100 Oklahoma Outlaws
According to the books 100 Oklahoma Outlaws, Gangsters, and Lawmen: 1839-1939 by Dan Anderson with Laurence J. Yadon and More Oklahoma Renegades by Ken Butler one of the most violent outlaws to step foot in the town of Catoosa, Oklahoma was Robert “Bob” W. Rogers.
Bob Rogers was killed on Friday, March 15, 1895 by a posse that surrounded him at his father’s home in Horseshoe Mound. Rogers had lead a four-year criminal career by stealing horses and cattle, robbing banks and trains, and committing murder.
Although his father, Frank Rogers, tried to talk him into surrender Bob was an outlaw that did not give up. The posse surrounding the Rogers’s home was lead by Deputy U.S. Marshall W.C. McDaniel. In a gunfight that lasted several minutes Bob had managed to shoot and kill McDaniel.
The remaining members of the posse were determined to bring an end to this outlaw and at their next chance they fired several rounds into Bob Rogers. Citizens in the Northeastern area of Oklahoma were relieved that this outlaw was put to rest.
Bob, the eldest son of Frank Rogers, was born on January 13, 1873 according to his tombstone. The earliest known record of his criminal career is from November 10, 1891 when he was arrested and transported to the jail in Fort Smith for assault with intent to kill. A few days later Bob was released on bond.
Bob Rogers was a fan of Bob Dalton and the Dalton gang who were known as big-money train bandits. During the summer of 1892 Rogers established the Rogers gang with members Bob Stiteler, Willis Brown, “Dynamite Jack” Turner, and “Kiowa” Turner.
Their first criminal action was to steal horses in Oklahoma and sell those horses in Arkansas. Deputy U.S. Marshall Hickman “Heck” Bruner along with a posse found and arrested the Rogers gang. The gang members were transported to jail at Fort Smith and charged with theft. But for whatever reason those charges were dismissed and the gang was set free.
They returned home.
Bob Rogers committed the horse thieving possibly as an attempt to emulate the criminal activities of Bob Dalton. Later that year on Tuesday, November 3, 1892 the actions of Bob Rogers would demonstrate that he was no common horse thief but a cold-blooded, murdering psychopath.
Deputy Constable Jess W. Elliott was a seasoned attorney and a dedicated peace officer from Vinita, Oklahoma. The youthful Bob Rogers possibly appeared to be nothing more than a obnoxious hell-raiser in the small ranch town of Catoosa, Oklahoma.
During the afternoon Elliott had fulfilled his responsibilities by delivering legal papers in Catoosa. Before he began his ride back home to Vinita he stopped by the town saloon in Catoosa. Both Elliott and Rogers were there guzzling on hard liquor.
For reasons unknown the two men exchanged words and insults. Elliott possibly never saw it coming when Rogers attacked like a wild man and knocked Elliott down. While down Rogers struck the unconscious Elliott with rapid fire punches. Patrons observing this unmerciful beating pulled the hostile Rogers off the the lawman. Rogers was forced to leave the saloon.
Elliott regained consciousness and some patrons tended to his wounds. Although Elliott’s face was bruised and swollen from the attack he felt recovered and decided to get on his horse and go home.
Rogers held a grudge against Elliott. A short distance out of town Elliott was once again caught off guard by Rogers.
Bob Rogers hid in an area along a path that lead to Vinita. According to More Oklahoma Renegades by Ken Butler,”Rogers jumped from his hiding place…grabbed the horse’s reins and pulled the startled constable from the saddle.” Rogers then pulled a knife and slit Elliott’s throat.
A traveler heading into town spotted Elliott whom was bleeding so severely it was only a matter of moments before he died. Rogers left the scene. The traveler reported the incident in Catoosa. Some townsfolk established a camp near the corpse of Elliott.
The legal authorities had to be informed and the body would not be removed until a U.S. Marshall could assess the crime scene. A dispatch was sent to Deputy U.S. Marshall John Taylor. There appeared to be no other reason for Rogers to return to the scene of the crime.
More Oklahoma Renegades
Bob Rogers killed a lawmen and by daylight Rogers would be wanted–dead or alive.
As folks settled around a campfire Rogers returned. While on horseback Rogers leapt over the fire startling the campers. Frightened by the return of this maniac the campers fled. Rogers dismounted and began to kick
and hit the corpse of Elliott.
Perhaps Rogers was looking for something Elliott had because Rogers spent some time looking through the papers and belongings Elliott had on his person. Rogers finally left.
Marshall Taylor arrived and then took the mutilated body of Elliott to Vinita where Elliott was buried in a cemetery south of the town.
Bob Rogers was a now wanted outlaw was would be described as “ill-tempered, quick-fisted, and mentally demented.” His criminal career would last another three years. Rogers and his gang would terrorize by
robbing and killing in Northeastern Oklahoma and areas of Kansas before his demise on March 15, 1895.
Bob Rogers would never be a glorified outlaw like his hero Bob Dalton.
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