I recently found an article in the Daily Oklahoman from 1918 indicating that a man had come forward indicating that he was an eyewitness to the murder of Deputy Marshal Dan Maples and that it was it was not Ned Christie. This unnamed source indicated that the actual killer was none other than the future deputy marshal, Bud Trainor. Has anyone else ever heard of this?

On the Trail
Diron Ahlquist
Secretary/Editor Oklahombres Journal

Yes, I have heard of this and Bonnie Spear's book tells the real story of who killed Maples. I am not sure if the book is still available, but that would be the one to read.

Mike,
Do you know the name of Bonnie Spear's book. I will try to find a copy.

I reference this article in my book, Black, Red and Deadly, on the chapter on Ned Christie.

Bud Trainer was later killed by the sons of Daniel Walker, Cherokee Freedman, who was the top cowhand on the ranch of Will Roger's father near Claremore. Daniel Walker worked as a posseman for various deputies.

Thanks for the info Art.

Actually the story I first received came from an article from a Tulsa newspaper from 1922, in which a former deputy who talked to the witness in the earlier 1918 Oklahoma City article, was interviewd about the Dan Maples shooting.

The book is:

The Killing of Ned Christie: Cherokee Outlaw
by Bonnie Stahlman Speer

OK, thanks.
Dennis

Hello, My name is Ethel Maples and possibly a decendant of Dan Maples, Deputy Marshall for Judge Parker from Indian Territory in 1880's. There was a Deputy Sam Maples, as well. My grandfather was Lee Maples, born in Tennesse. But, lived most of his life Texas. He was once a guard at Huntsville Prison in late 1800's and early 1900's. He married Ida Roberta Irby & they had 4 sons. My dad was born in 1920, Irby Lee. They lived in the Comanche, Marathon, Ft. Stockton areas.