New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-06
Draft Rioters
Shoot, Capture
One Of Posse
One Slain, Two Wounded,
in Oklahoma
Battle

HOLDENvILLE, Okla, Aug. g.
Fighting between organized resisters Of
the selective draft and posse men near
here tonight resulted in the killing Of
Ed Blalock, an objector to military SER
vice, and the wounding of two posse
men, Jack Paige and Henry Johnson
Paige was carried off by the gang.
A large posse has gone to his rescue.
The fight, according 10 meagrs rs-
ports received from CALVIN, TOOK place
about three miles north OF tnat Piace
at the crossroads schoolhouse. ABOUT
fifty objectors, alleged members OF the
working Class Union" have been con
gregating in the woods near mere Ior
the last week, posse members declared
and III was with members Of this or
ganization that the posse fought.
Two members of the resisters were
said also to have been wounded, but II
had not been determined whether they
were captured.
fire first. The country where the hght
took place is especially wild, Delhg
located in a bend Of the South Cana
dian River.
Previous to the clash nine objectors
were captured in the hills after tney
had been surrounded in a deserted
cabin.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. Aug. o.
Armed posses, seeking TO quell organ
lied resistance TO the Federal draft law
in Central Oklahoma, arrested thirty
more men to-day, making a total OF 1873.
Rumors of intervention by Federal
troops. current last night, were sald
to-day to be without foundation, but
the United States government wIlI take
a hand through the District Attorneys
Office in running down and prosecuting
the opponents of the draft law.
Men arrested to-day were for the
most part willing captives. A number
Of them sent word by women members
of their families that they were ready
10 surrender.
Two strong bands Of the draft regis
ters remain, according TO reliable m
formation, the others having broken up
when pursuit became hot. Iwcnty-slx
men are in one group eight miles north
west Of here, camped on Sa!t Cree.'
while a smaller gang is ten miles east.
Indians Capture Directors
The trailing Of the objectors was
made easy by Indians, Scminoles ior
the most part, who followed the tracks
unerringly, and By their ability IN
woodcraft effected many captures. Inc
Indians have aided the loyal white cltl-
zenry throughout the uprising, and but
very few have been found IN the RANKS
Of the malcontents.
AfHdavits by prisoners tell or the
belief Of the tenant farmers, INSPIRED
by agitators, that to be drafted INTO
the National Army was TO 30 70 sure
death.
The resistance 20 service has oeen
the binding element holding together
the scattered elements Of the uprising
However, the discomfort which rem
dered the movement possible had lts
beginning more than two years ago. II
is said. Shortly after tho outbreak OF
the war, when cotton prices were low
and transportation costs high, tenant
cotton farmers asserted that II they
rar out Of food and money they would
get them by force. Since that time
agitators with promises Of wealth and
power have worked continuously IN the
vicinity, finding fertile ground for
I their propaganda. Lately meetings have
been held az often as three times a
week. always in secluded spot in the
woods.