This information is offered FREE and taken from http://www.okgenweb.net/~okcaddo/ If you have arrived here using a pay site please know that this information has been donated by volunteers in a joint effort to provide FREE genealogy material online. Caddo County - Lawmen and Outlaws =========================================================== The Daily Democrat Thursday, January, 3, 1906 page 2 column 5 AN IMPORTANT MURDER CASE Deputy Sheriff Was Found Riddled with Bullets And Hanging In the latter part of November 1902 a dead body of a man was found hanging to a tree near Rock Crossing on Cobb Creek in this county. At the time the body could not be identified and as some horses had been stolen about that time it was believed the thief had been overtaken and summarily dealt with and nothing more was thought of the matter since there was no clue that led to any knowledge of the crime. Later Lute Houston was missed by his family and as nothing could be learned of him the body of the supposed horse thief was exhumed and Houston's sister identified the body as that of her brother. He was deputy sheriff workng under Cris Mattison and Sheriff under Sheriff Thompson of this county and it was known that he was on the trail of certain parties believed to be guilty of cattle stealing in Washita county. When the grand jury met indictments were returned against Bert Casey, since killed. Fred Hudson now in the penitentiary for another crime, and Jim and Ben Hughes. When the case was set for trial the territory saw it had not sufficient evidence to convict and the case was dismissed before the defendants Hughes were arrested in order that the territory could again prosecute the case if it desired. At the recent grand jury indictments were again returned against Jim and Ben Hughes, cattle men from Washita county and they are now in jail here awaiting habeas corpus proceedings to get bond. Attorney W.R. Wood of Cordell is here looking after the case. The Daily Democrat Thursday, February 8, 1906 page 5 column 5 Ownership of Horses In Dispute J.C. Bourland, field deputy sheriff of Caddo county, has been busy in this vicinity since one day last week, working for the recovery of a horse said to have been stolen some time since from J.M. Hefley, in Jack county, Texas. The horse having been located at the Hughes farm north of town in Washita county, Bourland, in company with Hefley, who had come up from Texas for the purpose of recovering the horse, went there and took possession of the same last Friday, and brought the horse to town where it was cared for at the Star Livery, with the understanding that it should stay there for twenty four hours. In the mean time, however, certain officials from Washita county having been put on the track, came down and not only took possession of the horse, but arrested Bourland and Hefley for having taken it from Hughes, who it seems claimed it was their property. The accused men were taken to Cordell, when the case against them was dismissed and they were promptly released. But in the meantime, Kiowa county officials began to take a hand in affairs and County Attorney Conner, Deputy Sheriff Morris, Bourland and others went to the Hughes place Sunday and demanded the horse, which, after an all day's search and parley, failed to materialize, though it was promised that the same should appear the last of the week. It is claimed that the horse was recognized in the possession of some of the Hughes family, some months ago near El Reno, where they were arrested, but for some reason the case failed to be tried and they were re- (a line or two are apparently missing) considerable indignation is manifested by the Kiowa county officials at the proceedings of those from Washita county in gaining possession of the horse from the Star Livery. In speaking of the matter, however, they seem unanimous in exonerating J.W. Griffin, sheriff of Washita county, who it seems was not present, and who it is claimed, is working with the officers from Kiowa and Caddo counties in their effort to secure the horse for Hefley, who it seems is generally believed to be the rightful owner of the same. -- (taken from the) Mt. View Progress The Daily Democrat Thursday, March 15, 1906 page 1 column 2 BOURLAND FOR SHERIFF In this issue of the Democrat will be found the announcement of "Jim" Bourland for the democrat nomination for sheriff of Caddo county. Mr. Bourland is one of the best known men in the county and his reputation for rigid inforcement of the law is a household word in Anadarko and Caddo county. Notwithstanding the fact that he is a democrat from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, he has held a position as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Thompson for four years and was recently appointed United States deputy marshal by the endorsements of the republican court officials of this district and also the republican organization of this county. Mr. Bourland says that if he is elected sheriff he will continue the same policy with reference to enforcement of the law that he has as deputy sheriff. He asks for the nomination purely on his merits as an officer and leaves it to the democrats to exercise their judgment between him and other men who may aspire to the office. The Daily Democrat May 3, 1906 page 1 column 5 Court Notes The jury in the Hudson murder case returned this morning with a verdict of not guilty and the defendant was released from custody. page 5 column 5 Court News Fred Hudson, the defendant took the stand as a witness for himself yesterday and closed this most interesting criminal trial. The defendant Hudson, testified as to his being confined in the Federal Jail at Guthrie in 1902, on the charge of robbing a post office. That the United States Marshall Wm. Fossett, commissioned him to effect the capture of Bert Casey, and released him from the jail. That he went to the Hughes' ranch in Washita county where he met with Casey and was never away from him until he got him. That he reached the Hughes Ranch about the 