ROBERT KING

Palmer, Edmond George Deputy U. S. Marshal

E. G. PALMER, EARLY BANKER, LAWMAN, DIES

February 3, 1957—The Daily Oklahoman—Edmond George Palmer, 87 year-old former deputy United States marshal, died Saturday at Mercy hospital.

Services will be announced by Guardian funeral home.

Born December 11, 1869, at Monmouth, Illinois, Palmer moved to Kansas with his family when he was two years old and was reared there. At the opening of the Cherokee Strip he homesteaded south of Pond Creek, and later moved into Pond Creek.

He was married there in 1901. For many years he was active in northern Oklahoma bank circles, have been connected with banks at Pond Creek, Lamont, Billings and Medford.

A 32^nd degree Mason, he was the first worshipful master of the Pond Creek lodge. With his wife, he was a member of the past worthy matrons and patrons club of Order of the Eastern Star, and at his death was a member of Hiram lodge 494, A. F. and A. M.

He was elected to two terms as Grant County treasurer, in 1914 and 1916, and later served several years as a deputy U. S. marshal. He never retired from work, church or social activities. Palmer belonged to Pilgrim Congregational church.

Surviving are his wife, Mabel, of the home at 79 NW 24; three daughters, Mrs. Aileen Shire, Jefferson; Mrs. Jennie Nielsen, Gardena, Calif., and Mrs. Betty Meigs, 729 NW 25; three sons, Chester H., Dallas; Wilbur L, 220-9 Westchester drive, and Keith, of Los Angeles; 18 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren, and a brother, Harmon F., of Portland, Oregon.

Pape, William B. was a jailer and commissioned as deputy marshal at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In April of 1886, Pape was sent out to arrest A. C. Morehead on violation of internal revenue laws. Eugene Stanley and John Boyd were charged with the murder of John Dansby in the spring of 1890, at Cache Creek, Choctaw Nation . Boyd was wounded during his arrest, but his friend, Stanley was able to escape. Deputy Marshal Mickle captured Stanley but again escaped his abductor. While making his escape Stanley became confused in his direction of travel. He ended up only eight miles from Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Stanley gave himself up to the Ft. Smith authorities.

(Atoka Indian Citizen - February 1, 1890) (Ft. Smith Elevator - April 19, 1886) (The Weekly Elevator - May 26, 1893) (Hell on the Border-Harman) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Picture - Muskogee Genealogical Society) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Parham, H. W. served in the Central District in 1894.

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

Parker, B. L. was commissioned on July 19, 1893, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. Deputy Marshal Parker lived in Harrison, Arkansas when commissioned.

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

Parker, Bras P. was a guard in 1895, at the federal jail in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, when Cherokee Bill and Henry Starr tried to escape.

(Black Red and Deadly) (Picture-Hell on the Border-Harman) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Parker, Charles A. was commissioned on September 10, 1886, 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)

Parker, Dan was appointed field deputy in March of 1907, headquartered in Jenks by Marshal Bennett.

(The Bennington Tribune - March 14, 1907)

Parker

Daniel

D.U.S. Marshal

February 19, 1907 to June 30,1907

Parker, E. A. was commissioned on May 31, 1893, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. Parker was commissioned on July 3, 1896 when he lived in Nowata, Osage Nation. In December of 1893, Parker arrested Bob Garkell at Lenapah in the Cherokee Nation for introducing whiskey.

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

Parker

D.U.S. Marshal

Nowata, I. T.

July 1, 1896

Parker, George J. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Deputy Marshal Parker worked in the Creek Nation where he arrested Sam Waldon, charged with introducing and selling liquor in the Indian Nation. Waldon was taken to the Ft. Smith jail for sentencing. In June of 1894, he went to the Cherokee Nation to serve a warrant of arrest to a white man, named Dick Hayett who was charged with introducing and selling liquor to the Indians in Vinita, Cherokee Nation.

(The Weekly Elevator - August 12, 1892; March 3, May 5, 1893) (Ft. Smith Elevator - June 20, 1894) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Parker

Guy

D.U.S. Marshal

Roosevelt

November 19, 1907

Parker, J. G. was commissioned in 1899, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(U.S. Deputy Marshals ,I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Parker, M. F. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Patrick

D.U.S. Marshal

Poteau

1904--1907

Parker, T. C. was commissioned in Oklahoma Territory from July of 1894 through July of 1895, serving under Marshal Evett Nix. In Oklahombres Parker is pictured in a Union soldier’s uniform.

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

Parker, Theo was commissioned on June 29, 1889, in the Western District, Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In December of 1889, Theo arrested Owen Gailey who was wanted for larceny.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - August 30, 1889) (Atoka Indian Citizen - December 7, 1889) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Parker, Tom was one of the guards at the Ft. Smith jail. He had just come on duty the night of July 26, 1895, when Cherokee Bill tried to escape. Bill had a pistol in his possession and when Jailer Eoff and Larry Keating tried to lock them in their cells, Cherokee Bill tried to make his escape. During the attempt, Larry Keating was killed. Henry Starr, also a prisoner talked Bill into giving up his weapon and abandoning the effort to escape.

(Picture - Hell on the Border-Harman)

Parker, William A. was commissioned on March 8, 1867, in the District Court at Van Buren, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Luther C. White. Deputy Marshal Parker lived in Harrison, Arkansas during this commission. in July of 1894, he was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T.& O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Parker, W. O. Deputy U. S. Marshal

Parks, Frank was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He is pictured at the 1908 U.S. Marshals reunion at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Picture - The Western Peace Officer) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Parks, J. D. was commissioned on July 12, 1888, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. In October of 1888, he turned over William Providence whom he arrested on a larceny charge and William Rogers on charges of introducing whiskey into Indian Territory to jailer Pettigrew at the Ft. Smith federal jail.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - October 26, 1888) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Parks, John was commissioned on July 19, 1893, in the Western District at Ft, Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal George J. Crump. Parks was commissioned on August 2, 1893, while living in Vinita, Cherokee Nation.

