The End of Della Humby

After Heck Thomas and Jim Taylor killed Jim and Pink Lee at Seville's Bend on the Red River, there was only one of the gang left on the run. That was Della Humby, the triggerman who killed Jim Guy.

Della Humby was charged with killing his wife and there was a $400 reward on his head. On December 29th, 1886, Heck Thomas and his posse reached Sasakwa, northeast of Ada, and met Seminole Governor John Brown at the Govenor's home. Heck asked the governor for help in finding Della Humby who was known to be hiding in the area. Brown summoned a Seminole Lighthorseman to assist in the search.

Just before dark, they reached the abandoned cabin of a trader named Manuel Buenes. The officers surrounded the cabin and took Humby by surprise and without firing a shot. Humby was taken back to Ft. Smith where he was found guilty of the murder of his wife. The good legal defense filed for an appeal and a second trial was held and this time Humby was aquitted. Heck went to collect the reward only to find that it had been withdrawn.

This synopsis was taken from the book Black, Red, and Deadly by Art Burton. I have read several things by Art Burton and would compare him to Glen Shirley for those of you who read Oklahoma history.

Contributed by Dennis Muncrief, February 2002