Volume 17 , Issue 19

Romantic Career Of "Bitter Creek" Newcomb (1895)

It was in The Guthrie Daily Leader, dated Sunday morning, 5 May 1895, front page that we found this mention of "Romantic Career Of Bitter Creek." Bitter Creek's uncle was reported to be a wealthy Kansas business man. Bitter Creek was a bandit raised in Ft. Scott, and ran off with a cattleman Named Slaughter. Bitter Creek attended church and Sunday school and was considered a good boy. His aunt was one of the leading society ladies of Ft. Scott.

The news article begins: "The remains of outlaw Charley Pierce were buried yesterday in Summit View cemetery."

The father and mother of "Bitter Creek" Newcomb, who resided on "Nine Mile Flats, " near Oklahoma City, came tot he city, and after identifying their erring son, took charge of the remains, which would be buried on the farm.

Sketch of the Kid

Surrounding the life and death of a noted desperado or highwayman there was usually a tinge of romance, or at least expected to be. The killing of George Newcomb, alias "Slaughter Kid," alias "Bitter Creek," was no exception to the rule.

As The Guthrie Daily Leader reported the statement given The Leader by Deputy D. S. McKay, one of Marshal Nix's efficient and trusted men, would in a great measure clear up the identity and give, as we'll, a brief account of the early history of Newcomb. That a young man belonging to one of the best families in the country, financially and socially, should commit himself to this kind of life was past understanding.

Mr. Newcomb, the father of the dead outlaw was a brother-in-law of the late Col. Isaac Stadden, of Ft. Scott, Kansas, the founder and head of the I. Stadden wholesale grocery company of Ft. Scott, one of the largest establishments in the state. Mr. Newcomb was associated with this establishment for some years. Speaking of the matter, Mr. McKay said, "I think it was in 1878, when George Newcomb was about twelve years old, a gentleman named Slaughter brought to our city, (Ft. Scott), a bunch of Texas ponies to sell. When Slaughter left George went with him, and was afterward known as Slaughter Kid. After an absence of about one year he returned only, however, to remain a few months.

"On hearing of him again, he drifted into the Indian Territory and subsequently was employed by Mr. Oscar Halsell of this city, to work on his ranch, and I am informed that during the time he was in the employ of Mr. Halsell, which was for a number of years, he was considered a valuable man."

"Hundreds of people in the city of Ft. Scott, who have read of the daring train and bank robberies committed or supposed to have been committed by Slaughter Kid, will now learn with horror that the little pale faced, well mannered boy, George Newcomb, who played around the streets and about his uncle's store, was no other than the daring highwayman, Slaughter Kid."

"Col. Stadden, George's uncle, was among the noted and influential men of eastern Kansas, having amassed a large fortune. It hardly seemed credible that a boy surrounded as he was, with influential friends, a kind, honorable and industrious father could so go astray."

Mr. Newcomb was in the city yesterday and was eloquent i his praise of Marshal E. D. Nix for the kindness shown him under such trying and unhappy circumstances.
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