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

Parks, S. P. served in the Northern Judicial District in 1894.

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

Parks, Wade D. served in the Central District in 1894.

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

Parks, William A. was commissioned in 1897, in the Western District, Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Historical List)

Parnell, L. T. served under Marshal T. B. Needles and Judge Shackleford in the Muskogee District Court from 1889 to 1893. Moses Miller took two of his friends, Andy Petit and Will Nail, to Checotah where they planned to rob the town’s bank. A few days later Miller and Nail showed up at Melden on Fourteen Mile Creek where L. T. and his brother Will Parnell were camped. Rumor was spread the day before to watch for Miller and Nail who tried to rob the Checotah bank. Andy Petit was killed by Bob Gentry the Checotah town marshal. The Parnells asked the two men to leave, telling them the deputy marshals were coming. The two unwelcome guests would not leave and asked for bedding. They were given quilts which they took down to the creek where they slept that night. The next morning the two bad men came back to Parnell’s camp demanding breakfast. The Parnells seeing their bad company would not leave left themselves to get away from them. When the Parnells boarded the ferry crossing at Grand River they heard Miller and Nail had killed Zack Taylor, the store keeper at Melvin. Taylor’s death came about when he made conversation about the attempted bank robbery in Checotah, stating it was a shame that all of the bank robbers were not killed. Nail told the store keeper he didn’t know who he was talking to, then drew his pistol on Taylor, killing him. Nail was killed when the authorities tried to arrest him. Moses Miller surrendered and was sentenced to the federal penitentiary for forty-five years but got out on good behavior.

(Indian Pioneer History - L. T. Parnell) (The Weekly Elevator - August 12, 1892)

Parnell, William “Buck” served as a deputy marshal under Marshal T. B. Needles in Judge Shackleford’s court. Will Parnell’s brother L. T. Parnell was also a deputy marshal, both serving at the same time. In May of 1892, he arrested Ed Boyd on charges of introducing and selling liquor in Indian Territory. His prisoner was taken to Ft. Smith, Arkansas to await trial.

(Indian Pioneer History - L. T. Parnell)

Pariss, J. A. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Parris, E. P. was first commissioned on December 24, 1892, and served until statehood in 1907. He was a Cherokee who served a long period of time as deputy marshal, assigned to Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation. He was commissioned in September of 1902, serving under Marshal Darroughs. (Ft. Smith Elevator - September 12, 1902) (Indian Pioneer History - S.R. Lewis) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Parris, Zeke Deputy U. S. Marshal

THE RECORD OF “ZEKE” PARRIS

October 4, 1906—Muskogee, I. T.—One of the most noted characters in the latter history of the Cherokee nation is Zeke Parris, who lives near Tahlequah. Parris is a Cherokee Indian, a full-blood, and for nearly a century he has been an important factor in his nation.

Parris was for eighteen years a deputy marshal, and one of the most noted hunters of outlaws the Cherokee nation eve produced. He was also the Indian sheriff of Tahlequah County under the old tribal form of government, and was the official hangman. Out of the fourteen men who have been executed in the Cherokee nation Parris hanged eleven, which is more than shown by the record of any other man now living in the new state. Parris is a nephew of Zeke Proctor, one of the most noted man-slayers and fighters the Indian Territory has ever produced.

Parris was here this week on business with the government. He is a man with a fine head, has hair a foot long, but it is not black, and it is plentifully streaked with gray. He is a splendid type of his race.

One of the worst characters that Parris ever had to deal with was Bald Christie, a brother of the notorious Ned Christie, who was captured in the Rabbit Trap country of the Cherokee nation after he had stood off the deputies for many months, killed several, and was captured only after his cabin or fort, had been blown up with dynamite and set on fire. Bald Christie was even a worse character than Ned, and for a long time defied the Cherokee authorities, roaming over the same ground that is now the hiding placed of the Wyckiffs. He finally ran into a gorge by Zeke Parris and nine deputies and forced to surrender. He was sentenced to be hanged but the ignominy of being captured broke his heat and he died in jail before time for the execution.

Thomas Bearpaw was a Cherokee outlaw that gave Parris a great deal of trouble. He was a man killer and eleven men were killed by him. This outlaw was followed for 31 days and nights and chased al over the hills through Flint, Tahlequah and Goingsnake districts before he was captured. He was finally captured, sentenced and hanged by Parris. He also tells of two young Cherokee boys who were hanged by him. It was in the days when Joel Mays was chief of the nation. The young Cherokees were mere boys and their old mother had traveled on foot over 100 miles to see Chief Mays and plead for their pardon, but the chief was deaf to all entreaties and the mother saw the two boys drop from the scaffold. Mr. Paris says her shrieks were the most heart-rending cries that he ever heard.

One of the greatest fights that ever occurred in the Cherokee nation was that made by Zeke Proctor, an uncle of Paris at the Goingsnake court house several years ago. Proctor was on trial charged with the murder of an Indian woman. He had killed the woman, but it was accidental, she being shot by Proctor who was trying to kill her husband. An Indian court house was usually a table under a tree. At the trail the husband of the dead woman attempted to kill Proctor, but the latter was too swift for him, and seizing the gun turned it on its owner and killed him. A fierce feud fight was precipitated, and when the smoke had cleared away it was found that fourteen persons had been killed or wounded, including the judge of the court, a juror and six deputy marshals. Proctor was himself badly wounded, but managed to escape to the woods. He eventually recovered from his wounds and is till living. Parris says the only person now living who witnessed this affair is Eugene Bracken of Muskogee.

Parris speaks of these days of wild outlawry with a shudder and says he is glad that he has lived to see the day when civilization has supplanted the bloody days of the early Cherokee history in the west.

