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Chapter XIII: The Story in a New York Paper, in June 1891
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96 the story in a new york paper, in June 1891 Chapter XIII We make a chapter here from a detailed statement of the facts now being narrated, which appeared and was elaborately illustrated in the National Police Gazette during the summer of 1891.1 HUNTED IN THE LAW’S NAME. FOUR MEN IN SHACKLES AGAINST A HUNDRED. BORDER LIFE IN TEXAS. THE FAMOUS MARLOW MOB CASE. There is no more startling story in all the turbulent annals of the southwest than the one that will be told when the “Marlow mob” cases are called up at the next term of the United States Supreme Court. ExAttorney -General Garland will appear for the defendants in the case, which comes up before the final legal tribunal on a writ of error. The official records of the case, which are on file in the Supreme Court, will, it is asserted, disclose an astounding conspiracy, which, started by designing men, finally led a whole community into a series of criminal transactions, and stained the history of [a] Texas county with blood. The story, now told for the first time, would certainly be incredible if it were not supported at all points by official records. 1 Rathmell chose to enclose this entire article in quotation marks to show it was copied from the National Police Gazette. However, he also used double quotation marks instead of single to enclose direct quotes within the article, making for confusion in reading. For clarity I have removed the marks enclosing the article, which continues to the end of the chapter. THE STORY IN A NEW YORK PAPER, IN JUNE 1891 ⁄ 97 In 1885 five sons of Dr. Marlow, a Missouri man, who had moved to Texas, were living with their mother, near where the Indian Territory, southeastern Colorado, northeastern New Mexico, and northeastern Texas come together. Their names were Boone, George, Alfred, Charles and Lewellyn— the latter better known as “Epp.” Of these all but Boone married soon after. The boys led a semi-nomadic life, and were the types of frontier plainsmen—brave, honest, shrewd and loyal. Their love for each other amounted to a passion, and was only second to their devotion to their grey-haired mother, a remarkable woman and a descendent of Daniel Boone. They roamed over the country at will, sometimes home as the exigencies of their life demanded, sometimes working, sometimes trading horses, and living chiefly on game, fish and maize. Late in August, 1888, the first step was taken in the series which led to the bloody affray at Dry Creek. Two deputy United States marshals— Edward W. Johnson and Sam Criswell—went to the Indian territory and arrested four of the Marlow boys on the charge of stealing 33 head of horses from Ba-sin-Da-Bar,2 a Caddo Indian. The theft was said to have been committed in 1885. George Marlow was away on a trading expedition. The arrests were made without evidence whatever, as was afterward proved, but simply because the officers had failed to connect any of the “rustlers” with the theft, and felt as if they must make some kind of showing in order to hold their official positions. The four Marlow boys were carried to the jail at Graham, the county seat of Young county, where the United States judge of the northern district of Texas held court for the convenience of that and adjoining counties. When George Marlow heard that his brothers were arrested, he rounded up the cattle, and taking his mother, wife and child, and the wives of Charles, “Epp” and Alfred, went directly to Graham. When he endeavored to procure bail for his brothers he himself was imprisoned. It was then that the Spartan nature of Mrs. Marlow, the mother, showed itself. She went out among theYoung county farmers, secured bail for her 2 The spelling is slightly different here than in other references. [44.200.32.31] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 13:27 GMT) 98 ⁄ CHAPTER XIII boys, securing their release one by one. She obtained a cabin on the farm of O. G. Denson, about twelve miles southeast of Graham, and there she and her daughters-in-law were joined by the sons as soon as they were released. The United States marshals knew they had no evidence against the Marlow boys, and so must rely on prejudice. They circulated the report that the Marlows were all bad men. By methods which on their very face bore...