I was wondering if anyone has informaton regarding Benjamin F. Jones also know as B. F. Jones. He was kill on Sept 13 or 20, 1876 by Robert Reams at McAlester Station. A newspaper article of the time has him as Sheriff of Tobucksy County. The Fort Smith Historic Site has him listed as a Federal Court Employee, Deputy Marshal. He is also listed on the Indian Country Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial The memorial is for officers killed in the line of duty. All or any information would be welcome Thank you

Jerry,

I think that there were more than one Benjamin Franklin Jones in law enforcement during that time. My 2- great grandfather, Lemuel R. Jones, was sheriff of Western Grove, Newton County, Arkansas for a short time. His brother, Benjamin Franklin Jones had a son, Benjamin Franklin Jones,Jr., born 1858 who served out of Fort Smith. Also Enoch Jones, Benjamin, Jr.'s brother.

My great grandfather, James Cooper Wallace, married Allie Jones, daughter of Lemuel R. JOnes. Jim, Benjamin and Enoch were all deputies out of Fort Smith.
Connie

This message has been edited. Last edited by: karlec,

Thank you for your responce. Yes, I know that there was more then one Benjamin Jones in Indian Territory. I know for a fact that my Great grandfather was Sheriff of Toboxy or Tobucksy County and was shot and killed by Robert Ream in the JJ McAlester store. Family lore says he was ambushed while trying to set up a meeting. The newspaper article states that he shot though the window from about 50 feet with a shotgun. Ream states it was in self defence because he had heard Jones was out to shoot him "on sight" I belive he is the Benjamin Jones listed on the Memorial for Indian Police Officers killed in the line of duty. My Grandmother's Dawes application refers to Benjamin as B. F. Jones,but the Affidavit by Tandy Walker refers to her father as Benjamin F. Jones. It is very confusing. I had just found the name B.F. Jones listed as a Federal Court Employee on the Fort Smith Historic Site. That I am not sure if it is my Benjamin My Benjamin was the son of John L. Jones and Sophia Brashear, born sometime in 1845

Connie,
Thanks again for your responce. I find by going back to the Fort Smith's Federal Court Employee list, There is also a Enoch Jones listed. So I assume now that the BF Jones listed is Benjamin Jr since you say they were brothers and served together out of Ft. Smith. My research has been limited and confusing at times, but very rewarding when I find good documented information or a good source. The record keeping back in that era was not good. I have always know my great grandfather was a member of the Indian Law enforcement and that he was shot and killed. I am trying to research as much information as I can to perserve it for future generations.
Jerry

Jerry

The Ft Smith Historic Site's listing of known lawmen is a good resource, but it has been my experience that they have men on there who were definitely not deputy U.S. marshals for the Western District of Arkansas. They have several who are known to have ONLY served for the federal districts in Indian Territory and later Oklahoma Territory. As for B.F. Jones, I need to check my database for any info on him.

On the Trail
Diron Ahlquist
Secretary/Editor Oklahombres Journal

Jerry,
We are in the process of putting together permanent resource files for each law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty in what is today the State of Oklahoma so that future generations will know these brave officers as more than a name on a wall.
The only items in Benjamin Franklin Jones' file at this time is a copy of his story on Page 122 of the book "Oklahoma Heroes" by Ron Owens, a hand written note with "B. F. Jones, Sheriff of Toboxy Co., Choctaw Nation" plus it list two references which are "The Cherokee Advocate, Sept. 23, 1876,Page 3, Col. 2 and The Indian Journal, Sept. 21, 1876, Page 3, Col. 5." written on it and an undated typed note which reads "9:15 A.M. Charlotte Schneider called regarding a Great Grandfather who was a US Marshal years ago & was killed in the line of duty. Said she may have some more information you might be interested in regarding these older officers..." It list a couple phone numbers. Hand written below the typed message is "Benjamin Franklin Jones Deputy Marshal killed before Statehood." On the back of the note is written Mrs Gary (I think) Schneider and gives a Bethany, OK address.
Benjamin Franklin Jones is listed on the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial in Oklahoma City and the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial in Washington, D.C. with a date of death listed as Sept. 20, 1876.
If you have copies of any newspaper articles or documentation we would appreciate a copy for Benjamin's Memorial file. Any personal information would be apprciated. Please e-mail me if you can help us.
Dennis L Lippe, Chairman
Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial, Inc.
OKLEMEMORIAL@aol.com
www.oklemem.com