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

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Paterson, John was commissioned in the Western District a Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Patrick, David D. was commissioned in 1899, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

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

Patrick, David S. was commissioned on September 1, 1893, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Patrick was commissioned again as special deputy on July 1, 1899, November 1, 1899 and April 29, 1907. He served as bailiff at the Ft. Smith federal jail.

(Hell on the Border-Harman) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Patrick, E. H. was appointed office deputy marshal in Poteau, Choctaw Nation in April of 1904, under Marshal George K. Pritchard of the Central District Indian Territory.

(The Choctaw News - June 2, 1904)

Patrick, George W. was commissioned on April 27, 1892, in the Western District at Ft. Smith Arkansas and later served in the Northern Judicial District.

(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)

Patterson, Paterson, John (1889 Land Rush Deputy Marshal) In 1889, Patterson worked under Marshal William Jones at Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory. (Oklahoma Land Rush Of 1889)

(Ft. Smith Historical List)

Patton, Frank was commissioned on August 16, 1889, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

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

Patton, J. A. was commissioned in Oklahoma Territory, just prior to the opening of the Cherokee Outlet in 1893. The purpose of Patton’s appointment was to keep law and order along the Oklahoma and Kansas line when the people came to register for their land claim. Mr. Patton’s duties did not prevent him from making the “Run” and actually gave him advantage over most.

(Indian Pioneer History - J. A. Patton)

Patton, Prosper Horton was commissioned on May 17, 1894, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Prosper lived in Burgevin, Indian Territory when commissioned. In June of 1894, he went to Indian Territory where he served a warrant of arrest to a white man named Scott Loudermilk on charges of adultery, near Bokosha. The prisoner was taken to the federal jail in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - June 20, 1894) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Patty, A. Y. was commissioned on August 18, 1894, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Deputy Marshal Patty was commissioned again on July 3, 1896, while living in Coal Hill, Arkansas.

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

Patty, Jim and Bud Ledbetter were sent to Henryetta to squelch a racial problem which occurred after the lynching of a Negro man. The problem started when a number of Negroes moved into Henrietta living in old shacks and a two story hotel. The group was described as a mean lot who had a prostitute woman working for them. White men crossed into the area to visit the prostitute, loud cursing and fighting became common place in this section of town. Sarah McConnell and Albert Bates, two residents of the town were married and moved next door to the hotel. Albert Bates was deputized by the local town marshal to control the rowdies in that part of the town. Bates went to the hotel to quiet a disturbance when he was confronted by a Negro man who shoved a gun to his face as he entered the hotel door. Bates cursed the Negro who fired point blank, killing Bates instantly. Mrs. Bates met her husband’s killer when she ran to her fallen husband. Mrs. Bates gave a description of the well dressed Negro who was later accosted at Coal Creek. A group of men asked Mrs. Bates how she would like to see her husband’s assassin killed and she said she wanted him shot to pieces. The Negro was removed from the jail and taken across the street where he was to be lynched from a telephone pole. Before the Negro was put to death he was asked why he had killed Albert Bates. He said he had never seen Albert Bates before but a Negro named one-eye Smith said he was giving him board for three months and another Negro called Slim gave him nine dollars and fifty cents. The Negro was raised with the rope and shot full of holes. His body was taken down and sent to his mother. The rope that lynched the Negro was cut into small lengths for souvenirs. The mayor of Henrietta rode to the hotel where he ordered the Negroes to leave town before sundown. Some of the Negroes left right away while others stayed. Several of the old shacks were burned to the ground. The Negroes that chose to stay threatened to wipe the town from the face of the earth. Almost every man in Henrietta was deputized while the women and children were taken to the Reynolds building for safekeeping. The town was guarded for a month but the Negroes never retaliated. Patty is pictured at the 1908 U.S. marshals' reunion at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Indian Pioneer History - Sarah McConnell) (Indian Pioneer History - Tice Woods) (Picture - The Western Peace Officer)

Payne, A. S. was commissioned in Oklahoma Territory by Marshal Richard Jones to help in the 1889 Land Rush. (Chronicles of Oklahoma - Volume 35, 1957)

Payne, Joseph C. was commissioned as field deputy marshal at Tahlequah. In March of 1899, Deputy Marshal Joe Heindrich tried to serve a warrant of arrest to Joe Craig at Tahlequah but was killed in the process. Payne was summoned to try to arrest Craig who went into hiding thirty miles east of Tahlequah. After forming a posse and traveling to the area that the killer was suspected to be in, he was confronted and gave up without any resistance. The prisoner was delivered to the Muskogee jail to await trial. He served under Marshal W. H. Darrough, in the Northern District of Indian Territory, in July of 1902. (File #10, Indian Library, Oklahoma Historical Library) (Indian Chieftain, Vinita - March 17, 1899) (Ft. Smith Elevator - July 18, 1902)

Payne

Joseph

D.U.S. Marshal

March 21, 1905

Payne

Julius

D.U.S. Marshal

April 5, 1905

Alleged Robber Is Capture

December 25, 1922—Vinita, OK—Albert Connor, who escaped from the Mayes County jail last summer where he was awaiting trial for the robbery of the Graham department store at Pryor, was captured Sunday at the home of his mother in the Cedar Creek hills northwest of here about thirty miles. The officers making the arrest being Sheriff John Burchfield of Pryor, United States Deputy Marshal, Julius Payne and deputies of Vinita and Jim Hendricks of the city police force of Nowata.

