The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-01-25
FAILURE TO HALT
MEANT DEATH
No Ceremony Wasted in
Arrests in Those Days
of Toughs

TAHLEQUAII, Jan. 2i.-pctlii. A
postotiice near the Illinois river. bp-
tween parkhill and CooWson. rp-
calls the name Of several citizens OF
the Cherokee nation, one Of whom
was once known as an officer o.
considerable determination and with
small consideration Tor violators OK
the law. This was Salol Petit. bot
ter known, perhaps as squirrel pcJ-
tit. He has been dead for NUM-
bcr Of years, but his old home may
yet be standing near the road lncad-
ing down through the hills 10 the
old Illinois district Courshousc. Pot
tit was the sheriff OF that district
In the turbulent times OF some 40
years and more ago, and is said TO
have performed his duties crcd,-
ably.
In those days when a mtn
raised racket and failed 10 sur
render at the first command OF the
officers he was, as quite the usua
thing, shot down and lcf, lying
where no fell. Such was the
/ treatment accorded an Indian who
spent the greater portion Of day
In shooting up the town Of Fort
Gibson The fellow was drinking 4
fair grade OF red liquor and became
thoroughly imbued with the belief
that he was boss of the town So
he rode about from place to place,
firing his pistol and causing mos,
Of the people 10 retire within doors.
Finally evening came on and IN"
dlsturbcr started to ride ou, OF
town, probably having decided 10
return to his home, but while on
his way fired a parting salute from
his badly overWorkcd shooting iron.
Sheriff Petit and several of his de-
putics had arrived a short time be-
fore. unknown TO the hilarious In
dian, and he unknow!ngly rode
straight toward the place whore th"
sheriff and his men stood. Fdlln-
to halt when a loud command Wds
given him. he fell dead the next in
stant as also did his horse. a. lhr
officers empticd their firearms q,
the advancing horsomdn. \ hasF
investigation revealed that the as
lurbcr was dead and the ofiicDgS
left him lying in the road and re-
tired 10 a boarding house, where
thcy had supper and went uucon-
cernedly to bed. Tho following daE
they rode back to their homes IN iN'
hill country and the citizens of the
town were compelled to take charge
OF the corpse and give Il burial
Another Petit who bore the given
name OF John lived for many years
in the seClusiOn OF the wooded re-
gions near tho Greenloaf mountain
raising hogs and goats and iarini'
with some success. but when ralh',
advanced in years began 10 rcdd ''
tho wonderful resources OF Florl"d'
Deciding that he could make a 10,
tune in the land Of flowers. ho 'su.H
OUT few years after OkIahoh''
was admitted to statehood, went c.
Florida and acquired some land hu'
soon found that in order 10 p"''
il in proper cultivation he mus
have a small fortune. This he d.A
not have and his experience lN
Florida was a disappointmcn'' '".
had not tho means with which "
return TO oklahoma, ana cons
quently remained in the FAR soa'n
managing to make living '"-
signing for the woods and streams
Of the Grcenleaf country.
SIll another Pcttit has long h''N
known for his ability as ped''-
trian. According 10 those NN'
know him, "old Nick Petiit can on.
walk a horse often he walks ''
Tahlequah. distance Of = nu.'.
In very brief time, fingers an",.
town all day and often walks ph
In the evening or AT night, Aoout
two years ago II was thought thar -
walking days OF this member oi ''7
Petit family were OF the pas
While Chopping down tree I'
firewood tho tree fell upon him ana
shattered the homes Of one or ~
legs \ physician patched the 'I-
jured member and for many month.
Petit was not seen in town, bu' ~
doctor did a fine job IN fixing up .',
broken leg and there finally came -
day when "old Hick' came IN w
his accustomed speed and since '..'
his visits have been OF fairy Ii''