I am unfamiliar with the Oklahoma history of the Marshals, but wish to familiarize myself, where's the best place to start? I have a photo of an ancestor (Charles Hook) that was taken in the early 1890's that reportedly was of US Marshals in OT/IT. History Society folks in OK now feel that 3 of the men with my ancestor are Chris Madsen, Frank Canton and Marshal Lake (We're still trying to ID the other 3 gents). I haven't been able to place my ancestor with the Marshals other than through this mystery photo. I've heard stories of his taking prisoners to Ft. Smith, though.
My other curious question regarding my ancestor is that the Nat'l Archives had very little information on his 1896 murder conviction as a result of a shoot out with the Miller boys. He and another man were sentenced to 18 months in an Ohio prison. What circumstances at that time would've warranted such a lenient penalty?

Any direction would be appreciated. Thanks!

At page 160, in Robt. K. DeArment's, "Alias Frank Canton," a mention is made of your ancestor. It seems that in November, 1894, a Ben Howell broke jail with two others. He was rounded up by Sheriff Milton Franklin Lake, and possemen Hook and J.D. Burch after a gun fight on December 5. References cited were the Pawnee Times Democrat; the Pawnee Appeal; and the Pawnee Agency Scout, newspapers available at the Oklahoma Historical Society Library. If you're in-state, visit the OHS; if you're out of state, go on line and ask them to find the articles. A small fee is involved. The dates you need are: for the Democrat: Nov. 16 and 30, 1894; for the Appeal: Nov 30, 1894; for the Scout: Dec 12, 1894.

Thank you so much Tower!

I'll certainly contact OHS! I'm now wondering if Burch was one of the unidentified gents in my photo, too. If I recall correctly though, the other man convicted was named McElroy?

Re the second part of your question, a summary of the case on the shooting matter with the Miller brothers is found at page 673-82 of SW Harman's "Hell on the Border," available from the University of Nebraska Bison Books. or your local library. Hook, spelled Houk, in Harman, was given 9 years. He was supposedly part of a conspiracy to run the Millers off land they were farming as tenants. The case was apppealed to the US Supreme Court, reversed, but not retried because all the important witnesses were either dead or gone. The facts on this are not pretty.

Thank you for doing the look up. We always run the risk of unpleasant facts, so I wasn't surprised. I was curious about what they were involved in. I appreciate the time you took to assist!

It seems we may have IDed another man in my mystery photo. The Marshal's historian feels that one man is "Heck" Thomas, the 2 left that are unidentified being younger are likely deputies, but the photo looks "official" for the era.
I've never seen photos of any of the Marshals myself (other than being told this was a photo of several). One deputy I'm curious about is Deputy Richard Speed, he had been a neighbor of my ancestor's in KS prior to this photo being taken. Are there any existing photos of Deputy Speed that can be compared?

Regarding Deputy U.S. Marshal Dick Speed: I have seen photographs of the other two deputy marshals who were killed with Speed in the gunfight at Ingalls, O.T. in 1893 (Thomas Hueston and Lafe Shadley), but have never located one of Speed. Last year, I visited Speed's grave in Perkins, Oklahoma. I'd love to see the photograph you mentioned. Are you able to post it on our website?

The photo held by this poster is in the DeArment book at page 175. He says the photo is of Pawnee County officials in 1897. He identifies Frank Lake as the bearded man with Frank Canton seated beside him holding the small dog. He credits the photo to his private collection. Elsewhere in the book is a picture of Canton dated about 1894; his balding pate is unmistakable. The only one who looks like Charley Colcord is the man in the middle and standing behind Canton. According to Norman, the man seated beside Canton, 3rd from the left, is Charles Hook.

Sorry for the late posting, missed this when it came out. In reference to Dick Speed, I acquired photo's of Dick Speed and his wife and published them in an article "Dick Speed, First Victim of Ingalls" in the Oct-Dec 2005 issue of the NOLA Quarterly. Speed's picture is also in my book Deadly Affrays.

