Oklahoma Lawmen & Outlaws Misc Newspaper Articles 1896 Submitted by Mollie Stehno Shoop@orcacom.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGenWeb notice In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material.These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OKLAHOMA TERRITORY NEWS CLIPS January 9, 1896-Many people in Oklahoma think the Zip Wyatt gang is not broken up yet. Last week, about seven o'clock one evening, a gang of desperadoes from the hills rode into Tahlequah and after firing a number of shots at random on the streets, rifled the stones and robbed a few citizens of their money, getting about $100 in all. After they had gotten back into the hills the citizens began shooting and one-sided fusillade was kept up for some time. Later, the officers "took the grail" but when last heard from the robbers were far in the lead. January 9, 1896-The four Dunn brothers were in a wagon Saturday in pursuit of lawbreakers in the Osage country, when a large can of powder became ignited by some matches and all four were thrown into the air. One of them was hurt so badly that he soon died and the others are said to be fatally injured. The wagon was blown to pieces and the horses killed. Some months ago the Dunns accepted commissions from the United States government for killing "Bitter Creek" and "Tulsa Jack," two noted members of the old Dalton gang. January 16, 1896-Bill Doolin, the only remaining member of the old Dalton gang, is loafing around Noble County this week, trying to make terms with the officers, and give himself up. Doolin is accompanied by three comrades, one of whom is Bill Carr, who recently skipped a $15,000 bond I Oklahoma County. There is a large reward out for Carr, and there is said to be a reward of $6,000 for the arrest of Bill Doolin. Deputy Marshal Burk thinks Doolin will soon be arrested. January 16, 1896-Bill Doolin, the outlaw, after an unsuccessful attempt to compromise with the territory authorities, is being pursued by armed deputies. Doolin, tired of living a life of outlawry, agreed to surrender if assured of a light sentence. The proposition was refused by United States Marshal Nix, who immediately sent officers out to capture the train robber and murderer. January 24, 1896-Mrs. Nellie Kneeland, known in the territory as "Buckskin Nellie," or the "Cowboy Queen," in an interview with a St. Louis reporter Monday, said that the noted outlaw, Bill Dalton, who was said to have been killed near Purcell more than a year ago and for whom a great reward was paid, is not dead. She says she saw him in the City of Mexico some time ago on his way to South America. Mrs. Kneeland for years was a companion of Belle Starr, the noted outlaw in the Territory for ten years, but how was killed by an officer. February 27, 1896-Jennie Freeman, the notorious Oklahoma female outlaw, has been heard from again. She says that the report that she had joined the church is false and she will yet show the murderers of her sweetheart, Zip Waytt, what the revenge of an Oklahoma girl can be. She is living in Kingfisher County with her parents. March 12, 1896-It is charged against Nix that he would send a deputy to one locality for a man one day; another man to the same locality the next day, and another man to the same locality the next day, all to make arrests, and the full mileage of all three trips was charged up. That was what made Harmon mad. March 12, 1896-Deputy Marshals S. T. and J. F. Butner succeeded in capturing over in Woods County, three prisoners for the Logan county federal jail. They were Henry Irwin and Fred Burdie, charged with post office robbery and Alexander Webb an accessory. The crime was committed on January 5th, the Lahoma post office being cleaned out clean. The two officers have been at work on the case since, and caught Irwin and Webb in Woods County Saturday and Burdie at Hunnewell, Kansas, Sunday. All three have confessed. April 16, 1896-Ben Cravens, a notorious outlaw of the old school, who has been operating in the Osage country for years, and who broke jail in Noble county six months ago, started in to rob the town of Elgin, a small place on the state line early Monday morning, but was frustrated by a woman. He has not been seen since. November 19, 1896-A few days ago a young lady passenger arrived in Perry and was driven to the Pacific hotel. In her healthful appearance, graceful bearing and pleasing countenance no one recognized the one female outlaw, Jennie Metcalf, known among the various bands of outlaws, with whom she formerly associated as "Little Breeches." It is claimed Bill Doolin led her astray, and about six months afterwards married Robert Stephens, with whom she lived about six months. For several months she shared the vicissitudes and dangers of the remnant of the Dalton gang, and was afterwards with the Doolin and Cook bands. She donned complete male attire and carried a Winchester. Two yeas ago she was arrested charged with selling whiskey to the Osage and Creek Indians, to which charge she pleaded guilty, and on account of her age, being only 16 years old at the time, was sentenced by Judge Bierer in the district court at Pawnee to two years in the Boston reformatory, Boston, Mass., where she remained one year, her father and relatives having secured a commutation of her sentence to that time. A gentleman who levies in Perry, to whom she spoke freely of her former life and expressed deep regret for her waywardness, says she further stated she was completely reformed and under the good treatment and discipline of the reformatory, had been led to denounce her former reckless life. She has returned to her father's home near Sinnett, In Pawnee County, where she intends to begin a new life. November 19, 1896-Last Friday afternoon Deputy F. M. Canton, one of the best officers in the territory shot and killed Bee Dunn, one of the worst characters in the territory. Dunn was standing in front of the butcher shop on Main Street in Pawnee when canton passed. Dunn stopped Canton and remarked: "Canton, I understand you have it in for me, by G--." With these words Dunn went after his gun. Canton was too quick for him, however, and shot the tough. Dunn's gun caught on his suspender. Canton fired one shot and killed Dunn instantly. Canton gave himself up to Sheriff Lake, but was simply placed under guard. Dunn is the layer of Slaughter Kid and Bill Dooliln. He was considered one of the worst men in the country and had just been given a commission as deputy by United States Marshal Nagle. Public sentiment is entirely with Canton. Canton's' trial will come up next week. Dunn's brothers arrived and threatened to fire the town of Pawnee and kill Canton.