Payne, Thomas Ransome was commissioned April 2, 1892, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He was selected as deputy marshal in charge of the Starmer case. The notorious Dalton Gang normally did not commit any crimes in Indian Territory. Kansas, Missouri and Iowa were prime areas for the outlaws to work. Scattered areas around Kingfisher, Taloga and “G” County which contained hideouts and caves to provide protection for the outlaws after they made robberies in the surrounding states. The well known Starmer case occurred when Deputy Marshal Starmer traveled to Missouri with a posse to apprehend the Dalton gang, “Dead Or Alive”. The Daltons had in their possession a number of stolen horses when George Starmer and his posse made contact with them. A running gun fight developed as the lawmen gave chase to the gang. William T. Starmer was shot and a farmer riding in the posse was badly wounded. Deputy Marshal Ransome Payne’s instructions from Marshal Grimes were to first search Cimarron Country, then Payne County to the Creek Nation border. Marshal Grimes wanted the Dalton Gang stopped, “Dead or Alive”. Payne covered all of the prescribed areas but the outlaw gang had already high tailed it to one of their hiding places. Ransome Payne and his posse could not find the gang. In 1892, The Dalton Gang ran out of luck when they robbed a Coffeyville, Kansas bank. Residents of the small Kansas town put an end to the Dalton Gang when Bob and Grat Dalton were killed. In 1889, Ransome worked out of Guthrie, Oklahoma under Marshal William Jones. Ransom became involved with a publishing company in 1893, which portrayed him as a hero that he was not. Several false claims such him being the person that captured Charley Bryant and turning him over to Ed Short, did not set well with the marshal’s office. The book also made claim that he played a part in killing the Daltons at Coffeyville which was untrue. After reading the claims marshal Grimes became upset and removed his commission in February of 1893. In March of 1901, Ransom Payne, while living in Oklahoma City, was named color bearer for the Inaugural Parade when Freemont was nominated.

(The Woodward Bulletin - March 8, 1901) (Coffeyville Journal - February 17, 1893) (Indian Pioneer History - George Lloyd Poston) (Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889) (Outlaws on Horseback) (Picture - West Of Hell's Fringe) (Shoot from the Lip) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Payne, Ransom Deputy U. S. Marshal

Burial Of Snyder Pioneer Is Today

Ransom Payne Was Deputy In Early Days

March 18, 1937—Snyder, OK—Funeral services will be conducted here Thursday for Ransom Payne, Oklahoma pioneer and former peace officer, who died Wednesday.

The service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Burial will be here.

Payne, 89 years old, had been in failing health for several years.

He came to Oklahoma from Indiana when the Oklahoma territory was opened, April 22, 1889. From then until 1901, he served as a deputy United States marshal. Then he staked a claim near here, where he had made his home since. He is survived by a daughter and a brother.

Peacock, John L. was appointed as clerk for the U.S. court in the Western District.

Pearce

D.U.S. Marshal

Pauls Valley

February 20, 1897

Peckinpaugh, H. was killed. No date given for his death.

(Oklahombres) Killed in the line of duty.

Peeples, Isaac rode with Deputy Marshals Bud Ledbetter, John and Paden Tolbert when they captured Al Jennings and Pat O’Malley on Carr Creek. In December 1896, the two gang leaders were taken to federal jail in Muskogee. (Indian Pioneer History - Greenbury Polson) (Guardian of the Law)

Peery, Dan W. was assigned to the El Reno District in Cheyenne country in February of 1896, when Marshal Nagle replaced Marshal Evett Nix. (West of Hell’s Fringe) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T.& O. T., 1893 - 1896)

Peery

Dan

D.U.S. Marshal

El Reno

March 11, 1905

Last Survivor of Territorial House Is Dead

Dan W. Peery Was One of Founders of State Democrats

October 4, 1940—Carnegie, OK—Dan W. Peery, 74 years old, believed to be the last living member of the legislature, died of a heart ailment in a hospital here Thursday afternoon.

A “boomer,” one of the organizers of the Democratic party in the state, a homesteader in the run of ’89, an early day newspaper publisher, a member of the third state legislature and secretary of the state Historical society, Peery was closely associated with the development of Oklahoma as a state.

He was born in Edinburgh, Missouri, attended Grand River College there, and taught a term of school. In 1889 he left Trenton, Missouri, for the promised land.

Came Before Run

His first trip into Oklahoma was early in 1889, before the opening. He joined a group of boomers in the Chickasaw nation. April 22 of that year he made the run and staked a homestead southeast of what is now Oklahoma City.

The first year he broke the land with a team of oxen, which, he said, had been taught in Choctaw. He had to learn the Indian words for “Gee” and “Haw.”

Almost from the beginning, he took an active part in politics. August 5, 1890, he was elected from Oklahoma County to the first territorial legislature. In 1910 he served in the third state legislature from the district comprised of Caddo, Canadian and Cleveland counties.

Delegate in 1890

He was a delegate to the first Democratic convention March, 1890, that organized the Democratic Party in Oklahoma. He introduced what he claimed was the first anti-trust law in the United States in the territorial legislature.

Perry boasted that he attended almost every democratic convention in the territory and state until he became secretary of the state historical society in 1930. He was a delegate to the Democratic nation conventions in 1900, 1908 and 1920.

As a member of the legislature he was a strong advocate of moving the capital to Oklahoma City from Guthrie and sponsored a bill to that effect. Irate citizens of Guthrie almost lynched him. A delegation from Oklahoma City saved him fro the mob.

Published El Reno Paper

In 1893 he became associate publisher of the El Reno Democrat. The following year he bought the El Reno Glove and published it until 1901. While publisher he was also chief deputy United States marshal for southwestern Oklahoma.

Carnegie became his home at the opening of the Kiowa and Comanche country, when he went there as part owner and local manager of the Carnegie Townsite Co. and promoter of the city of Carnegie.

For 10 years he was a member of the board of directors of the state historical society and for more than five years was the society’s secretary. Much of his rich memories of pioneer days he preserved in articles written for newspapers and periodicals.

Until he became ill Thursday he was active and apparently in good health.

Survivors include his wife, and two brothers, Arch Peery, Apache, and Judge John Peery, Trenton.

Services will be Friday afternoon in the Methodist church here. Burial will be at Trenton.

