The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-04-25
A Regular Battle Between U. S.
Deputies and Boomers.
Thirteen Deputies Capture Thir y Of
the Texas Rangers.
Two OF the Invaders Fatally WOundad
and Five Seriously.
Word From Purcell Says Hundreds
are Already Located.
The Cherokee Strip lmpeded by
High Water.

the reported conflict between deputy
marshals and boomers say thirty
boomers were taken prisoners, seven
being wounded. One deputy marshal
was slightly hurt.
For several days men on horseback
and in wagons have been seen fording
the south Canadian, north of Purcell,
and disappearing in the timber to the
eastward. Men who came in from
hunting trips reported having seen
large bodies of boomers moving in a
northerly direction, and a hunter who
arrived last night declared that he had
found a man blowing in a secluded
valley about twenty miles from Pur-
cell. Yesterday morning at sunrise
thirteen prairie schOoners. well manned,
crossed the river. The drivers urged
their animals with whip and clubs
and the train was across and out of
sight before many of the residents
of Purcell were stirring. A
citizen saw them, however,
and he acquainted others, who
have staked out claims and hope
to occupy them soon after noon Mon
day next. The story soon gained gen
eral circulation and before noon a
meeting was held. The feeling against
the trespassers ran high, and inside of
thirty minutes a half dozen fiery
speeches had been made. 1t was
finally decided that the chief deputy
marshal be called upon to try to eXpel
the raiders. In the afternoon the chief
deputy, accompanied by thirteen as
sistauts, rode down to the river and
took the same ford. There was fresh
trail leading to the northeast, and the
party followed this at gallop. About
four miles out one of the men noticed
a thin cloud of smoke rising above the
cottonwoods to the right. A halt was
called and three Of the party recon-
noitered. They discovered four wagons
about three hundred feet from the
trail. and five men seated around fire
eating dinner. These were ordered to
hitch up. The enterpTising boomers
were thoroughly scared and in less than
fifteen minutes were on the back trail
in charge of one of the deputies, who
was ordered to escort them across the
river and then picket the fOrding place
until his comrades returned. The lat
ter deployed as skirmiSherS and ad-
vanced slowly several miles. Suddenly
a shot was heard on the left and a bull
let clipped a leaf above the head of one
the party. A minute later a volley
rang out and the party hidden, hit by
one of the deputies, sank to the ground
with bullet IN the head. The chief
of the deputies called out for his men
to charge" Each had unslung his
Winchester and all surged forward.
They fired into the ticket and shouted
like madmen. There was no response
for several minutes, and the men be-
gan to think they had dispersed the
crowd, but soon discovered their error.
A man popped from behind log and
fired and this was the signal for
another fusilade from the guns. He
retreated down the ravine just in time
to escape the fire from the deputies,
who continued to advance and pump
their repeaters. Half way down the
raviue the deputies discovered a
rough barricade of logs across the en-
trance and simultaneously voice eX-
claimed, Now give IL to him boys
n sheet of flame poured from the face
of the barricade and and another show
er of bullets sped towards the officers.
They had been sufficiently warned how
ever, and but one of their number was
hit and his wound was not serious
The chief deputy ordered a retreat
and gathered his men around for q
council of war, 1t was evident that
the barricade was quite heavily
manned aud that direct assault
would prove disastrous, there
fore it was decided to divide the
party and attack the TANKS OF the
enemy. This movement brought the
deputies directly above the barricade
At a given signal they began shooting
from the top of the ravine right int(
the midst of the boomers, who were
utterly unable to defend themselves
from such an attack. Ten minutes Of
rapid firing ensued and then a cry fol
quarter went up from the barricade
I'VE surrender, p" shouted man, wheI
the firing ceased. The blood pouring
from wound in his forehead attesteC
that lie knew he had had enough. A
hasty advance to the fort and the
officers were in charge of thirty pris
oners, seven of whom were seriously
wounded.
Two of these, Thomas Mullins anC
David Winship, will probably die.
Mullins has a bullet in his left lunl
and Winship one in his abdomen.
Martin Fallon, of Gainesville, Texas
received n ball in his left thigh.
John Il. White, of Fit. Worth, wa
struck in the shoulder.
Samuel Dodd, of North Carolina, haC
a deep cash in his forehead.
Edward Frabishee of Texas has
shattered arm.
John Young of LOUIS, Louisiana
shot through the shoulder.
The prisoners. all of whom had rifle
and revolvers and plenty of ammunition
were disarmed. the wounded cared 10
as well as possible under the circum
stances and the march to Purcell wa
taken up. The Wagons and per
sonal property of the boomer
were destroyed. The gang were al
southerners, mostly from Texas, an,
presented a torlorn appearance. Thei
captain, Edward Mcintosh, said h
had been concealed in aravine for tire
days, and that the party was only tn
advance guard of body OF more tina
400, who, through agents sent ahead
had selected their claims, and propose
to hold them with Winchesters agains
all corners. I'VE. were notified of tn
indignation meeting in PURCELL h
said, land hastily threw up the barr
cade when we first discovered the aC
yancing party. We supposed theT
were only four or five and fired on
shot as a warning. Then we foun
there were more, land the boy
fired several volleys. But for the fac
that we were cooped up in the raviu
these fellows could not have di
lodged us. If we had known of til
movement to capture us. you can bS
we would have been fully prepared
Ho Ohidnohd hShBuo is reSpOnSlD
for our capture, but we will get eve
-, with it yet Mcintosh and the othS
prisoners were taken to the prison pei
five miles southwest of Purcell an
placed under strong guard. AS bl
one of the marshals was wounded ar
his injury is trifling, the charge ,
murder cannot be brought against Il
men. They may be tried for resistiI
but the belief is that they will be +
leased after Oklahoma is open. Son
excitement has been created by
report that "a large number of TeXa
who have camped on the Wichita a
on their way to Purcell. 1t is fear
they may attempt TO rescue the DIT
oners. If such AN attempt is made
bloody conflict win follow,
, OKLAHOMA NEWS.
WELLINGToN Kas Anr.iI 10