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September 11, 1895—The Daily Oklahoma State Capital—Alva Review--Early Thursday morning E. T. Puleston and Dalt Roberts arrived in town from south of the Cimarron with the information that a murder had been committed about forty five miles south of this place. For some time past Gus Holland has been pasturing about eighty head of cattle on the head of the Cheyenne creek. On Sunday afternoon he went to a neighbor’s named Conway and stated that two men, known to him, had eaten dinner at his ranch; that they were heavily armed and that instead of going away they had hidden near by. He said he was suspicious of them. The neighbors urged him to stay there all night, but he said he would go and look after the cattle. About dark four gunshots were heard in the direction of Holland’s camp by Mr. Conway and others, some four miles away. Early next morning several of the neighbors went to the camp and discovered that both Holland and the cattle were gone. A searching party was then instituted and came to where digging had been done in the sand and after scraping away but a few inches of the loose soil the putrefying body of the missing man was revealed in all its horrible mutilation. Mr. W. T. Browney came in from the scene and furnishes the following additional particulars: It is positively known that Charley Smith and the man, who shot Holland and it is suspicioned that Bill Doolin and his companion. Forty head of the cattle have been recovered and a large posse of farmers is close onto the gang and the rest of the cattle. Charley Smith is a bother of the Smith who was killed by Marshal Williams while resisting arrest last winter.
HOME SEEKERS WHO WON ARE LOOKING AT THE LAND
Locators, Lawyers, and Sharks Are Moving Into Lawton Numerously
Official Map Inadequate
The Lawton Post Office Begins Business With Several Wagon Loads of Mail
Accumulated On Hand For The Ten Mail Clerks To Work Up
August 3, 1901—Oklahoma State Capital—Fort Sill, O. T. August 2—As yesterday was pay day for the Indians the roads were line with Indians arrayed in all their gaudy costumes and as usual on the day before payday completely out of funds. The money issued was the regular semi annual payments for the grass money or the rent for their pastures. Colonel Randlett arrived yesterday and by noon he had completed the work here. The colonel and his assistants have been at work at this payment for about two weeks and it was only with greatest effort on the part of his clerks that he completed the work here today. During the past two weeks payments have been made to Kiowas, Comanches and Apaches at Anadarko, Rainy Lake, East Cache and the Red Store two miles south of Fort Sill. The Comanches and Apaches receive $40 per capita, which amounts to about one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. The Wichitas will receive only $20 per head.
The Wichitas will receive their payment next week. The Indians no sooner receive their money than they are beset on all sides by gamblers who are always on hand on pay day, but in most instances they find a good match in “Poor Lo” from the time he is old enough to walk.
Those who have to file on the sixth are beginning to come in and are all out looking for good claims. Agreeable surprises were in store for some of the lucky few who received their notification cards today, as some of these had not read their names I the papers. The locators, lawyers and gamblers are flocking in as thick as bees, and the postmaster, Mr. White, was expected today, but for some reason did not come. A few have received copies of the government map, but nearly all are greatly disappointed as it does not give any of the rivers, and topography of the land, and a man in order to intelligently use this map must have a Cobb map. The democrats have well advertised their meeting and a large crowd is expected.
The Lawton post office was opened on Sunday with ten clerks who started in to work to about ten wagonloads of mail, which has been packed, into barrels awaiting the opening of the office. It seems that Lawton holds the record for the volume of business awaiting a new post office.
A. C. Atkins who drove from Iowa was found in his tent very ill and a purse of $52 was immediately raised and the old man was sent back home. Deputy Heck Thomas returned from Anadarko and reported that every thing in the northern district is very quiet.
The marshal this morning arrested another whiskey peddler who will stand trial before Commissioner McMasters.
Many were the disappointments today, a few happy surprises. The telegrapher at Ft. Sill was one of the favored few, and drew No. 74.
The construction of the post office will be completed here today, and will be ready for business by the sixth, which will be a relief to the people as al have to go five miles to Ft. Sill for all mail..
The hack drivers have at last opened up a road straight from Lawton to Marlow, which saves five miles, as teams met the train, the trip can be made in a short time.
The republicans held a meeting and made arrangements to give Governor Jenkins, Secretary Grimes, Dennis Flynn and several other prominent republicans a reception when they arrive the last of the week. A committee was appointed to make arrangements for a meeting Saturday night, which was called for the purpose of perfecting a county organization. Charles H. Thompson, one of the deputy marshals here, who registered the last day learned today that he was one of the luck few. People are coming on from every direction, North, East and South, and in all kinds of conveyances. One old farmer and all of his children walked over from Marlow.
Following the close of the land lottery yesterday at El Reno, thousands of home seekers who drew clanks started for the point picked out by the federal government for townsites in the new country, namely, Anadarko, Hobart and Lawton. A majority of the people favored Lawton, which is twenty-five miles inland, and tonight thousands are camped in and about the proposed town site awaiting the sale of lots on August 6.
