Northern Oklahoma College - Roundup Yearbook (Tonkawa, OK)

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44 L. ri ' ,.f ' -5 S' - Iii? .ir The Killing of Gillstrape Ruth Muskrat, '17 The sky was a dull deep gray. There had been no sun all day 10118, 21-Hd the SDHV' inaw hills were topped with snow whiich had fallen the day before. Along Rattlesnake Ridge there ran a long straight road down into Rattlesnake hollo-w and across the Spavinaw River. The snow which had crusted over the road had not been broken ex- cept for an occasional horseback istraggler who had dared to brave' the bitter cold and the danger of an approaching storm. Across on Lone Wolf Ridge, C0V91'6d with tall green pines, could be seen occasionally the dark flitting form of an Indian hunter. The Spavinaw River, which flowed through Rattlseake hollow, gurgled, chattered, and roared as it dashed and whirled down its' rocky bed in and out among the innumerable Spavinaw hills. l ' , Gn the bank of this river under a high cliff, stood three men. They had about them the air of being watched. They moved cautiously and were constantly scanning the hills. They were Indians and all were dressed alike. They wore broad-brimmed hats and thick yellow coats lined with red and gray striped flannel which showed through on the lapel of the coat, and Several other worn places. Their shirts were oi black flannel, and their tro-users, once a yellow color but now soiled and darkened, were tucked into high gum boots which came to the knees. Each carried a huge gun. They were the Wycliff brothers, the noted Cherokee outlaws who terrorized the people of Delaware county and the surrounding country during the years 1907 and 1908. They had committed some small offense-I think it was disturbing the peace at a small school house, and in order to escape punishment had gone into hidi-ng in the Spavinaw hills. ' Gillstrape, a bigoted, cowardly sheriff, had gone to their home and commanded the feeble father to tell where his boys were hiding. When the father refused to tell. Gillstrape -took the butt-end of a rawhide whip he had with him and beat the old man without mercy. Since then the boys-with the Indian passion for revenge-had sworn not to surrender or be taken until they had killed Gillstrape. The group was joined by a slender boy on horseback. who dashed perilously into the river and up to where they stood. He was dressed like the rest, but he was ta' and. slender. He bore little family resemblance to the others though he was a brother. He was also dark, but, strange to say, he had a shock of red hair. His' eyes fashed with fire and action, and his'whole attitude was one of bold, reckless daring. Red, said John, the oldest, in a gruff tone, don't you know better than to bring a horse here. Naw', carelessly brawled the boy. Nobody here to hurt us-none of our enemies I mean. ' Not, eh? John waved his hand. What do ye see up there?,' Who-ee. Red said slowly as he caught sight of some dark forms on Rattlesnake Ridge. HI reckon though I am ready. . Did you get in home. Red? asked Dan, another brothe1'. Yes, but it was mighty tough work though-had to sneak in. They were watch- ing the house. Bill died last night. We CDad and D buried him about midnight. They don't know he is dead, and w0n't knowf' Dead! the tone was one of real grief though the news was received with the usual Indian Stoicism. That leaves only four of us and our brother's death to avenge. No, it is best that the posse don't know they killed him. Poor Bill-he was the oldest of us all and the best fighter. Gillstrape did it. I saw the bullet leave his gun. ' I-Iow' is Ma, Red? asked Jack, a tall heavy set man. Not very well. Billlfs death will make it hard for her. She wants us' to give up and come home. She is afraid we are starving. Not much danger of that: we have plenty of friends who will feed ug, and game EE by no means' scarce, John said as. he fingered his gun. I hate this life, Jack continued, but I hate Gillstrape worse, and I'll not sur- 142

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M1 ' A 1 ' 6 I Ti The Message of Life Leona Edmondson, '16 :I I'V1'7Lf1f'7' in fJ0f'lJljf Cvvzfrsl I wonder what I'm livi-ng for? My soul so many times has cried, M hen the whole world seems an empty place, And the doubts from my heart I cannot efface And my faith is sorely tried. The world seems dark, though a sunny clay, My sky is filled witlrgloomy cloudsg And my soul doth -seem but a wandering thing From all things bright it has taken wing To the abode where dark care enshrouds. But out of space there comes a voice- A voice so full of strength'ning powerg Arise it calls, take up thy work, Why dost thou thus thy burdens shirk, And idle the passing hour? There's work enough for thee to dog Thy fellow-creatures grief to shareg There's some dark spot that needs thy smile, Some weary hours you can help beguile For those bowed down with care. And thus my gloomy soul is stirred To feel the need of other meug My love for others rises up, With joy of living o'erfloWs my cup, And my sky is smiling again. 1-'li

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-ff-ia pswgwi qrr, .-'mga an-1 Lai tsg faaa les ,Q render until we have killed him-. BY Joye, BOYS! Red spoke hastily. I believe that is old 'Gillstrape now on Rat- UGSIQHKG Rlflge- S0111eth111g Strange, too for him to be out by himself. Guess he isn't 10010115 to fllld C0H1DaHY Such a dar as this, or he would have his usual pack Of hired men with him. He has only one blood-hound, too-'twill be some surprise for old Gills all right. , The boys' looked and saw that what Red said was true. For the first time since coming to hunt the outlaws, 'Giisllstrape was alone. A swift gleam of hatred came into and hardened the face of each of fthe four men hidden from sight behind the cliff. John's usual surly tone was now made more gruff by the passion and bitterness he felt. He is alone, boys and there are four of us. That wouldn't be fair play. You Flu Stay 1191? and 1 H111 S0i11g to meet this man. iGive me your horse, Red. I am going- stand back! I will go, I said! If he should see me firrst then make quick work ot him boys. But don't shoot until I fall. He mounted the horse and was off without another word. Death was written in every line of his face. It was to be a fair, man-to-man combat. One of the two must dieg the result depended wholly on the quickness and coolness of the two men. Gillstrape was walking his horse slowly along the road. It was plain he wasnit lookiing for company. His face was cool and red. One could easily tell he had been using a stimulant to keep him warm. He was a wiry littlexfellow, cordially hailed by everybody, for he was well known to be o-ver-bearing and cruel. .Iohn Wycliff waited in the bend of the road-his hand on the trigger of his gun. As Gillstrape rode around the bend, Wyclirff pushed his horse forward. Cee-o, he said wickedly. Gillstrape instantly raised his g-un but Wyc!iff grinned and said. No, don't! A shot rang out but it had missed its mark. Said Wycliff, I'll show you how to whifp old men who are helpless. l'!l show you how to kill our brother. Like it? Bah! Coward! he cried as Gillstrape begged for mercy. You didn't have mercy-take gun, shoot. If I shoot first you die: The guns came up again. Two shots rang out, and Gillstrape lay dead in the road. John turned and shot the blood-hound that was standing near. The three brothers stripped Gfallstrape of his coat, spread it on the ground and lifted the dog upon it. Gillstrape they left lying, uncovered in the snow, thus showing that they had more respect for the dog than for the man. A month later, after the feeling aroused by the murder of Gillstrape had Some- fhit s bsided there rode into the little town of Grove four men on horse back. They u 2 'u s , came alone, unmasked, uncompelled: and gave themselves into the hands of the new sheriff. Three were tall, strong, dark, and rather'heavy setg the fourth was tall and l 1 l 1 with 1 shock of red h'V'r The Wycliff brothers had surrendered. After they s e ic c ' ' 2 t C l . had spent three months in the county jail. public sentiment became so strong in their favor that they were released. 143