Ingalls, Oklahoma Gunfight With the Doolin Gang
The annals of the American West are replete with tales of daring outlaws, relentless lawmen, and dramatic confrontations. While the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, often dominates popular imagination, another, arguably more intense and deadly shootout occurred in the unassuming town of Ingalls, Oklahoma. This clash, pitting the infamous Doolin-Dalton Gang against a formidable posse of U.S. Deputy Marshals, remains a lesser-known yet significant event in the history of the Wild West.
In the early 1890s, the Doolin-Dalton Gang, a notorious band of outlaws, frequently sought refuge in the small, isolated community of Ingalls, Oklahoma. The town, nestled within the newly opened "Unassigned Lands," proved to be a convenient haven. Its residents, pragmatic and perhaps weary of the long arm of the law, often tolerated the presence of these outlaws. The gang members, in turn, generally behaved themselves while in town, understanding that their safety and anonymity depended on the goodwill of the locals. They were known to spend freely, contributing to the local economy and further solidifying their somewhat uneasy truce with the townspeople.
The sleepy facade of Ingalls, Oklahoma, however, masked a brewing storm. The gang’s activities inevitably drew the attention of law enforcement, particularly the relentless U.S. Marshals determined to bring them to justice.
In August 1893, a significant contingent of the Doolin-Dalton Gang had gathered in Ingalls, Oklahoma. Among them were prominent figures such as the gang’s leader, Bill Doolin, along with Bill Dalton, George "Red Buck" Weightman, George "Bitter Creek" Newcomb, Charlie Pierce, "Arkansas Tom" Jones, "Tulsa Jack" Blake, and the explosive expert, "Dynamite Dick" Clifton. These men had been residing in the town for weeks, enjoying the relative safety and anonymity it offered. They frequented the local hotel and spent much of their time at the Ransom Saloon, a hub of social activity and, in this case, outlaw camaraderie.
The U.S. Marshals, led by the determined Marshal Evett Dumas "E.D." Nix, received intelligence regarding the gang’s whereabouts. Nix, known for his unwavering pursuit of outlaws, swiftly assembled a formidable posse consisting of some 27 deputy marshals and Indian Police. This posse, armed and ready, set out towards Ingalls, Oklahoma, with the intention of capturing the Doolin-Dalton Gang.
The marshals camped along a creek outside of town the night before their planned raid. Unbeknownst to them, their presence was observed by a young boy. The deputies detained the boy overnight, hoping to prevent him from alerting the outlaws. However, the resourceful youth managed to slip away early the next morning and raced into Ingalls, Oklahoma, delivering a dire warning to the gang: "The marshals are coming!"
The boy’s warning provided the outlaws with precious time. They quickly saddled their horses at the livery stable. Surprisingly, instead of fleeing the town immediately, they made a calculated decision to return to their poker game at the saloon. Perhaps they believed they could outgun the marshals, or maybe they underestimated the resolve of the approaching lawmen. Whatever their reasoning, this decision would set the stage for a bloody confrontation.
On the morning of September 1, 1893, the posse stealthily entered Ingalls, Oklahoma. The outlaws, still inside the saloon, were caught unaware. The initial moments of the shootout were chaotic. George "Bitter Creek" Newcomb, upon exiting the saloon and mounting his horse, was immediately targeted by the marshals. However, before the lawmen could effectively neutralize him, "Arkansas Tom" Jones, who was ill and confined to a second-story room at the O.K. Hotel, intervened. From his elevated vantage point, Jones opened fire, mortally wounding U.S. Deputy Marshal Thomas Hueston, who would succumb to his injuries the following day. Newcomb, though wounded, managed to escape the immediate vicinity.
Within seconds, a full-blown gunfight erupted, transforming the once-peaceful town of Ingalls, Oklahoma, into a battleground. The outlaws, realizing the gravity of their situation, fought their way out of the saloon and towards the relative safety of the nearby livery stable.
Red Buck, Bill Dalton, and "Tulsa Jack" Blake emerged from the stable on horseback, guns blazing. Deputy Lafayette Shadley, attempting to target Bill Dalton, inadvertently struck Dalton’s horse, causing it to collapse and throwing Dalton to the ground. Dalton retaliated, hitting Shadley, who would die two days later from his wounds. Amidst the chaos, Bill Doolin himself shot and killed Deputy Marshal Richard Speed. Outlaws "Dynamite Dick" Clifton and Charlie Pierce were also wounded during the initial exchange, but both remained mobile.
Despite the intensity of the gunfight, all the outlaws, with the exception of "Arkansas Tom" Jones, managed to escape. Jones, trapped in his hotel room, faced a dire situation. Deputy Marshal Jim Masterson threatened to use dynamite to force him out. Faced with this imminent threat, Jones surrendered. Though there was talk of lynching him, he was eventually taken into custody and later sentenced to a lengthy term in a federal prison in Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory.
The gunfight in Ingalls, Oklahoma, was not without its collateral damage. An innocent bystander named Young Simmons was killed while seeking shelter inside Vaughn’s Saloon. Another citizen, known only as Old Man Ramson, was wounded in the leg but survived. The saloon bartender, Mr. Murray, an alleged sympathizer of the outlaws who reportedly fired upon the deputies from his doorway, was shot in the ribs and arm. He was subsequently arrested and imprisoned. Upon his release two years later, Murray attempted to sue the government for damages resulting from his injuries. However, his case was unsuccessful, largely due to U.S. Marshal Nix’s testimony defending the actions of his deputy marshals.
In the aftermath of the Ingalls, Oklahoma, gunfight, the outlaws may have won the immediate battle, but they ultimately lost the war. One by one, the members of the Doolin-Dalton Gang who had escaped that day were hunted down and killed, most by U.S. Deputy Marshals.
Today, Ingalls, Oklahoma, is a shadow of its former self. No longer featured on state highway maps, it exists as a near-ghost town. Only a few abandoned buildings, stone foundations, and a stone memorial serve as reminders of the dramatic events that unfolded there. Founded after the land rush of 1889, Ingalls was once a thriving community of approximately 150 people. By 1907, however, the post office had closed, signaling the town’s decline. The site is located approximately nine miles east of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and one mile south at Ingalls Road.
The Ingalls, Oklahoma gunfight remains a testament to the violent clashes that characterized the Wild West.