Already Lawton has 440 temporary business houses. Every form of gambling known on the frontier is being run wide open, side by side with fake shows of various descriptions and to add to the scene a thousand Comanche Indians have pitched their tents nearby. The Indians await their last payment for grass $120,000 in the aggregate, which is due them under the old contract. Hundreds of persons have procured government licenses to sell liquor but it will take two weeks of routine in following out the laws of the territory before they can open their places. In the meantime Lawton will be dry.
The Chicago and Rock Island and Pacific railroad is pushing the construction work on its extension into Lawton and expects to have freight and passenger trains running into the town by September.
10,000 AT LAWTON
August 3, 1901—Oklahoma State Capital--Lawton, OT. Aug. 2—As the day for the sale of town lots draws near the crowds of newcomers are beginning to increase and by Saturday night fully ten thousand people will be camped in or near Lawton. The roads are line for miles in all directions with people from far and near, from New York, Washington, Kansas, Texas and in fact there are a very few states that are not represented. Some have come for speculative purposes, others for business opportunities, while a great many having been disappointed in the drawing have concluded to purchase a town lot erect a home and if they should have an opportunity purchase a farm. There are many ideas as to how and where the sale of town lots will take place but it is the general opinion that the sale will take place on the courthouse square and in the manner as prescribed by the secretary of the interior. The new bank of Lawton, which was allowed to be erected for the convenience of the public, is nearly completed and will be ready for business by August 6. The institution has organized with a set of prominent and qualified officers and directors. Mr. George F. M. English is cashier.
The democrats held quite an enthusiastic meeting last night. Elected Mr. J. A. Baker as temporary chairman, a few wanted to establish a central committee but after due consideration they decided that as Comanche county would not be recognized until the sixth it would be better to organize a democratic club. During the meeting Mr. Baker made an address in which he intimated that the Texas democrats were the only local men in the party that the Kansas and northern brethren were to week kneed. This brought Mr. L. P. Ross of Norman to his feet and in a few seconds very nicely roasted Mr. Baker upon his sectionalism and said that “he was a member of the national party and was glad that the Democratic Party was big enough to recognize loyal men from any state.”
Marshal Fossett returned today and was more than pleased to see how well the marshals that he left in charge had been handling the crowd and said he anticipated no trouble from the large crowd of people that would be here on August 6 as the majority of people here were law abiding citizens.
CAPTURE OF A MURDERER
Story Of How The Man Was Located And Caught
January 5, 1902—Oklahoma State Capital—Oklahoma City, Jan 4—On August 4 last year Jay Beenblossom, the 15 year old son of Dr. Beenblossom of this city was foully murdered by three highwaymen while enroute from Rush Springs to Lawton with his cousin and Professor Essley. The murderers committed the atrocious crime for the purpose of robbing the three on the public highway. The three murderers rode off into the then Comanche country after committing the crime, no doubt expecting to be lost sight of in the crowds in the country at the opening two days later.
Today all three are in jail, the result of five continuous manhunts by Dr. Beenblossom and Chief Deputy Marshal Bill Fossett.
The two young men were able to vie an accurate description of the highwaymen and the people of Rush Springs were enabled to add much to the details of the description of the highwaymen for they had spent the afternoon in that town.
Armed with accurate descriptions, W. D. Fossett and Dr. Beenblossom set out to run down the murderers. The first requisite was the names of the murderers. After a diligent inquiry their names and past history were secured. Early in the chase George Moran was caught while picking cotton in the Chickasaw nation, the two having separated to throw the officers off. The other two kept together and for three months were continuously on the run to avoid their pursuers. They passed east through the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations into Arkansas, then back along the north border of the territory and up into Medicine Lodge where they were photographed. From there they went south into the breaks west of Mountain View where they remained in hiding being aided by friends in the neighborhood. It was the longing to enjoy the Christmas festivities that finally threw them into the hands of the officers. On Christmas Eve they come out of hiding and were nabbed by offices that were in waiting for just such a move. The two men were Lee Reed, who fired that shot that killed the child and Casey, the third member of the villainous trio.
Thirty-five witnesses were ready to testify against them, for they stand charged with numerous highway robberies, in addition to the murder of Jay Beenblossom.
Marshal Thompson did all lin his power to aid in his capture of the men and it was through his interest tht Fossett was enable to spend so much of the time. United States Attorney Speed also rendered valuable assistance, and M. A. Low generously gave Dr. Beenblossom transportation over the Rock Island to aid in the running down of the murderers.
HOW CASEY TRAVELED IN A LIGHT WAGON
Only One Of The Gang Was In Sight At A Time, The Rest Being Hidden
November 8, 1902—Oklahoma State Capital—There has been no disposition, as yet, of the dead body of Bert Casey, the outlaw leader. The United States marshal yesterday telegraphed for other witnesses to come to Guthrie to further identify the outlaw, thus securing his identity with other occurrences, in which he was an alleged participant. The marshal hopes to identify the body satisfactorily very soon and they he will attempt to get into communication with some of Casey’s family relative to the disposition of the body.
