The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-08-29
FATAL FEUD
RESULTS IN A BLOODY TRAGEDY ON
RED RIVERA VENDETTA IN
vOLvING INDIAN FAMILIES,
A Young Lady Suicides at Weatherford-A
Waco Painter Fatally Slashed bya
Woman of the Town.
Special to the Statesman.

PARIS, August PA killing of one
of a series in bloody vendetta took
place at Goodland station. twenty-six
miles north of here ON the Frisco
railway at noon yesterday. The vic
tim was Will Luther, white man,
and his slayers were Joe Everidge, his
two brothers and negro named
Henry Willis. Luther had gone to
Goodland to take train for this city
when the Everidge party heard that
he was at the depot they went over,
walked into the waiting room and
opened fire, killing him instantly. He
was pierced by four balls and fell with
his hand on his partially drawn re-
volver.
Another report says that Joe Ev-
eridge went into the depot on business
with his Winchester in his hand. AS
he entered Luther attempted to draw
his pistol, when Everidge said
"I hate to do it, Luther, but l
must" and shot him four times, one
ball entering his victims heart, an
other the shoulder, one the side and
the other the groin. The men were
brothers-in-law, and the trouble be-
tween them originated in February
1888, when Texas Ford, who was also
brother-in-law of Luther and Ever
idge, killed Bob Peeler about some
corn.
Ford induced Peeler to go with him
to Henry Allis' house, under pre-
text of trading horses. When there
Ford sought an advantage and shot
Peeler in the back.
Ford was indicted in the Federal
court at Fort Smith. Pending his
trial in June. 1888, Luther invited
Ford to his house. After dinner they
went out on the front porch to smoke
Luther went in the house and got his
Winchester and shot Ford in the
back. Ford ran to the fence and fell
outside dead, pierced with five
balls. Luther and his family
went about their duties anC
Ford s body lay there until the follow
ing afternoon exposed to the heat of 8
summers sun. For this crime Luther
was also indicted at Fort Smith, ant
Joe Everidge, who was chief of the
Indian police and a warm friend o
Ford's, who took an active interest il
the case. After a long trial Luthel
was acquitted in February last. Or
his release he made threats agains
Everidge and Officer Pierson fomente(
the trouble between them.
1t was certain that sooner or later
one of them would be killed and the
only question was as to which woulC
get his fork in first. Both men were
daring to desperation and used to al
the unscrupulous methods of warfar,
practiced in that country.
After killing Luther, Everidg
gave himself up to Boss Mccoy, tn
sheriff of Kiomeha county, in tn
Choctaw nation, under the app 'ehen
sion that as both were recognized cit
izens of the Choctaw nation, the fed
eral court here would have no juris
diction, cut he is mistaken
The fact that Luther has beel
United States guard in tn
territory gives the federal cour
Jurisdiction, and District Attorne
McComb had warrants issued for tn
Everidges and the negro Willis, an
Deputy Marshal Leatherman left fo
the territory to night to arrest then
Luther has several brothers who ar
swearing vengeance. 1t is believe
that this deadly family feud has nc
ended. Both families are numerou
and influential, and more bloodshed
expected.
Everidge has long been chief of tn
Indian police in the Choctaw natior
and was deputy under Marshal Res
: gan. He is half breed Indian, bU
shows no traces of Indian blood. H
is well known throughout the India
Territory and along the border (
: Texas and Arkansas, and has man
friends. In his manners he is quit
and unassuming, but possesses til
5 trait of his Indian ancestors-neith'
= forgetful of friend nor forgiving
= foe-always ready to resent a wron
5 to himself. Luther and Ford marie
sisters-Indian women. The latt'
were white, but Ford was never reco
1 nized as an Indian citizen on accouI
1 of some irregularity in his marriai
t license. This tragedy has caused
profound sensation here.