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Though working for Judge Isaac C. Parker, Bill Colbert worked mostly in Atoka, in the Choctaw Nation. He was primarily known to be quick to use his gun, and the Muskogee Phoenix did report two separate incidents where Colbert killed suspects who re- sisted being arrested by Colbert. Of African Choctaw ancestry, Colbert worked mostly in the Choctaw nation where he had knowledge of the land, language, and customs of the nation. His years of service were during the Parker years, though it is not certain when or where he later retired.
Read moreOften referred to as Neely Factor, this was a man of distinction in the Choctaw Nation. Factor was born in the Choctaw Na- tion, and was the son of Collin Factor and Mahala Factor. He was the husband of Eva Wade and they had many children who lived in the vicinity of Krebs, Indian Territory, in the Choctaw Nation. During his career as a lawman, Neely Factory made many of his captures with Zeke Miller and Robert Fortune. Although they did not work as a “trio” often when a posse was formed, deputies would work together to capture a suspect. Many times, his captives were taken to McAlester where they were held until removal of the prisoners to Ft. Smith. Factory was said to have been one of the earlier peace officers that served in the Territory. Historian Art Burton notes that Factory often worked in posses, but that he also was known to stake out an outlaw for several days at a time, to capture a suspect. Neely Factor was assigned to work in the town of Carbon, I. T., but at the time he applied for citizenship as a Choctaw Freedman, he and his family resided in Krebs. There was some concern by the Dawes Commission over the surname of the family, but it was emphasized by the family that the name was Factory and the family was recorded in the Choctaw records as Factory. Neely Factor’s service as an early lawman of Indian Territory is noted and his distinguished record was one of capturing his man.
Read moreThis was one of the few black marshals who would later lose his life in this effort to bring order to Indian Territo- ry. His career dates are not known, though it was believed to be short.
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The son of a Black Chickasaw, and Black Creek, mother, Johnson was known to be a quiet reserved man who served as a Federal Marshall out of Ft. Smith for at least 14 years. He began working for Judge Parker about 1887, and received his last commission from Parker in 1896, the year of Parker’s death. Being a Black Indian, he knew the customs and language of the Muskogee Creek nation and was effective in Indian Territory. He often would go on assignments with Bass Reeves. His record included the capture of Abner Brasfield, a white outlaw who was notorious in Indian Territory. The book, “Black Red, & Deadly” by Art T. Burton describes the capture of Brasfield by Johnson and Reeves in full detail. Many of the captures made by Johnson occurred in and around Eufaula, in the Choctaw Nation. Parker considered Johnson one of his most effective deputies. Besides Brasfield, Johnson is known for having captured Jake Stanley, the noted counterfeiter Amos Hill, Choctaw outlaw Chahenegee, the murderers John Pierce, Bill Davis, Cherokee outlaw, Columbus Rose. Other characters such as train robber Wade Chamberlee and bootlegger Elijah Congar were among his captives.
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Always a perfect example of grace, patience and unconditional love, Sue Gordon was a loving wife and Mother. She had a positive outlook on life and encouraged others. She was passionate about teaching, and many of her colleagues became lifelong friends. Faith was the foundation and spiritual core of her family, and as the matriarch of the family, it was very important to her. Sue loved life and had a heart of gold.
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Hudalia Adkerson Moore was born January 10, 1937 to the late John Adkerson and Alberta (Brown) Adkerson; she attended Lincoln High School in Holdenville, Oklahoma. Throughout her life Mrs. Moore was a hard working women and mother who loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally.
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Nellie Mae (Deere) Butler was born to Thomas Deere Harjo and Lantha Thomas on October 2, 1943 in Wetumka, Oklahoma. She passed from this life in Tulsa on July 25, 2020 at the age of 76.
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