From our TL&M Genealogy Magazine Archives: Telling Old Tales

History often hides in the stories passed down through generations. These stories reveal the lives, struggles, and characters that shaped communities long before modern records.

One such tale comes from our 2009, Volume 17, #3 issue of the TL&M Genealogy Magazine, where a vivid account of law enforcement and family conflict in early Oklahoma unfolds.

This post begins a continuing series where we will explore history and events documented in our past publications and bring to life the people, family lines, stories, and moments that defined their times.

Excerpt from the article: "Stories told by Old Folks"

by James Eugene Gibson

TL&M Genealogy Magazine, 2009, Volume XVII, #3

FAMILY ARGUMENT

My granddaddy Sam was always deputy sheriff, Justice of the Peace, constable, etc. He liked law enforcement work, and was nervy enough to do it. He was Chief Deputy for Sheriff Sam Caudle at one time.

At times he would work with the Cherokee Lighthorsemen, or Cherokee police over in the Cherokee Nation, before the state of Oklahoma was set up. He knew Andy Akin, and other Lighthorsemen, including Ezekiel Proctor (Zeke). Now Zeke was, I am told, the man who started the Proctor-Beck feud, in which a lot of men were killed or hurt, and a few women.

Sheriff's badge and belt from early Oklahoma law enforcement

Anyhow, one day Sam had been over in the Nation on some kind of business, and returning home late and passing Zeke’s house, decided to stay all night, as it was nearly dark and he didn’t like riding another twenty miles at night. Zeke invited him in and soon they were sitting at the supper table. During the meal, Zeke and his wife got into an argument, and it grew heated. All at once she grabbed a butcher knife and made for Zeke with it. Zeke ran around the table, with his wife in hot pursuit, but she couldn’t catch up with him. Zeke yelled, “Grab her, Sam, grab her.” But Sam didn’t want any of that, and replied, “No sir, Zeke you grab her.” Well Zeke finally did grab her and got things quieted down.

Zeke was counted a dangerous man. My daddy remembered seeing him at the Westville Picnic, and said he always wore two Colt .45’s, and kept a Bowie in the long hair at the back of his neck. He didn’t walk around and visit, but stood with his back against a big elm tree.

"Preserving a Bit of History"

For those tracing family histories, stories like this provide context that goes beyond names and dates. They bring ancestors to life, showing their struggles, relationships, and the world they inhabited. It reminds us that history is not just in official records but also in the memories and tales shared by families and others.

This story, submitted by James Eugene Gibson under "Stories told by Old Folks," is a valuable piece of oral history preserved in our TL&M Genealogy Publication. This article has four other short stories, including another about Zeke Proctor and Ned Christie. And, of course, each issue of the TL&M Genealogy Magazine is filled with valuable stories, local family records, history and genealogy.

TL&M Genealogy Magazine Issues

now available online in our bookstore

All TL&M Genealogy Magazines (Print Version) are available in our online bookstore!

At last count, we have 110 issues of our TL&M Genealogy Magazine available from 1993 to present day!

Recently one of our board members who has read all of our issues stated, "....each issue has brought so much understanding of the past history.....There have been so many valuable answers and “finds” to my many questions for multiple lines of ancestry going back three – four generations." We hope TL&M Genealogy Magazine will become a great resource for those of you interested in preserving history!