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Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Date: June 14, 1937
Name: H. H. Lindsey
Residence: Wetumka, Oklahoma
Date of Birth: 1861
Place of Birth: Louisiana
Father:
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Field worker: Nettie Cain  

H. H. Lindsey (white) of Wetumka was born in Louisiana in 1861. He came to the Indian Territory in 1879, and settled on the Red River at a small place called Leon. he farmed until 1890, and then was appointed deputy United States Marshal. He worked under Chief J. J. Dickerson, J. S. Williams, and J. J. McAlester at McAlester, Indian Territory. He also served [with] Thomas Henry Leeman, Bill Tilghman, Bill Carr, John Swain, and Matt Cook.

He started Buck Garrett on the right road. Buck had gotten in with the bad boys, so he found him, bought him some new clothes, brought him to the Indian Territory, and would give him extra work until he finally got a steady job. He later served twelve years as Sheriff of Carter County.

When transporting prisoners in the early days at night they would drive a stake in the ground and chain them to it. One officer would stay on guard while the rest would sleep.

Gus Bobbit, a United States Marshal, was killed in 1905 near his home, about six miles from Ada. That night a  mob attacked the jailer knocking him unconscious, taking his key and four prisoners. The prisoners were Jim Miller, Jessie West, Joe Allen, and Berry Bure. They were hung in a barn. However, Mr. Lindsey did not take part in this; he was not in Ada at this time.

He always found the Indians were law abiding citizens. The marshal had to deal with bank robbers and horse thieves.

Transcribed for OKGenWeb by Gay Wall <t31892@enaila.nidlink.com> January 1999.