The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1890-03-12
A NOTORIOUS OUTLAW.
"JiM," THE LAST OF THE FA-
NOUS STARR FAMILY,D
Record of their Crimcs..A Visit to
Their Old Homestead, Now
Rapidly Falling Into

~ e 'AiAS ooubi VI l. OIb SUDD, III
the Indian Territory, and looking
uorthward the eye dwells upon
Il e gT0ndest stretch of fertile land
in the United States. The prairie
Is just rolling enough to shed the
water, aud the rich soil raises the
true Buffalo grass, which is as nu-
tritious rs grain. The north fork
OF Red river is in sight, bordered
by magnificent timber. Walnut
trees tlve feet in diameter and
grand elms are especially conspicu>
Gus, but there is not sound or
token of the habitation of man
until one comes to the river and
sees the dilapidAted buildings of the
old fort.
Ride up the river a mile and
you come to q range of low cabins
in natural meadow. The build
ings are last decaying. This is the
homestead of the Starr family, and
but a short time ago the last of the
boys, Jim, fell in a desperate
fight with the Indian police.
The history of the family Is one
of the rOmauces of the Southwest.
just before the war there was liy-
ing at Choteau's old trading post,
not far from Tahlequah, u family
of Creek half breeds named Bird.
One of the girls was very beauti>
tul and attracted the attention of a
Uuitcd States officer who was sta>
toned at one of the forts in the
Territory, and he persuaded Helen
Bird to elope with him, Her
family we're very indignant, as
they were strongly anti.American,
and they We're, moreover, very
dangerous people to quarrel with.
'rne officer WAS wnrnpd and otto,
a few months Of welded bliss,
started south for Texas, taking
]
/ Helen with him.
THE ELOPEMENT At NIGHT.
As he left Fort Washita at night
he felt sure that his departure was
unknown tc his enemies, About
early dawn they re9ched the Red
river and crossed, but just as the
man gained the opposite bank two
rifles cracked and he fell dead from
the saddle, and the girl found hel
horses bride seized by one Of hel
brothers. The body of the seducer
/ was hurled into the stream and thu
party of three started homewGrd.
A few months after Helen maT
ried man named Starr, one Of he
own people. He was a handsom
: desperate, who was constant.
j Gohtinr with his rough associates
d Shortly after the marriage Mrs
, Starr gave birth to a child, CIR
She grew up graceful and beauti
full, and was much admired. Whc
" she was about Is a young Arkar
j san came iuto the neighb )rhoo
/ and made Holen's acqaintanc,
" Her family did not like him an
n he was ordered 10 leave, which |
.e did, taking the girl with him.
II party, headed by her stepfathe
Starr, went in pursuit and can
up with the runaways on the ban
OF the South Canadian. III
pursuers fired aud two balls passc
through the body of the haple
~ Helen, killing her instantly II
lover shot Starr dead and thu
u made his escape.
Starr left six sons, and wor
men could not be found iD t
rs Southwest. they robbed stage
ne stole horses and cattle, ana we
10 hunted down as outlaws. Thr
IL of them were finally killed
re Farnsworth's Rangers Just oy
ns the Texas line. The Indian ste
N cism that had supported the mot
o' er now gave way, and, broke
20 hearted and riding her horse ii
IS Red river, she slipped FROM t
-" saddle and was never seen AGAIN
END OF THE STARR FAMILY.
rat
,ss jim, the youngest son, beca
- ,he husband and partner in cri
~ of Belle Riley, a woman who
Is, a member OF celebrated fam
md ofTexas outlaws aud whose enl
is life had been spent in crime. /
ak two previous husbands had fal
t ,ai' in fights with the Cherokee po
nd, and shortly alter her MARI
with Starr she delibera