The Guthrie Daily Leader

March 5, 1903

Accompanied by Deputies George A. Foster and J. L. McCracken, United States Marshal Fossett left last evening for Lacey, a small town near Hennessey, the scene of Monday night's robbery where with the other marshals in the field, Mr. Fossett hopes to apprehend the robbers and land them in the federal jail. When last seen the three men were near Lacey, in northwestern Kingfisher county and were being closely followed by Deputy Marshal Holt of El Reno and others.

The three robbers held up the station agent at the Rock Island depot at Hennessey early Tuesday morning, securing $750 in cash. They also relieved several passengers awaiting the coming of the northbound train. While the robbery was in progress Justice Craig, a Negro appeared upon the depot platform carrying a lantern. He was promptly ordered to halt, but thinking that a joke was being played upon him continued toward the robbers, was shot down, dying an hour afterwards. The robbers immediately fled and have since eluded the officers. The officials here were notified and accompanied by Policeman Myers and Chief of Police Reynolds went to Mulhall and guarded the roads leading to that town Tuesday night.

United States Marshal Fossett telephoned at noon today from Crescent City that the officers were hot on the trail of the three robbers. The men were last seen at 10 o'clock last evening one mile north of Crescent City riding in a buggy and changing horses every few hours by holding up and demanding horses from the farmers. From the description and tactics of the men it is believed that Ben Cravens is a member and if encountered a fierce battle will ensue. The men are described as being of medium height, all wearing overcoats and slouch hats and carrying Winchester rifles and revolvers. Every cross road is guarded and the capture of the men seems sure.

City Marshal Reynolds and Sheriff Carpenter left today for Mulhall and are guarding the roads leading to that town and officers have been stationed near Guthrie and will stop any suspicious characters that may attempt to pass. After robbing the depot the men started west toward Crescent City, returning to the small town of Lacey in Kingfisher county and then back to Crescent city last evening.

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