The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-29
Feud of Long Standing Between Choc.
taw Factions Breaks Out at Antlers.
Governor Joness Militia, Led BY Duke, Makes
Cowsrdly Attack on Small Party Tn.
der the Leadership Of Locke.
House of the Latter Riddled by Bullets
from Seventy-Eight Winchesters.
One Of the Soldiers Mortally Wounded and
Others Injured. and Three Of the Defense
Party Hurt, 800 Shots Fired.


CHOCTAws AT WAR
An Indian Territory Feud Results In o Bat
tie at Antiers.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
PARIS, Tex, March 2s.-For q long time
there has been feud between factions of
the Choctaw Nation. 1t resulted to-day
in an attack by Governor Jones's militia on
V. NJ Locke. the leader of the opposing
faction. who had been getting o force for
several days.
Early this morning the militia having
learned that the Locke party had with
drawn from Antlers, swooped down in force
and made a vigorous search for certain men
they alleged they wanted. They surrounded
Locke's house. but kept carefully under
cover until Mrs. Locke, in answer to
repeated calls came out. They told her to
tell Locke to come out and when she told
them that he was not at home they rushed
on the house and subjected it to q thorough
search. and by no means q gentle one.
After q while they left and returned to
their camp. Here they were visited by
your correspondent, with Assistant United
States Attorney Lee and Commission
ers Kirkpatrick and Gibbons. who
notified the Indian officers that
they would be held responsible for any
violation of the law, and demanded to
know If they had processes for any parties.
and If so, for whom. 1t appeared that they
had Q process only for one. Willis Jones.
who had not been discovered for two
months. and they were so told. The day
before they had presented list of seven
f~h< ~1xxl. f.. Co.
whom they claimed to have process.
On returning to Antlers Locke and five
or six friends were found there. He had
ret urned from his camp east of the Kiami-
tia to make another effort for peace. and on
learning that the militia only had war
rants for Jones became more than ever sat-
isfed that they were seeking an excuse to
kill him. After consulting with the United
States offices he wrote out q proposal.
agreeing to surrender if that officer could
show q warrant properly made out
Soon after the party had left the militia
camp in the morning, Captain Durant
placed the command in charge of Captain
Thompson. his junior officer, and went TO
see the county judge. Locke's proposal
was submitted to Judge Durant. ex-Justice
Governor Jones' who said 1t covered the
Choctaw law exactly. Your correspondent,
with Commissioners kirkpatrick and Glib.
bons attorney Lee and judge Durans
started with it to the camp in the edge of
town The party met about ninety of the
militia, led by q. w. Dukes. coming q
run. An effort was made TO halt them, but
with no effect. Calling out that Lock was
In town unarmed. ono of the party started
back TO warn him. anC company was
halted BY Dukes and Ol d back.
town when Mrs. Loo ,aw the militia
coming and called hiL .sck. He had only
four Indians and q negro in the house. The
party turned back and reached corner Of
bis house as the militia charged the house,
firing into 1t as they came Locke called
TO them to let the women and children
cape, but @ steady roar from seventy-eigh
WInchesters was the only replied.
Several of the militia stopped with your
correspondents party, saying they were
not on that sort of service. The attacking
party chung to the fences and trees and
from the house. The militia fired on the
east front and riddied IT. smashing every
window. and after the fight it did not look
as though sparrow could have lived In
the house. Bowls, pitchers, mirrors and
pictures. walls and furniture were torn and
riddled by the leaden hail.
Locke and his five men returned the FIRE
steadily. Mrs. Locke and the Captain had
rushed out at the beginning and made their
way to nelghbor's. They were fired at
repeatedly. but escaped uninjured. When
about 1,500 shots had been fired Captain
Thompson arrived aud as quick as possible
called oft the men, who had been urged
into the trouble by Dukes. One of the
mIltiamen was mortally wounded and four
others received serious wounds. Two In
dams and negro of the Locke faction
were wounded. but they will probably re-
cover.
The militia were warned that il they
made an attack on Locke without provoca-
tIon. and unsupported by legal warrant,
they would come in conflict with the
United States laws, as Locke had frequent
ly served In the marshaPs posse. which en-
titled him to United States protection.
Commissioner kirkpatrick at once is
sued warrants and with Commission.
gan making arrests, beginning with
q. w. Dukes. and he and eighteen others
are now in jail here. Warrants are out for
the others and Antlers Is in possession Of
United States marshals in force The
probabilities are that the Locke people be-
yond the kiamitia. hearing of to-day'G
trouble will sweep into the town and clean
it out. Locke will endeav or 10 prevent any
attack by his people. but may not be able
to control them.
In Locke's house the three men wounded
were Mack Hill shot in the shoulder; John
Worcester and Solomon Hosmer, shot In
the head. OF the militia Simon Baliste
was mortally wounded. Three others were
slightly wounded. ball passed through
Looke's hat and q bullet grazed his sons
arm.