Oklahoma Journeys

Week of August 22, 2009

Slippery Christians Escape Again – August 23rd, 1895

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Most people are aware that Oklahoma and Indian Territory have attracted more than their fair share of outlaw activity and some might argue they still continue to do so to this day. Among all of the most wanteds that have graced our land, however, most people have forgotten about the gang of so called slippery Christians; their story this week on Oklahoma Journeys from the Oklahoma History Center.

From the Oklahoma History Center, this is Oklahoma Journeys. I’m Michael Dean.

Outlaws have made their way through a good portion of Oklahoma and Indian Territorial histories and have become a part of the legacy of our state. The very nature of Oklahoma’s development, the long-term status as a territory, and the vast acreages of open land lent itself well to illegal activity and use by outlaws. The Christian gang operated in Oklahoma during 1895-96 period, making themselves known to law enforcement officials first during the time of the Kickapoo land run in May of 1895. The Christian gang, led by brothers Bill and Bob Christian, initially were little more than small time crooks robbing stores, post offices and the like. The brothers, Bill and Bob, were well known in the area that is today Pottawatomie County, and though they held reputations as thieves and whiskey dealers, the duo and their gang counted on the support of many sympathizers in the area.

It was with the help of these friends that the gang was able to escape the Oklahoma County jail in 1895, killing Oklahoma City Police Chief Milt Jones in the process. With the escape, the murder of the police chief and continued robberies under their belt, the Christian Gang was now at the top of the territories most wanted list. Their names became known around the territory as word of their pursuit and inevitable escapes made the daily newspapers. So well known was the gang that at one time stores in Oklahoma City were using the gang as an advertising gimmick, "The Two Christian Boys Caught," the ad read, "It was our show windows which are always filled the beautiful attractive goods that caught them." The Christian brothers became something of minor legends for their ability to elude pursuing officers and while various members of the gang were eventually caught or killed, brothers Bill and Bob always managed to escape.

It was in this week, August 23rd of 1895, that officers tracked the gang to an old cabin eight miles west of Purcell. Surrounded, the gang had no way out, or so it seemed. The officers charged the cabin just as the Christians bolted out of the door, jumped on horses and, once again, made good their escape. News of the “slippery Christians” made the headlines the next morning across the territory, but the gang was nowhere to be found. Never caught by Oklahoma officers, in April 1897 Bill Christian was shot by Arizona lawmen, and then in December of 1897 Bob escape from a Mexican jail, never to be seen again.

You can learn more about the criminal element that makes up part of our history by visiting the Oklahoma History Center, NE 23rd Street, just east of the state capitol in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma Journeys is a production of the Oklahoma History Center, dedicated to the collection, preservation, and sharing of our state’s past. I’m Michael Dean.