse for the deputies of the Central district. Friday he was in McCurtain and there met Scargil who had received information that the supposed murderers of the marshal at El Reno were working their way east on the Ft. Smit & Western to look out for them. They started to Spiro, where Scargil lives and at Coal Creek saw two men, who answered the description that had been given them and they started to arrest them, intending to hold them for identification. When they called on the men to surrender the firing began and before it had been ended about 15 shots had been fired.
“When Scargil called to the men to surrender, they both drew pistols and began firing at the officers,” said one of the trainmen. “We were switching cars and didn’t see all of the shooting, which didn’t last over a minute.”
John Coker , who lives at Coal Creek and came in on the Fort Smith & Western Friday night tells the following story of the shooting:
“When the train pulled in the box cars were cut off from the coach, which was left standing next to the platform. The string of boxes was run in on a siding and two men got out of a car opposite the coach. Sorrels jumped off the rear platform of the coach and Scargil off the front end and had the men between them. I heard some one say, “We want you,’ and almost immediately two shots were fired. I stooped down and looked under the car and saw all the shooting. The desperadoes fired first and the shots were all fired almost together. Sorrels hit his man the first shot, that is, at Sorrells’ first shot, I saw the man facing him fall forward on his face. He partially raised himself and tried two more shots, and Sorrells fell backward. The man that was shooting at Scargil didn’t look to me like he was trying to kill him, for he seemed to be shooting at his legs. When Scargil fell he snapped his pistol a couple of times, but I guess it was empty. The man who shot him ran up , and poking his pistol in Scargil’s face, made him give up his pistol. Then he took Scargil’s cartridge belt, loaded the pistol and backed off, with a pistol in each hand, covering the crowd until he passed over the top of the rise, then he turned and disappeared in the woods on a run. When the shooting came to an end the passengers started to run around the end of the car, and found themselves face to face with the desperado, who commanded
“’Stand back, gentlemen!’
“And they stopped short, I helped put the men in the baggage car to bring them to Spiro. Sorrells was dead when we got to him. We thought the other fellow was dead, too, but when I was fixing his hat under his head in the baggage car, he opened his eyes, gave a groan and fell back dead.”
Sam Sorrells was raised on the farm adjoining August Harder’s place on Texas road, a short distance from this city. He was 34 years of age, and leaves four little children by his wife, in addition to a bride of a week. His wife could not be heard from prior to the funeral. George H. Coleman and wife went out to Spiro yesterday and took charge of the body.
Both Sorrells and the unknown man were shot through the breast very close to the heart.
The shooting caused a sensation among the passengers and there was a stampede to get out of the coach.
There was a general wish expressed on the streets yesterday that the dead man should prove to be the man wanted as there is a reward of $3,000 for the murderer of the marshal of El Reno, and that sum would go a long way toward the support of the children made orphans by his fatal shot. ‘The dead mad had fired five shots from his revolver and the revolver was partly cocked when it was picked up.
Deputy Henry Fannin and Posse McBrid were here Friday night after the bloodhounds and asked the officers to keep a lookout for the escaped desperado. The best description the local officers have of the man is that he is a tall, spare made man, wearing a white hat and a long, light brown overcoat.
The dog was not used and was sent back last night.
IT WAS MORLEY
Bandit Killed at Spiro Much Wanted Man
Was Four Times A Murderer
Sheriff and District Attorney of Norman, Oklahoma, Dig up he Remains of the Bandit Killed At Spiro and Identify Them as Belonging to Samuel L. Morley , Who Killed Oklahoma Sheriff—Dead Man Had Murdered Four Men.
January 15, 1903—McAlester News —The bandit, who, when mortally wounded, lifted himself up and killed Deputy Sorrells, in the desperate fight on a train near Spiro a few days ago, turns out to have been Samuel L. Morley , the Oklahoma desperado who, while making his escape from Sheriff Jacob Hartman last March, killed the officer. Sheriff George Smith and District Attorney B. F. Wolf, of Norman, Oklahoma, passed through here Monday night from Spiro, where they had been to look at the remains. The bandit had been buried but the corpse was exhumed. The identification was clear and without doubt. Before the body was exhumed Mr. Wolf who had prosecuted Morley, and who knew all about him, gave an accurate description. He told of the shape of the dead man’s fingernails, of his toes and described all the scars on him. One scar was on the man’s head, inflicted by the daughter of a man that Morely was robbing.