9th of October, and that on the evening of the 20th of October while he and Casey were in the Hughes' barn, one Crossland and Jim Hughes came out to where they were and had a conversation with Casey. That he over heard them talking of getting some one out of the way. That he afterwards learned that this was Louis (sic) Houston. That he and Bert Casey rode together from there to where they had planned to kill Houston, and that Jim Hughes took Houston there by another route, presumably to get some horses. That when they reached the spot Casey leveled his rifle at Houston and Jim Hughes threw a rope around his neck. After tying his hands behind him, they led him off to a tree and hung him. That they, all three, then returned to the Hughes ranch, taking Houston's saddle, horse and spurs. That he took no part in it, and held his horse while this was going on and gave as his reason for not protecting the life of Houston, that he was afraid Casey would kill him. The court instructed the jury this morning and C.B. Case addressed the jury for prosecution. He was followed by Judge Hudgins for the defense, and the County Attorney closed for the Territory. This will be the last business transacted at this term and the Court will adjourn as soon as the jury in this case reports. page 5 column 6 Court Notes The panel of the jury in the Hudson case was completed Saturday evening, and the trial of the case is in progress today. The witnesses for the prosecution testify as to the finding of the dead body in the timber near Swan Lake in 1902. That the body was badly decomposed, having a bullet wound through the heart and a rope around its neck. They testified as to the hat, boots and other clothing, and positively identified the body as that of Lute Houston. That Lute Houston had left Chickasha for the Hughes' ranch in October and that the body was found in November. page 6 column 2 Court Notes In the case of the Territory of Oklahoma vs Jim and Ben Hughes for the killing of Lute Houston, near Swan Lake, which was set trial on the 26th, the defendants asked for a change of venue on the ground of prejudice in this county. The change of venue was granted and the case will be tried at Hobart in Kiowa county. page 6 column 6 Court Notice The jury is now being empaneled to try the case of the Territory vs Fred Hudson, who was jointly indicted with the Hughes, for the killing of Lute Houston. A change of venue to Kiowa county was taken as to the Hughes. The defendant is represented by Judge Hudgins and A.I. Morris. The Daily Democrat May 24, 1906 page 1 column 6 "JIM" BOURLAND PASSES AWAY The End Came at 6:30 This Morning -- A Brave Man And Fearless Officer At about 6:30 this morning Jim Bourland died from the effect of the wound he received in the pistol dual with Fred Hudson yesterday morning. Deceased was about 35 years of age, unmarried and resided with his mother in this city. He had for about four years held the position as deputy marshall and was one among the best, if not the best officer, in the Territory of Oklahoma. The burial will occur at the Anadarko cemetery at 2:30 tomorrow. page 4 column 3 HUGHES BROTHERS ACQUITTED After a trial lasting one week in the District Court at Hobart, the jury last evening brought in a verdict acquitting Ben and Jim Hughes of the murder of Luke (sic) Houston. page 4 column 6 PISTOL DUEL THIS MORNING Jim Bourland and Fred Hudson Both Probably Fatally Shot At one o'clock this morning there occured at Robinson's saloon in this city a desperate pistol duel between deputy sheriff Jim Bourland and Fred Hudson, in which both men received probably fatal wounds. Bourland is shot in the abdomen, the bullet passing through the intestines.Surgeons who operated removed about thirty inches of the intestines which had been injured by the passage of the ball. Hudson received two wounds, one in each thigh. In one the bone is shattered, while in the other is a dangerous flesh wound. Surgeons recommended amputation of the limb that has the shattered bone but Hudson declined to permit the operation. Bourland is a deputy sheriff, and Sheriff Thompson says of him that he is the best field officer in Oklahoma. In his official capacity he had been active in the effort to ferret out the murder of Luke (sic) Houston. Hudson was indicted for that murder, had his trial here a short time ago and was acquitted by the jury. Growing out of the proceeding in the above case there was a bitter enmity which needed only a slight occasion to precipitate the tragedy of this morning. Yesterday afternoon Bourland arrested Hudson for carryng a gun. He gave bond for his appearance at court this morning. When the two men met at the time of the shooting there was no parleying but each began at once the deadly work. Excitement has been running pretty high in the city today. All lovers of law and order looked upon Bourland as one of the best officers the county ever had, and they deplore the fate that has befallen him. At 3 o'clock this afternoon, under the influence of opiates, Officer Bourland was resting fairly well. On account of his most wonderful vitality his friends are hoping, almost against hope, that he may recover. At the same hour Hudson had consented to the amputation of his leg and surgeons were performing the operation. Week's Review (Apache) May 25, 1906 page 1 column 1 DOUBLE SHOOTING Jim Bourland and Fred Hudson Engage in Pistol Duel at Anadarko. Both Men are Fatally Wounded Jim Bourland, one of Sheriff Thompson's best and most fearless deputies was shot through the abdomen and perhaps fatally wounded at about one o'clock Wednesday morning in front of Charley Robison's saloon in Anadarko by Fred Hudson, who was recently tried and acquitted on a charge of complicity in the murder of Deputy United States Marshal Houston, near Swan Lake in 1902. Bourland was shot through the abdoman, the ball entering the left side of the intestines and passing clear through. Part of the intestines were removed and for a time the doctors thought he was dying, but Wednesday