Life of the Marlows: A True Story of Frontier Life of Early Days

by William. Edited with an Introduction and Annotatio Rathmell

Overview

The story of the five Marlow brothers and their tribulations in late nineteenth-century Texas is the stuff of Old West legend (and served to inspire the John Wayne movie, The Sons of Katie Elder). Violent, full of intrigue, with characters of amazing heroism and deplorable cowardice, their story was first related by William Rathmell in Life of the Marlows, a little book published in 1892, shortly after the events it described in Young County, Texas. It told how Boone, the most reckless of the brothers, shot and killed a popular sheriff and escaped, only to be murdered later by bounty hunters. The other four brothers, arrested as accessories and jailed, made a daring break from confinement but were recaptured. Once back in their cells, they were forced to fight off a mob intent on lynching them. Later, shackled together, the Marlows were placed on wagons by officers late at night, bound for another town, but they were ambushed by angry citizens. In the resulting battle two of the brothers were shot and killed, the other two severely wounded, and three mob members died. The surviving brothers eventually were exonerated, but members of the mob that had attacked them were prosecuted in cases that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The original 1892 edition and expanded reprint of 1931 are both quite scarce. Later writers drew upon Rathmell's account when telling the story of the Marlows, but all accounts were slanted sympathetically toward them, given the same bias by Rathmell. Now Robert K. DeArment, a noted historian of outlaws and lawmen of the West, has sifted through the evidence and presents herein an objective, annotated edition of Life of the Marlows , which contains extensive clarifying and corrective footnotes and an index. Now the complete story can be told and readers can judge for themselves: were the Marlows as law-abiding as Rathmell claims? Or was the mob reacting with justified anger?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781574414127
Publisher:	University of North Texas Press
Publication date:	09/15/2004
Series:	A. C. Greene Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	4 MB

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Life of the Marlows

A True Story of Frontier Life of Early Days

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By Robert K. DeArment

University of North Texas Press

Copyright © 2004 Robert K. DeArment
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-57441-412-7

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CHAPTER 1

PIONEER DAYS—AN INDIAN SCARE

In Nashville, Tennessee, in 1822, there lived in happiness and comparative prosperity, a very youthful married couple, the husband being scarce eighteen years of age. This was the handsome and ever good-natured Williamson Marlow Sr. and his child wife.

After the birth of their first child they moved to Missouri, and a few years later, when three little pledges of love had gathered about the family fireside, the grim King of Terrors came in the still hours of the night and robbed that peaceful little home of its dearest treasure—a mother's love and watchful care. A tiny spark of humanity was placed in the young widower's arms, making four little ones for the grief-stricken Williamson to be both father and mother to, and on that memorable day life lost for him its charm. Grief for the loss of a dutiful wife and loving mother knocked at his heart with a knell and he became for a time a wanderer, a brother and sister caring for the children. But time heals all wounds, so after the keen edge of his sorrow had worn away to some extent and it became possible to apply himself to any kind of work he took up the study of human ills and their cures.

About two years later, while on his way across the hills and prairies between Pike county and Jefferson City, on the green banks of a little stream that gurgled noisily on its hurried way towards the great Missouri, he met pretty little Martha and sturdy John Keton, who were preparing fish for their evening repast. It was a handsome picture. The red summer sun sinking to rest in its bed of crimson just beyond the tree tops, the bright foliage bending over the busy little brook, the shrilling of the insects in the grass, and the chirp of the birds among the tall sumac bushes, the honest face of the lad who was helping his sister prepare the supper, and the beautiful little maid herself, all formed an entrancing panorama, pleasing alike to the sight and senses. No wonder, then, that he tarried here to rest, and no wonder, either, that the sweet smile and winning ways of the gentle Martha were the cause of prolonging his stay from hours to days and days to weeks. 'Twas the same old story that is forever new—you know how it always ends. In a short time the once gay Williamson, though now the grave and dignified Dr. Marlow, took pretty Martha Keton for a wife, and hand in hand they started down life's pathway. This second child-wife was a direct descendent of that famous man and honest pioneer, Daniel Boone.