Peevey, Joseph G. was commissioned on December 29, 1871, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Logan S. Roots. He was commissioned again on July 9, 1878, under Marshal D. P. Upham, while living in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In August of 1870, John Childers met peddler, Reyburn Wedding from Kansas who was working the Kansas- Indian Territory border. The peddler had in his possession a black horse that met Childer’s fancy. After failing to make a trade, in which Wedding made it clear that he would not sell or trade the animal for any amount of money. Frustrated, Childers rode behind the trader’s wagon until he made a decision to take the horse. He spurred his mount, caught the wagon and tied his horse behind. Crawling into the wagon, he took a seat besides Wedding, where he rode until they came to Caney Creek near Childers Station. He pulled his long knife and cut his victim’s throat from ear to ear. After dumping Wedding’s body into the creek, horses were exchanged the harness, wagon and his old horse were left at the murder scene which later became the evidence that convicted Childers. Deputy Marshal Vennoy arrested Childers but the killer was able to escape jail on two separate occasions. Chances of survival seemed better in Arkansas that his home territory so Childers remained in the Ft. Smith area. In 1871, a plan was made by Deputy Marshals Peevey and Vennoy to use a harlot to capture the fugitive. A weakness for alcohol and the lust for a harlot allowed the two officers to make the arrest without an altercation. In April of 1874, Peevey went to the Cherokee Nation with J. O. Owens to serve a writ to apprehend Zeke Proctor, who was wanted for the murder of Mrs. Kesterson. Zeke Proctor was having a row with J. J. Kesterson, a white man, when Zeke pulled his revolver and fired at Kesterson. The bullet intended for Mr. Kesterson killed Kesterson’s wife, Lucy “Beck” Kesterson, a full blood Cherokee. The Cherokee Nation court was trying Proctor in a school house instead of their tribal building because they felt there would be problems between Proctor and Mrs. Kesterson’s family the Becks. The smaller, more fortified building would provide more protection in the event of the expected gun battle. Mr. Kesterson attempted to have the trial held at the federal court in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, where Kesterson filed charges of attempted murder of his own life. The fact that Kesterson’s wife, being a Cherokee, did not allow the charges for her death to be brought about in the federal court. Relatives of the Kestersons felt Zeke Proctor would be released by the Cherokee tribal court. While the court was in session, a number of lawmen including Deputy Marshal Owens, Joseph G. Peevey, and several Becks entered the school building with a warrant of arrest for Proctor. As soon as they entered the building a gun battle started. The small building erupted in gunfire leaving nine lawmen dead, including Deputy Marshal Owen and several Becks. See: Deputy Marshall Vennoy and James G. Owens for more details. Oklahombres shows Peavy was killed in 1877.

(Hell on the Border) (Hell on the Border - Harman) (Black Red and Deadly) (Outlaws and Peace Officers Of I. T.) (History of the U.S. Marshals) (Oklahombres) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List) Killed in the line of duty.

Pegeon, Emory arrested John Brown who was wanted for assault.

(Atoka Indian Citizen - December 21, 1889)

Pelly, James W. was commissioned on November 10, 1885, in the District Court at Van Buren, Arkansas, serving under Marshal John Carroll. Deputy Marshal Pelly brought in five white prisoners from Indian Territory in January of 1886. Ed Newell, Ben Wilson and J. H. Yarbro were charged with larceny. J. W. Moore was charged with assault with intent to kill. In May of 1886, James brought in three men who were charged with murder. C. Burnett was charged with killing his brother-in-law John Oliver, on March 15, 1885, who was waylaid and shot seven times near Tishomingo, Chickasaw Nation. Two Choctaw Indians, Ashotubbe and Inlotubbe were charged with killing two white men, Bond Stout and his brother on March 25, 1876, near Big Blue River, Choctaw Nation. In February of 1887, Pelly brought in badly wounded Frank Crutchfield who was arrested near McAlester, Choctaw Nation. Crutchfield had been arrested two weeks before by Deputy Marshals Tyner Hughes and Ed Wingo for an assault with intent to kill charge but he escaped from jail.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - January 8, May 14, 1886; February 4, 1887) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Hell on the Border-Harman) (The Lawmen) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Pelton, Edward W. was commissioned in Oklahoma Territory serving under Marshal Warren S. Lurty. Marshal Lurty was the first appointed marshal over Oklahoma Territory and served from May 14, 1890 to August 22, 1890. Previously he was assigned federal deputy marshal in the Guthrie area where his work was so impressive that he was asked to take the U.S. marshal’s position. Before taking the job, a tour through Indian Territory changed his mind causing him to resign. Pelton was serving as city marshal when Marshal Lurty commissioned him deputy marshal around April 17, 1890. On June 26, 1890, the Frisco Herald newspaper reported that Pelton with the assistance of deputies Chalk and Grill were sent to serve several warrants of arrest, one of which was for a charge of murder. It is suspected that Pelton’s commission ended when Marshal Lurty resigned because at that time when a new marshal took charge he would select his own deputy marshals.

(Frisco Herald - April 17, June 19, 26, 1890) (Oklahoma Territory - James W. Smith’s First Directory)

Pemberton, James K. was commissioned on July 6, 1889, in the Western District of Arkansas. Pemperton lived in Redland, Indian Territory when commissioned. Deputy Marshal Pemberton had the task of confronting three men named Charles Shepard, William Williams, and Lee Pounds who wanted to paint the town in Webber Falls. Pimberton attended the 1908 marshal’s reunion at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Atoka Indian Citizen - March 29, April 12, and May 10, 1890) (Picture - The Western Peace Officer) (Indian Pioneer History - John Humberd) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Pemberton, John B. was shot by John Bailey on February 20, 1892, while trying to serve a warrant for his arrest at Muldrow. John Pemberton was shot and instantly killed when Bailey shot Pemberton through his chest. Pemberton’s deputy marshal commission was removed from his pocket which was splattered with his blood. Bailey wrote the deputy marshal’s name, with the date of his death using Pemberton’s blood. The commission was sent to Marshal Needles at Muskogee. This act was known as the blood writ. Deputy Marshal John Humberd, Pemberton’s partner, rode to Muldrow where he arrested John Bailey and took him to jail in Muskogee. Oklahombres reported that officer Humberd killed Bailey trying to serve a warrant for his arrest. (Indian Pioneer History - John Humberd) (Oklahombres) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) Killed in the line of duty.

