Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1885 — FOUR MEN KILLED. [ARTICLE]

FOUR MEN KILLED.

A Desperate Fight with Cattle-Thieves. [St. Louis dispatch.) Four men were killed in a battle with cattle-thieves in the Indian Territory. The battle occurred yesterday afternoon, and was the result of the extensive operations of a gang of marauders known as the Red River band of cattle-thieves. They are said to be orgmized and well equipped for prosecuting their lawless business. They have been operating extensive’y, and within the last three weeks have grown doubly daring and bold in their exploits. They drove off a lot of cattle belonging to the Ross Brothers one day thfs week, leaving a good trail to follow them by. A posse was organized and war declared in earnest Pursuit was commenced Wednesday morning and prosecuted with vigor until yesterday afternoon, when the vi laius were corraled in a big log house, or barn, at Lee’s ranch. How many were in the bouse is not definitely known, but from “signs” it was believed there were six. and that they were well-armed and desperate fellows. The house was surrounded and pre; stations made to carry it by assault, but the men inside opened fire, and their aim was deadly. The shots were returned, and there was lively shooting for about ten minutes, when the would-ba thiefcjtchers were forced to retreat, taking with them four pf their number They were Andrew Ross, James Ross, Tom Guy, an Indian police sergeant, and Jim Akers. The people of th:t section are arous- d, and are preparing to inaugurate a War of extermination on the gkug.