After a number of peaceful and prosperous years had passed, during which two little daughters were sent by a kind providence to brighten their home, the great gold excitement of '49 attracted the Doctor's attention to California, and, like thousands of others, he wended his way to that land where the shining treasure lies hidden within the rugged mountains and fortunes were made and lost in a day. It was during these trying times that Martha showed her sterling worth, and for two years although yet in her teens she filled the place of father and mother to six little children, four of them not her own. The mad rush for the Golden Gate country continued, and many men left their families and spent their last dollar to get there only to return broken financially and in health. Others, more fortunate, came home with bright hopes and well-filled purses, and Dr. Marlow was among the latter, for while scores and hundreds around him failed he succeeded beyond his brightest hopes.

Shortly after Dr. Marlow's return his oldest child, a daughter, was married, and about the same time his first son, James Robert, in his fourteenth year, set out to view the wonders of the Pacific coast. The following spring the family moved to Sherman, Texas, where they resided in a log cabin that stood where now the finest business block of that city is erected. But the memory of old Missouri was bright in the mind of Martha, and accordingly back they went, and two months after again arriving there Williamson Marlow, Jr., was born. Years of domestic tranquility passed, and another daughter and another son arrived to cheer the home, and shortly after the birth of George they again made their way to Texas and back. Then came the birth of Charles, Alfred and Boone and an emigration to the great mountains of Colorado.

It was the balmy season of spring when a train of one hundred wagons set out to cross the plains of Kansas and penetrate the gulches, glens and valleys of Colorado and did space and time permit, a description of the vicissitudes of the journey would be given. Their first Indian scare happened one lovely evening after supper. The wagons had been corraled, the evening meal cooked over the blazing camp fires and devoured with the keen relish of hardy pioneers, and then as first one and then another of the men knocked the ashes out of their pipes and settled themselves comfortably around the cheerful fires, the alarm of Indians was noised through the camp. Instantly everyone was alert for they knew what that meant. The women and children huddled together with fear depicted upon their blanched faces, and every man reached for his gun. Only those who have experienced such a situation can appreciate its horrors. Hist! What is that? Indians, sure, crossing the creek above and below. Another moment and they will be in their midst, and with stern looks and set teeth each man stood ready to die if need be for his wife and little ones that crouched in the wagons, expecting the horrible war whoop every second. The determined look upon their faces boded no good for the unlucky redskin that fell into their hands, One, two, three and not there yet—what did it mean? Were they to be taken by surprise? The seconds ticked into minutes and the minutes into an hour and still that never ceasing splash, splash, in the creek below was continued. Were all the Indians in North America crossing there to-night? Heavens! The strain of this suspense can be borne no longer. Someone must reconnoitre. Who will volunteer? All felt that it meant death to venture outside the corral, yet the danger must be met. One man came forward into the firelight, rifle in hand, and while the night breezes lift the dark hair from the white forehead the clear voice of Dr. Marlow speaks from the height that towers over other men, and says: "My friends, I will make this investigation." At the time a slight boyish form arising by the grave doctor's side announces an intention of going, too. It was young Williamson, and as his father nodded his assent the two turned and disappeared in the darkness among the trees that fringe the banks of the little stream.

All held their breath in the silence of dread, while the brave doctor and his son moved cautiously toward the sound in the waters of the creek. After crawling along stealthily for a few hundred yards they arose to a standing position where they commanded a view of the water below. A smile flitted across the doctor's face, and a merry ripple of laughter came from Willie, for there in plain sight was the cause of all their anxiety. The supposed Indians proved to be a band of beavers, very busily engaged in erecting their mansions.

After enjoying the sight for a few minutes they made their way back to camp, and among the men, who stood in amazement to see them return with whole scalps. Willie crept slyly under his blanket to keep from being questioned, while the doctor proceeded very unconcernedly to fill and light his pipe. Then he told them the cause of all the scare, a big laugh went up as they all stacked their arms and once more gathered around the camp fire. The darkness deepened, the fires flickered low, and silence settled down over the camp once more as each one prepared for rest and sleep, silently breathing a prayer of thankfulness that the bloodthirsty Indians had turned out to be nothing more formidable than a band of busy little beavers.

