The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-21
Al JENNINGS TALKS
Tells How He Has Tracked
Temple Houston to Kill Him.
HEART FAILED HIM ONCE
He Didn't Want to Murder
Him Before Mrs. Houston.

al Jennings, the famous attorney-train-
robber of Oklahoma, passed through
Wichita on the late Rock Island Sunday
night on his way TO the Columbus. Ohio
penitentiary.
Jennings has submitted TO al interview,
3n which he tells how he has tracked TEN
pie Houston for the purpose Of killing
him.
The Rock Island holdup, one Of several,
robberies in Oklahoma and the Indian Ter
ritory of which the Jennings gang stands
charged, was one Of the podest IN the
annals OF the territories. At noon on Oc-
tober l, 1897 the train was stopped on tae
prairie near Chickasha by five n asked
men, The safe in the express car was
blown open and it's contents rified. The
passengers were compelled to leave the
coaches and TO line up against the barb
wire fence on the right of way while they
were Invested OF money and valuaoles.
In attempting to capture several men on
December !, deputy Uni.e1 States marshals
and posse of twenty-five officers were
routed ana thee Of their number killed
on Spike S. ranch IN the Creek nation.
The Jennings brothers and the OMailey
brothers " ere surrounded in little frame
box house, the officers, concealed n 4 log
house in a barn and in the timber, open
ing the battle without a word Of warning.
The cartridges, 3o-12O caliber, riddled the
thin walls of the house, cut through the
clothing Of the outlaws and wounded Al
Jennings and Pat O'Malley. The gang was
finally driven 10 stand outside, where
the men used their rifles so effectuaily that
the officers took flight
They were captured, unarmed, six days
later by twelve United States officers while
driving in q wagon near a rock quarry
where they had been treacherously directed
to take their way by Sam Baker, ranch
man, who furnished the team and wagon
for them to escape.
Jennings has had a remarkable career
since he became an outlaw four years ago.
Fe talked freely yesterday Of his expert
enceS scouting TO evade the officers. With
a price Of $1,000 on his head he has ridden
thousands Of miles without going al any
time far from the boundaries Of the terri
tory Pursued from place to place for
nearly two years by scores Of officers, he
has endured hardships while alone on the
plains and in the Businesses of the noun
tains; he has suffered from wounds while
in hiding after encounters: he has lived
with outlaws and with Indians.
Ny brother Ed had incurred the enmity
OF Temple Houston by beating him in sew
eral big COW SUITS said Al Jennings.
Houston swore he would kin Ed if he lost
the Jack Love COW suit I had a dispute
with Houston the day Of the killing in
preliminary trial over a point of law and
the lie passed between US. That night
my brother was in Sam Garby's saloon,
lean ag on a table. listening to an orches-
ira n the next room. Houston came in
and asked to speak with him outside Ed
declined to talk any place but there.
Houston saiG. 4 have nothing more 20 say
and stepped back Ed turned to look into
the front room and a moment later he was
sno- through The back of the head. Jack
Love. the ex-sAeriG, who had lost the suit.
sho, him again rs he fell and the bullet
entered his skull hack of the ear.
MY brother John ran in and opened fire
and there was a general f1silade for a few
minutes. John was shot through the shoul-
der. He hurried home and told me Ed had
been killed. When ] reached the Mace the
others were gone and found Eds body in
THAT moment all my ambition TO accom-
plish anything in the eyes Of the world
died within me. a new purpose took its
place was never again seen on the
streets Of Woodward I mad to nurse nv
brother John, and my father would not
let me leave the house He was in daa71,-
Tear OF my being waylajd. ] left Wood
ward three weeks after the murder. and
as soon rs Houston was acquitted I be-
gan TO track him.
l rode from one town to another where
heard he was stopping, but each time
someone would tip my hand and Houston
would get away. sent word 10 him time
and again TO meet me and 10 face his fare
but he never responded. Friends ALWAYS
frustrated my plans for an encounter. Only
once have 1 seen him since my brothers
death.
One night l was walking up and down
in front Of his home in Woodward with
my Winchester, waiting for MIN to aupear
At last he. approached, going nome. ac-
companied by his wife. ! did not have the
heart to murder him before her ewes.
felt sure Of getting him the next dav. 81 7
let them pass. That was in August three
years ago.
The first charge of train robbing was
made against me after the Santa Fe hold
up az Edmond. Q. T. about a wear later
The officers now all admit I was NOT in
the gang, but for four months they were
hot on my trail, and I was kept scouting
rode pony hundreds OF miles. irving n
get together the boys who were under sus-
picion so we could give ourselves IN.
You can't understand how much time
was consumed from August TO December
trying to arrange orr surrender. Wen
you must remember the boys were all
scouting the same as l. We did NOT dare
show our faces in civilization for more
than few hours. I had 20 leave word
with friends who might see them to meet
me al certain place on q certain dav
The messages would more often never
reach them and I would he there alone.
Then must start out again When at last
j got track Of one and was successful in
Following MIN and meeting him. we fixed
a rendezvous and then We both started ont
on different ways 20 see the rest. for we
DID not dare stay long together.
sometimes oHe would be DELAYED on his
way 10 meeting place several DAYS. and
would have 10 lie low Thas : the life or
an outlaw. I rode hundreds Of miles each
week for four months. Ny brother Frank
at Tecumseh. was the only one vyho si5,..
have TO scout