I am trying to ID some marshals in a group photo and I think one of them is Chris Madsen, Where can I see the photo that you are refering to?
Thanks
Bill

quote:

Originally posted by Norman:
I am unfamiliar with the Oklahoma history of the Marshals, but wish to familiarize myself, where's the best place to start? I have a photo of an ancestor (Charles Hook) that was taken in the early 1890's that reportedly was of US Marshals in OT/IT. History Society folks in OK now feel that 3 of the men with my ancestor are Chris Madsen, Frank Canton and Marshal Lake (We're still trying to ID the other 3 gents). I haven't been able to place my ancestor with the Marshals other than through this mystery photo. I've heard stories of his taking prisoners to Ft. Smith, though.
My other curious question regarding my ancestor is that the Nat'l Archives had very little information on his 1896 murder conviction as a result of a shoot out with the Miller boys. He and another man were sentenced to 18 months in an Ohio prison. What circumstances at that time would've warranted such a lenient penalty?

Any direction would be appreciated. Thanks!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bill Nelson:
I am trying to ID some marshals in a group photo and I think one of them is Chris Madsen, Where can I see the photo that you are refering to?
Thanks
Bill

Bill: I posted the photo in an album in this section. It is the copy that my aunt obtained back in the 20's at a museum, but also in Mr. Armament's book.

Norman,
I will try to find it. I just joined this group and am just learning my way around. Is there a link to it?
Bill

Yes, just exit this thread. It's a seperate thread under "pre 1907"....

which one is identified as which by the historions? The left rear looks like Chris Madsen to me. The front far right looks like Henry "Heck" Thomas. I have seen another group photo that has some of these same lawmen in it.
I would really like to know who the fellow on the far left in the rear is.

You may see a picture of DUSM Richard "Dick" Speed, curtesy of Bob Ernst, on the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial web site at www.oklemem.com

A historian from Perry feels that Frank Canton was the middle man in the back row.

The Marshall's historian said this photo looks official from earlier than 1897, and thought William Grimes may be in it (didn't say where). He was appointed from 1890-1893. He also thought that one of the younger men was Heck Thomas, again not specifying which.

Pawnee Museum historians think the first man standing was T.A. Henry.

We've had this photo since the late 1920's or early 1930's. My aunt who was a genealogy buff was travelling through eastern Oklahoma and saw it in a museum. She asked if she could make a copy, and did. She recognized "Pop" from family gatherings (she was from the "other" side of the family).

I have my own theories, but think this photo was taken earlier than 1897 myself due to the legal issues facing Pop and McElroy at the time for the murder charges. I don't trust newspaper accounts anymore today than I would've back then as far as accuracy goes. The story I've settled on was much more complicated than what was reported, and surmised from various accounts. I don't think any of the men in my family were angels by any means, but this conviction and the outcome are suspicious. What I have put together is that within our family, we had a general store owner who also was an Indian agent (other side of the family again). Pop and McElroy were technically "retired" and working at home when alerted that the Miller boys were in town causing trouble. They followed them and what transpired is the basis of the case. At the time though, Pop and McElroy were asked to assist due to the fact that there was a lag in time between the arrival of the newly appointed lawmen. Pop was convicted but served a small sentence (18 months) in OHIO? I think it was for his own safety that he transported away from his family, due to having served as a deputy/posseman in the OT/IT. They may not have wanted him in prison locally, as he had probably put some of the other prisoners where they were! As far as the missing witnesses, Pop had a son named Henry who disappeared about this time and went to serve later in the Phillipines for the Spanish American War. I suspect he may have been involved more than is recorded. We never understood why Louisiana Uncle "Sid" in the 30's said he was Pop's son when his last name was Merril.

Going back to the "other side" of the family were the Brubakers, owners of a store and Indian agents. Their grandson George had worked as a cowboy and rode with Pop's sons. George's sister having been my great grandmother..George did like to tell tall tales but one he told was of a rancher who had hired them for 3 months with promise of pay. When they returned, they were told they'd not be paid. So, they (George and Sid) decided to keep the horses as payment. The story goes that they rode off to California on horses of "questionable" ownership accompanying Emmett Dalton.

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

In the photo in question. Neither Chris Madsen or Heck Thomas are in the photo. There is no doubt Frank Canton is front and center.