davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-06-12
An Old Trumped.up Charge
Against Sheriff E. L. Nc.
Cracken Wiped off the
Federal Court Rec.
ords at Chickasha,
Indian Ter.
NO CRIME COMMITTED
Indictment Found Ten Years Ago
Alleged Offense Committed Twen.
ty-tWO Years Ago.

Twenty-Five years ago when
Barber county's present sheriff, E.
L. McCracken, was a mere boy
nineteen years of age, he worked
for the Wyatt Williams company
who owned large cattle ranch at
what was then Silver City, Indian
Territory, now Tuttle, on the South
Canadian river, twenty-five miles
northeast of Chickasha. In those
days the territory was occupied by
cattle companies who had the land
under lease and there was always
strong rivalry between these COM
panies. The majority of the cow
boys at that time were Indians and
half breeds and a white man, under
the most favorable circumstances,
who worked among them, was in
perilous surroundings.
In July 1885 Bud McCracken be-
came involved in battle on the
range with a desperate gang of
desperadoes and in the shooting
one Adam Ward, an Indian outlaw.
was killed. The facts leading UP
to the shooting are substantially
as follows, as supported by afida-
Wits:
The Wyatt-Willlams and John
son-Campbell companies, with
their respective outfits, were engag-
ed in roundup, the latter COM
pany cutting out some fat cattle
for the market. A dispute arose
in the morning over large COW
branded with a tabletop brand.
The &c. company claimed the
COW; McCracken was representing
the WV. company and contended
that the COW belonged to party of
his company, but he suggested that
the COW be put in the possession of
diSinterested parties until the
ownership could be determined.
This offer was rejected. He then
offered to leave the COW in the pos
session of the J.-C. outfit if the
latter would agree not to dispose of
her. The argument took place in
the morning in the absence of
Ward but in the afternoon when
the time for action came he was
there. 1t had always been believed
by all who were acquainted with
affairs about the camps in that vi
cinity that Ward was sent for to
kill McCracken. He had reputa-
tion as "killer" and had bullet
wound in his leg as result of
fight some time previous. When
the time came to cut out cattle and
the J.-C. outfit refused all PROPOSE
tions made by McCracken for the
determination of the ownership of
this particular cow, he told them
that he proposed to cut the cow
back, that they could not take her.
Ward cursed him and told him
that if he went in that herd his
horse might come out alive but
that he (McCracken) never would.
McCracken rode in the direction of
the herd and as he neared it Ward
remarked to one of his bosses, 81 be-
Iieve he is going to cut the COW,
and if we are going to do anything
we had better do it now," and at
the same time began firing at Nc
Cracker. Three bullets were fired
while McCracken was riding away,
one of which grazed the head of
his horse, and the horse began
pitching" 1t was some little
Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-06-12

|. T., to take up the matter from
the beginning. AS the attorneys
progressed in the case, an offer to
dismiss it was made but Sheriff
McCracken rejected the offer and
demanded a trial.
The result was that the trial was
granted at Chickasha last Wednes-
day before Federal Judge ]. T.
Dickerson. Five witnesses were
introduced by the government, all
of whom exoanerated Sheriff Nc
Cracken. He could have had any
number of witnesses in his behalf
but it was unnecessary. The at
torneys for the defense did not even
cross examine the prosecuting wit.
ness and after the evidence was
submitted Judge Dickerson in
structed the jury to return a ver-
dict of not guilty which it did not
take them long to do.
Thus ends a story which has
travelled down the corridors of
time for twenty-five years, and Bud
McCracken comes out of it with
out a scar or stain on his manhood.
Possibly he took human life, but
he did it as honorably and as no.
bly, as the soldier at war. Loyalty
to his employer and loyalty to
himself left for him no second
choice and but for his bravery and
sterling manhood, in that crisis, he
would have been mercilessly sent
to premature grave.
Sheriff McCracken arrived home
last Thursday afternoon. The en-
thusiastic manner in which he was
greeted demonstrated plainly that
he has the confidence of the people
who know him, even better now
than ever before. 1t is a gross in
justice that he was forced to face
trial at all. 1t was a great expense
and needless embarrassment, but
after all it is time and money we'll
spent for it puts down and out for
time immemorial all inuendos,
slurs and initimations that so often
are prone to come up.
Recently report has become
current that political leaders of
the opposite political party are re-
sponsible for stirring up the trouble.
Wefnd this report to be without
foundation and say without reser.
walton that men of all political
parties stood loyalty with Sheriff
McCracken from beginning to end.
True, the scheme to bring about an
arrest had its inception during the
campaign and the man who start
ed it was opposed to Sheriff Nc.
Cracker politically but he was not
a political leader in the general
sense of the term and was acting
on his own responsibility.
The man who interested the dis.
trict attorney at Chickasha in the
case was Jake Dobbs of Kiowa
who recently had to hurry out of
town to escape prosecution for
bootlegging.
Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-06-12
Ok. LEAGUE STANDING.