Pemberton, Jas. R.

(Ft. Smith Historical List)

Penn, Fred was commissioned in the Northern District, Muskogee Court assigned to the Pawhuska area working the Osage Nation. Fred lost his commission on July 1, 1901.

(The Osage Journal, Pawhuska - July 4, 1901)

Penasaw, Pen-Su-Wau, Steve was killed on February 6, 1891. Deputy U.S. Marshal George Howell was arrested for Penasaw’s murder. Three deputy marshals tracked, shot and killed him on the Kickapoo Reservation who claimed they thought he was a horse thief. Howell was convicted of murder in November of 1894. Penasaw was a witness against the three deputy marshals who were hired by others when Penasaw testified against them.

(The Beaver Advocate - November 29, 1894) (Oklahombres)

Pentecost, Joel “Joe” served under Marshal Evett Nix at Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory on July 15, 1893, along with Deputy Marshal Heck Thomas. In December of 1898 Pentecost shot and killed Joe Bowers in Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory. He was taken to the jail in Oklahoma City in fear that he would be lynched.

(The Alva Pioneer - December 23, 1898) (West Of Hell’s Fringe)

Pentzer, Henry E. was commissioned in 1899, at the Western District Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

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

Perkins

James

D.U.S. Marshal

July 13, 1897

Perry, H. M. served in the Southern District Court of Indian Territory at Paris, Texas, in 1894.

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

Perry, Jess is pictured at the 1908 U.S. Marshals reunion at Ft. Smith, Arkansas

(Picture - The Western Peace Officer)

Perry, Thomas W. was commissioned on January 31, 1889, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

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

Perryman, Cornelius B. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Perryman lived in Red Fork, Indian Territory when commissioned. In January of 1891, he was sent to the Creek Nation to serve a warrant of arrest to Cyrus Canard, charged with introducing and selling liquor in Indian Territory. Canard was taken to the federal jail in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Deputy Marshal was working near Okmulgee in July of 1893, when he arrested Thomas Thompson who was charged with murder. Thompson was taken to the federal jail in Ft. Smith to stand trial.

(The Weekly Elevator- August 4, 1893) (Ft. Smith Elevator - January 30, 1891) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Peters, James A. was commissioned on July 25 1892, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

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

Peters, Joseph “Joe” was commissioned on April 2, 1892, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He is pictured at the 1908 U.S. marshal’s reunion at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

(Picture - The Western Peace Officer) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Peters

D.U.S. Marshal

April 2, 1905

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

(Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Pettigrew, James C. “Jim” was commissioned in Indian Territory at the Muskogee court, working under Marshal Thomas Needles. In April of 1889, he took J.C. Carroll's place as state prison inspector. Pettigrew, while working as a jailer, took murderer Jack Spaniard, a half-breed Cherokee, to the Ft. Smith jail. Spaniard was charged with killing Deputy Marshal Irwin in April of 1886, near Pheasant Bluff, Choctaw Nation. Felix Griffin, a horse thief was in the custody of Irwin when the officer rode into an ambush set up by Spaniard and Jack Palmer. A dog, left at the scene of the murder became the evidence that sent Jack Spaniard to the Ft. Smith gallows on August 30, 1889. In June of 1899, he arrested Charles Landrum on assault charges. During the summer of 1895, Tom Root had become a very dangerous outlaw that the deputies did not want to confront. The federal court decided it was time that he be brought in so a reward of $250 was posted to entice his capture. A warrant of arrest was served to him for a train robbery that he was involved in while working with the Texas Jack Reed gang and as an accomplice with Buss Luckey in the murder of Deputy Marshal Newton LaForce. Testimony was given by Root which convicted Buss Luckey for the murder of LaForce. Texas Jack Reed and Root gave testimony against Jim Dyer, a white man whom they both hated because he had given information to the marshal’s force about their activities in Indian Territory. Their statement offered him as the brains on the gang which Judge Parker believed. A bond of $12,000 was placed which Parker did not feel he could raise. The following day, Dyer’s wife caught a train to their home near Wagoner and returned to court with the money to pay the bond. Before the case was concluded, Judge Parker’s court would lose most of its jurisdiction, Judge Parker would die, Tom Root would be killed in Indian Territory and Dyer would be acquitted.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - October 26, 1888; April 19, June 21, 1889) (Indian Pioneer History - L. T. Parnell) (Hell on the Border-Harman) (Black Red and Deadly) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Pettigrew, J. M. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In May of 1886, he helped transport thirty prisoners to the Detroit penitentiary.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - May 21, 1886)

Pettit, Charles served as a Negro deputy marshal in the 1890’s working in Osage country under the Guthrie court in Oklahoma Territory. Deputy Marshal Pettit also worked out of the Wichita, Kansas court. Charles had an embarrassing day when he went to Ingalls with a warrant of arrest for Bill Doolin. The lawman was standing at the bar when Doolin walked in and asked him if he had a warrant for his arrest, telling him he had better not lie. Charles admitted he had a warrant but said he wasn’t going to serve it. Doolin ordered him to eat the warrant which he did, then he asked the bartender to serve him a drink before running him out of town. Pettit was living in Pawhuska when he arrested Ernest Lewis who was wanted “Dead or Alive”. On April 20, 1895, the Pawhuska News reported Pettit arrested Perrin Rich for introducing whiskey in Indian Territory.

