Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-07-08
THIRST FOR BLOOD.
The Jones Faction Determined on
Having the Choctaws Shot.
An INTERIOR DEPARTMENT ORDER.
Hoke Smith Forbids the Shooting Cha
grin of Jones and His Crowd-The
Collins Prepared for the
Execution.

4.
ton here has remained much the same,
While there is no outspollen desire on
the part of anybody to cause trouble,
the fact that the Indians are heavily
armed is considered as an indication of
trouble ahead. The utmost silence
prevails, and everything is still as
death. Old-timers regard this as the
worst phase of the situation, and pre-
dict that bloodshed will follow soon
after the execution occurs, ii not be-
fore. The Indian military, which
has been stationed here ever since
the trial of the condemned men,
has been reinforced, and it Is under
stood that others will arrive to-day. 1t
isplainly evident, however,that the men
who have been the radical followers of
the Jones faction in maintaining an
uprising dread the result. Not Il few
of the heretofore hostile followers of
Gov. Jones would like to see peace de-
clared and all settled down as one ma
ton. They do not doubt that the
militia will be able to carry out the
mandate of the circuit court, but the
fear that the opposing faction will
again resort to bushwhacking is what
is causing the noticeable weakening in
the ranks of Jones' followers.
Public sentiment is about evenly di-
vided. The Jones party claims that
the prisoners were tried and convicted
by an impartial judge and jury, and
that they were proven guilty beyond
any doubt of premeditated murder and
that they should be shot according to
Choctaw customs. On the other hand
the jackson or Locke party claims that
the Judge and jury were actuated in
their course by n deep prejudice grow
ing out of n dislike for Jackson follow
ers, who opposed the Jones party in
the campaign, predicting the alleged
bushwhacking and say that the whole
trouble is the outgrowth of political
feud of long standing.
No word had been received from Gov.
Jones indicating that the sheriff would
be interfered with. The contract for
constructing the collins and interring
the remains of the five doomed Indians
has been let and the work is now
well under way. The militia is active
and stands ready to carry out the
orders of the sheriff. Should the
war department interfere and send
troops to stay the execution, in
the opinion of everybody such
n course would simply be add
ing new trouble to the situation with
out any warrant or authority whatever,
rs the Indians Will not recognize any
authority of the general government to
interfere with the enforcement of the
Choctaw laws. If troops are dispatched
to this point they will have to make
double quick time. The execution oc.
ours Friday, which would not allow
sufficient time to unload the troops ut
Wilburton in time to prevent the shoot
ing. There are no troops nearer than
Antlers and to get them here would re-
uuire quick work. In case the troops
should come in on time the force would
be insufficient to quell the disturbance
that is looked for. The least mistake
in handling the affair might result in
great loss OF life on both sides. Much
bad blood has been engendered by the
investigation made by Inspector Fai-
son. and if a mistake is made and the
torch lighted anew the government
may look for serious consequences.
ORDERED TO STOP TIE EXECUTION.
PARIS, Tex. July 6.-Secretary Smith,
of the interior department, wired Col.
Faison, Indian inspector, mt Tuskahoma
to proceed to Wilburton at once and
issue an order to the Choctaw author
tiles not to execute the five men con-
demned to be shot. Col. Faison went
at once. The Jones are chagrined at
the turn affairs have taken. Capt.
Guthrie is still at Antlers and will not
take troops to Wilburton unless vio'
lence is threatened.