Mr. Wolf talked about Morley. He said:
“He was probably the most dangerous man in Oklahoma. I do not believe that anyone could have taken him alive. He would have refused to surrender had 25 men covered him with Winchesters. It was no surprise to me when I heard of the desperate manner of his death. I understand that when Scargil covered him with a revolver and with one hand on his shoulder told him to throw up his hands, that he threw up his left hand and shot the officer under it with his right. It was lucky for him that the officer’s pistol snapped but he did not know that it would snap. He simply took his chances. After he had two mortal wounds in his chest he raised himself and fired the shot, which killed Sorrells.
“The man who was with him answers the description of Dick Mason, who was with him at El Reno, when he made his escape from the officers. He is only 24 years old, has sandy hair and light mustache, is of spare build. I presume that the government will offer a heavy reward for his capture.”
Morley murdered a man at Chickasha a few years ago but before his trial the chief witnesses against him disappeared or died. He killed a butcher at San Antonio, Texas, before that. When he lay in his blood after the fight at Spiro a bystander recognized him as the murderer of the Texas butcher. He told the crowd that if he was the man he bore across his chest a long mark made by a dagger. His shirt was opened and the long mark was discovered. Counting the Chickasha man, the Oklahoma sheriff and the unfortunate Sorrells Morley had killed four men. The reward is very large. It is not know whether it will go to Scargil, or whether it will be divided, half of it going to the widow of Sorrells.
MARRIED BELLE STARR
Ft. Smith Says Female Bandit Was Cole Younger ’s Wife
February 12, 1903—McAlester News —Ft. Smith News-Record—The recent pardoning of Cole Younger has brought to light the fact that one of the old citizens of Fort Smith was present at the wedding of Cole younger.
It has been currently reported in this vicinity for years that Cole Younger and Belle Starr were husband and wife, but to the majority of people this was regarded as a mere tradition, but its corroboration by a witness to the marriage, removes all doubt from the question.
The man who witnessed the wedding was Mike Harrington, who has resided in this city for forty years or more and followed the avocation of teaming with al freight was transported to the country west of us in wagon trains.
This morning a party of old citizens were discussing the pardoning of Cole Younger in the officer of Justice Edmondson, when some one expressed a doubt as to the reported marriage.
“I know they were married,” spoke up Mike Harrington, who up to that time had taken no part in the discussion. “I was present at the wedding and saw them married. It tool place down in Texas and they were married on horseback. I had known both of them by sight for some time, so there was no possibility of my having been mistaken.
During her early life Pearl Starr , the daughter of Belle Starr , was always known as Pearl Younger and on her many visits to this city to attend court, Belle Starr always introduced her daughter as Pearl Younger, a daughter of the celebrated bandit.
In speaking of the statement made by Mike Harrington, an old citizen said:
“I do not know whether the two were married or not, but I do know that Belle Starr was with the Youngers many years before they go into that trouble in Minnesota. They took her to old Sam Starr’s house and it was while with them that she became acquainted with Jim Reed the robber captain she married after Cole younger was sent to the penitentiary. She took the name of Starr after he was drowned. Sam Starr and Frank West killed each other at a dance near her home in Younger’s bend. It was several years after this that she married Jim July, a Creek, who took the name of Starr. That was a case of the wife conferring the name on the husband, instead of her taking the husband’s name. July was an uncle of Naomi July, who was a member of the Buck gang and was hanged here several years ago.”
A dispatch to the News-Record from St. Paul, Minn., this afternoon says that Cole Younger will probably leave there for Missouri next Tuesday noon. He has received a number of offers of employment and assistance from his Missouri friends, one of which appeals strongly to him, being to raise stock in Texas.
