Cherokee Outlaws, from The Advocate, 2/5/1846
Cherokee Co. OK Archives 
Copyright c 2003 by: Melissa Ogle, e-mail: meden2@mindspring.com 
This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Cherokee Co. OK Archives. 
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The following was transcribed from THE ADVOCATE, Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, 
Thursday, February 5, 1846.  It shows the turmoil both within the Cherokee 
Nation and neighboring Arkansas over the problems within the Nation and Arkansas 
worries about the same.

THE CHEROKEE OUTLAWS

	Now that the excitement in the Cherokee Nation has partially subsided, 
and our citizens have time to reflect calmly upon matters, we would suggest that 
the "Starrs" either be apprehended and given over to the proper authorities; or 
at least be driven from the State, where they are allowed to harbor, after their 
sallies into the Nation to commit their depredations.  

That these men are deeply died with murderous blood is beyond a doubt, and the 
scene of their depredations should not, cannot palliate their offences, much 
less render them stay within the limits of the State proper or just.
 
It is a duty our citizens owe to themselves to assist in searching out and bring 
to punishment all such offenders.  

No good man will make common cause with such men:  their crimes are notorious 
and their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and that they should find shelter in 
the midst of a law abiding people, when they are pursued for the commital of the 
most inhuman and fiendish murders, speaks but little for the character of our 
citizens.  

Some will ask why we have delayed thus long to call for their arrest or 
extermination from the limits of the State, and say that they have committed no
recent crime, perhaps none in the State.

To such we would say, that until the recent disturbances in the Nation, they 
confined themselves to the Nation, and came into the State only in a secret 
manner; but now they openly live in the State, regardless alike of the laws of 
the Cherokees and Whites.  

One of the gang, Ellis West, assisted by some other one of the clan, we believe, 
murdered in cold blood one, or more Indians, in Evansville about eighteen months 
since; his associate fled, and West is now suffered to go "unwhipped of 
Justice," in the very midst of citizens of whose laws he has so flagrantly 
violated.

That there are some who will say there is no proof of their guilt, we are well 
aware:  but that our citizens should suffer men who would upon opportunity 
commit the most diabolical deeds upon any community, white, or red, to remain 
in open defiance of all law, is unwise and imprudent.
	
They will prowl around until maddened by liquor, or enraged in some other 
manner, they will commit upon some good citizens, for all are in danger, the 
same crime for which they now fly from the laws of their own country, and then, 
and we fear not until then, our citizens will also see their error in not 
driving them off or 
arresting them.
	
We would advise the Cherokee Agent to solicit the aid of our Governor in 
executing the laws, and sure are we that he would not refuse promptly to act, 
and at once rid us of the stain, as well the danger of their longer stay.

					Ark. Intellinger