Received this from a researcher in Texas. Does anyone have any information on this gun fight?

I am confident the El Paso Daily Herald 17 Jan 1896 is incorrect but do you know the facts surrounding a gunfight between Texas Rangers and Bill Doolin and his gang? Texas Ranger Sergeant Sullivan was as reported killed as well and Joe Beckham and Doolin was wounded. The posse was out of Wichita Falls TX and went to Greer County which was in Indian Territory and considered a part of Texas at the time.

This gun fight was in Indian Territory about 25 miles north of the Red River at Vernon, Tx , and east of the North Fork of the Red. Sullivan was heading up a possee of Texas Peace Officers in pursuit of 4 outlaws, Redbuck, Joe Beckham, Elmore Lewis, and Hill Loftos, aka Tom Ross, aka Charlie Gannon. The four were wanted for robbing stores in the Vernon, Tx area. The possee caught up to the four holed up in a dugout. They were in a blue northern and after a fight of several hours, Joe Beckham, ex-Sheriff of Motley County, Tx was killed, Redbuck was seriously wounded, and seven horses killed. The officers withdrew under cover of darkness and the outlaws escaped. Sullivan lived until 1911. This information comes from "Twelve years in the saddle with the Texas Rangers" by W.J.L. Sullivan published by Bison Books. I believe Redbuck was killed a few months later near Arapaho, I.T. Hill Loftos years later was involved in the murder of ex-Texas Ranger and cattle Ranger Dave Allison. Sheriff Tittle of Greer county and a possee showed up the morning after the fight.

Thank you so much Jim. I'll pass this on to Ron DeLord with the Texas Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial.

If I may, I would like to add a little oral history (or folklore) to this tale. This is from a letter written by John E. Donnell to W. W. Fox of Norman, Ok. The date of the letter is Sept 1, 1959. According to the letter, Joe Beckham had murdered a lawyer named Bud Jones at a railroad depot in Seymour, TX. Then Beckham robbed various general stores in and around the Wichita Falls, TX area. He also stole a few horses as well. According to the letter, Johnny Williams, sheriff of Wilbarger county TX and Tom Latham, sheriff of Hardeman county TX with Dick Sanders, deputy US marshal formed a posse to try to capture Joe Beckham. Also with the posse was Bud Hardin. Beckham had with him John and Riley Moon, Joe King, Buck Lockhart and an unknown man. The posse found Beckham et al at a dugout used by the Wagner’s Line riders. This dugout was located on the ‘Deep’ Red about halfway between Sill and Vernon, TX. When the posse found Beckham the posse was met with a hail of pistol fire. The posse rolled off their horses and took shelter in deep wagon trails and returned fire. One of the outlaws crawled out a small window in the back of the dugout. He crawled to the shady side of the roof. The officers determined where the outlaws were by the flash of gunfire. This action took place at night by moonlight. In the morning, all the robbers had escaped except one, Beckham. He was dead outside the dugout and apparently the one that crawled out of the window. It was assumed that the other outlaws crawled out of the same window, got on their horses and escaped. The only horse left behind by the robbers was Joe Beckham's horse. Bud Hardin was given credit for killing Beckham and therefore was entitled to Beckham's horse (a Bay horse), saddle and bridle, and gun. The letter states that the horse, saddle, bridle and gun were all of the finest quality.

I have not read Sullivan's book. I would be interested to discover how much of the letter is accurate. This may well be folklore about an outlaw’s death that I have just related. I do not claim it is the gospel truth. But it is an interesting read.

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

Hi,
These articles are very disturbing to me. You see I was told that Joe Beckham is my ancestor. I was also told that he was an Indian man who rode into town from Arkanas to look for work and was killed by the white man. I have also been told that there is an article recording these events this and that there was a cover up. So I wonder if this is the same Joe Beckham. I am going to try to get my hands on that article I believe my cousin has it. Michelle Beckham Sherratt.

