The morning call., 1894-10-23
Indian Territory Held in
Terror.
THUGS RULE THE LAND.
Working Their Evil Will on
Honest Men.
NO JAIL WILL HOLD CRIMINALS.
There Is Even Talk of Putting That
Whole Section Under Mar
tiaI Law.

WASHINGTON, Oct. %. - The Indian
Office to-day received advices by telegraph
from the Indian Territory giving briefly
an account of the lawless condition of
affairs in that section and asking that
some action be taken by the United States
authorities which will protect the citizens
and restore order. 1t is stated that armed
bands of outlaws are in possession of the
Territory and that the Indian police are
unable to protect the people and prevent
robbery. Lawless bands infest all sec
tions. Men are held up by bighwaymen
IN broad daylight and robbed. Life and
property are not secure either by day or
night. The express companies have re-
fused to transport money and no other
means of carrying funds has been devised.
There are three well-known organized
bands of desperadoes, composed OF thieves,
thugs and tough characters from all sec
tions Of the country. who make business
of pillaging towns. As a result, reign
of terror exists. and the people of the Ter
ritory are at the mercy of these gangs. 1t
is stated that the train hoid-up reported in
the , Associated Press dispatches this
morning is the work of one of these
gangs. 1t is supposed the marauders
journey from one section to another IN
pursuit of booty and that the train-rob-
berries in the Southwest are the work of
these desperadoes, who make their head
quarters in the Indian Territory.
There has been considerable discussion
in Congress growing out of the lawless
bands in the Territory. and suggestions
have been made for an entire reorganization
of affairs there. in order that robbery may
be suppressed and the control of the peace
Of the Territory become under authority
competent to enforce law and order. 1t
has been suggested tnat in the present
emergency the Territory could be placed
under martial law and troops directed to
clear out the gangs which now infest it.
This would be an extreme measure and
would not likely be resorted to unless all
other methods fail.
TAHLEQUAH, /. T., Oct. 22-Jim Cook, a
brother of the leader Of the noted gang of
desperad0es. who was under arrest for
murder, has made his escape from here.
While in charge of two guards he made a
break for liberty, and after giving his
captOrs severe tussle. got free of them.
Although hampered by a heavy chain
locked about his wrist and ankle. he outran
the guards and escaped the bullets directed
at him.
A desperate fight occurred here in the
Jail to-day between Eli Levy, Chule Starr
and Bob Dalton, all of whom are under
sentence of death. Levy got possession
of a razor and made an assault on the
other two pris cutting Starr fatally.
when he was knocked senseless by Dalton,
who used chair, fracturing Levy's skull
and otherwise injuriDg him so he cannot
recover.
FORT WORTH, Tex. Oct. 22.-The men
who held up the westbound Texas and
Pacific passenger train Friday have been
sighted south of Gordon, we'll mounted
and armed. Large posses have gone to
that neighborhood. Rewards aggregating
$500 have been offered. The robbers got
but $1,000, but had they opened the safe
100000 would have been theirs. They are
heading for the Palo Pinto Mountains.