Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-08-12
Employees of Prairie Oil
Company Thought Of
ficers Were Burglars.
FIGHT IN THE DARK
Officials of Concern VIII
Stand by Men in Tolls
of the Law.

Following an investigation con-
Quoted by officials of the Prairie
Oil & Gas Co. into the killing OF Chief
of Police Ernest Keller of Drumright
which occsrred late Thursday night, il
was announced yesterday that Keller
had not been killed by two highway
men, as was at first supposed, but
that he had been shot by employees OF
the oil company. whom he mistook
foI two men who had committed sew
eral robberies earlier in the evening,
other employees of the company being
victims.
At the company IF the Prairie yes
terday the inside story of the killing
of Chief of Police Keller and the
wounding Of Jim Rippey was told for
the first time by officials.
j. w. Miller and X. Q. Aubrey are
the men who are said to have fired
the fatal shots
Were Held Up.
According to this story two other
employees of the company, c. w. Nor
gan, age 80, and Bruce Posey, age
2l, were on the road between Drum
right and the Prairie company's sup
ply yards about 10 O'Clock when they
were confronted by two men who
commanded the INTO stick 'em up.
After the two robbers had taken their
valuables Morgan and Posey returned
to the town and told Miller and Au-
brey that they had been robbed.
The latter two men Immediately an
rounced their determination 10 go the
scene of the robbery and attempt to
capture the highwaymen.
They proceeded up the railroad
track from Drumright 20 point near
the slaughter house, where the gun
fight occurerd.
had Also been informed of the rob
berry and had started out in pursuit
of the burglars.
In front Of the slaughter house the
four met Miller said that as they
approached the officers. who they
r,istook to be the gun men, they were
commanded to stick up their hands.
Throw them up, We've got you COW
eicd," one Of the police officers is
said to have commanded.
Thought they Wcrc Thieves.
Immediately, Miller said. he and
his companion came to the conclusion
that the two men who had spoken
were the robbers. Millav and Aubrey
opened fire. At the first volley, Kel-
Ter dropped and Rippey ran. Miller
was shot, the bullet striking him be-
meath the arm and he moved to a
place Of safety, not knowing how bad
ly he was injured.
The number of shots attracted a
large crowd Cf citizens and H. their
search they found Wilson bleeding
from his wounds. and Aubrey seeking
shelter nearby They had made no
attempt to escape, according to Will
son.
After the fight IT was found that
Keller had been shot in the leg by a
AZ caliber revolver, and that an au-
tCmatic bullet had struck him on the
right breast, ranging through and into
the heart. He had died Immediately.
After hearing the particulars Of the
case, officials OF the company sent a
representative to Drumright where
bond was arranged for the two men,
and their hearing set for Tuesday
morning at 10 o'clock.
II was announced late last night
that the body of Ernest Keller would
he brought to Tulsa, his former home,
Saturday, and in the event relatives
arrive from Colorado. the funeral
service will be held Sunday.
The service will be conducted by
members, of the Odd Fellows lodge,
uf which Mr.. Keller was A member
In the event that the funeral is 10 be
held Sunday, announcement to that
effect will be made later.