Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-12-28
Ben CrapenS Career Reads
Just Like q Dime Novel Tale

TO serve twenty years in the Kansas
state ponitentiary at Lansing for high-
way robbery; he was at Lansing three
years, working in the shops, In the
coal mines and later In the prison
kitchen. lie was seen there by Yard
master David A, Walker OF the prls-
on and Maust was recently iden'liled
by Walker as Cravens.
Leaves State Pen.
Nov. 1G, 1g00--Crayens escaped
from the Lansing prison with H. f.
l,Sss lie and Sam Smith, both life term
crs. Estelle, l'renchman, had Killed
man in Marshall county during "A Jail
break, and Smith, aged %. had killed
n man during train wrecking in But
Ter county. The three men shaped
wooden revolyers to resemble '45's'
and with these they held up the pris-
on guards Smith was killed ana
Cravens received bullet in the Top
Of his head. He escaped in corn
field. Estelle was captured several
years later at Memphis, Tenn, for
train robbery near quincy, ILL.,, ana
is now in the Joliet prison, When
his term expires he viii be returned TO
10 Lansing to complete his life term.
Dec. l90O-Cravens appeared at the
ranch home of Uncle joe Webb in
the Otoe country. When he went to
thj penitentiary he left a horse and
several head OF cattle with Webb TO
keep for him. II forced Webb 10 ac-
company him to the barn loft and cut
the bullet from the top of his head
with a razor, He swore Webb to sec
recy, not wanting Mrs. Webb to know
of the operation.
Appeared III Dover.
Jan. 1901-Cravens appeared at me
home Of Bert Walty, near Dover in
Kingfishcr county, Okla. Welty had
been serving term in the Kansas
prison for horsestealing and knew
Cravens there. Welty had recently
been pradoned by Governor Barnes OF
! Oklahoma at the solicitation OF Col. A.
A. Ewing, now living in Guthrie. Ew-
! S9'er friends of Ewing
March IS, 190l--CraVens and Welty
attempted TO rob the Schwartz store
at Red Rock, of which Alvin Pate
man was manager and also assistant
postmaster. They got 81 200 III money
and during the fight that resulted,
Pateman was killed In escaping,
Cravens mistook Welty for pursuer
and shot him. His wounds were criu-
cal and Cravens LETT him to die on the
Otoe prairie, according to Weltys
confession later to Bird :. Mcclure
then federal prosecuting attorney.
During the Red Rock robbery, CRAY
ems, with a Winchester rifle, forced
nine men to stand with their hands up
while Welty got away with the booty
The story is told that Cravens wanted
money in order to get married. When
! Welty was shot by Cravens, he
dropped the sack of booty in wheat
field, where 1t was found perhaps by
cowboys.
A Narrow Escape.
March 10, 190l-Cravens in escap-
ing sought refuge in the ranch house
of Isom Cunningham in Pawnee coun-
ty. The house was surrounded by or
ficers. headed by George Foster OF
Perry. Cravens thought Mrs. Cunning
ham had ''peached" on him and
threatened to kill her. Opening the
door, Cravens shot his way through
the officers, killing Deputy Sheriff
Tom johnson of Pawnee, and escaped
! scheme Fails.
April !, l901-Attempt made tc
catch Cravens at Catoosa, Okla. WITH
decoy letters from his sweetheart
When Cravens asked for his mail al
officer was present, intending t(
shake hands with him and then gral
him. Cravens avoided the handshak'
and darted from the door, leaving 'h'
thoroughly alarmed officer open
mouthed. Cravens, however, dropped
the letter which fell into the officers
hands.
As Travelling Salesman.
1902--Adopted guise Of travelling
salesman and went all over the south
west with his grips frequently visit
ing saloons, and was often under thu
eyes of officers who were looking fo
him. This life he kept up, off and on
for several years.
19O2-Reported at the head OF gan.
of highwaymen, who held up party o
wealthy oil men in Usage country
getting all their valuables
19OS-Located on ranch in Wood
county; q woman telephoned DEPUTY
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