The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-21
A Sheriff and Seven Deputy United
States MarShalS Killed.
PROCTOR, THE WOMAN KILLER, ON TRIAL.
His Crew of Desperadoes the
Murderers.
THE JUDGE BADLY WOUNDED.
Threatened Vengeance by Fede-
raj Authorities.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark, Aprll'2o, 1872
The Fort Smith Nea1 Era OF the 18th inst con-
tains the following startling news from the Indian
Countrywide feeling Of jealousy harbored by
our Indian neighbors at the authority of the gov
eminent Of the United States exercised over their
territory eliminated last Monday the 18th inst, in
fearful deed of bloodshed, falling little short OF
a wholesale massacre Of the agents OF the govern
ment
THE FOLLOWING STARTLING LETTER.
was received on Tuesday morning at the United
States Marshal's Office by Captain James w. DON
nelly, Chief Clerk
wHIrEMoREs, OF BARREN FORK,
CHEROKEE NATION. !
DEAR SR:-We have had terrible fight. Lost
seven on our side killed Three OF theirs are
killed. There are lots Of wounded. We are in
devil of strait; send ns men and means instantly.
We are with the dead and wounded, and expect
is Fo Goas sake 81 sen
help, and send quickly Come to Dutchtown and
then down Barren Fork to Ward is
OF the rest are here with us. We look for help to-
morrow night by dark, and are looking to be at
tackled every moment The parties are close toge-
ther Some OF the CherOkees are with u.s. Yours
in haste, J. s. PEAVY.
In order that the circumstances causing the
terrible fight above alluded to may be more fully
understood we will state the following:-
HORRIBLE DETAILS.
On the 18th instant white man named J. j.
Kesterson, living in the Cherokee Nation, near the
Arkansas line, about fifty miles from this
city, came here and filed information before
United States Commissioner Churchill against one
Proctor, alao white man married to a Cherokee
woman, for assaultng him, with intent to kill. He
stated that while in his saw mill on
the 18th Of February last Proctor came in,
walked up without provocation and shot his wife
dead. He then fired his revolver at him, the ball
striking just above the left eye. Before he could
fire again Kesterson escaped. 1t is further stated
that Proctor is undergoing trial for the murder
Of his wife at the Court House In the Snake
district about lfty-seven miles northwest of here.
A writ was issued and the Deputy MARSHALL were
instructed to go to the Court House and remain
until the trial over and If he not convicted
to arrest him on the other charge Proctor is
known to be a desperate, and it being in the neigh
borhood
WHERE DEPUTY MARSHAL BENTz WAS KILLED
a little over month ago-where, in
fact, Deputy Marshal Is Shot at
almost on signt-it was necessary that strong
posse be sent. The party also had writs for the
murderers OF United States Deputy Marshal Bentz,
who are supposed to be In the Immediate vicinity,
and they intended to resist arrest. Last
Saturday morning, the 18th inst, Deputy
Marshals Jacob G. Owens, Joseph G. Pcavy,
with William Wood, Joseph @. Vanney, James Has
kins, Paul Jones and Eugene Brocket, as posse,
left here for the scene OF action. At Evansville
they were joined by Riley Woods and william ].
Norris and at Dutchtown by man named
Beck, who is part Cherokee. The Indian
Court House is about twelve miles west OF that
place. The party proceeded, and about three p
NJ on Monday they were within fifty yards OF the
nt,o bito hntr
horses and quietly walked towards the east side Of
the house In file by twos.
BECK THE FIRST VICTIM
They stopped at the corner and Beck stepped
around to the front door and looked In. Seeing
large number Of people inside armed to the teeth,
he turned Immediately to come away, but not be-
fore he was fred upon and dangerously wounded.
At the same time a voley was poured
from the Court Hourt upon the Mar
shal's force without, who then commenced
to return the fire. They were at great disad
vantage, as the attacking party was under shelter
inside the Court House.
1t appears Beck had some friends inside the Court
House, who, when they saw him fall, opened fire on
his (Beck's enemies inside and presently the fight
ing was general. 1t was brief, however, but ter
rible In its result. OF the Marshal's force
SEVEN OUT OF ELEVEN LAY DEAD,
teen are reported wounded, some mortally, includ-
ing Marshal Owens The messenger knew the
names OF only two OF the Marshals force
who were killed-James Ward and Riley
Woods. Three were missing-James Has
kins, Paul Jones and Eugene Brocket Morris
helped to lay out nine bodies on porch, about
half mile from the scene Of the deadly ARRAY, and
thither the federal wounded were also carried.
Proctor, the woman killer and desperado was
guarded by eleven Of his personal friends, who
would not see him convicted.
THE SHERIFF KILLED.
The Sheriff was killed and the Judge received
three buckshot In the knee. Indeed, 1t appears
from the sudden and deadly assault upon the Mar
shas force, that the people inside the Court House
had been fully informed Of their approach and were
prepared for them. The officials had instructions
to make demand for Proctor only in case of his
acquitta, and expected some resistance should
they attempt to arrest Proctor after his acquttal,
but for the murderous volley on their first ap-
proach they were not prepared, hence their
slaughter.
THE AVENGERS CAvALCADE.
Immediately upon receipt Of Deputy Marshal
Peavy's letter. R. O. Kerens, Chief Deputy Marshal;
Captain J. w. Donneliy, Chief Clerk
and United States Commissioner Brooks
Churchill raised and mounted thirty men,
under command Of City Marshal G. +. Robinson
and Joe Tinker, deputy. Accompanying the expe-
diton Drs Julian G. Field and G. w. Pierce.
A demand has been made upon the authorities
of the Cherokee Nation to assist in
TAKING THE MURDERERs DEAD OR ALIVE
This Is Of the most terrible affairs ever known
in the Indian country, originating In distrust and
Jealousy with which the more intelligent portion OF
the Inhabitants OF the Indian Territory are mised
by the BAD white men. What protection can be had
may be surmised from the fact that Proctor has
committed eighteen murders and Is still unhung.
1t Is the stern determination OF the United states
Marshal In this district to bring to justice the muir
derous and rebcllious crew In the Nation at any
sacrifice or expense.