The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1906-03-12
DEPUTIES SLAIN by
WICKLIFFE GA
GiIstrap, little and Terry Rep
Killed in AmbuSh--Possos Now
Securing Country.

afraid to offer any assistance to the
officers.
Marshal Darrough was accompanl-
ed from Vinita by about twelve pos
semen. Others left on the flyer, and
Others will drive overland throagh
Spavinaw. Posses are on their way
to Kansas from Tahlequah, Pryor
Creek, Grove; other men will be hur-
rieG to the scene as soon as they en-
list for the fight
The Wickliffes are a bad lot. There
are three brothers, Charley, John and
Tom. They are fnlbloods, their faith
er having sat Oh the supreme bench
Of the Cherokee nation. Charley, the
leader, is about 33 years old. His
brothers are considerably younger.
Charley has bad reputation About
fifteen years ago he killed one Of his
brothers, but after long trial was
acquitted In the Cherokee courts. At
the marshal's Office it is Still believed,
however, that his crime was deliber-
ate murder.
A few years later he was again ar
rested for the murder OF an Indian.
Again his fathers influence cleared
him. About five years ago lie stab
bed an Indian at stomp dance. and
a warrant was sworn out for his ar
rest. He took to the hills, and has
been on the scout ever since, in com
pany with his two brothers.
No special effort was made TO catch
them until a year ago this month,
when Deputy Marshal J. Fl Vier,
then stationed at Kansas, while look
ing for other parties, entered a log
house near Oaks, and, leaving his pos
SO outside, went into the house The
Wickliiies were there and as he enter
ed the door he was shot without warn
ing, dying, almost instantly. His
murderers escaped from the rear Of
the house, after battle with the
pose in which no one was killed. In
tho hills, among the men Of their
race, they have been hiding eversince,
secure among irfriends q om such
half-hea1tsd pursuit as the hard
worked marshals posse was able to
make.
OF late Deputy Gilstrap has been
making determl led effort IA catch
the despetadoes. An last week he
was on their trail, aided by Otis Tit
tie Of this city, who took with him
the bloc dhounds which he and Sam
Ridenhour recently purchased. Friday
the posse passed within gunshot
range Of the Wickliifes, WHO lay in
ambush, safely hidden. It was not
until afterwards that the members Of
the posse knew how close they had
been to death. Why their lives were
spared then no one can say. Otis Tit
tie was in this city Saturday, and left
here for the hills carly Sunday morn
ing on receipt Of an urgent message
from Marshal Gilstrap. He and the
rest Of the posse We're evidently Oh
their way to Kansas from Pryor Creek
when they met their death.
Marshal GiIstrap has been a deputy
for years, and was counted as an ex-
tremely valuable man He formerly
lived in Vinita. He is survived by
widow and several daughters, who are
now living az Kansas Marshal Gil
strap was transferred to Kansas. the
most dangerous station ia the North
ern district, after the murder Of
Deputy Vier He had before that
been at CollinsyiEe.
Otis little was a resident Of Vini.
ia. having lived here all his life. His
parents and several brothers survive
him. He was young man. not hir-
ty years old He was a tine horse
man and a sure shot.
DICK Terry was a Cherokee. who
lived in Tahlequah. Although some
what hard Of hearing, lie was counted
one Of tie best men IN The maishai's
employ, and one Of The quickest and
most accurate men with a gun in the
Northern district
AT neon W. b. Depue. who has
charge Of the Office here inthe absence
Of Marshall Darrough. received vcrd
from Washington authorizing him 10