Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-13
FIGHT WITH INDIAN OUTLAWS
Three United States Deputy MarShals Killed
from Ambush Near Kansas, /. 7.
LARGE POSSE IS SENT TO SCENE
Officers Were on Thein Way to
Arrest Gang Charged with
Murder Of Deputy Mar
shal Visr.

VINITA. l. r.. March ts-I L. Gnstrap,
deputy United States marshal, OF vinlta /;
Otis futile, posseman Of Vinita, and Dick
Terry. posseman of Tahleqush, were killed
in a bloody battle with the Wickliffe band
of Cherokee Indian outlaws In the Spay-
inaw hills, nine miles northwest OF Kan
sas, 1. T., yesterday afternoon. After the
battle the outlaws we're besieged in the
house of their uncle. Jim Wickliffe, at the
scene of the crime, thirty-one miles from
Vinlta. There IL no telephone or telegraph
communication with the battle-ground and
tonight no news had been received from
a large party Of deputies who went to the
Spavinaw hills to capture or kill the outs
laws. 1t was not expected that they
would yield without fight.
The wicklifes killed Deputy Marshal
vier about year and a half ago and the
officers have been on their trail ever since.
A posse OF six officers who were on the
way to arrest the gang were fired upon
from ambush by the Indians. who shot
and killed three of their pursuers and es-
capped unhurt. Plezz Mann, a posseman
who survived the attack Of the outlaws,
walked twenty eight miles 20 Tahlequah
and told the story OF the battle, which
was telegraphed to United States Marshal
Darrough OF this place at 2:SS this morning.
Thirty-fve deputy marshals were at once
sworn in and dispatched to the scene OF
the battle and authority has been granted
Marshal DarrOugh 20 increase the number
to 100. Marshal Darrough announces that
he will employ this many men II necessary
to round up the desperadoes,
Desperate Fight Expected.
1t is reported tonight that the full blood
Cherokee Indians in the vicinity Of the
battle ground of yesterday, commonly
known as the Nighthawks, are joining the
Wioklffes and the authorities fear that
they will barricado themselves in the rough
country and a desperate battle ensue before
the outlaws are captured. The Wickliffes
are members of the Nighthawk band of
Indians which has given the United States
officers 80 much trouble in the matter OF
taking allottments and It is said that
many of these Nighthawks sympathize
with them.
The home of the Wicklfres is in the
center. Of the Nighthawk settlement, where
the battle, occurred. Many of the Indians
have been sheltering the outlaws, during
their months OF scouting and the officers
have arrested many OF the. Indians Tor
giving such protection to the wickliffes.
1t is feared here that the fuIIAploods in
that vicinity, which number several hun
dred, may join the wickliffes and that It
may be necessary TO call out the United
States troops. The officers here, however,
believe they will be able 20 cope with the
situation successfully.
Identity of Murdered Men.
Deputy Gilstrap was fearless oficer,
appointed to succeed J. H. Vier, who was
killed by the WicklifEes He leaves a
widow and several children at Kansas, ]. T.
futile and Terry were Cherokee full
bloods.
Marshal Darrough has asked the Depart
ment Of Justice to authorize him to offer
1900 for the capture Of the outlaws.
Only meager details OF the fight have
been received as yet. The battle occurred
far from the railroad and IL is hard to get
tidings from there.
Deputy GAlstrap. with Tuttle. Terry,
James wamford and Andy Dick. possemen,
| Sunday afternoon at o'clock rode up to
the home of Jim Wickliffe uncle OF the
wickliffe boys and were intending to make
a search of the place when the outlaws
| concealed In the house opened fire on them
At the first volley Gilstrap, futile and
Terry were killed and at the next volley
all OF the horses were killed, besides two
bIoodhounds. The survivors OF Gilstrap'l
party fired into the house. but the IRE
I from the outlaws was SO sharp that they
soon sought shelted behind trees and
stones.