CHAPTER 2

ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTHWEST—A LOVE AFFAIR

The Marlow family located near Denver in 1865, and at that place the two oldest daughters of Martha, Nannie and Charlotte, were married to two worthy brothers, John and William Murphy. The girls were young to leave a mother's care, being about 13 and 17, but love triumphed over reason, as usual, and the weddings took place on the same day, amid the ringing of bells, feasting, and much enjoyment.

Next year found Dr. Marlow and his family again back in Missouri, the spirit of travel and a disposition to see the world preventing him from being contented more than a year or two in one place, and near Carthage, on the 14th of October, the youngest of the five brothers, who have in late years become so famous for dangers overcome and adventures encountered, was born.

About this time, P. M. Marlow and Bithel came in from Texas to visit their father for the first time in a number of years. They had been separated during the war, as the former was in the Confederate service, and while conveying important documents from one post to another was taken prisoner and confined in a Northern prison. Both were married, the former to a daughter of J. W. Whiteaker [sic], a wealthy planter of Austin, Texas, and the latter to a Miss Howe, of Booneville, Missouri. When the elder son returned to his far away Texas home, Williamson, Jr., accompanied him, and shortly after Dr. Marlow himself journeyed thither to visit and see the country. Father and son then purchased a large herd of cattle and drove them to a northern market and after selling off the stock and getting a supply of mules, wagons and provisions the entire family returned to the Lone Star State. A few years later both P. M. and Bithel died and were laid to rest near their Texas homes. These two, as was James, were the sons of Dr. Marlow's first wife.

Not long after this Eliza, the fourth and only single daughter, was married to a Gainesville gentleman named Gilmore, and the doctor, with the balance of the family, removed to the Indian Territory where he settled down to the practice of his profession.

This section of the country was wild and lawless in those days, and dangers beset the few inhabitants on every hand. Wild and hostile bands of Indians made life full of constant terror, outlaws and gangs of desperate men roamed the country at will, and dark deeds that will never be told were daily and hourly committed. Disputes were more often settled with the ever-ready six-shooter than by process of law, and crime and wrongdoing ran riot through the land.

One morning in the next July, while four of the Marlows and two Poe boys, neighbors, were plowing corn, a clear ringing pistol shot was heard close by, followed by five more in quick succession, and while the smaller boys climbed upon the horses and plowbeams in an endeavor to look out over the towering corn, the older ones hastened toward the spot where the tiny puffs of smoke slowly ascended on the summer air. What was it? Only a misunderstanding between a couple of men over a trivial matter, and one lies weltering in his blood upon the ground, pierced by five leaden bullets, while the other strolled unconcernedly away. The wounded man, one Jack Stimer, was hastily conveyed to the residence of Dr. Marlow, where by careful nursing and the doctor's remarkable skill as a surgeon, he finally recovered after months of lingering suffering. No arrests were ever made and no questions asked. Such were the customs of the day, and such scenes were nothing unusual or to be wondered at.

From hunting and trapping so continually these boys at a very early age found themselves possessed of quite an amount of money, and the question arose as to what they had better do with it. Their worldly possessions, like their joys and sorrows, were shared jointly, and so whatever was the fortune or misfortune of one was likewise that of six. They finally decided to invest in horses and cattle, take them out of the Chickasaw Nation and pasture near the Comanche reservation where there were no settlers and where there was always a ready market for trail cattle at the Indian agency.

