The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-11-11
BATTLE ON a TRAIN.
Negro Desperate Kills a Deputy United
States Marshal on a Train and is Killed
by Other Odicers.

A Negro Desperate Kills a Deputy United
States Marshal on Train and is Killed
by Other Odicers.
GAINESVILLE, Tex, Nov. 5.-The half
sleeping passengers in the negro COM
partment of last nights north bound
Santa Fe were suddenly aroused about
IL o'clock by two sharp reports from
pistol. Strengthening up they found
lying in the aisle a gasping man from
whose head spurted blood and brains.
Standing over him they saw big yell
low negro with a smoking revolver
in his hand Scarcely had they
comprehended what they saw
when the door between the two
compartments flew open and with
drawn revolvers in jumped two men.
The negro Strengthened up and his re-
volver spoke. 1t was answered instant
ly and the negro fell with his feet near
" touching the head Of the man he had
just wounded mortally. He tried to
rise, but a pistol rang out three times
and the huge form OF the negro con-
vulsed and sank back
The actors of this blood curdling scene
We're Tom Smith, Dave Booker and In
gram, all deputy United States mar
shals, and negro who is thought to be
the notorious Commodore Miller" who,
after killing a policeman in Dallas, Tex,
gave the officers and bloodhounds a
lively chase for nearly week. The
marshals boarded the train in this city
and were bound for Ardmore. The
negro got On at Fort Worth and was en-
route to Guthrie, Ok. When he entered
the train the negro took a seat in the
coach provided for whites and left it re-
luctantly at the command of the conduc-
tor.
When the marshals boarded the train
they saw a man who they suspected of
having whisky with him. The man
seeing the marshals cycling him went
forwardsnto the negro compartment
As soon as the train crossed Red river
bridge Marshal Smith went forward in
tending TO search the mans effects for
whisky and to arrest him if any were
found. Just as Smith showed open the
door the negro without any warning.
pulled his gun and fired 1T The officer
The bullet stcuc.l Smith on the head
just Il bpNt lIG - &. y LoO - lC ltAI IiiC
negro shot again, the bullet striking
him in the hands.
Booker and Ingram, who were in one
of the coaches, ran forward just as
Booker opened the door the negro fired
at him. The bullet grazed his neck.
Booker then fred and the negro fell
with a ball in his abdomen Booker
fired three more shots. each one taking
effect in the negroes abdomen.
Smith died Just as he had caused
many others to die. He was the leader
of the Woodpecker faction in the race
war which prevailed several years ago
in Washington county, this state. 1t
is said of him that in one battle he
killed seven men without removing the
Winchester from his shoulder Later
he was marshal Of Taylor Tex, where
he is said TO have killed two men. lie
organized the expedition of Texas mar
shals who went to Wyoming last
spring toparticipate in the war between
the ''rustlers'' and the cattiemen. He,
like the rest. was arrested and was re-
leased on his own recognizance only
short time ago.
The dead negro is thought to be
Commodore Miller" as he corresponds
to the description of Miller