The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-29
Field Workers Object to In
VasiOn by Citizen Posse.
Opened Fire on a Masked Force
of More than 200.
FEW DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE
Wire Service Interrupted Soon
After Clash Started.
Climax to Effort of ''VigiIantes"
to Make Clean Up.

Shreveport. La, Nov. 29.-One man
was killed in a clash between the
''Iawless element and the better
class" in the SmaclSover oil fields in
Ouachita county. Arkansas. last night.
according to a mea ger report TO the
sheriffs office at Camden. Ark. Chier
Deputy Sheriff J. B. Newton stated IN
a long distance message at 1920 p
m. today.
No particulars could be learned as
to the extent of the clash or as to the
Identity of the slain man, the officer
said.
Monroe. La. Nov. 29.-A number of
men were wounded and several are
reported dying following a battle be-
tween masked men and oil field Wo-k-
ers near Smackover. Ark. last night
according to long distance telephone
n. essag received from E;dOradO by
authorities here this morning:
Before leaving for the scene of the
battle with a posse of deputies early
this morning. Sheriff Ed Harper, OF
Camden. over the telephone declared
all wires were cut in the Smackover
region. and he was without accurate
information as TO the number OF IA
tafties resulting in the engagement
between the 200 hooded "vigilantes !
aRd oil field workers
Persons reaching Eldorado, Ark, |
from the Texas Smackover creek de-
CARED over the telephone shortly after /
9 O'Clock this morning that there were /
no fatalities among the Vigilantes, but /
a number of the oil field men We're
wounded They reported the battle 4
was precipitated by the tarring and |
feather.ng of man.
E.dorado. Ark. Nov. 29.-Details
were lacking early today OF pitGnea
battle reported to have taken place
shortly after midnight between oil
field workers and a band OF more
than 200 "vigilantes' from E!dorado
- n oh We TN
the Smackuvcr oil field. about twelve
miles north Of this city, cary last
night with II. purpose of cleaning
out" the disc. arly element in rum
Ler of small settlements in the ol'
fields.
Meager reports received here a few
moments before telephone cotnrnuni-
cation with the oil field was inter
II pred soon afte- midnight, stated that
the '.VigilaEtes' were engaged in n
battle with n band of twenty-five or
more oil field workers, VINO nal OBJ
jected to the invasion by the citizens
Sheriff to Scene.
The firing. according to the report,
was taking place. in the small settle
ment north of Smackover, and added
that the sheriff of Ouachita county
and his deputies had been sent for at
Camden. The sheriff and posse was
on his way to the scene of the trouble,
it was said
Inc TeDpELeu DdAbAe Is btAAtNth ~ ]
be the outcome of an effort made
W. thin the last few days to rid the oil
fields of gamblers and other unde- ;
sirable persons, who are alleged to
have fIocked to that section since the
discovery of oil in the field. Two
have taken place in the
field within the last week
and the lawIess element, it has been
reported to the authorities, was get !
ting beyond control
Posse. Burns Buildings.
Following the staying of an oil field
worker named Persons, Sunday near {
Smackover, a citizens posse visited
the scene, ordered the inmates of the
resort in which the man was shot to
leave the country and then burned
down the buildings Other objection
able resorts in the vicinity were Wis
tied. and the prOprietors ordered to
leave within - hours.
Many undesirables were flogged by !
the posse as a further warning. it is ,
reported. On Monday. more than 200
white robed men silently drove thru
The Smackover section in automobiles
bearing placards warning all gamblers
and others of the lawless element to
be out of the field within "a hours. L