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Ben Collins

MEMBER OF THE INDIAN POLICE IS SHOT DOWN AT HIS Home User

August 3, 1906—Ardmore, I. T.—Ben C. Collins, formerly a deputy United States marshal of the Indian police, was shot and killed at his home near Emmet, last night.  Two parties are believed to be implicated but as yet are unknown.  His wife, who was near, rushed to his side, but he was dead before she reached him.  Bloodhounds have been sent to the scene.  The dead man was well known in the territory.

W. R. Collins

JOINT SERVICE IS PLANNED FOR FATHER AND SON

W. R. Collins and Dan Collins to be Buried at Durant

December 8, 1939—Daily Oklahoman—Joint services for W. R. Collins and his son, Dan W. Collins, 40-year old internal revenue agent, both of whom died within a few minutes Wednesday night, will be at 2 pm. Saturday in Durant.  Burial also will be at Durant.

          The senior Collins died of a heart ailment believed due to shock cause by the critical illness of his son who was on sick leave from his office in Dallas.

          W. R. Collins, 82 years old, went to Durant in 1895.  He lived there 20 years, engaging in the nursery and mercantile business.  Before statehood he was a deputy United States marshal and was also the first district court clerk in Bryan County, serving two terms from 1908 to 1912.  He came to Oklahoma City about 12 years ago and served for some time as bailiff in the federal courts of Judges Vaught and Murrah, retiring after suffering a paralytic stroke in 1937.

City Marshal Cross, Geary, O. T.

MARSHALL KILLED

Geary Officer Murdered By Outlaws Who Are Still At Large

A Posse Is In Pursuit

Strong Suspicions Are Hailed As To The Identity Of The Murderers--Body Of The Dead Officer Thrown Into A Field

July 9, 1903 --Geary, Oklahoma --City Marshal Cross of Geary was killed, supposedly by three outlaws, at midnight near here.  A strong posse of sheriffs and deputy United States marshals are in pursuit, with the outlaws attempting to reach the Wichita Mountains .  They are believed to be the same men who looted the town of Hennessy several months ago.

            Nothing definite is known of the circumstances under which Cross was killed.  His body was found in an outfield just opposite his home at five o'clock this morning, with a bullet hole from a period 44 caliber revolver in the lower part of the abdomen.  The horse which Cross was riding at the time of the murder, was shot through the ear and neck, showing that at least three shots were fired.  Indications are that the outlaws were pursued by Cross and he was killed in a running fight, after which the murderers through the body over the fence into the field.

            One supposition is that the murderers are parties to were arrested by Cross in Geary last week, and who are said to have vowed vengeance.