According to the stories told by Deputy Marshals Fred Hudson and Ed Lockett, the outlaws traveled in a light spring wagon, only one of them being in sight, the others being securely covered in the bottom of the wagon, in order that no suspicion would be aroused in case any person should be met on the road. They traveled almost entirely by night and hid in the daytime. In this manner Hudson and Lockett traveled many miles with the two outlaws. Casey and Sims.
LAST OF NOTED OUTLAW BAND
Ed Franks, Alias Bob Manus In Jail
At Trinidad He Made No fight
Franks Is Last Survivor of “Black Jack Ketchum’s Gang
And Has Been Hunted Six Years
April 3, 1905—Oklahoma State Capital—Trinidad, Colo.—After a hunt covering a period of six years, Ed Franks alias Bob Manus, said to be the last surviving member of “Black Jack Kethum’s notorious band of train robbers that terrorized New Mexico and southern Colorado for many years, was safely lodged in the county jail at Trinidad early this morning. He was arrested forty miles northeast of Watervale, a small station on the Colorado & Southern railroad thirty miles south of Trinidad Wednesday night by Deputy Sheriff George Titsword and William Thatcher.
Franks lived alone in a wild, desolate canyon difficult of approach, where his safety seemed assured. The officers located Franks’ house Wednesday morning but were compelled to make a detour and crawl through the canyon for nearly three miles as the house was so situated to command a view of the open country for miles. Franks was building a corral when the officers surprised him. He had a six-shooter and a rifle close at hand but made no fight.
Battle On The Cimarron
After “Black Jack’s band held up the Colorado & Southern passenger train in July 1898 near Folsom, N. M., securing a large sum of money, the robbers separated. Edd Farr then sheriff of Huerfano County, with a posse surrounded Franks’, Sara Ketchum, brother of “Black Jack,” and a man named McGinnis on the Cimarron, near Folsom and a fierce battle ensued. Sheriff Farr was killed and two other members of the posse wounded. Sam Ketchum was also killed and McGinnis wounded. The latter was captured a few hours later and is now serving a life sentence in the penitentiary at Santa Fe.
One month after the Cimarron battle, “Black Jack” alone attempted to hold up the Colorado & Southern train again near the scene of the former robbery. He was wounded by Conductor Frank Harrington and was captured. After conviction of train robbery he was hanged at Clayton, N. M. in September 1901.
Members of the posse have always declared that Franks, who was known to be a dead shot, killed Sheriff Farr. Jeff Farr succeeded his brother as sheriff and kept up a constant search for the fugitive. It is said that Franks and a companion came to Trinidad en days ago and purchased a quantity of dynamite and considerable ammunition. Franks it is said, wore a full beard which completed disguised him. He will be tried at Clayton, N. M. on a charge of train robbery, which is a capital offense in that territory.
FOR DEPUTY MARSHAL
Brother of Famous Dalton Desperadoes Seeks An Appointment
February 3, 1906—Oklahoma State Capital—Simon Dalton, a brother of the famous desperadoes known as the Dalton gang, is seeking appointment as a deputy United States marshal. He was in Guthrie Wednesday to confer with John Abernathy before his trip to Washington, as he believes that Abernathy will be appointed marshal by the president.
Dalton is about twenty-four years old and lives with his mother on a farm four miles northeast of Kingfisher.
BENNETT’S DEPUTIES
Most Territory Officer Will
February 1, 1906—Oklahoma State Capital—Muskogee, I. T.—The first day of February Marshal Leo E. Bennett will assume his duties under his new commission for another four years of service in the Western District. On that day he will appoint all of his office deputies and lla his field men, about thirty in all. He is making out these many changes, most of the old men holing over, Ernest Hubbard will be reappointed as chief deputy at a salary of $2,500 a year in the Muskogee office. Deputies R. C. Feming, A. R. Cottle, Ernest Randal and E. H. Coulter will be retained in the Muskogee office. “Bud” Ledbetter, the famous deputy, who has been in the service for years and who is now specially deputized to break up the liquor business in the district will hold over. He probably has confiscated 1l000 barrels of liquor during the last two years.
F. M. Elzee, deputy in Eufaula, will be let out and W. H. Hanna of Hanna, I. T., will succeed him. Elzee is the will be transferred from the Wewoka office to the field. The marshal has not decided upon the other appointments. Marshal Bennett has been in office here eight years and has made an enviable record in one of the most difficult positions that could be created for a marshal.
ROUGH RIDER
Son of Ohio Miller with Barnum’s
February 3, 1906—Oklahoma State Capital—Clyde Miller son of Ohio Miller arrived in the city yesterday from New York. Miller was with the 101 Ranch Wild West Show last season, but has signed with Barnum and Bailey for the season of 1906. He will leave in a month of two for France traveling with the circus abroad. Sammy brother will accompany his brother Clyde across the ocean and take part in the performances doing lasso and roping stunts.