The results of the Oklahoma
Kansas league ball games and the
relative standing of the teams as
brought { out by Sundays games,
follow:
AT Kiowa-Kiowa 9. Alya3
At Harper-Sharon s, Harper
Danville-Wellington game postponed ON
account Of rain.
Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-06-12

Next Sundays games: Harper
at Sharon, Kiowa at Alva, We'll
lington at Danville.
Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-06-12

Mrs. w. E. Stout and children
are visiting Grandma and Grandpa
Landreth at Hazelton.
Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-06-12

Have you seen the embroideries
we are showing at Ioc per yard?
Richardson & Longman.
Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-06-12
FOR SALE.

The Graham Restaurant and
Furnished Rooms. This is a snap
and should be Investigated. Come
and see me. r. H. GRAHAM.
Harper. Kans.
Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-06-12

Ladies Japanese drawn work
turn over collars, cheap at a5c, our
price, each I5c. Richardson &
Longman.
Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-06-12

Congratulations are coming in
thick and fast to Sheriff E. L. Nc
Cracker, from men who knew
him in former days, over the out
come of his trial at Chickasha. A
notable one was from T. E. Bow
ers, President of the Nocona TEX.
as) National Bank. Messrs. Bow
ers and McCracken were school
boys together at Hardy, Texas and
the two families were intimate
friends. This letter speaks highly
of Buds integrity from boyhood to
manhood and leaves no doubt of
his high standing while residing in
Texas and the Indian Territory.
This is one instance wherein the
raking up of the ashes of the past
of over a score of years ago has re-
bounded to the everlasting credit
Of a man whom it was intended to
injure.
Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-06-12

Ladies knit corset covers with
out sleeves worth 25c, our price
lac. Richardson & Longman.
Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-06-12

Col. Thomas L. Sale has returned
from the quiet urievsntfal haunts
of old Virginia to again take on
new life and bask in the rejuvenat-
ing sunshine and gentle zephyrs of
good old Kansas. The Colonel
looks well but it is plainly written
on his countenance that he was
not at ease while sojourning among
Virginia's hills. His old Mingona
friends and neighbors have received
him in true Prodigal fashion and
even the lowing herds and Towser
families seem happy because of his
return.
Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-06-12

Art Squares, Velvet and Ingram,
from 81 up. Dimensions oxI2.
Adams & Co.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
TODAY'S MARKET REPORTS

Chicago. Aug. N.-WHEAT-The wheat
market today opened easy. Considerable
selling for profit was evident at the open
ter yesterdays bulge. There was also
considerable selling by shorts CaDIes
reported &c lower at $3.50 and for soIne
time held close to that figure. Receipts al
Chicago were 1853 cars
The market held firm throughout tn me
early part of the day, but later was on
on realizing sales. The close was easy
with September lie lower, at 9OS+c; .
CORN-The corn market openeu easa e-,
because of favorable weather Tor tne cIo5
and dealing by shorts and coInInliIsssl,o3il
houses. September corn opene1a 1su140
lower at 601k@6O5sc and sold at 6o1sc,
Corn prices eased off along with Wneait
The close was easy, with 7sc lower ae
60hc.
OATS-The oats market was somewhat
unsettled at the opening but prices gen
orally were easier. The more distant OPP
tions were easier than september ana
trading was in moderae volume Septem-
Der oats opened 1s@74c higher at ol7saol7%c
PROVISIONS-Trade was slow in the
provisions pit and prices were saeady-
September pork was unchanged at $Io.zo.
Lard was PIC lower at $9.lo KIDS were
unchanged at $3.50.
WHEAT-Dec., 962sc. Cash: NO. req,
911h@e2a4c; No hard, s112asSs4c; No. 8
SP coRN@Dee.. $3.50. Cash: No. g. 5s@
OATS-Dec.. 471h@5sc.
BARIEY-Cash: 75@S2c.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
THOUSANDS HEAR TAFT.
Southwest Missouri Republicans Flock
to Springfield.

