The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-11-24

The following from the Fort Smith (Ark.l Record
Herald viii be interesting reading for the old settlers
Last Thursday was the eighth anniversary OF the
death OF Judge c. Parker who presided the United
States court at this place for twentyone years and
eral Of his friends and admirers paid tribute to his
ory by placing flowers upon his grave
The state Of Arkansas and tie Indian Ierrltory owe
Judge Parker great debt When he was appointed
Judge the court which lie presided had exclusive
jurisdiction all the terroyying between the states
OF Arkansas and Colorado and Kansas and Texas Human
life was held very cheap in that country at that time
and property belonged to him who chose 70 use the mos
force Today the hourshng territories oi Oklahoma and
Indian Territory two Of the most enerprsng and pro-
greslye outside Of statehood their prosperity and
populoas condition to the foundation that he laid.
Judge Parker was known all over tie United States
a. the hanging judge, account OF bis baving passed
the death sentence upon nearly two andrd Indian Ter
rtory murderers, eighty.eght Of wom were executed
on the gaows that stood year IN nd gear out in the
corner Of the old jail yard plain sght u The prisoners
Who joculary referred 10 Il the white mule aud to
paying the penalty upon IL as riding the white mule
The old eaows torn down everal years ago. when
the wall passed out Of existence
Judge Parker was regartd by those WHO did not
kn0w him as fierce, stern mn but those who were
quainted with him knew hin as polished dlgnhed,
kind.hearted gentle and loysle man great tribute
vas paid him by TIE men aainst whom he waged such
RELENTLESS war--the outlaw Of the Indian Territory.
They recognized his court in which justice seldom
mscarred, and as a place were they would get their
just dues I'd Reed tie sorof Belle Starr when brought
IN after being reported at te head Of gang Of outlaws
said: 'I'd never have sco ed day If could have got
word to Judge Parker afraid Of the marshals and
the people iorthey ae 70 BE- too quick with their
weapons Judge Parker ! 4 one ought 10 be
AFRAID o. for lie vii tn sou get Just what coming
20 YOU
NEARLY all the noted opaws Of tie Indian Terrtory
Al time OF another iae appeared IN Judge Park
ers eour. Some Of them Ne witnesses and 0ters de
PENDANTS Among tiiese ma be mentioned Belle Starr,
Henry Starr and most Of his ollowen BIZ Cook Cherokee
Bill, the Buck gang. 10 aud Gatz Dalton, Frank
Caney and many others. Number werr killed Ia tie
attempt 10 arrest them.
a sery important baHh of the court WIS the force
Of deputy marslals They brave and fearless. and
many Of them gave up tleir lives Ia the Hgt for the
supremacy Of Tie law buury that Is rle and fertile
aud Is coming into iti0an. Among this number
mas be mentioned B Tlel Imam and Heck Thomas. two
dashlng Oklahoma onicersl c Ayen. J. G. Wilkinson,
Charley Leforce. and 8. S siite who SID follow ts
gams.and the late taden eri, Heck runnef and sam
sixkllle.
'sThe work which S = Irker did on behalf d tie
Indian Territory IS fuIl ppreeiated IN that country,
and several papers hasc iuggested The raising Of monu-
ment 70 him b popular subscriptions bat u lms never
cone much further lie Is st regarded there as tie
model Judge and the judges Of tle courts that country
are Heasnred By their similarity n him