Cherokee, Okla.-Kiowa News, Barber county, Kansas. The exhumed remains of a young horse wrangler name, Johnnie Potts, killed 56 years ago in a gun duel with his best friend, will be interred in MWA cemetery near Cherokee Sunday, May 26, during a ceremony which begins at 2:30 p.m.
The Cherokee Strip Cowpunchers association will have a leading part in the service, and all old-time cowboys of this area are invited to attend. Sam P. Ridings, Medford attorney, former cowpuncher and author of the book, "The Chisholm Trail," will be one of the speakers.
Each cowboy is to bring a rock to be placed on the grave.
Several old-timers remain who recall the incident of Potts' death. The latter, an employee of the old T5 ranch, which was located near the present site of Carmen, Oklahoma, fell mortally wounded in a gun fight with Ben Franklin, range boss of the outfit.
Their argument started the evening before during a card game. Both had been drinking and Potts-loser of $30-accused Franklin of stealing the money.
W. B. (Barney) McAdoo, 79-year-old farmer now living on the T5 site, and a hand on the ranch at that time, recalls that the trouble continued the following morning. Potts went for his gun, which Franklin-no wishing to kill his friend-attempted to shoot out of his hand.
The bullet struck, Potts' wrist, causing the gun to all to the ground. Reaching down with his left hand then, Potts grabbed the weapon and fired, knocking away part of Franklin's eyebrow and skinning his face. Ben then shot again, plugging Johnnie through the chest.
The young cowboy died that night, and next morning was wrapped in a blanket and buried about a quarter-mile south of the ranch house.
Franklin rode away that evening, never to return. At the opening of the Cherokee strip, however, he took a claim near Woodward where he died a few years later.
Recently, under the direction of L. R. Smith, Cherokee druggist and historian, and with permission of the proper authorities, the remains of Johnnie Potts were removed from their former grave, now in an alfalfa field.
Through the initiative of Smith and R. P. Finner, Cherokee, one of the old-time cowpunchers, big plans are being made for the May 26th ceremony. Cowboy songs will be sung. The body will be interred in a lot deeded to the Alfalfa County Historical Society by the cemetery association. A Cherokee funeral home is donating a casket, and a firm at Enid will supply the monument.
The copyright (s) on this page must appear on all
copied and/or printed material.