Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-03-15
KILLED BY INDIANS.
Three United States Marshals Shot
by Full Blood Outlaws.
aORE BLOODSHD IS EXPECTED.
AaI Deputies in Territory BEING
Rushed to Scene and Dissatis-
Aed Natives Prepared to Re-
sist All Efforts Mt Arrest.


Vinita, /. T., March 13.-Six United
states deputy marshals were ambushed
an Spavinaw hills near Kansas, Indian
eerritory, by a band Of Indian full
Blood outlaws Sunday night. In fight
that ensued three deputies were killed.
The deputies killed were I. L. Gllstrap,
Of Kansas, Otis futile, Of Vinita, and
Richard Carey, Of Tahlequah, l. T.
Thomas Wofford, one Of the deputies
who escaped, carried the news to Table,
Qnah Monday, and Marshal Darraugh
issued orders to rush every deputy
marshal in the northern district OF
tho Indian territory to the scene. De-
tails Of the fight have not yet been
received. Marshal Darraugh in addi-
zion wired the department Of Justice
at Washington asking authority to
swear in 100 additional deputies and
% offer $1,000 reward for each Of the
outlaws, dead or alive. He has gone
70 Kansas and will personally direct
operations against the outlaws.
The outlaws are headed by Charley,
John and Tom Wickllffe, sons Of the
former Justice Of the Cherokee supreme
court. The three Wickliffe boys began
o career of outlawry five years ago
when they were concerned in a stab
bling ARRAY at an Indian dance.
The six deputy marshals were am
pushed Sunday night while hunting
the Wickliffes for the murder of De-
puty vier. The horses Of the deputies
were shot from under them, and Depu- |
Aies Gilstrap, futile and Carey were
KILLED outright. The other three
sought shelter behind some rocks. One
OF them, WofIord, was sent back on
foot to TahleQuah for achievements.
When he left the others were holding
Che Indians at bay.
Bob Thompson arrived here late
Monday night from the scene Of the
night at Saline Creek, with the body
Of Deputy Gilstrap. Thompson says
Ehat the posse of which he was one
after trailing the Wickliffes all day
With bloodhounds came upon them at
3 o'clock in the afternoon. The In
dams, II In number, took refuge in
. ravine and opened fire. The depu-
aies threw themselves upon the
ground and a hot fight began which
lasted an hour. Deputy Gilstrap was
shot through the head at the first ex-
change Of shots. The deputies were
driven gradually back to the head of
q ravine. Terry had been wounded
and he and Title became separated
from the rest Of the party. Finally
the deputies found breastworks and
the Indians, despairing Of reaching
them, withdrew. Thompson started
for Vinita Monday morning. None of
fhe deputies had then arrived. He
reports an ugly feeling among the In
dams. He is positive one of the at
lacking party was badly wounded. :
Posses can do nothing until Tuesday n
The Indians have long been in an
ngly temper. The Wickliffes belong .
b the Keetoowah society of fullbloods,
Who bitterly resisted the governments =
plan to allot the land of the Cherokee .
nation and who indeed did not take al
lotments until forced to do so. They :
cannot farm and make their living en-
tirely by hunting. There 10 r"ur hot
nTrIe hunting and this past winter the u
Keetoowahs have been almost desti-
tute, some of them having gone bare
loot all winter. They are not permit
ted to sell their lands and the govern
ment regulations concerning leases are :
20 onerous that no farmers can be
found to submit to the terms.
The Indians have long nursed their Z
grievances and now this to them en-
hrely unjust attempt on the part of =
The government to arrest their breth-
rem, the Wickliffes, has aroused all U
their anger. Almost to a man they
are preparing to resist the taking Of
the Wlckliffes, either by active or pas b
live resistance, Any attempt Of the =
officers to effect the arrest Of the des- a
peradoes by force will result in blood y
he'd,