The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-07-28
AN INDIAN ,TRAGE DY


Ill tnc Oreek natlOn Dy winch several citlZenS
have lost their lives, including Col. Jim
Barnett, one of its most prominent men.
The main facts were denied by the cor
respondent from Gen. Porter. He was I'M
able to obtain reliable information concern
ing the precise cause that originated the
difficulty which has so fatally terminated.
A quarrel had been brewing for some time
between Col. Barnett and man by the
name of Gray, and their cnmity had reached
such point that it was manifest, if some
thing was not done, to make peace between
the two men, n personal encounter would
soon result.
No efforts of pacfication were made,
however, or If made utterly failed to effect
the desired good feeling, and threats of vio-
lence continued to De freely INDUCED in by
both parties. A few days since Col. Bar
nett seems to have determined to make an
end of the matter Accompanied by two
of his friends, all three armed with shot
guns and pistols, he proceeded to the field
where Gray was quietly at work, uncon-
scious of the danger threatening him.
ON THE WAR PATH.
Approaching him suddenly, Barnett and
his party fired upon him, woundng him
seriously, but not fatally. BY some means
Gray managed to make his escape, and with
the assistance of two of his brothers sought
the shelter of the woods, where he hoped
to elude the vigilance of Barnett The
next day, however, showed how utterly
hopeless was any such dream. Barnett OBJ
tanned information in some way of the re-
treat where his wounded enemy lay hidden,
and in his relentless wrath again started on
| the war path. 1t was war to the death
with him, and it seems nothing but that
would satisfy him. Again he took two
friends with him, one of whom has been
known hereabOut as Big Ben, and started
| for the woods.
Reaching the place where Gray was en-
sconced, attended by his brothers, who
were treating him for his wounds, Barnetts
| party again fired upon the Grays. The af-
| fray was not so onesided this time, for the
| attacking party met with warm reception
from the three brothers. When the smoke
| lifted from the scene of the conflict, it
| showed one of Barnett's men and one of
the Grays-the one originally shot-dead,
and another one of the Grays wounded, it
is believed, MORALLY.
OF course, as soon as the news of this
double tragedy got around, the whole
neighboring section of the country was
| thrown into the widest state of excitement.
The friends of Gray especially were greatly
incensed, and vowed that his murderer
should be punished certainly and speedily.
The Judge of the Wewoka district, in which
| the tragedy occurred, issued warrant for
the arrest of Col. Barnett and his accom-
pliccs, and placed it into the hands of the
proper officers.
THE LIGHT HORSE CALLED OUT.
Colonel Barnett, however, drew around
him a number of his personal friends, and
intnce 1bi'lnJ atmll6rinds;," daring hf6M dc
attempt his arrest, threatening to shoot on
| Si5ht any OhS WIN NOull uuNc tuc tcIllcTlty
to attempt to enforce the mandates of the
court. Perceiving that the ordinary force
of the court was utterly powerless, under
the circumstances, the Judge called out the
Lighthouse force of the Arkansas district
to assist him in making the arrest Captain
Bell, in command of this force, with his
men, joined the Wewoka light horse,
which had also been called into the field,
and proceeded to Col. Barnett's place,
which was reached about daybreak. 1t
soon became apparent that the intense
feeling that existed against Barnett in the
| Wewoka force would lead to the most Ia
mentable results, and most likely defeat
the ends of justice, and to guard against
such an event Capt Bell placed them in
| the rear.
Thus arranged he advanced with his en-
tire command to within short distance of
Barnetts house, when man was seen rum
ming away. Believing that it was Barnett
endeavoring to escape, the man was fired
upon and killed by Capt. Bells men. An
examination of the body, however, devel-
oped the fact that an unfortunate mistake
had been made, and that it was man by
the name of Jimboy. After this, entrance
was obtained to the house without resist
ance, although number of Barnett's
friends, well supplied with arms and am
munition, were about the place. Strict
search was Immediately begun, and soon
brought to light Big Ben, the man who
killed Gray after he was wounded. He
was found secreted under bed, and was
| ordered out. He commenced crawling
from under the bed, but some motions
which he made just as he got his head out
led the officers to believe that he intended
resistance, and he was thereby fired upon
and instantly killed. Proceeding further
in the search, Barnett was found up stairs,
and surrendered to Capt. Bell, who after
ward turned him over to the Wewoka light
horse for safe keeping, until he could be
tried.
THE END OF BARNETT.
Capt. Bell, however, seems to have been
mistaken in his estimate of the control
which could be maintained over that force,
as was quickly apparent. The intense
feeling of indignation which existed among
them against Barnett has already been re-
ferred to. They regarded him as the muir
derer of four of their friends, as a man
whose crimes had forfeited all right to SYM
pathy or leniency, whose guilt was incon-
testible, and they had determined that the
vow which had been registered over the
body of the murdered Gray should be car
ried out, and the death of their friends
avenged. There was a great fear that, If
the law were permitted TO take its course.
Barnett's influence and friends would stand
him in good place, and he would escape
through its uncertain meshes and the gaI-