The Bowbells tribune. [volume] (Bowbells, Ward Co., N.D.) 1899-1969, 1906-02-02

charged up to him, whether rightfully
or wrongfully no one knows but Cra-
vens, and he won't tell, and there are a
number of localities in Oklahoma where
he is wanted by officers.
"But every town in the territory is a
veritable nest of his friends, who so
completely surround and safeguard him
as to secure his immunity from capture.
Probably no outlaw of recent times has
so many friends, loyal as only such
friends can be, ready to risk every
thing in the world for his safety.
'1n spite Of the fact that there are
half dozen charges of murder and
robbery hanging over him, Cravcns'
last exploit before he left the territory
was to pay "a visit to some of his friends
in Governor Ferguson's own town. At
night, not caring to register at hotel,
he stretched himself out on pool table
in saloon and slept the night through,
we'll knowing that he was completely
surrounded by friends who would
promptly dispose of any officer who at
tempted to intrude on him.
"Before this Cravens travelled as
salesman and carried heavy line Of
staple goods. He visited Guthrie, the
capital, every fortnight, and his friends
proudly relate that on one occasion he
attended an administration ball and
later dined with United States mar
shall and several members of the terri
torial council without his identity being
suspected.
''But all of these days of daring are
of the past now, and Cravens, too, has
joined the ranks of the respectfully
married and settled. Not in Oklahoma
the officers would hardly stand for
that-but in Mexico, where he has fig
ured as the hero of the most romantic
adventure of his strange career.
"Masquerading as the nephew of a
former governor Of Pennsylvania, with
fashionable clothes, plenty of money
and suavity Of manner, he won his way
into some of the most exclusive draw
ing rooms of the City of Mexico He
was a favorite with the American COL
ony, though he never gained quiee the
position there that he did with the Mex
lean set.
"a daughter of a wealthy Mex;cs:l
mine owner attracted him particularly,
and their courtship and marriage soon
followed. It is said that the charming
sonora has already borne him an heir.
''His wife's gamily stands we'll with
the administration, and with ample
means and position to back him it is not
likely that Ben Cravens, Oklahoma's
outlaw king, will ever be brought back
to the scene of his lurid past.
KILLERS oUIETED.
'Bob Ford, ex-train robber and as
sassin of Jesse James, was for long
time one of the interesting figures at
the camp at Creede, Colo. He is
slender, harmless looking person, pale
and nervous, with an uneasy frightened,
manner. From his saloon and gambling
house Ford kept keen lookout on the
world.
I have tried for years to get out
of the way of the killers, he said, but
every place go meet some fool with
an insane idea for notoriety, and he
manages to get me into brawl. l have
gone into the quictest and most obscure
little towns in the west, but l have
hardly got settled before some idiot
bobs up and spreads the news that Bob
Ford's in town. Then some fool tanks
up on mean whisky and tries to make
trouble for me. have talked with lots
of other men with regulations as killers
and they all feel about as l do. They
would give anything in the worry if
they could rid themselves Of their name
and live like other men,.
"Another famous ex-outlaw trans
formed into quiet, harmless citizen is
Cole Younger. He avoids notoriety as
far as possible, but wherever he goes
there is a rush to get glimpse of him.
"By the terms of his pardon he is
prohibited from exhibiting himself, but
he lent his name to wild west show
that has not been, however, the startl-
ing success that its hackers hoped it
would be. The last that heard of him
he was building a trolley line in Mis-
souri,, and one of his principal hackers,
it is said, is United States senator.
Frank James, you know. was par
doned from the Missouri penitentiary
and is living now, quiet citizen, in a
little Missouri town. He, too, took a
whirl at the show business, and also
was on the stage for shcrt time.
"Jesse James son, Jesse, jr., is liv-
ing in Kansas City. He was tried once
for train robbery, but was acquitted,
and has since taken a rum at keeping a
cigar store and later pawnshop.
BEHIND THE BARS.
Zone of the famous prisoners of the
Kansas penitsntiary is Emmet Dalton.
Probably no prisoner there has had
more frequent and earnest efforts made
by friends to get for him pardon.
tAt the time of the Coffeyville raid,
the last picturesque bank robbery in
Kansas, two Of the Daltons were killed
and Emmet was badly wounded. En-
met was only 18 then, and his friends
say was drawn into the expedition