Rogers Brothers Gang of Oklahoma – Legends of America
In the annals of the Wild West, where tales of daring outlaws and relentless lawmen intertwine, the Rogers Brothers Gang emerges as a formidable force that once cast a shadow over the landscapes of Oklahoma and Kansas. Led by the charismatic yet ruthless Bob Rogers, this band of brothers and their associates left an indelible mark on the region through their audacious exploits, ranging from horse theft and cattle rustling to robbing stores, post offices, banks, and trains.
A Cherokee Heritage and Early Life
The story of the Rogers Brothers Gang begins with their shared heritage and upbringing. Bob, Sam, and Jim Rogers, each bearing a quarter of Cherokee blood, embarked on a journey with their father, Frank Rogers, from the verdant landscapes of Arkansas to the untamed expanse of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma during their formative years. The family settled along the banks of Big Creek, nestled near the iconic Horseshoe Mound, a location approximately 20 miles south of Coffeyville, Kansas.
Bob, the eldest of Frank’s sons, entered the world around 1873, followed by Sam around 1875, and Jim around 1877. As Bob matured, he ventured into the world of cowboying, securing employment at a ranch near Nowata. However, his path took an unexpected turn when he was arrested on November 10, 1891, on charges of assault with intent to kill. The arrest led to his transfer to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he faced the wheels of justice. Yet, his detention proved short-lived as he was released on bond within a few days, allowing him to return to Oklahoma.
The Genesis of the Rogers Gang
Legend has it that Bob Rogers, deeply inspired by the notorious Dalton Gang, harbored aspirations of creating his own band of outlaws. With a vision in mind, he began assembling his crew, initially consisting of Bob Stiteler, Willis Brown, the explosive "Dynamite Jack" Turner, and Turner’s brother, "Kiowa" Turner.
In the summer of 1892, suspicions arose regarding the gang’s involvement in horse theft within the Cherokee Nation, with allegations suggesting they were selling the stolen horses in Arkansas. Acting on these suspicions, U.S. Deputy Marshal Hickman "Heck" Bruner and his posse apprehended all five men and escorted them to Fort Smith to face Judge Isaac Parker.
Judge Parker, renowned for his stern reputation, initially sentenced Rogers to a federal reformatory. However, acknowledging Rogers’ young age of 19, Parker granted him a pardon, offering him a chance at redemption.
A Descent into Darkness
Tragedy struck on November 3, 1892, when Bob Rogers engaged in a heated argument with Cherokee Indian Police Deputy Jess W. Elliott at a pool hall in Catoosa, Oklahoma. Fuelled by alcohol, the dispute escalated into a violent confrontation, with Rogers overpowering Elliott and inflicting a severe beating.
As Elliott regained his composure, he mounted his horse and attempted to leave town. However, Rogers lay in wait by the roadside, ambushing the officer and dragging him from his horse. In a fit of rage, Rogers slit Elliott’s throat, leaving him lifeless by the roadside.
The gruesome discovery of Elliott’s body prompted a swift response from law enforcement. A group of individuals found the body and immediately sought the authorities. As they waited, Rogers returned to the scene, further desecrating the lifeless body with kicks and stomps before rummaging through Elliott’s clothes and fleeing once more.
The following day, lawmen tracked Rogers to Sapulpa, where they learned he had fled westward. The incident marked a turning point in Rogers’ life, solidifying his reputation as a dangerous outlaw.
A Series of Audacious Crimes
Following the tragic events in Catoosa, Bob Rogers maintained a low profile until June 30, 1893, when the Rogers Gang, now including Bob’s younger brothers, Jim and Sam, and an associate named Ralph Halleck, resurfaced with a daring raid on the Frisco railway at Chelsea, Oklahoma. The gang forced the agent to open the safe, making off with $418.
A few days later, the gang targeted the railroad depot at Bluejacket, Oklahoma, repeating their act of robbing the station safe. Emboldened by their success, Bob led the gang into southern Kansas, where they robbed the Mound Valley Bank at Labette on July 13, 1893, escaping with $800.
These audacious crimes drew the attention of Judge Isaac Parker, who assigned U.S. Deputy Marshal Heck Bruner to track the outlaws down. On July 29, 1893, Bruner and his posse caught up with Sam Rogers and Ralph Hedrick at a farm a few miles west of Vinita. When the men resisted arrest, gunfire erupted, Hedrick was killed, and Sam Rogers was shot in the hip. Sam afterward lived with his father as a helpless cripple.
Escalating Violence and Train Robberies
The Rogers Gang struck next on December 22, 1893, when they attempted to rob a Missouri, Kansas & Texas train near Kelso, Oklahoma. The outlaws were unsuccessful when the engineer sped the train through the siding, but a member of the crew took a bullet. Then, on December 24, they struck again, robbing the Arkansas Valley passenger train at Seminole, Oklahoma, and robbing the express car and the passengers.
On January 8, 1894, U.S. Deputy Marshal W.C. Smith surprised Bob Rogers and Bob Stiteler at the home of Henry Daniels, Rogers’ brother-in-law. Stiteler was captured and taken to Fort Smith. Later, it was revealed that Rogers had turned him in for the reward money.
On January 24, U.S. Deputy Marshal Heck Bruner and a posse tracked the gang down to their hideout on Big Creek a few miles west of Centralia. In the ensuing gunfight, Kiowa Turner was killed, his brother Dynamite Jack was captured, and Willis Brown was wounded so badly that he died severely, being transported to Fort Smith.
The Final Showdown
The Rogers Gang’s reign of terror reached its climax in the early morning of March 17, 1894. U.S. Deputy Marshal Jim Mays, accompanied by a large posse comprised of members of the Anti-Horse Thief Association, descended upon Bob Rogers’ father’s house near Horseshoe Mound.
A fierce gunfight erupted, with hundreds of rounds exchanged. After posse member W.D. McDaniel was fatally wounded, Bob agreed to surrender, but when he stepped on the front porch, he raised his rifle and died in a hail of bullets.
The last and youngest of the gang to be captured was Jim Rogers. The 22-year-old was apprehended by the Anti-Horse Thief Association members in May 1901 and sent to federal prison.
The Rogers Brothers Gang, though relatively short-lived, left an enduring legacy as one of the most notorious outlaw groups in Oklahoma history. Their audacious crimes and violent encounters with law enforcement cemented their place in the annals of the Wild West.
