The brief notice in The Springdale News (22 June 1894), credited to The Fayetteville Democrat, can be placed within a much larger and well-documented tragedy that occurred in the Cherokee Nation near Tahlequah. The Incident On Saturday, June 9, 1894, a stage (more accurately a public hack carrying passengers) departed Tahlequah for Fort Gibson. About two miles east of Tahlequah, one of the passengers, Levi Sanders, described as a notorious Cherokee half-breed outlaw, suddenly produced a revolver and attempted to rob the other passengers. Among those aboard was: Ed Rogers, son of W. D. Rogers of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. The robbery quickly turned violent. Courtney A. Kenney is Murdered One passenger, Courtney A. Kenney of Decatur, Texas, apparently hesitated or fell slightly behind the other passengers while being lined up. Sanders grabbed him and, according to contemporary newspaper accounts, pushed him forward and fired into his back. The bullet passed completely through Kenney's chest, killing him almost instantly. Ed Rogers Escapes The Fayetteville Democrat reported: "Ed Rogers, son of W. D. Rogers of Prairie Grove, was on the stage that was held up Saturday afternoon near Tahlequah and had an exciting and dangerous experience. After the robber shot Kennedy, the young man from Texas, Ed made a break for the timber and was shot at twice but luckily escaped unhurt." This indicates Rogers was one of the passengers forced from the stage and narrowly escaped becoming another victim. The Violence Continues Sanders did not stop with the stage robbery. After leaving the passengers he: fired upon two stockmen watering horses, stole a horse, continued toward Fort Gibson, encountered the wagon of Mrs. N. A. Duncan and her family, opened fire, killed Mrs. Duncan instantly. Sanders is Killed Mrs. Duncan's son escaped the wagon, seized a rifle, and exchanged shots with Sanders. He killed: Sanders himself, and Sanders' horse. Thus the entire crime spree-from stage robbery to Sanders' death-lasted only a short time. The Rogers Family This article provides valuable genealogical evidence: Ed Rogers was positively identified as the son of W. D. Rogers of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. He was traveling through the Cherokee Nation in June 1894. He survived one of the better-known violent incidents in Indian Territory during the 1890s. Historical Significance The robbery occurred during the annual Cherokee Nation payment period, when many travelers were carrying cash. Newspapers remarked that the roads around Tahlequah were crowded with merchants, ranchers, and Cherokee citizens returning from the payments, making travelers attractive targets for robbery. Additional Research Opportunities