VETERANS OF THE GRAY
New Orleans Gives Royal Welcome to the Battle-Scarred of a Lost Cause
No Bitterness In Their Hearts
Gen. John B. Gordon Says His Comrades “Have Long Since Drawn the Curtain of Oblivion Over the Regretful and Unseemly Things of the Past.” Cherishing the Valor of Both Armies
Mary 31, 1903—McAlester News —New Orleans, May 20—The thirteenth annual reunion of the United Confederate Veterans opened Tuesday under most favorable auspices. The great auditorium erected in the center of the race track of the enclosure at the fair grounds was filled with a cheering, enthusiastic multitude long before the hour set for the formal opening of the exercises when at noon Gen. J. B. Levert, commanding the Louisiana division, called the convention to order there was not a vacant seat in the hall, which easily holds 10,000 people. Rev. J. William Jones , chaplain general of the United Confederate Veterans, invoked the Divine blessing and Hon. T. B. Krutischnitt , of New Orleans, chairman of the local executive committee under whose direction the auditorium was erected, spoke words of welcome to the delegates and their friends and concluded his address by tendering to the old soldiers the auditorium erected for their especial use. As commander-in-chief of the veterans it was the province of Gen. John B. Gordon to reply—and as his soldierly form and battle-scarred visage came to the front of the rostrum, the delegates rose en masse and gave him cheer after cheer. The general repeatedly bowed his acknowledgment of the loyal and affectionate greeting an when the tumult had subsided, he replied as follows:
“To my thought it is most fitting that this proud and patriotic organization should again meet in this historic city which gave it birth. The meeting of such men as you welcome here, whose past deeds will remain forever an inspiration to American valor and to future sacrifices for constitutional freedom, is an auspicious event in the country’s history whenever and wherever it may occur; but how peculiarly inspiring is this reunion in Louisiana, on this 100th anniversary of her new birth into governmental alliance with American states. We will not indulge on this centennial—this political millennial morning—nor at other times in any bitterness. We feel none. We pity those who do. We have long since drawn the curtain of oblivion over the regretful and unseemly things of the past; and we cherish as Americans the valor and noble deeds of both armies and of all sections. We are satisfied with our records; and the power that would attempt to make us blush for it would be both stupid and blind. We are heirs, joint heirs, with the republics’ children I the inheritance of freedom left by our sires. We are proud of all the past. Moreover, we are no facing a future pregnant with tremendous possibilities; but we face it with strength of hope and assurance borne of an unswerving purpose to discharge our every duty to all races, and to the whole country. We are growing old but we still stand firmly on the narrow strip of land which separates us from a boundless ocean.”
At the conclusion of his address Gen. Gordon assumed the gavel and introduced Gov. Heard, of Louisiana, who, in behalf of the state, extended a formal welcome to the delegates and their friends. While the veterans were assembling at the fair grounds, the convention of the Sons of Veterans was called to order in the Crescent Theater by J. D. Nix commander of Camp Beauregard. Memorial services in honor of Jefferson Davis were held in Christ Church at 10 a.m.
CLAIMS HER HORSE
Mean Man Tries to Capture Virgie d’Or From Lucile Mulhall
Lady Roper Protests Stoutly
Wile Lucile Is at Home at the Ranch George Hazard Wins Her Pet Mare in
Selling Race at St. Louis by Gets Law Suit Thrown In
November 5, 1903—McAlester News —A St. Louis dispatch gives a characteristic story of the determined and womanish ways of Miss Lucile Mulhall, the champion lady rider and roper of the world. She disputes the right of a mere male thug named George Hazard to her horse, Virgie d’Or, which he claims out of a selling event of October 19. The dispatch says:
Mr. Mulhall sustains his daughter in saying the bidding by which Mr. Hazard , owner of the second horse in the race, secured the illegal title to the mare was unfair, and that the mare is still the property of miss Mulhall. Hazard does not look at it in that light and has filed suit, asking that Miss Mulhall be compelled to transfer Virgie d’Or to him and that the St. Louis Fair Association, which refuses to order her to do so, be compelled to pay him $2,500 damages.
Miss Mulhall is at present on her father’s ranch in Oklahoma, but it is easy to form an idea of her position in the matter from the story told by her father. Miss Mulhall was not here when the race was run, and did not know that Mr. Hazard had claimed the mare, which was entered for $300 in a selling race, on his $600 bid. When she came to St. Louis a few days later and learned what had happened she was not only angry, but almost heart-broken, for the animal was a present to her, and if Virgie should not win a race until Miss Mulhall grew to be gray-headed—which is a long time off, as Miss Mulhall is only 17 now—there would be no diminution in the quality of Virgie’s daily oats.
“He shall not have the mare,” she declared.
“Do you think I am going to let Mr. Hazard Mr. Anybody Else have Virgie? No indeed. And they can just tell him so, too.
Mr. Hazard went to see the Fair Association officials about it. He was evidently not given the satisfaction that he wanted, for he did not get the race and Virgie d’Or is still eating Mulhall oats.