Springfield, Mo, Aug. 27.-Secretary of
War Taft addressed an audience of TO-
900 people at Central park last night
Republicans from every county in south
west Missouri were there, including the
Taft-Hadley clubs of West Plains.
Ozark. Bolivar, Lebanon and other near
by towns.
Among the prominent Republicans
present were United States Senator
William Warner, Walter s. Dickey. of
Kansas City. and Thomas J. Atkins, of
st. Louis. national Republican commit
teeman from Missouri
Moses W. Coolbaugh, president of the
Springfield club. presided at the meet
Ing at Central park, and Mayor War
public speech, Secretary Taft reiterated
what he said before the Buckeye Re
publican club at Columbus, O., last
week. The Springfield club, composed
OF both Democrats and Republicans
prominent in the affairs of the city. had
charge of the reception and entertain
ment.
Following the public gathering at Cen
trail park, Secretary Taft attended
banquet at the Colonial hotel, at which
200 covers were laid. Speeches were
made at the banquet by Secretary Taft
National Committeeman Atkins, Walter
S. Dickey and John T. woodruff, of this
city. z. z. E. McJimsey, editor of the
Springfield Republican, was toastmas-
ter.
Secretary Taft spent the night here
and this morning at o'clock was taken
for an automobile drive through the ma
tional boulevard to the national Gene
terry. Springfield is trying to get $50, 900
from congress for the Improvement of
this driveway, and the object in taking
the secretary of war over the route was
to acquaint him with the situation.
1t had been planned to take the secre-
tary to the Wilson Creek battlefield, but
the ten-mile drive could not be made in
time for him to continue his journey to
Seattle via Kansas City according to
schedule.
The Taft party left here at 9:35 this
morning for Kansas City.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27

| take any position on arbitration and
election of senators by the people.
He takes a rap at socialism, de-
nounces the initiative and referendum
and presents an argument against
government ownership of railroads.
He is stronger in stating what he OPP
poses than in stating what he favors,
and Internationally. of course
misstates Mr.. Bryan's position on sew
eral questions
He makes out a strong case in
favor of tariff reform, but when he
gives the remedy he goes no further
than the Republicans have gone in
former campaigns. He wants enough
tariff to carry the difference in cost
of labor here and abroad-the excuse
given for the present tariff-and he
wants the tariff reformed by its
friends. Tariff reform by the friends
of the tariff is a farce and a fraud
and the secretary runs away from the
conclusions which would naturally be
drawn from the statistics which he
presents.
1.-THE conservatives may object to
his speech because it admits many
Democratic contentious, but no real
reformer will find encourag cement in
it. 1t Is a straddle of the most i'm
portant issues-a compromise instead
Of fight for reform"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
HOW TO SEE THE COMET.
Don't Go to Bed and Watch the
Eastern Heavens.

G. M. Blair, fellow in astronomy at
the Lick observatory, and formerly a
student at Washburn, is visiting his
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. G. NJ. Blair, at
1918 Western avenue. He has writ
ten the following information about
the comet for the State Journal:
THE naked-eye comet which is now
visible in the eastern heavens in the
early morning hours has received
some little attention in the newspa-
pers, but it is probable that the people
in Topeka who have actually seen it
could be numbered on the fingers of
the two hands, with a finger or two to
spare.
This is partially due to the fact
that this. inconsiderate wanderer of
an hour when all honest men are in
bed and all rogues turned out of
doors newspaper men of course ex-
cepted), and partly to the hazy in
distinct outline of the comet and it's
rather small surface brightness. On
account of this lack of brilliance. and
the extremely tenuous nature of the
substance of which they are composed
all comets except very small and i.tlnI
ones are generally better seen with
telescopes of moderate power than
with the great glasses of the sobser
vatories. This is quite contrary to
popular ideas on the subject.
"The comet was first sighted by
Daniels of Princeton in the early
morning of June 8. hence it received
the name Comet Daniels. and also the
designation Comet d. 1907. The letter
d indicates that Comet Daniels is the
fourth comet discovered this year. At
the time of discovery it was just in
visible to the naked eye, but has in
creased in brightness quite rapidly.
1t is now easily seen, but is not an
especially conspicuous object. After
a pprOachinR the sun until it is about
half as far from that body as is the
earth, the comet will begin its long
journey back into unknown space
whence 1t came"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
WILD WOMAN SUIT SETTLED.
Pawnee Bill Paid the Injured Person
Enough to Pay for Salve.

