FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS U. S. MARSHALL SAM SIXKILLER My first knowledge of Marshall Sixkiller was the Alf Rushing murder information as he was involved with after sent a Texas Governors Warrant by Freestone Co. I made a mistake and reported it Sam Sixshooter. In 1880 Deputy Marshall Sixkiller became the first Captain of the United States Indian Police headquartered at Muskogee, Indian Territory. The following appeared in the January 4th l886 Indian Journal. A Good Capture—Captain Sixkiller made a slick capture last week at Weber Falls. He was after Alf Rushing, alias Ed Brown, wanted for the killing of Jackson Barfield in 1877 also for the murder of the city marshal of Wortham, Freestone Co., Texas. He received information that Brown was working near the Falls and had been for several years. (There were rewards offered for Rushing’s arrest who was armed and considered dangerous). As the Captain and Bill Drew came near the place where Brown was staying they gathered up a bunch of cattle, and driving them up, asked permission to put them in a yard there for the night. The request was granted, and Brown was called from the crib where he was at work to help pen them. While driving them Sam worked around to where Brown was, and throwing down on him, took him completely by surprise, and he could offer no resistance. The cattle were then turned loose. Brown denies he is the man wanted by the officers, but they have the right party, and he is being held here awaiting the Texas officers. (Brown was later released when Sheriff Childs of Freestone County determined he was not the right man-unknown if Sheriff Childs traveled to the Indian Nation or how this decision reached.) Captain Sixkiller had forty men under his command as Captain of the United States Police, he also held a Commission as Deputy United States Marshall and Special Agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. His duties 0included policing the streets of Muskogee, one of the most dangerous towns in the “Wild West”. There were more lawmen killed in a fifty mile radius of Muskogee than anywhere west of the Mississippi River during the frontier era. This is the area local outlaw Tehuacana Bill Posey met his Waterloo and “The Hanging Judge” Isaac Parker of Fort Smith, Arkansas presided. Deputy Marshall Sixkiller was shot and killed when he was ambushed while off duty and unarmed on Christmas Eve l886. Deputy Sixkiller under the weather was picking up medicine in Muskogee when two criminals ambushed him with a shotgun and pistol without notice; supposedly they had a grudge for a previous run in. Deputy Marshall Sixkiller fell to the ground mortally wounded. The criminals made good their escape on fast ponies. One of the suspects was later shot and killed. In this incident and in most shoot outs the weapon of choice was the double barrel shotgun loaded with OO buckshot and usually in the back or from ambush. Fast draw shoot outs didn’t happen very often. *** From The Original Sheriffs Report 1970 Wife of man in Jail using return address “You Know Where” now using “You Know Wheresville” given copy on newspaper, said she going to put in scrapbook, probably to remind him as needed. Twin brother of man held over for Grand Jury by Examining Trial in Judge Young’s Court hiding out for several weeks, Deputy Gregory and Ranger found subject hiding in clothes closet in Omaha home, returned to Jail here against his will.. Drug Abuse problems nearly unheard of five years ago now one of our biggest problems as affects basically our youth. New portable building used as Sheriffs Office, proud of and cost the tax payers nothing due to increasing fine money collected by this Office through extra effort. Labor Union Picket Line across gate at Wortham Gulf Pump Station, protesting use on non union workers on pipeline. *** Grandpa’s Report Large armadillo moved into Grandma’s garage, brought back memories of first one ever seen, back about l931 while we living in the Old Jail someone came in with one to display as new to this area, it was placed in a large mash vat from a illegal distill stored on the Courthouse lawn. People came from neat and far to view the “grave digger” as they called then. Left in the vat it escaped or someone took it. Saw plenty of the pests after this. Probably last of Little Dribblers for me and possibly Grandma and James as Coach, as all the kids are older now. Kenzie finished up last year, Devin and Sara’ last one’s at Mildred over weekend. Joined Grandma and Happy at Teague VFD fund raiser dominoes in their new fantastic facility. Helen Oaks and I took home first in straight count dominoes, Grandma and Happy came in last in 42 competition, small group participating had fun and delicious noon meal. The only thing disappointing was the crowd.