The Portland daily press., 1872-04-22

In order that the circumstances causing the
terrible fight above alluded to may be more full
ly understood we will state the following:
On the 18th inst white man named Hester
son, living in the Cherokee nation near the
Arkansas line, about fifty miles from this city,
came here and field information before United
States Commissioner Churchill against one
Proctor, also q white man, married to Chero-
kee woman, for assaulting him with intent to
kill. He stated that while in his saw-mill on
the 18th Of February, 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. Proctor is
now undergoing trial for the murder of Kester-
fons wife, at the court house in Snake district,
about 81 miles northwest of here. A writ has
been issued and deputy marshal instructed to
90 to the court house and remain till the trial
is over and if the prisoner is not convicted to
arrest him on other charges. Proctor is known
to be desperate and being in the neighbor-
hood of the place where Deputy Marshal Bentz
was killed little over a month ago, land where
in fact deputy marshal is shot at almost in
slightly 1t was necessary that strong posse
should be sent. The party also had writs for
the arrest of the murderers of Deputy Marshal
Bentz, who are supposed to be in the immediate
vicinity. M
Saturday morning Deputy Marshals j. G.
Owens, j. G. Peavy, with nine aids; started for
the court honse. The party proceeded and
when about three o'clock Monday afternoon
they were within fifty years of the court house.
they dismounted, hitched their horses and quiz
city walked towards the house by twos. 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 fired upon and dangerously wound
ed. At the same time time volley was poured
from the court hourt house upon the marshaPs
forces outside, who then commenced a return
fire. They were at great disadvantage as the
attacking party was under shelter inside the
court house.
1t appears Beck had some friends inside the
court hourse, who when they saw him fall
opened first on his (Beck's) enemies inside and
presently the fight was general 1t was brief,
however, but terrible in the results. Of the
marshaps force seven out of eleven lay dead.
and of the assailants five. Some 16 or II are
reported wounded, some mortally, including
Owens. gEags 1ter
Proctor, the woman killer and desperate, was
guarded by some of his friends who would not
see him convicted. The sheriff was killed and
the judge received three buckshot in his knee.
Immediately upon the receipt of the despatch,
Marshal Robinson raised force of thirty men
and proceeded to the place of the ARRAY A
demand has been made upon the authorities of
the Cherokee nation to assist in taking the
murderers dead or alive This one of the most
terrible affairs ever Pnown in this country,
originating in distrust and jealousy With which
the more intelligent portion of the inhabitants
of Indian territory are misled by bad white
men. What protection can be had may be sur
missed from the fact that Proctor has committed
eighteen murders and is still unhung