The Newtown bee., 1889-11-29

Finally Starr's negro-stealing enter prises and some s'incidental killing" con nected herewith aroused the United States authorities and marshals were put on his trail. The Indian Territory also had a score to settle with him and, in 1857, rewards aggregating $25,0O0 were offered for him. In 1858, Starr's band was routed near Fort Smith, Ark, by United States marshals and the larger portion slain. Starr himself was cap tured. He was taken to Fort Gibson, a military post in the territory and confin- ed in the guard house. Assured by the guards that hanging was inevitable, he resolved to escape. One morning as his cell door was opened to convey him food, he knocked down the guard, fefled to the earth the sentry outside and bounded for the woods with the speed of an antelope. In few minutes, troop of cavalry were after him at full gallop. The fugitive reached the swollen Arkansas river, but made no pause. He boldly plunged in and swan to the opposite shore, while the cavalry made target of him. He made good his escape.
 Being continually and closely pressed by the United States authorities after his escape, Starr made his way West and joined the Comanches in their war upon Texas. When the civil war broke out and the government had more important business to attend to than chasing him, GtOpr rnfurnnA fn hn Chnpn1raa nation and entered upon career of murder and robbery that surpassed any of his former efforts. Slaves having depreciated in value, he found cattle stealing more profitable. He stole cattle from Texas and Arkansas and sold them to the Fed erals; stole cattle from Texas and Ar kansas and sold them to the Confeder- ates. He remained neutral during the great conflict, but hoped it would result like the famous scrimmage between the Kilkenny cats.
 It was during the second year of the war that Tom Starr and his brother-in- law, Bill West, first quarreled. They had always been the best of friends and partners in many a bloody enterprise West was the most powerful man, phys ically, in the Cherokee nation. A blow from his fist was deadly and he counted nearly score of victims killed in this manner. Under the Cherokee law, blow with the fist was but misdemean or, while blow with a deadly weapon was felony. It became necessary how nUpr for thn (Nhprnlynn tn Jo clare Bill Vests fist a deadly weapon which it did, as the records will prove Starr and West quarreled over the divis ion of booty. West struck at Starr witt his right arm. Starr dOdged the blow leaped at West with q knife and buried 1t in his side. That was the end of Bil West. There was at that time reward of 5000 offered by the Cherokee nation for Vests head. Starr cut off the heaC of his old partner, took it to Tahlequah presented it to the chief and claimed the reward. There was reward of $500( offered for Starr himself, but there was no one in Tahlequah at that time who dared molest him, most of the Cherokees being away in the Confederate or Feeder, al service. To the delight of every one he left Tahlequah after receiving his re, ward without killing anybody.
 After the war, Starr sued for peace He sent a commission to the natiOna council of the Cherokee nation to negoti ate treaty. The council solemnly re ceived Starr's envoy and took the matter under consideration. A treaty was fin ally formulated. It was agreed on the part of the Cherokee nation to pardon the notorious desperado, provided ht would lead a life of peace in the future The document was approved by the leg islative body and signed by the chief ant executive council. Starr's envoy convey ed a copy of the treaty to him in one o1 his retreats on the Canadian river. H. signed it and peace was proclaimed. This is perhaps the only instance in the world's history wherein q sovereign state entered in treaty of peace and amity with sin gle man.
 Thus it is that Starr is permitted to live in peace and safety to-day. He is now on the Canadian river near his old re- treats; is the owner of large herds ot cattle, and is reputed to be very wealthy, There are many and vague rumors also of buried treasure along the Canadian. Starr has kept his part of the treaty and visits Tahlequah during every session of the Cherokee council.-[ Indianapolis News.