The Van Buren press., 1877-04-17
+" THE BENDERS."
Not the Keifers-Their Return to their
Home.


In our last we left the Keiiers on tie
way 10 Mtscogec, with an officer Of the
United States Court in pursuit, who over
took the party, after their arriva at that
:, place, they being detained there because
of failure to make connection with the
train for Kansas We copy from the
Fort Smith New Era, the following ac-
count of the return home of the par
ties
Capt. Wilkinson reached Muscogee
some hours before train-time on Friday,
and found the kieiers and their guard,
except Beers, the detective, who kept
ont of the way. The writ was served
on the guard to return with the prison
crs, but Beers skipped out to Oswego,
Kansas, on the night train to bring wit
nesses down to prove that the prisoners
were the long hunted for Benders
United States Deputy Marshal Wilkin-
son left Muscogee on Saturday, with the
prisoners and guard for this place. At
Salisaw, twenty-five miles west of here,
he was overtaken by Beers and party
of county officials from Labotte county,
Kansas, who knew the original Bonders
very well, consisting of the Sheriff, 5.
b. Abbott, Starr, County Commission.
er, and the County Attorffey.
The moment they saw the prisoners,
these officials unanimousy y and emphati-
cally declared that they nere not the
! BenderS.
This made the smart detective feel
very cheap, and he was ready to give
up, aud let Mr. Kiefcr and bis family go
back by themselves, but Capt. Wilkin-
son wosld not permit it, insisting that
Beers and his whole party should re-
turn. The detective had to yield and
accordingly made his appearance, here,
yesterday morning, before Judge Parker
with his supposed Bendcrs.
The case was clear one. Aside from
the testimony Of the Kansas officials,
Mr.. kiefer proved himself to he an old
and influential citizen of Washington
county, Wisconsin, having been mem
Der Of the Legislature, as long ago as
1860, and having been Il justice Of tlr
peace and township supervisor for many
years.
About o o'clock, Tuesday morning the
party crossed the Arkansas river, and
came directly to the office of Judge Clay
ton, L. S. District Attorney. Soon a
large crowd of people gathered around,
actuated from curiosity, and also sympa-
thy with the outraged family. After Il
brief examination before Judge Parker,
the prisoners were discharged from Gus
tody, and their "captors," who had ac-
knowIedged their mistake in a return
made to Judge Parker, sentenced to pay
! the cost.
The excitement ran pretty high at the
outrage committed on an entire family
of respectability, and when it became
| known that some Of the officers had be-
haved badly to the females on the way
through the Indian Territory, the pro
priety OF giving thc offenders
COAT OF TAR AND FEATHERS
was strongly urged. However, better
counsel prevailed, and the detective hung
around the United States Marshal's of
flee till he found an opportunity to stink
AWAY.
After being discharged from custody,
Mrs. kieter, a feeble old lady, her son
and daughter, left for home, while the
old gentleman remained here sometime
yet, to swear ont a Warrant against the
men that arrested him, for his and bis
iamily's arrest had been made arbitrari-
~, without writ from the Governor OF
Arkansas. The papers were made out,
and two officers started after the offend
ders, but with what success we have not
learned yet
Mr.. kcitcr has three sons married in
Crawford county, besides the one that
was arrested with him, but they had no
chance TO aid him before he was snatched
away.
Judge Parker and United States Attor-
ncy Clayton, both deserve credit for the
prompt manner in which they interposed
their official authority to save the limo.
cent, and Mr.. d. G. Williams, of Van
Buren, ought to be held in lasting re
membrance by the Kiefcrs for his active
+ sympathy and help, when so many were
doubtful, OF openly advocated the con-
demnatlon of the innocent family.