[M234, roll 234, letter R.203]

Creek Agency, Ind. Ter. July 21st 1873

Sir,

I beg to report the particulars of an unfortunate and bloody affair which has just occurred in this Nation whereby six Indians have lost their lives, the detail of which I have only know succeeded in getting. 

Tim Barnett, a prominent and wealthy Creek Citizen, (whom you doubtless know, he, having been to Washington on several Creek delegations) had, it seems, two or three wives, between one of whom, and an Indian by the name of Josiah Gray, there had been some intimacy, which resulted in a quarrel between him and Tim.

Some time afterward Tim learned that Gray had threatened to kill him, or was trying to kill him, and he, taking with him a few friends lay in wait for Gray, and as he came to work in his field, shot him down, and then fled. A few nights afterward Tim, learning the Gray was not dead but only dangerously wounded, took with him Tuckabatchee Yoholo (Big Ben) (a Baptist preacher) and two or three of his friends and returned to finish him - which he did, wounding at the same time Jim Gray a brother of Josiah and getting one of his own men killed (a nephew of Big Ben).

Barnett immediately went to his own house and surrounded himself with friends, refused to be arrested.

The Light Horse from the three District, gathered, with many of the friends and connections of Josiah & Jim Gray, numbering at least one hundred, and after counseling two or three days, on the night of the 13th of July, moved over to Tim's house, and about day light charged it. Some men who were outside the house fled, and one Bruner Jim Boy - a son of Col. Jim Boy who served the U.S. in the Florida war of 1837 - was killed. Big Ben surrendered without offering resistance and was immediately shot & killed. Col. Barnett surrendered upon the promise that he would not be killed, but would be allowed a fair trial - was tied, placed upon a horse, and started for the judge of the district - in charge of the Light Horse - taken about three hundred yard from his house and then shot and killed, no less than thirty shots were poured into him from behind. One of the Light Horse is said to have fired the first shot.

I have learned of no effort being made by the authorities to investigate this murder, or to arrest any of the parties concerned in it.

The secret organization of the Nation (similar to the "pin society" of the Cherokees) seem to have determined upon the death of Col. Barnett, and the half breeds who compose the officers of the Nation are afraid to say or do anything.

They will not even talk openly upon the subject, but speak low and cautious and will give no decided opinion upon if, for fear of their remarks being reported and they incur the vengeance of the full blood element.

Special U. S. Agent Williamson is able to tell all about this secret organization among the full bloods of the Cherokees & Creeks.

Respectfully Submitted
E. R. Roberts
U. S. Indian Agent

To
Hon H. R. Clemm?
Actg Comm. Ind. Affairs
Washington D.C.