Elsie Clark's suit. brought through
A. M. Harvey. her attorney, for $4,000
damages against the Pawnee Bill show
because she was assaulted and badly
beaten up by one of the wild Women
from Africa" on Sunday afternoon,
was settled out of court within a few
hours after the suit was instituted.
Colonel Lille. alias Pawnee Bill. is
said to have recognized the justice of
Miss Clark's claim as soon as the pa
pers in the suit had been served and
made an offer of a settlement of the
suit which was agreeable to Major
Harvey Miss Clark's attorney. 1t is
stated on good authority, although Mr..
Harvey has not a word to say on the
subject, that it cost Pawnee Bill a neat
sum for the foreclosures" of the
wild woman" and that he was glad
to compromise.
An explanation of the wild woman's
attack on Miss Clark which was made
by the show people was to the effect
that the wild one and others of her
ilk had been annoyed greatly by Wis
itors to the fair grounds on Sunday
afternoon. who trooped into their tents
while they were trying to rest and the
assault was the result.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
GARFIELD TOUR ENDS.
Secretary Is Pleased With Conditions
in Indian Territory.

Washington, Aug. 27.-Secretary OF
the Interior Garfield dropped in rather
unexpectedly from his swing around
the western circle. He was not ex-
pected for a week. He has been away
since June. and has visited nearly every
state west of the Mississippi for the
purpose of inspecting government irri-
cation enterprises under control of
his department.
The secretary says he now has per-
sonal knowledge of nearly every pub
lie question in the west that will come
before him for action within the next
year.
He was particularly pleased over
conditions in the Indian Territory. He
found that the people had great faith
in j. George Wright. the new COM
missioner at Muskogee, and that they
were not so bitter towards the interior
department as formely.
He will remain few days and then
go to Ohio for his vacation.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
HOCH IS BACK HOME.
Governor Completes Lecture Tour
Meets Bailey.

I am back in Topeka to stay. My
lecture work for this summer is over
This is the announcement made to-
DAY by Governor Hoch. who returned
Monday night from Iowa. Governor
Hoch has made about thirty Chautau-
qua speeches this summer in Iowa and
Colorado.
Asked concerning the case of EN-
NETT Dalton. Governor Hoch said:
Il have no objection to Mr.. Dalton
going to work at any honest employ
ment. think it is the best thing he
can do" Dalton has been offered the
position of night clerk at the Copeland
by James Chappelle.
Governor Hoch and Ex-Governor
w. ]. Bailey met this noon in the
lobby of the Copeland hotel.
"Glad to see you. governor" said
Bailey cordially, extending his hand to
his predecessor.
Glad to see you. too governor" re-
sponded Hoch warmly. you are look
ing as though you felt fine
Never felt better" replied Bailey.
eff the Lord had endowed me morally
and mentally as he did physically, 1
would be a great man."
Governor Bailey came over to To-
peka from AtchiSon to file with the
state treasurer $4,000 worth of bonds
as a deposit for the $4,000 of the
states money which was awarded to
Governor Baileys bank.
Politics are certainly in a great
tangle and there is a considerable of a
game being played said Mr.. Bailey
in response to a question. But 1 am
not mixing up. I am a plain citizen
on foot"
Concerning the 2-cent fare agita-
ton, Governor Bailey said: 81 think
the railroad companies will put in the
2-cent fare. Mr.. Waggener of the
Missouri Pacific has expressed himself
to me as favorable to that move and
1 think the other line will not oppose
it very seriously"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
A WICHITA SENSATION.
A Girl Poses in Lily Pond, Nude, for
a Photographer.

