Rufus Buck Gang – Robbers in Indian Territory
The late 19th century in the American West was a period etched with tales of both progress and lawlessness. Within the vast expanse of Indian Territory, a region fraught with jurisdictional complexities and social tensions, emerged a group of outlaws whose brief but brutal spree left an indelible mark on the annals of crime. This was the Rufus Buck Gang, a band of young Creek Indians who sought notoriety and infamy through robbery, violence, and murder.
The gang’s core consisted of five individuals: Rufus Buck, the charismatic and ambitious leader; Sam Sampson, a loyal accomplice; Maoma July, another key member; and the brothers Lewis and Lucky Davis, bound by blood and a shared thirst for transgression. These men, all young and hardened by their circumstances, had previous brushes with the law, having served time in the Fort Smith, Arkansas jail for minor offenses. This shared experience within the confines of the Fort Smith jail likely forged a bond between them, a sense of camaraderie born from shared hardship and resentment. It was here, perhaps, that the seeds of their future criminal enterprise were sown.
Driven by a desire for recognition, Rufus Buck, the gang’s namesake, reportedly harbored ambitions of surpassing the notoriety of other outlaw gangs operating in the territory. He envisioned his group achieving a level of infamy that would overshadow all others, solidifying their place in the legends of the Wild West. Whether this was bravado or genuine intent, his vision set the stage for their descent into a world of violence and crime.
The Rufus Buck Gang’s reign of terror commenced on July 30, 1895, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. After amassing a small arsenal of weapons, they initiated their crime wave with the robbery of a local grocery store. This seemingly minor act of theft quickly escalated into something far more sinister. When U.S. Deputy Marshal Garrett, one of the few African American lawmen serving in Indian Territory, responded to the call, the gang ambushed and murdered him. This act of violence marked a turning point, solidifying their reputation as ruthless killers and escalating their conflict with law enforcement.
The brutality of the Rufus Buck Gang extended beyond robbery and murder. In the wake of Marshal Garrett’s killing, they abducted and sexually assaulted a woman named Mrs. Wilson. This heinous act underscored the depravity of their actions and further fueled the public’s outrage. The gang’s crimes were not confined to specific targets; they preyed indiscriminately on both white and Indian settlers, holding up stores and ranches throughout Indian Territory.
The gang’s methods were often characterized by callousness and cruelty. In one particularly disturbing incident, after robbing an elderly salesman named Callahan, they offered him a chance to escape, but only if he could outrun them. When the old man miraculously succeeded, the frustrated gang members turned their rage on his assistant, brutally killing him. Later, they murdered a man named Gus Chambers when he resisted their attempt to steal horses. The gang even robbed a stockman, stealing his clothing and boots, and then opened fire on him as he fled naked, exposing their disregard for human life and their willingness to inflict maximum suffering. Adding to their litany of crimes, the gang subjected Rosetta Hansen to a brutal gang rape while holding her husband at gunpoint, underscoring the heinous nature of their crimes.
The Rufus Buck Gang’s reign of terror, though relatively short-lived, instilled fear and chaos throughout Indian Territory. Their actions prompted a concerted effort by law enforcement to bring them to justice. The pursuit involved a combined force of U.S. Deputy Marshals and Creek Lighthorse police, led by Marshal S. Morton Rutherford. On August 10, 1895, the lawmen finally cornered the gang outside Muskogee, Oklahoma.
The ensuing confrontation was a fierce and protracted gunfight that lasted nearly a full day. The Rufus Buck Gang, despite their youth, were seasoned criminals, adept at using firearms and determined to resist capture. However, the superior numbers and persistence of the lawmen eventually wore them down, and the gang members were forced to surrender. The capture of the Rufus Buck Gang was met with a mixture of relief and outrage. The severity of their crimes had ignited a desire for swift justice, and there was a palpable risk of lynching.
Although the Creek Nation initially sought to try the gang members themselves, the U.S. Marshals ultimately prevailed, and the outlaws were taken to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to face the formidable "Hanging" Judge Isaac Parker. Parker, known for his strict adherence to the law and his willingness to impose the death penalty, was a figure of both respect and fear in the region. His courtroom was the final destination for many outlaws who dared to cross the line in the turbulent West.
The trial of the Rufus Buck Gang took place later that year, and the evidence presented against them was overwhelming. They were convicted of rape and murder and sentenced to death by Judge Parker. However, the initial verdict was appealed, leading to a delay in their execution. This appeal process reflected the legal complexities of the time, as well as the efforts of defense attorneys to explore every possible avenue to save their clients from the gallows.
Ultimately, the appeal failed, and Judge Parker was allowed to re-sentence them to death. The execution of the five members of the Rufus Buck Gang took place on July 1, 1896, marking the second to last execution to occur at Fort Smith. Notably, the Buck Gang holds the grim distinction of being the only men to be executed on the gallows in Fort Smith for the crime of rape.
The story of the Rufus Buck Gang serves as a stark reminder of the violence and lawlessness that plagued the American West during the late 19th century. Their brief but brutal crime spree left a trail of death and destruction, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining order in a vast and often ungovernable territory. The gang’s capture, trial, and execution brought a sense of closure to the communities they had terrorized, but their story continues to resonate as a cautionary tale of ambition, violence, and the consequences of choosing a life of crime. The legacy of the Rufus Buck Gang remains intertwined with the history of the American West, forever etched in the annals of outlaw lore.