(Black Red and Deadly) (Bill Doolin O. T.)

Petty, J. A. was commissioned on May 8, 1888, and June 4, 1889, in the Western District, Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. Deputy Marshal Petty rode with fellow deputy marshals White, Connelly and Rutherford in the Cherokee Nation where they confronted known murderer, John Barber alias “George Wright.” on Spring Creek, twenty-five miles from Tahlequah. The officers ordered Barber to surrender, who resisted arrest which forced Deputy Marshal Connelly to shoot and kill John Barber. Barber was wanted for killing three sheriffs in Texas and the robbery of the M. K. &T. railroad. There was a $4000 reward for capture and $1000 for body.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - December 13, 1889) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1888 - 1893) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Phelps, John L. was commissioned in Oklahoma Territory serving under Marshal Evett Dumas Nix. On April 3, 1895, the Bill Doolin gang robbed the Rock Island train near Dover, Oklahoma Territory. Within two hours of the robbery Chief Deputy Marshal Chris Madsen arrived at the robbery scene with a posse made up of several deputy marshals. Bill Doolin knew he had the best band of outlaws serving under him in both Oklahoma and Indian Territory. At this time he had Red Buck, Bitter Creek Newcomb, Charlie Pierce, Tulsa Jack Blake Little Bill Raidler and Dick Yeager riding with him. It seemed the gang was in no hurry to make their get away almost as if they were wanting the marshal’s force to catch up with them and when they did, they tried to shoot it out with them. The count was even, fire power favored the outlaws but the first skirmish ended with two casualties for the outlaws. “Tulsa Jack” Blake was killed by Deputy Marshal William Banks and “Little Bill” Raidler was shot in the hand, leaving several fingers dangling which he cut off with his pocket knife. Deputy Marshals Banks and Prather took Tulsa Jack’s body to Hennessey to collect the $1000 reward paid for any Bill Doolin gang member “Dead or Alive”. The fleeing robbers split their loot before they got to the Cimarron River southwest of Ames, going separate ways, not to be captured at that time. Note: see J. H. Clary for more detail of the Dover robbery and escape.

(West of Hell’s Fringe) (In Pursuit Of the Outlaw - Red Buck) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896)

Phillips, was working in Hanna, I. T. which is between McAlester and Henryetta, in March of 1905, when he shot Dr. Nash who was expected to die within a short period of time. Hanna is located on the Cimarron River along the Ft. Smith and Western Road.

(Muskogee Weekly Phoenix - March 9, 1905)

Phillips, worked a case in 1895, when a young man named John Pointer killed two boys named Bolding and Vandever. John Pointer was walking with a man at Wister Junction when two boys passed by him. Pointer told the man he was feeling real mean and started following the two boys. After overcoming the two boys, Pointer pulled a knife killing both of them. Pointer then took their wagon and team heading for Ft. Smith, Arkansas. At Ft. Smith the young killer tried to sell the stolen team and wagon but instead was captured by Deputy Marshal Phillips. John Pointer was convicted in Judge Parker’s court on March 26, 1892 for the murders of Bolding and Vandever. Pointer’s life ended on the gallows on September 24, 1894.

(Indian Pioneer History - Herman Workman)

Phillips, B. I. T. was commissioned in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

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

Phillips, J .B. was commissioned on November 9, 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)

Phillips, Joe W. was commissioned in the Southern District at Paris, Texas, serving under Marshal Sheb Williams. He arrested Thomas D. Moore in May of 1890, in the Choctaw Nation on charges of larceny. Thomas Moore was taken to the federal court in Ft. Smith before Judge Charles Parker, who exonerated him of all charges. In February of 1891, Joe served a warrant of arrest to Jim Alexander, for introducing and selling liquor in Indian Territory. Joseph Phillips was the first appointed court clerk in Indian Territory. In April of 1901, Joe W. Phillips died at Ardmore, Chickasaw Nation.

(Atoka Indian Citizen - May 3, May 24, 1890) (Ft. Smith Elevator - February 27, 1891)(The Woodward Bulletin - April 26, 1901)

Phillips, John was commissioned on December 2, 1887, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. John rode with a posse of deputy marshals in the Cherokee Nation on October of 1883, to capture Johnson Jacks, wanted for the murder of Deputy Marshal Addison Beck. In January of 1887, Phillips arrested a young Creek Indian, Seaborn Kalijah in the Creek Nation for selling whiskey in Indian Territory. Phillips left his prisoner with his two guards and cook while he went to Eufaula on business. When the deputy marshal returned the next day, the guards and cook were found shot to death. Henry Smith and Mark Kuykendall were killed with an axe while they slept. William Kelly’s body was found with a bullet hole and his body was mutilated with an axe. Smith and Kuykendall’s bodies had been dragged to the camp fire where log embers were placed over their legs, roasting their extremities, waist down. Seaborn was found after a brief search and he told a story that during the night some men came into camp, killing the guards while he escaped. A few days later, some of Seaborns relatives were arrested when property taken from the marshal’s camp was found in their possession. During the trial at Ft. Smith, Seaborn confessed he killed the three men, unassisted. Seaborn Kalijah was convicted and hung on Parker’s gallows on October 7, 1887. On June 30, 1888, John Phillips and his posse followed Wesley Barnett and Dan Thompson, a full-blood Creek to a corn dance in Eufaula where they refused arrest. Phillips had previously held Thompson in his custody on charges of murder, horse stealing and liquor running. During a brief exchange of gun fire, Officer Phillips was killed. Whitson, a member of Phillip’s posse returned fire and was killed as well. Thompson was killed in the gun battle and Wesley Barnett remained at the scene until morning, when he hauled Thompson off in a wagon. Deputy Marshals Cabell and Jerre Barling dispatched to bring in the six prisoners that Phillips had in his possession. Deputy Marshal Dave Rusk later killed Barnett who had a $500 reward on his head. Harman’s, Hell on the Border states that Phillips was killed by the Bennett gang at the same place that Smith, Kuykendall and Kelly were slain. A newspaper account of Phillip’s death stated he was killed at Eufaula in July of 1888, while trying to arrest two brothers who were peddling whiskey. One of the brothers was killed by Phillips which made the other brother retaliate and kill the officer and his posse. After killing Phillips the remaining brother attempted to kill a man named McIntosh whom he thought asked the deputy and posse to attend a green corn dance that they were attending. Another account of John Phillip’s death is given by James N. Cole in an interview in Indian Pioneer History. John Phillips and his posse man Whitson was buried at Eufaula.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - February 4, June 21, 1887; July 6, 1888) (Indian Chieftain, Vinita - July 5,19, 1888) (Indian Pioneer History - James N. Cole) (Hell on the Border - Harman)(Law West Of Fort Smith) (Black Red and Deadly) (Iron Men) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List) Killed in the line of duty.

