Word reached Shawnee today of a terrific battle being waged in the southern part of Lincoln County between the sheriff and posse assisted by the Anti-Horse Thief association on one side and the Sanders Brothers’ gang of outlaws. Some weeks ago, Arthur Sanders murdered his brother-in-law J. B. Howard. He was held in jail without bond, awaiting the action of the grand jury, and a few nights ago, with several others, was liberated from the county jail at Chandler.

The supposition was that the jail break was planned and consummated by a brother of Arthur Sanders, one Sam Sanders, a desperate character, and at this time wanted for horse stealing and other crimes. Information are reached the sheriff’s office that the Sander’s brothers were seen at the Howard Homestead near Meeker, and a posse was at once a dispatched an in conjunction, surrounded the house in which it was supposed that they were concealed. After all night and the next day’s continuous fighting, the sheriff and deputies returned to Chandler and armed themselves with Krag-Jorgson rifles belonging to the local company militia. Returning to the scene of trouble they found the guard left had exhausted all ammunition and the house in flames, having been set on fire by the Sander’s brothers, who by doing so have escaped into the timber which is very dense.

The fight was given up until this morning with guns drawn the entire posse started out on their trail and they are at this hour surrounded in the hills southeast of Meeker. It is the intention of the outlaws to reach the Creek nation line, which is not far distant, and hide themselves in the country, which is sparsely settled in this manner escaped, capture. It is hardly probable that they will be able to do this, however, as they are completely surrounded with well armed and determined officers and the chances are that they will never escape but will be captured or killed as they sell their lines before surrendering. Several hundred shots so far have been exchanged but at long range and no fatalities reported.

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