The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1912-01-26

ed later that the woman had told the
truth.
The next heard from Ben Cravens
was report to the effect that he was
in Mexico, there posing as the son of
"a Pennsylvania governor and about to
be married to a millionaire miners
daughter Oklahoma authorities in
yestigated, this but were unable to learn
whether it were true or not.
Was in Oklahoma City.
Cravens is said to have spent the
latter part of 1904 in Oklahoma City.
A territorial official recognized him
andfin ordert 20 make a successful cap
ture of the much wanted outlaw gave
another man some money with which
TO get Crayens drunk thinking that it
would then be easy to arrest him. How
ever, Cravens got the other man drunk
an dagain made an easy getaway
During August, 1905, Cravens rode
in wagon with two travelling men,
George w. Tanning and Ed W. North
ington, from Glencoe to Morrison, Ok
lahoma. The driver knew Cravens
but made no attempt to arrest him.
The travelling men were both too
frightened to attempt his arrest Dur
ing this trip he exhibited an ugly
wound which he said had been cured
by an aged Cherokee woman.
In December, Cravens was found
visiting relatives in the Seminole In
dian country near Wewoka Sheriff
w. A. Grace and posse attempted to
capture him but were unsuccessful.
Reported Captured.
On March 20, 1906, he was reported
captured in Lincoln. Neb The next
heard from him was his reported cap
ture in Cripple Creek, Colo.
Captured in Guthrie.
In October, 1906, Sheriff Bart Muir
ply arrested a man whom he thought
to be Cravens. Because of the failure
of Sheriff Foster to identify him he
was released Sheriff Murphy has al
ways been firm in his opinion that the
man he had was none other than the
famous Oklahoma outlaw wanted for
murder.
Captured Hebrew Peddler.
August 8, 1907, officers at Oseeola,
Neb., reported that they had captured
Crayens. The prisoner was identified
by Chaplain j. D. McBrian, of Lansing
prison, was shackled and taken to pri-
son where it was soon afterward learn
ed that the man was a Hebrew 5ew elry
peddler named Albert Scettler.
October 4th he was reported to have
been visiting his parents and brother
near Princeton, Mo. In June he was
identified on the Navajo Indian reser-
vation in New Mexico where he was
living as a Mexican He escaped.
His Downfall Begins.
Cravens had about reached the end
of his rope and gradually, day by day
he got just a little closer to prison.
During the latter part of 19OS Cravens
was arrested in Missouri for horse
stealing. He was known as Charles
Maust and to prevent thorough probe
into his past record, probably fearing
that the authorities would discover he
was the much wanted outlaw and pre-
ferring a four year term in the pen, he
plead guilty. 1t was during the last
part of 1908 tnat he was taken to JEFF
ferson City.
Barber Tipped Him.
The first "tip" that Maust was Ben
Cravens was received by the prison
officials March 10th, 1911 from a bar
Der who had shaved Crayens in the
Kansas penitentiary. This followed the
visit of many people who knew Cravens
and his positive identification.
Oklahoma authorities were notified
and the case placed in the hands of
United States Attorney John Embry.
A grand jury at Enid indicted Crayens
1n the murder charge.
Cravens was then released from the
pen and Immediately arrest |
I'd by United States Marshal Martin |
If Kansas City, who with Deputies j.
Il. Livingston, al Goff and Chris Mad |
sen brought the prisoner to the federal
ail in Guthrie. He arrived here on
November 10 and was assigned a cell, |
which he has occupied since.
Has Wife And Child.
The prisoner, as Charles Maust, by |
which name he is known to the jailers,
ays that he has a wife and child
in the northern states. He
Inows not where they are and claims
hat his wife deserted him several
Tears ago, some time before he was
;re4 n orrocfad IN AHiccnuri for horca