There were a great many hostile Indians at this time and the white man who braved the dangers of settlement among them did so at the daily and hourly peril of his life. Often were these boys forced to flee for their lives or make a desperate fight to save their scalps from the clutches of the red devils, and many is the hairbreadth escape and thrilling danger they experienced. A peculiar characteristic was noticed in Charley, which this wild life brought out and which gained for him the nickname of "The Fawn." Whenever the cry of Indians was given he would always run in exactly the direction he happened to be turned at the time, and very often fleeing in the opposite direction from camp. One morning while he and a small party of cowboys were out with their cattle, a band of about fifty hostiles dashed in among them, uttering the most unearthly yells and war whoops, brandishing guns and tomahawks and stampeding the cattle in all directions. A lively skirmish ensued and a brisk rattle of firearms was heard from the fearless little group of herders, who slowly retreated toward camp and kept a shower of lead from their Winchesters pouring into the painted and yelling devils who were circling around them and scattering the cattle away over the prairies. All succeeded in reaching the camp safely with the exception of a few flesh wounds which were minded very little, but upon roll call Charley was nowhere to be seen. Search was immediately instituted and the brush over the prairies and along the draws carefully examined, no one doubting but what his mangled body would be found, stripped of its clothes, arms and scalp. But not a trace of him was seen, and after two days of search they concluded that he must have been taken away by the Indians into captivity. On the evening of the second day, while all were mourning him as lost, perhaps forever, in walked Charley, weary, footsore and hungry. When the Indians dashed in among them he had run, as usual, in the direction he happened to be facing, and that being directly opposite to where he ought to have fled, he lost himself on the open prairie in consequence and wandered around for two days and a night before finding his way back to the camp. The Indians kept on their mad ride across the country, leaving death, destruction, ruin and disaster in the wake. The families of over twenty settlers were murdered and mutilated by them on that same raid, the houses burned to the ground, the stock run off and the women carried into captivity to meet a fate far worse than death.

After a year of this dangerous existence they moved nearer to civilization and settled at Blue Grove, having at that time four hundred cattle and fifty head of horses. While here a serious misfortune overtook them, entailing much loss. Many will remember the disastrous fires which swept the country between Kansas and Texas in '75—it was a sight and an experience of a life time. For the Marlows this great conflagration destroyed sixty head of cattle and hundreds of tons of hay and bushels of corn, and in fact swept away the bulk of all they had on earth save the house they lived in, which was only saved from the flames by the most tireless efforts in fighting fire for several days.

A fire in a prairie country is an awful spectacle. For days before that raging sea of flames reached their humble log cabin it could be seen far away on the horizon like a wave of crimson fire upon the sky. Traveling with the velocity of the wind, it came rolling and sweeping on like a roaring avalanche of hell; a seething, scorching, devastating and death-dealing scourge that left naught in its blackened track but ruin and wreck. On and on it came, snarling, crackling and roaring through the forest of tall blue joint grass that covered the prairies and grew rank through the draws and valleys, throwing angry sparks and dense volumes of smoke upwards to the very heavens, and passing over and around the little unprotected cabin, nearly suffocating and roasting the inhabitants and left it a charred and blackened smouldering in its own ashes and embers.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Life of the Marlows by Robert K. DeArment. Copyright © 2004 Robert K. DeArment. Excerpted by permission of University of North Texas Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Dramatis Personae,
List of Illustrations,
Editor's Introduction,
Chapter I Pioneer Days—An Indian Scare,
Chapter II Adventures in the Southwest—A Love Affair,
Chapter III Scenes and Adventures in Mexico,
Chapter IV An Indian Chase—Marriage and Death,
Chapter V Boone Kills a Man—Terrible Battle With Wolves,
Chapter VI A Dark and Diabolic Plot,
Chapter VII The Plot Deepens—The Marlows in Chains,
Chapter VIII War Clouds—Boone Gathers Another Victim,
Chapter IX Reward for Boone, Dead or Alive—His Escape,
Chapter X Escape From Prison—Recaptured,
Chapter XI Lynch Law—At the Mercy of the Mob,
Chapter XII Removal and Final Attack—Battle of Dry Creek,
Chapter XIII The Story in a New York Paper, in June 1891,
Chapter XIV The Home Besieged—One Hundred to One,
Chapter XV Prisoners Again—Boone Murdered,
Chapter XVI Arrest and Trial of the Conspirators,
Chapter XVII The Result—Extracts and Opinions,
Chapter XVIII Retrospective—The Marlows' Lives, Their Happiness and Grief, Past and Present,
Chapter XIX Old Wounds Reopened—The Colorado Home Invaded,
Bibliography,
Index,