afternoon we were informed that they thought he had a chance for recovery. After being shot Bourland pulled his revolver and shot Hudson through the right leg close up to the body, shattering the bone so that the leg was amputated Wednesday afternoon. His condition is serious, but not necessarily fatal. The shooting was the result of bad blood engendered in the former trial. Bourland was the deputy who went to the Indian Territory and brought Hudson back to face the former murder charge and was one of the principal witnesses against him. Hudson had, we are informed, threatened to kill Bourland and one other man. On Tuesday afternoon he started out threatening to kill the other party but was disarmed by Bourland. At about one o'clock Wednesday morning some one informed Bourland that Hudson was drunk and hunting for trouble and he went to Robison's saloon, which was still open. Hudson met him at the door and the shooting commenced with the above results. The bystanders are of the opinion that Hudson shot first. There is considerable excitement at Anadarko over the affair. It is thought that Sheriff Thompson is also in danger as his life has been threatened by the remnants of the Hughes-Casey gang of outlaws who have operated in south-west Oklahoma and which has been almost completely wiped out through the efforts of Thompson, Bourland and the other members of the Sheriff's force. J.E. Byrne and a saloon man by the name of Grant Kennedy are under arrest in connection with the shooting. Byrne was one of the counsel for the defense in the recent trial of Hudson for murder. page 1 column 1 BOURLAND DEAD Deputy Sheriff Bourland died at 6:45 yesterday morning as a result of the wound inflicted upon him Wednesday morning. At our last report, yesterday noon, Hudson was reported as resting easy, having slept all forenoon, and the chances seem good for his recovery. The Daily Democrat May 31, 1906 page 3 column 1 Funeral of Jas. Bourland All the business houses of the city closed their doors today out of the respect of the man whose body was being consigned to the tomb. Altogether the largest funeral cortage ever gathered in Caddo county was assembled to do honor to the brave officer who gave his life for the peace of his country. Enclosing the mortal remains was a beautiful silver mounted casket covered with the flowers of spring time. From the undertaker's room the body was carried by the Odd Fellows to the Opera House, the largest building in the city. Not half the people could gain admission, so large was the attendance. Rev. Mr. Teis read a scripture lesson and Rev. Mr. Farrington delivered a short funeral address, while the hushed music of the old church melodies added solemnity to the house. After this, the Odd Fellows lodge, with the ceremonies of that order laid to their lasting sleep, all that was mortal of James C. Bourland, as brave a man as ever yielded his life in the cause of law and order. page 4 column 4 A LESSON Hobart parties who went to Anadarko Friday to attend the funeral of Jim Bourland report that the funeral procession was the largest ever seen in Oklahoma. It required two hours time for the multitude to pass the bier and take a last look on all that was mortal of that fearless protector of the law. Hundreds of people attended from all parts of the Territory. His mother, the only living relative, was present and her sorrow was overwhelming. Jim Bourland, at one time in his life was a bad man and had served one term in the reform school and two terms in the penatentiary. The last seven years, however, he had spent as an honorable and upright citizen, and for four years was a deputy sheriff and deputy U.S. Marshal. He was a terror to the evil-doers, and his life was at all times in the balance. Sheriff Thompson says he was the best officer he ever knew. Hudson, the man who killed Bourland, and who himself was killed, was an ex-convict and murderer, and was also at one time a deputy U.S. marshal. The funeral of Jim Bourland demonstrated one thing, and shows conclusively that no matter how bad a man had been in his younger days, the public will honor and respect him if he tries to do right. Jim Bourland tried and did do right, and the forgiving spirit characteristic of the West gave to him friendship among his fellow men almost without an exception. He was killed for doing his duty and by a man whom he had hunted down and arrested for murder. Both are dead and gone. The public breathes easier from the fact that Hudson is dead. The public bows its head in sorrow because Bourland is dead. Both were outlaws in their time. The public honored one with the largest funeral ever held in this country. The public exults at the death of the other. Do right, and the world will be with you. Taken from (Hobart News-Republican) page 6 column 2 FRED HUDSON DEAD At 8 o'clock last evening Fred Hudson died of the wound inflicted by deputy Bourland in the pistol duel between the two men Wednesday morning. There were with him at the time of his death, his sister, Mrs. Ida Sims of Moreland, Ok., and his brother, J.E. Hudson of Woodward, Ok. Body of the deceased was shipped to the family home in Arkansas for inerment. The Daily Democrat June 7, 1906 page 3 column 4 REPORT NOT TRUE A report reached Geary Monday that Hudson, the outlaw, just before his death at Anadarko Friday confessed to killing Mr. Cross in this city nearly three years ago. The Bulletin talked to the Anadarko authorities over the long distance telephone Tuesday and they disclaimed any knowledge of any confession. Taken from the (News Bulletin) The Daily Democrat June 14, 1906 page 2 column 1 BOURLAND'S SUCCESSOR E.B. Gibson, of Lawton, Okla., was appointed Deputy United States marshal at Anadarko, Okla., to fill the vacancy made by the death of James Bourland who was shot by Wes Hudson, the outlaw, in a street duel which resulted in the death of both. Gibson is a Spanish American war veteran and saw service in Cuba in an Illinois regiment. He will begin his duties under Marshal Abernathy immediately.