The Tupelo journal., 1910-01-28
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some Of the men nearer at hand
VINO were in one way or another connected
with the Cedar Brakes gang. Boil Broken.
a notorious outlaw, was the head Of the
band and his brother Bood was one OF its
chief members. The Brookens were wanted
not only for cattle, stealing, but for train rob-
bling and murder as well. A certain Bull
Turner was one of their victims. Turner
was said to have been one of the Broken
gang at an earlier time. but had aban-
doned that way Of life and made an effort
to become a decent citizen. The gang believed
he had given information and somewhat later.
when he was driving across the country with
q prominent stockman-a Jew named Lazarus
the Brookens and half a dozen Of their fol-
lowers suddenly dashed out Of roadside con-
cealment and began firing. Turner was In
stantly killed and Lazarus fell over the dash
board in a wild effort to get behind something.
The frightened horses, one Of them wounded
in the foot, ran madly all the way to town
with Lazarus still clinging to the whif1etrees.
With the assistance of Sheriff Alley-also
short a horse, through the industries of the
Broken gang-and one Pat Wolforth, who
was acquainted with certain Of the silent
partners Of the outlaws and stood ready to
give information-several arrests were made
presently and trouble filed the air.
Threatening letters now began to come to
the new deputy, warning him against further
procedure-promising him death and torture
of many varieties If he did not suspend opera
lions. Such letters always stimulated Bill Nc
Donald to renewed enterprise.
Meantime the railroad had reached Harde-
man and the town Of Quanah-named for
Chief Quanah Parker, son of the historic Gym
thia Ann Parker-had sprung up. 1t was the
typical tough place and certain bad men still
at large came there to proclaim vengeance and
to clay" for the men who were making them
trouble. Among these disturbers was one
John Davidson of Willbarger county, on the
borders of which the Cedar Brakes gang was
located.
Davidson appeared presently on the streets
of Quanah, fourishing his firearms and max
ing his boasts. Bill Mcdonald suddenly ar
rived on the scene and without any parley
whatever stepped quickly up to Davidson and
disarmed him so suddenly that the terror of
Willbarger stood dazed and did not recover
himself until he was half way to the Office of
justice, where he paid a fine.
He tried it again the next week, with the
same result. He kept on trying it and each
time settled for his amusement with a fine.
The Davidson crowd was still in town and
far from satisfied. Davidson felt that he had
support enough now to tackle even that hard
headed Mcdonald and he enlisted a big
butcher named Williams to stir up the mess.
The gang armed themselves with long butcher
knives from Williams shop and started out to
hunt up their victim. They located him in a
saloon where troubles of various kinds were
likely to originate and the presence Of an Off
Ger was desirable. Big Bill Williams, the
butcher. entered first, and coming near to Nc
Donald slightly bumped against him. Not
wishing trouble, Mcdonald walked away, fol-
lowed by Williams, who bumped against him
again. Deputy Bill then walked to the other
side of the room, which was unoccupied and
when Williams and his crowd started to fol-
low he warned them not to come any closer.
AT this a number of cowmen who were pres
ent saw the trouble and being friendly to Nc
Donald stepped in. pushing Williams and his
crowd toward the door. Outside, the disturb
ers gave vent to their animosity for Melon
aid in violent language and opprobrious names.
Suddenly Mcdonald himself stepped out
among them and seeing a piece of s~cantling
about four feet long lying by the door he
seized 1t and as Williams started toward him
he gave the big butcher a lick across the face
with it that 1attened his features and put a
habitual crook in his nose. The crowd thought
Williams was killed and his supporters began
to get out of the way of that scantling. But
Mcdonald dropped it and had out his guns
in a moment.
Halt" he said, every one of you. I'll kill
the first man that runs" Then to the Rang
CAo WIN az ShoS Liz oPPOoACu III IAS
scene, Search those men for weapons"
Search was made and long butcher knives
intended for Mcdonald came to light. A knife
of the same kind was found on Williams.
Somewhat later word was brought to Dep
uty Bill that what was left of the Davidson
and Williams crowd had collected In Tip Nc
Dowell's saloon, where a brother Of Williams
tended bar. and were declaring war to the
death. Mcdonald promptly went down there
and entered, with a revolver In each hand.
The crowd of would-be assassins, about a
dozen or SO, took one look and made a break
for the back window and fed.
Mcdonald now resolved to hunt on his own
hook. AS deputy sheriff he was restricted to
his own county, but this handicap was re-
moved through Ranger Captain s. A. McMur-
ray, who had him appointed by Governor Ross
as special ranger, with sheriff's rights in any
county in the state. One day he received a
letter from Capt. George A. knight Of Dallas,
Texas, U. S. marshal of the northern district
of Texas, asking him to come to Dallas and be
made U. S. deputy marshal, with authority to
operate in southern Indian Territory and No
mans Land. Mcdonald went dow without
delay and reported at Knights office.
Il have heard about you and your work up
in Hardeman," said Capt. Knight, land I want
you for a deputy. But first tell me what are
your politics."
Mcdonald did not hesitate. Mcdonald was
a Republican.
capt. Knight" he said, II am the damned
est, hell-roaringest, all-1redest Democrat you
ever saw. If politics has anything to do with
this appointment I'd just as well go back"
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