ANOTHER INJUSTICE DONE TO INDIAN PRESS

Because It Urges Locating a Federal Court in the Territory and Compliance with Treaties and U. S. Constitution

ANOTHER DEPUTY MARSHAL KILLED

July 11, 1888—The Cherokee Advocate—The following dispatches were received at the United States Marshal’s officer Monday, dated at Eufaula:

John Phillips and posse killed. Will Bury. Make provisions for expenses. What shall be done with prisoners?

Crowder Nix

Phillips and McLaughlin were both killed last night. I just got here tonight. What shall I do, if anything, with his outfit? It is close here.

A. J. Mattox, Deputy Marshal

This is the seventeenth officer attached to this court killed since November 1885, and the second one during the past week. Phillips had been on the force about two years, and made the reputation of a brave man and a skillful officer. On this same spot in January 1887, his posse, guard, and cook were all murdered in cold blood by an Indian named Seahorn Green, who was subsequently hanged in this city. Phillips leaves a wife and family living in this city. Deputy Marshals Cabell and Barlin left last night of Eufaula to bring in the remains.

The rapidly increasing number of deaths in this department during the past few years can be attributed to but one fact—the failure of Congress to provide appropriations to run this Court. In former administrations, when from one year’s end to another, court held uninterrupted session; no such alarming death rate was reported. When news is circulated throughout Nation that court is closed desperate characters grow bold; they think the court is abandoned; the fear of imprisonment within its walls is supplanted by a fear of nothing and they resist arrest in every instance. Part of the fault is attributed to the Indian newspapers, whose hatred for this court is a well-recognized fact. They speak of its deliberations in a most disrespectful way, and when the government fails to provide funds to run the court these papers rejoice in a way that naturally encourages desperate characters to grow boulder in their lawlessness. The advance of immigration and civilization in the Territory would otherwise tend to the suppression of lawlessness within its borders, but so long as this great Government refuses to provide funds to run its courts, the natural order of things will be over toppled by a most uncommon violation of the laws, resulting as has been shown in the murder of its brave officers at the alarming rate of seventeen in two and a half years.

Phillips, Thomas was office deputy marshal at Perry, Oklahoma Territory in 1896, serving under Marshal Nagle. (Charles Francis Colcord) (U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896)

Phinnie, William C. was commissioned on July 10, 1890, in the Western District at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, serving under Marshal Jacob Yoes. In May of 1891, he was sent to Creek country to serve warrants of arrest to H.J. Spencer, William Morris for introducing and selling liquor in Indian Territory and Marshal McCombe on larceny charges. The three prisoners were taken to Ft. Smith, Arkansas to await trial.

(Ft. Smith Elevator - May 15, 1891) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database) (Ft. Smith Oaths of Office) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Pierce, F. J. was commissioned in the Southern District Court of Indian Territory at Paris, Texas, in 1895, by Marshal Sheb Williams.

(U.S. Deputy Marshals, I. T. & O. T., 1893 - 1896) (Ft. Smith Federal Court Employee Database)

Pierce, Pearce, J. was a deputy marshal in 1896, commissioned in the Southern District Indian Territory, by Marshal Sheb Williams. Deputy Marshal Pierce was one of the deputy marshals that took part in the “Ingalls Battle” working directly with Tom Hueston, Dick Speed, and George Cox.

(Shoot from the Lip) (Ft. Smith Historical List)

Pierce, Robert “Lee” was commissioned in the Southern District at Paris, Texas, serving under Marshal John Grant. In February of 1900, Deputy Marshal Pierce served a warrant of arrest to Julius Hampton, who was attending Spencer Academy. Hampton was charged with arson after pouring oil on the side of the dormitory, then setting it on fire. The building suffered considerable damage before it was extinguished. The building had been set on fire earlier resulting in several boys being burned to death. On July 29, 1906, two men were put off the Frisco Cannonball train for their unruly actions at Kosoma, Indian Territory. The two angered passengers wrecked the train in retaliation. Deputy Marshal Pierce was summoned to serve warrants of arrest to Carl Brown and Lee Jordan. In February of 1906, Pierce arrested William Flower on charges of adultery. Flowers later escaped from the jail by removing four jail bars with a knife. On May 12, 1906, Charles Koontz and his wife Kate, living eighteen miles southeast of Antlers, Choctaw Nation were arrested on a murder charge. Kate Koontz was charged with beating her fourteen year old sister, Flossie Beacham to death. The two were released because there was not enough evidence to prosecute. Pierce, who lived at Hugo, Choctaw Nation served as deputy marshal for almost thirty years. Pierce was assigned to the Antlers court until 1932.

(The Antlers Democrat - February 28, June 22, 1900) (The Antlers News - October 13, December 8, 1905; February 9, May 18, 1906) (Marietta Monitor - August 17, 1906) (Indian Pioneer History - Hattie Pierce Nelson)