Back to Index

Davidson, Holmes Deputy U, S. Marshal 1914

Deputy Marshals Killed At Tulsa

Two U. S. Officers Shot by Former Police Chief

Militia Is Asked For

At Mass Meeting Governor Is Appealed to for Aid

July 24, 1914—Tulsa, OK—W. J. Baber former chief of police and first secretary of the Tulsa Commercial club, Thursday afternoon shot and killed Deputy United States Marshals Holmes Davidson and Ed Plank when the officers attempted to search Baber’s residence for whiskey.

            Ike Wilkinson formerly a police captain under Barber, but in the federal liquor service for the last year, who went with Davidson and Plank to the Baber home, escaped although two shots were fired at Wilkinson.

            Telling the enforcement officers that he had no liquor hidden at his home, Baber warned the officers not to try to force an entrance.  When the officers refused to regard Baber’s order to “stand back,” Baber opened fire with a double barreled shotgun loaded with buckshot.  Davidson, with a six shooter in his hand was killed outright and Plank died in a few minutes after being shot.  Neither officer fired at Baber so far as is known,

            Wilkinson took refuge behind a tree and after two shots had been fired at him escaped.

            Baber immediately notified police headquarters of what he had done and asked that an officer be sent to arrest him.  Baber was arrested by Chief of Police Burns and Patrolman Bewely.  At police headquarters Baber talked feely of the shooting, protesting that he fired to protect his home.

            Inquests over the bodies of the dead officers will be held Friday.  Officer Wilkinson, Baber and Baber’s wife will be the principal witnesses.

            Marshal Davidson has been in charge of the government liquor officers here for a year and has been very active in the work of raiding whiskey traffickers.  Ike was a candidate for the democratic nomination for sheriff of Creek County.  Deputy Plank formerly was a deputy sheriff at Claremore and his people live in Claremore

            Excitement over the killing reached the fever point Thursday night, when a score of speakers addressed an indignation mass meeting of 2,000 people, held on a downtown corner.  The result of the meeting was the sending of a telegram to Governor Lee Cruce, signed by citizens, urging him to send Adjutant General Frank M. Canton here with the power to put a ban on bootlegging and gambling.  This telegram was ratified by the meeting enmasse.

Federal Aid Sought

            A telegram signed by fifty members of the Law Enforcement club was sent to United States District

Attorney Linebaugh, demanding that Chief Larson of the department of justice and as many deputies as necessary be dispatched to Tulsa, with order to close all whiskey traffic at any cost.  It was suggested that at least twenty-five special United States officers be stationed here immediately.  Action by the government is expected immediately. General conditions I Tulsa were denounced by a score of speakers.  It was declared by on that Tulsa, as it now is, is not a fit place for children to be reared.  Rev. Linyd, pastor of the First Baptist church, said”

            “Unless immediate steps are taken to renovate this city, to reclaim it form the element now standing high, the better people are going to move away.  People are not going to rear their children here; they are afraid to”

            Others in similar terms flayed what they claimed were existing conditions.  Members of the Law Enforcement club have prepared to offer at the meeting of city commissioners Friday morning proof that gambling and bootlegging are carried on in the city.  As a result of the killing of the government officers and the mass meeting Thursday night a great crowd of reformers will be present at the session of the commissioners.

Telegram to Governor

The following telegram, signed by two hundred citizens and ratified by the mass meeting of two thousand, was sent to Governor Lee Cruce:

“Governor Lee Cruce, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Sir: Today Holmes Davidson, deputy United States marshal, and his assistant Ed Plank, were killed in cold blood by Bill Baber, notorious bootlegger of Tulsa.

            “It appears that this murder was unquestionable done in pursuance of a conspiracy to kill.

            “A condition exists in this community which can no longer be tolerated.  We do not expect any assistance or law enforcement from our county officers, therefore we appeal to you, as governor of the state of Oklahoma.  Law enforcement is a farce and lawbreakers laugh at a righteous public indignation.  We must have relief instantly, and respectfully ask that you use every power and authority vested in you as governor of this state to see that the laws are enforced in this community and that crime and law violation, practically licensed by our officers, be suppressed by any and every authority you posses as governor.  A petition to that effect is before you for action.

            ‘We appeal to you to enforce the law.  We would be glad if you would send General Canton here at once with full authority to act.  We respectively request that you act at once, positively and effectually.  Will you act?  The above telegram was read at a mass meeting of two thousand people and ratified by them. (Signed)

            “J. A. Hull President Law Enforcement C and Chairman of Meeting.”