The Van Buren press., 1871-02-14
Poy for Ne Press,
-
A CARD.
EDIroR NAN ErRrN pRESS:

EDIroR VAS BuRrN Press:
DEAR SIR--Having heard various and sun.
dry reports concerning the Wounding of my
self and guard at FoYt Gibson. which are ii
part erroneous desire. through the columns
of your paper, to give to the public correct
version OF the affair. Information having
been filed before the L. :. Commissioner }
q. Churchill that Bradley Collins had intro
duced spiritous liquors into the Indian Coun-
try In large quantities, and having received
further information that led the IT, ;. Marshal
to believe that he was concerned in stealing
horses, was directed by the Marshal to pro-
cced to the Cherokee Nation and effect his ar
rest; with Instructions to employ Il posse
com. left Van Buren, on the lst day Of Feb.
and proceeded Immediately TO Fort Gibson,
having received information which led me to
believe that he was lurking In that vicinity.
| arrived there on the evening of the 3D.
soon after my arrival he was notified that
was ut Fort Gibson and was advised by vari-
Gus parties, ,cho are reN kSotoa. to leave. lie
said he would not leave, but would Kill the
first Dept, Marshal that attempted his arrest.
On the morning of the ith, Immediately after
break fast, went TO the stable, accompanied
by my guard, Mr.. r. Rcaves, to get our hors-
cs. On my arrival there, | found Bradley
Collins aud Joe Collins, his brother | went
up to Bradley, extended my right hand and
siiN w iiili upW NlN Nou i'it'iNN huN
shook hands with him. then notified him.
that had writ for him and would arrest
him. lie requested to see the writ. drop
ped his hand and attcmpted to take the writ
from my pocket; while SO doing | happened
to glance at Joe Collins and discovered him
attempting to draw his revolver and at the
same time saw Bradley drawing his. | im-
mediately drew mine aud three shots were
fired simultaneously. Mr.. Reayc's pistol
mi 4 un shnt tbrnu uh rho tas b,
part of the right shoulder at the first fire dis
abling my right arm. Mr. Reaves immcdi-
atcly engaged Joe Collins and | devoted my
self to Bradley. Being disabled in the right
shoulder, could not raise my pistol suili-
cicntly to get shot. | however pursued
bradley, through the stable, he firing at me
from among the horses. Upon coming out at
tho rear OF the stable and when he was about
forty or Hfty yards from me succeeded In
getting rest for my pistol and shot Mt him,
bringing him to his knees. How badley he
was hurt do not know. \ short distance
from there he was Joined hv A part OF six 9th
cr outlaws. consisting of Walter Agncw, SAN
ford Mosely, Samuel Beck and three others,
against the two first of whom Indictments
are now pending for murder. No one COM
ing To our assistance we were obliged to dis
continue the pursuit. From what have as
certained since the affair, | am satisfied that
It was intention TO wUy-lay Us. as the parties
who Joined the Collins, were undoubtedly in
waiting 10 assist them but did not arrive on
the ground In time. In this connection | de-
sire 10 return my thanks to Mr. Reayes for
the prompt assistance he rendered and manly
courage displayed dnrlng the whole affair,
to tight after he had been shot IN
both hands. ! am certain had it not been for
him, should have been killed at the first fire.
! also desire to return my thanks to Colonel
Moore commanding at Fort Gibson, 1T. Car
lin, A. 20. NJ. and Surgeon Fen, for the as
sistance received from them.
-t j. 6. PEVN, Dep. u.s.M. West, ,Dist.Ark.