Ben Cravens Murder Arraignment

HARTMAN, JONES

Posted By: David W Sinclair (email)
Date: 3/2/2008 at 12:35:41

Ben Cravens Arraigned
A Federal Officer Here Subpoenaing Witnesses to Prove His Identity.
United States Inspector Curtis of Guthrie, Okla., was here Monday looking for witness to prove that Chas. Maust, the prisoner held by the federal authorities at Guthrie, charged with the murder of Alvin Hartman, assistant postmaster at Bateman, Okla, is Ben Cravens, the noted outlaw, who was born and raised in this vicinity. The inspector had spent a day or two at Corydon and Clio before coming to Lineville, and it is said had subpoenaed several witnesses from the county to appear at the arraignment of Maust in the Federal court, which was set for Tuesday, January 2. J. L. Jones, who is in the employ of the Sullivan grain company, was the only witness taken from this immediate vicinity, and who the others were, we have been unable to learn. The officer carried with him photographs of the prisoner, a front and a side view picture, which he showed to the people hereabouts who were supposed to have been familiar with Cravens during his younger days spent in this vicinity not being aware that Curtis was a federal officer. It is said quite a number unhesitatingly pronounced them pictures of Ben Cravens. The officer and witnesses left Monday afternoon on No. 29 for Guthrie, where they were expected to arrive at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning. The officer was heard to say that if he had previously entertained any doubts as to Maust being Ben Cravens, they had been completely dispelled after coming here. The regular trial is set for Jan. 17, 1912.