Zeke Proctor, a fullblood Cherokee Indian, who has a history far out of the ordinary, died at his home seven miles southwest of this city in the Territory Thursday Night of Pheumonia, aged 87 Years. He was buried this afternoon in Proctor cemetery on Moseley prairie.

Proctor came to this country with the Cherokee Exodus from Georgia in 1835, he then being a lad of 15 or 16 years. He first lived near Westville but later moved this way and the main portion of his life was spent near Siloam Springs. Proctor is charged with having taken the lives of 22 men and 1 or 2 women, the latter being accidental. He has had a great deal of trouble.

In early life it was noted of him that he was as nervous as a wild animal, always on the alert and seemingly fearful of danger. He never depended for personal safety upon any hand but his own and always went heavily armed. In early years he was a familiar figure on the streets of Siloam Springs, but since his arrest here by Charley Copeland several years ago for carrying arms, he seldom came to town.

The first serious trouble Proctor became involved in was over a clash between a brother and other Cherokees. This left a sore that did not heal and led to a noted encounter in May 1872 in Going Snake district, ten miles southwest of this city. The spark that set off that explosion was the death of a woman. Aunt Polly Hilderbrant, who was living with a man named Jim Kesterson. The latter run a water power grist mill at what is now Flint Postoffice, 16 miles north by west of Siloam Springs. Kesterson accused Proctor of stealing a steer. The accused went to talk it over with his accuser and found Kesterson at work in his mill. After talking a short time the conversation warmed up. Finally while Kesterson had stooped down and was in the act of scooping up some meal from a bin Proctor said: " If you will raise your head I'll shoot your brains out." Instead of raising his head, Kesterson whirled like a flash and started to escape. Proctor fired and Pollie Hildebrant, who heard of the row and was hurrying up to protect Kesterson, received the charge intended for the man and fell dead.

Proctor was given a trial by his people at a point 10 miles southeast of here. It was arranged that he was to be cleared of the charge of murder on the ground of justification. Hearing of the trial, a posse of deputy US Marshals and deputies planned to go to the place of trial and arrest Proctor for the murder, as the woman was white. When the officers suddenly appeared Proctor and the other Indians whipped out guns and bitter, close-range fight took place. All 4 deputies and 2 or 3 possemen and 5 or 6 Indians were killed, the dead numbering 13. Proctor and 7 other Cherokees were accused of the killings and they scouted for 4 years. Finally the government treated with the 8 outlaws and they returned home upon an agreement that they were to remain peaceable. The treaty is said to have been faithfully kept. Proctor was married twice. To the first union 4 children born. Of the number there were triplets, two girls and a boy, all living. His second wife died a year ago last holiday week.