Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1906-08-07
DETAILS OF HORRIBLE CRIME
ENRAGE TULSA,
UNSPEAKABLEBE BESTIALITY
: Harry Priester Was Slain With Bone
Of Horses Leg for Refusal to
Commit Awful Crime.

The shockingly horrible details of
. one of the most atrocious crimes in
the annals of the entire criminal his
tory of Indian Territory, and parti-
Ncularly this section, came to light
yesterday in connection with the mur-
der of little Harry Priester, the g.
year old white boy whose badly de-
composed body was found in car
of wheat at Francis, l. IT,, enroute
from an Oklahoma town to Houston,
Texas. When the details became
known generally on the street, lynch
law movement was only prevented by
the council of wise heads who would
not allow their feelings to get away
with their interest in the welfare or
Tulsa nda their respect for low and
'order. To remove temptation as far
as possible from the city, the three
negro prisoners, Gheezer Jackson, Joe
Murray and Sill Howell, were taken
to the United States Jail at Musko-
gee by Deputy United States Marshal
Wooten and Special Agent of the
Frisco Hy Thompson. They were driv-
len to the Katy Depot in closed car
giage about half an our before the
rain came, and were kept inside the
hitting room with the two officers on
Eard. While there the sister of young
sckson was permitted to hold conver-
}ation with him. 1t was expected that
.he preliminary trial of the negroes
fwoudl have been held bfore United
States Commissioner w. W. Hyams of
Sapulpa yesterday morning, but it
was discovered that the chief witness
for the state could not be found,
therefore a simple commitment was
issued to hold the negroes in the Mus
kogee Jail on suspicion until the evil
desre could be collected and put in
proper shape by the prosecution.
II was in connection with this dis
appearance of Eugene Mcqueen, the
star witness for the state, that the
details of the crime became fully
known. The prisoners themselves are
admitting nothing, according to the
statement of Chief of Police Baber.
1t seems, however, that it became
noised about among the negro friends
of the prisoners that Mcqueen was
to appear against them, and they de-
cided upon summary action to prevent
any such proceeding. They, therefore,
attacked Mcqueen in West Tulsa some
time Sunday night or early Monday
morning. The crowd was armed and
it seems probable that had they got
ten him completely within their pow
er they would have killed him. He,
however, seems to have gotten wind
Of the fact that he was expected to
play high mogul at pounding match
and upon the first appearance OF the
mob took to his heels like atrue South
ern darkey with a ripe watermelon
and watchful farmers dog at his
heels. The crowd started in pursuit.
Mcqueen saw a train moving in the
direction of Sapulpa, and by taking
chances managed to get abroad. Not
though. until the pursuer had come
close enough to hurl rocks and sticks,
one of which hit him on the arm and
nearly fractured that limb. Arriving
h Sapulpa this morning, Mcqueen
made hurry up call to Deputy L. s.
Marshal Hanna's affice. and al
most on bended knees begged protec-
ton from his foes. The deputy prom
ised him protection and asked him to
remain downstairs while the officers
in this city were reached over the
long distance telephone in order to
ascertain what should be done with
Mcqueen. The negro was half-crazed
with fear and trembeed violently all
of the time. Notwithstanding, when
the marshal returned to the foot Of
the stairs the negro had disappeared
and although diligent search has been
made since 10 clock yesterday morn
ing, he has not been located again un-
til press hour. II is thought that he
j. being hidden by some of his friends
in Sapulpa, believing that if he walks
|lree in daylight he will be killed by
oIpe Of the friends Of the prisoners
|s has been threatened.
Hefore he made his getaway, how
kvef, Mcqueen told his story to Dep
I,tX Hanna. He stated that he was
rig in wait in a tool house near. his
one to- see man who was over-1
friendly with his wife, when three me-