The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-24
NEvER CAUGHT ROWLING WOLF.
Although it Was a Political Issue That
Should Be.

Guthrie. O. T.. Nov. 23.-Tom Fergu-
son of Vatonga has explained the mys-
terry of Howling Wolf. an Indian whose
case several years ago became prominent
in Blaine county politics, but never be
fore been lucidly set forth. Mr.. Fergu-
son writes:
Ia April 1898, the famous HOwling Wolf
episode. which has figured so much in
Blaine county history, took place. 1t was
criminal assault upon a young lady
a few miles south of Watonga. Howling
Wolf was a disreptuable Indian, leader of
the Dogfaee band of Cheyennes. He was
cunning. trecherous and vicious. When
brought to town he admitted his guilt.
and seemed to take it as a huge joke
Il was said that he had committed the
same crime several times before by max
ing criminal assaults upon Indian girls.
tut had always come free by giving
four ponies as an atonement He even
offered the deputy sheriff four ponies
to setua the matter HowIing Wolf
was taken 10 the Kingf1sher ALI, and
from there 10 Fl Reno. He escaped from
the 1l Reno jail. and since that time he
has been roaming at his own unhampered
viii. He so rumor says. went to live
among the Sioux for a time. but re-
turned. and since has been in the c and
4 country. with none TO harm him or
make him afraid"
lowing Wolf has made some of Blaine
countys history To catch Howling Wolf
was a problem which for years perplexed
many "A Blaine county official The sub
5ect was discussed in the political cam
paign world without end" During the
campaign of 1894 Howling Wolf was the
platform of the Populists, and a pretty
wide plank in the platform of the Demo
Gratis. About the time a Republican
speaker would get TO soaring high and
telling Of the many virtues of the Repub-
lean candidates some wild-eyed Pop. in
the audience would chime in with: when
WIN thev get Howling Wolf?" The Wolf
also figured in the history of the Wa
tonga court docket Term after term
of court held at Watonga. the Judge
would take the judicial stool solemnlv
turn the pages of the book before him as
he read with emphasis Territory of
Oklahoma against H0wling Wolf" Then
The court would push the book aside.
wipe his spectacles and proceed to roast
The sheriff and his deputies 10 a brown
finish once a Judge told the sheriff and
his deputies that they were towards. and
thar an ola squaw could come to town
und chase them all into the woods. FL
naliy there came a dav when the court
decided to score one on the sheriff. and
the case against Howling WOLF was dis
missed. The reason given was defend (
Rnt's perpetual absence from court.
Many expeditions We're organized
against the festive Wolf Billy Wilson
was sheriff then on one particular oc- /
casion he organized an expedition and
vent forth to capture the fugitive. hay /
Ing been told that The Howling was up
the river near Cantonemeut. Ii re-
q9ired two DAYS to ft up .the expedi- I
tion. which consisted of a wagon and
team. six guns the sheriff and four denu- /
ties. Before starting on that memora- +
hle expedition. the news of the proposed 4
movement was hersNded all over the sur 4
rounding country II Howlng Wolf had /
been IN the country. the Indians around
Wstonea would have given him timely +
warming. Three score plans were laid TO +
catch The Wolf bur no ono wanted to
execute them. One opposition candidate I
Tor sheriff ran or a HowIng Wolf plat- I
form, promising 20 bring in the animal I
s. the people would elect him. He wss
not elected, and the VOL twas never
caught.