Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-06-27
KILLINGS RESULT
OF CATTLE FEUD
Dispute Over Possession Leads
to Triple Tragedy in
Cherokee County.
BALLEW, NEELEY, LUCY DEAD
Son of Elder Lucy Hunted for
Staying Rival; All Are
Well Known.
Special to The World.

Special to The World.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla, June 26.-The
most spectacular gun tragedy the
great cattle country has seen in dec
ades developed near the little town OF
Cookson, 25 miles southeast OF here
in Cherokee county yesterday. when
climax was reached in bitter cat
tie feud of long standing between
stockmen. After the Winchesters and
shotguns had quit barking and belch-
ing, three men were found to be dead,
and the son of one of the trio had be-
come a man sought by the law.
Here are the concrete facts of the
feud's ending and the shooting:
Ballcw Shoots Necicy.
Marion NJ. Ballew, 4S years old.
owner of a dozen farms and thousands
of head Of cattle, first shot and killed
Ed Neeley. farmer and small stock
man, at Neeley's home three miles
west of Cookson.
few minutes later Ballew was
himself shot and mortally wounded at
the home of Frank Lucy. one mile dis
tant by a man alleged to be Lucy's
son, but before he collapsed he shot
and killed Lucy.
Ballew had been led to the shooting
by anger over the loss of many head
of cattle. He had accused Neeley
and Lucy of being implicated in the
stealing.
Sheriff After Lucy's Son.
Sheriff Davidson of Cherokee county
today was looking for Fank Lucy's
son. Sam Lucy, accused of shooting
Balew. 1t was not thot that he
would attempt to flee from the
county.
It.I In, nAlr N
county for the last 35 years. Prac-
tically all his life he was wealthy,
known as IA great hunter. an expert
marksman, a typical cattleman. His
ranch has been the headquarters of
hunters from Muskogee and other
Oklahoma cities for more than two
decades
Neeley had lived in this section for
about eight years and also was well
known Lucy had been in the cattle
country almost as long. Neeley had
been accused Of driving off neighbors'
cattle more than once. He had
trouble with Ballew in this way sew
eral times.
Quarrclcd Over Ycarling.
According to statements from
neighbors of Ballew and Neeley, the
direct cause of the shooting was the
aleBeu inert ABOUT TWO weeks ago OF
one of Ballew's yearling hefers. 1t
was alleged that the heifer was taken
from the range and branded with a
Neeley iron. This caused fresh quar-
rel. What part Lucy played In this
was not learned.
Late yesterday afternoon Ballew,
armed with a high-powered riIic.
mounted his horse and with his son.
Jess. rode to Neeley's home, a farm To-
Gated about three miles east of Cook
son. Jess is "a years old.
According to the statement of Jess
Ballew. the elder Ballew opened fire
on Neeley before any words had been
exchanged. He missed the first shot
and Neeley ran into a nearby corn
field. Ballew went down the road
and headed Neeley off, firing two
more shots. both of which took elect
One of the bullets penetrated Neeiey =
brain and the other went thru the
heart. Either would have caused
death, physicians who later examined
the body, said.
Rode to Lucy's Home.
The younger Ballew declared to Of
ficers that he and his father then
CONTINUED on PAGE FOUR