Horrid Murder in the Choctaw Nation.
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The following authentic letter which has been
politely furnished US by Capt. Armstrong the U.
5. Agent for the Choctaws will give the par,icu.
lars OF most cold booded murder, perpetrated
for the gain of $50 or 500. Although this hor
rid deed was committed in the Choctaw Nation.
its citizens, would indeed, feel themselves sunk in
to the lowest depth of nfamy, were one of their
community the perpetrator of this horrid crime.


1t is said that BURGESS passed through our town
since the bloody deed was committed on his wav
to Missouri. He was we'll armed with pistols and
bowie-knive, and mounted. His expression was
exceedingly fierce. dark, and sinister We hone
the Missouri papers will give this article an ex.
tensve circulation, which may contribute to the
apprehension of the fiend.


CHocrAw AGENCY, June 24th 1914.


Dear Sir "A terrible murder was committed
few days since upon the summit of the dividing
ridge, between Arkansas and Red Rivers, on the
military road leading from Fort Smith to Fort
lowson. lhe circumstances of the outrage are
as follows: 1t appears that family was return.
ing from Texas to Arkansas or Missouri. and with
them two persons named Goddard and Burgess -
l. 10 ia''er had morse, and when they reached
kl-a-ml-chi, a stream about twenty miles from the
dividing ridge. towards Red River; he persuaded
Goddard to leave the wagon, as they could travel
at faster rate by riding and walking alternately,
and they accordingly left the wagon, which pro.
ceeded on and overlook a second wagon, and en-.
curry was made if two such persons had passed.
when they were told that in the night, whllo the
second wagon was encamped at the foot of the
ridge on the Arkansas side they heard the report
OF pistol or gun. and towards morning horse
man came up and took breakfast and passed on.
Owing to the peculiar circumstances, The pa ties
went back to the summit and found that some
person had encamped there, and also found
some articles of dress which were identified and
bloody. Upon further search, plain trail was
found where some body had been dragged the
rocks were occasionally spattered with blood. and
al distance OF some two hundred yards from the
road fire was discovered and the charred remains
OF human body ; the head, arms, legs, &C., were
burnt to ashes, the vertebra remaining entire
leaving no doubt but Goddard had been murdered
and the body burnt. He was known to bave some
eighty or hundred dollars, partly in Missouri
money while Burgess, it is said, was nearly des.
titute. The family where Burgess took breakfas,
state that he made enquiry about the value of Mis-
souri, money. stating that he had been at work in
Texas for man named Burgess, and had received
some Missouri money in pay. Burgess is we'll
known by the engrants pursuit was immediate:
" h'aoe' and no doubt he is apprehended.


Yours truly.


10 CAPT. VIM. ARMSTRONG,


Acting Sup't Ind. Aft.


Western Territory.