Northern Oklahoma Outlaws
During the 1920-1940's
Several outlaws passed through Pawnee, Ok. (Indian territory) back in
the 1880's however, they usually kept going.
Pawnee didn't attract outlaws until the turn of the century when it
became an R&R stop for third rate robbers.
The Kines Gang and the Branon Boys were frequent "tourists"
here. Red Branon was well known and liked by many who lived here.
He was the crippled "get-away wheelman" and he lived with the Canadays
when he was in this part of the state.
They (the Canadays) were Indians who lived about two blocks North- East
of where I live.
Red Branon was "picked up" from there by a glory seeking deputy sheriff
and put in jail.Later someone let him out and he was gone.
One of the Kines boys was slain in a running gunfight in Enid, Oklahoma
by John Sanchez.
Kines had stopped at a saloon (just a block east of the Main
Street Square) for some cold beer and sandwiches before heading west.
He was recognized and a running gunfight began which ended with him
dead in an alley south of Broadway Tower.
Poor soul never should have stopped for that fatal glass of suds.So it
goes with the plans of mice and men.
Bill Doolin was never really an outlaw until he rode to
Coffeyville, Kansas with the Dalton gang.
They sold him on the idea there was "easy pickins" there.
Upon arriving Bill Doolin saw it was a "dead end deal" so he hid in the
stables with the horses while the Daltons tried to rob both banks.
He was found later, jailed then sent back to Oklahoma.
Riding to Coffeyville with the Daltons branded him an outlaw forever.
In those days it was easy to get into
the outlaw category.
After the civil war was over there were many disconnected people
wandering around and no one had the time or inclination to help them.
Note:
The above is an account given to this writer by Richard Joe Zajic in
December 2003 and is based on his memory of stories told to him by
various "old timers" in the Pawnee and surrounding areas.
ALW