The Joe Beckham mention in this thread has a history similar to so many other lawmen/outlaws. The Joe Beckham in this thread was once the sheriff for Motley Co Texas in 1891 and 1892. He later turned outlaw. A potential source for his lawman credentials is:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmotley/1891officals.htm

Good luck in your search of Joe Beckham as a potential relative.

Who was the Bud Hardin mentioned in Jethro's account?

My g-gransmother, Aurelia Ellen "Ella" Sherman married a Bud Hardin in 1896. Ella was the daughter of the Rev. James Morgan Sherman, a circuit riding minister who preached in Texas and the Indian Territory (he is buried in Donley County, TX).

Not much is known about Bud. After he and my g-grandmother married, they had a daughter, Violet Webb Hardin in 1897. In 1898, Bud is said to have joined Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders in Texas under an assumed name. Family lore says he was wounded in the fighting in Cuba, convalesced in Texas, but later died from the wound about in 1898 or 1899. His grave site is unknown. His parents names are unknown. Bud's full name is believed to have been William Selby Hardin, but "Bud" is what he was known and is still remembered by.

Bud Hardin was said to have been an excellent horseman, was of a reckless temperament, and may have been involved in a gunfight at one time. One photo survives. His wife remarried and Bud Hardin became the family enigma and mystery.

Any additional info on the Bud Hardin mentioned in the Texas Rangers vs. Doolin Gang would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sullivan in his book "Twelve Years in the Saddle with the Texas Rangers" identified Bud Hardin as a Special Ranger from Harrell, Texas. Harrell is probably Harrold, Texas in Wilbarger County between Vernon and Electra, Texas. Harrold was near the robberies and the posse entered Indian Territory near Vernon. Sullivan did not provide any other information on Bud Hardin. This incident is mentioned in Bob Alexanders book "Fearless Dave Allison, Border Lawman". Alexander provides numerous footnotes at the end of chapter 2 that relate to the fight at the dugout and the crimes committed by the outlaw gang prior to the fight. This may be good reference material on additional information on Bud Hardin.

Thank you for the information. I will read both books. Perhaps the footnotes will help me learn more about Bud Hardin. Again, thanks.

pk9073, we may have a distant common bond. Bud Hardin owed a certain Fox (not the same W W Fox as mentioned above) character money. Hardin was credited with killing Beckham. As was custom at that time (so I am told), the man responsible for killing an outlaw received the outlaw's horse, saddle and gun. These were used to pay off a debt. The horse has long since pass, my father remembers playing on the saddle, and I currently have the gun. It is a beautiful Colt SSA .45 in nickel with 1/2 engraving with ivory grips and a longhorn engraving on one side. Though I have not spent the time to investigate the validity of this tale, it makes for a grand story and it is a beautiful weapon. It is in good shape and it can devastate anything within 15 yards (I have not attempted a target further than that).

About your Bud Hardin...
I see your Ella S. Hardin is with her parents in Burnet Co., TX 1900 per Fed. census. She has her daughter Violet but have you noted she is listed as D for Divorced and not widowed.

I looked back at 1880 Burnet, TX and find Jacob B. Hardin out of TN with a son name Willie Hardin, b. 1876 who had a nickname of "Buck".

I have A Bud Hardin in a different line I am researching, so this caught me attention. My Bud was named "Benjamin".

I do not find this William or Willie or Buck in 1900 in Texas census. May or may not be the right man.

Norm - No, I had not noticed...but am glad you pointed it out. A distant Hardin cousin found me not too long ago and told me that William Hardin was in the 1900 Caldwell County census along with his parents, Sam & Lizzie. Of some interest, there is a Bud Hardin tombstone in the Cottonwood Flat cemetery, Scurry county.

Jethro - I do not know how I missed your reply for a couple of years...I have been back here several times...blame it on the line in my bi-focals I guess. Any chance you could come up with a photo of the pistol and email it to me?

Heh, I Googled Oklahombres and found this site. Bill Doolin is my great great grandpa.