Wichita, Kan, Aug. 27.-After posing.
apparently nude, in a lily pond in North
Riverside park Monday Miss Mona
Payton, 10 years old, was sent home and
the photographer. ]. J. Todd of this city.
was arrested.
Todd said he wanted a picture to enter
in a photograph contest He SAID ne
wanted to take the picture of the girls
head and shoulders and convert 1t into
the picture of a mermaid basklng IN
pond of lilies. Women who discovered the
photographer at work declared tne slli
was nude. They found her clothing on
a park bench
BY the time they reported the matter TO
the police a crowd of curious persons
had assembled and the photograpner
wae forcad 10 leave his camera and sub
tect to drive the intruders away
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
BACK TO HER OLD WAYS.
Nan Patterson Has Been Going the
Pace in Pittsburg.

Pittsburg. Pa, Aug. 27.-Nan Pat
terson. the former chorus girl, VINO
for the last six weeks has been show
ing Pittsburg how they burn the can
die at both ends in New York. sud
denly has disappeared from her favor
lite haunts About the same time a
wealthy Pittsburg steel man who had
been her companion. went to a private
sanitarium, suffering from nervous
prostration. His relatives. VINO. IL is
said, were responsible for the depar-
ture of the young woman. are much
relieved in spirit 1t is believed Nan
has gone to her home in Washington.
Her husband. Leon Martin, is In Los
Angeles.
Nan Patterson was tried twice for
the murder of Caesar Young, the
horseman. who was shot while in
cab going down Broadway in New
York to meet his wife at the pier.
where he was to sail for Europe. Nan
Patterson was with him. The trial
proved that the girl opposed his going
away. She asserted he shot himself.
The prosecution charged murder. Both
trials resulted in hung jurieS.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
Upton TO COME AGAIN.
1t Is Now Believed That He Will Cha1-
1enge for the Cup.

New York, Aug. 27.-Yachtsmen here
who met Sir Thomas Upton upon his
last visit to this country recall his many
good natured illusions to a fourth at
tempt on his part to lift" the American
cup. He has never denied that it was
his intention to challenge again, If no
one else and it has been generally I'M
derstood that he would challenge for a
race in 1908.
Looks now as If he was really in
earnest, and as If the New York Yacht
club may expect a challenge within a
MONTH" said member of that organ
ization last hight.
Sir Thomas is credited with having
said at Dublin on Sunday that he was
confident if he challenged with a Sham
rock ~ he would bring the cup home
with him. remarkipg that 1t would be
good thing for Dublin If he did. The
next yacht race would have to be sailed
in Dublin bay. 5r91
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
LEE BOND CALLED DOWN.
L. r. Hills of LeavenwOrth Says That
Things Are Wide Open.

A communication to the Topeka State
Journal from L. r. Hills of Leaven-
worth, dated August %, says:
I'm the Saturday Times County At
torney Bond is quoted as saying that
gambling is stopped in Leavenworth.
and the saloons closed. If they are, he
is the only one that knows it. There
are some of the more decent places
closed, but the low joints and dives are
running wide open. Today. Sunday.
there are nine joints and dives in one
block on Cherokee street, all running
in full blast and scores of drunks on
the streets. Some claim that there was
more beer brought in here Saturday
than ever before In one day. 1t is the
officers in power are doing indicates
that they do not want to close the
places, and it would be to their credit
for them to tell the facts and say that
they can't"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
Jockey Lycurgis Injured.

New York. Aug. 27.-There was a
Empire City track Monday in which
Jockeys w. OFT. J. L. Lee and
Lycurgis received bad falls and the
latter was taken unconscious to St
Joseph's hospital. Rounding the turn
out of the back stretch Teeto H, rid
den by OFT. fell and New Carter and
Supine, the mounts of Lee and
Lycurgis, respectively, tumbled over
the PROSTATE horse. Jockeys OFT and
Lee were up quickly and walked
from the track and Lycurgis, appar-
emily lifeless, was picked up and car
ried to the hospital. Dr. tombstone,
the hospital surgeon at st. Joseph's
said that while the boy was suffering
from conclusion of the brain he
thought that Lycurgis would recover.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
ROOSEVELT SAYS GO AHEAD.
Gives Permission for Exceeding the
Canal Appropriation.

Washington. Aug. 27.-The presi-
dent has approved Colonel Cocktails
request to continued expenditures in
excess of the pro rata monthly allow
ance for the present fiscal year on ac-
count of present necessities and I'M
foreseen developments since these
estimates were submitted" Congress
will be requested at the next session to
make appropriation to cover this de-
f1ciency. Colonel Goethals asked for
authority to expend 100000 more
than the appropriation, saying it was
in the interest of true economy and
might save years time in completing
the canal.