The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-01-28
Usage PEOPLE
ARE AFRAID TO
TALK OUT LOUD
Fear of Killers Fills Country
With Whispers-Activi.
ties Affected
BY BRUCE CATION
(SDecial COrrespOnAentl

NSpcCI1u NOIbeSpOu0eWSD
Pawhuska, Okla, Jan. 28.-The
country of the Osages is country
of whispers. The black shadow Of
the murder ring hangs over the wild
hills, impalpable but effective, touch
ing almost every phase Of activity
here.
Through all these whsperings the
figure Of William X Hale, "king Of
the Usage Hills" who is under fed
cral Indictment for murder. moves
dimly, with sinister meaning. Towns
people, from low to high. speak OF
him with bated breath. His influ-
ence and that Of his associates is felt
everywhere.
. lie is mysterious figure. too.
One Of the biggest cattle men in the
country, he seems to have remained
aluJt from politics, preferring to
exercise his power through the wide
spread fear of direct action rather
than by manipulation. Wild outlaws.
half-tamed cowboys from the hill
country. move at his bidding. and
there are few people here who care
to run counter to their wishes.
For instance: the story of the MUIR
ders WAS common property here for
two or three years Everyone knew.
apparently, what was going on and
who was was responsible; but no one
did anything about it. The Usage
people were not surprised by the
revelations of the federal investi-
cation.
Afraid To Talk
A prominent lawyer in Pawhuska
gave an illustration Of the temper
Of the town. This correspondent
asked him about Hale. He glanced
about, kicked the door of his office
shut, and said in low tone:
"You know, don't want to be
quoted on this. You never know in
this town what's going to happen.
I'd rather not say anything"
PERSONALLY, I've always found
Billy Hale mighty fine man."
Here is another instance. A local
photographer has pictures Of Hale
and Ernest Bnrkhart, who is under
arrest with him. He was asked if
he would sell them.
.Id like to. but just don't dare,
he said. "When they were arrested
some of the boys came to me and
told me it wouldn't be healthy for
me to give their pictures to the
newspapers. I'd like to burt just
don't. dare. You don't know what
sort Of people these folks arc.'
Outlaws Unmolested
A Kilehah street merchant spoke
of the zee and easy ways of the hill
outlaws. Some little time ago. i,
Seems. group of them rode into
town 10 rob, jewelry store. They
spent the evening lettering about
town, and told number OF people
of their plans. No one did q thing
about it, and on the following morn.
ing the store was robbed, according
to schedule.
This is the class of men that fol
low Hale's banner. 1t is for this rea
SON that officials in, Guthrie 60 abou
in fear of Jail delivery, and have
extra guards on duty.
Among the whispers that go abou'
the town is one to the effect tha1
Hale was not the real leader Of thu
ring, after all; that . man, since
real head Of things and that Hale
was only the "crown prince; tina
half-breed associate of the twt
acted as executive officer and hat
u prominent part to play in tn
squclching Of a federal investiga
ton in 1924.
Predicted the End
The whispers about that investi
cation, which came to an abrupt ent
after months of work by Department
of Justice operatives. are wide
spread. They even name the sums
Of money that are said to have beer
passed, name the men who are salt
TO have paid and received-tell how
the whole thing was done. in fact.
This much is admitted by every
one; the half-breed associate o
Hale and the other man predicte;
ten days before the 1924 investiga
ton blew up that it would fizzle on
und the investigating agents woult
be transferred. This came to pass
Influence was welded at Washing
ton, it is said-and it is even report
ed, on what seems good authority
that the recent investigation wa
halted SO that the federal men coul,
investigate these stories Of briber,
before proceeding farther.