I was reading "WildWest Magazine" article entitled "Blood Bath at Going Snake The Cherokee Courtroom Shootout" by Robert Barr Smith.

This article refers to a JIM KESTERSON who had been, or was possibly married to a SUSAN PROCTOR, sister of ZEKE PROCTOR (half Cherokee).

On, or about, February 13,1872, ZEKE PROCTOR killed POLLY BECK HILDERBRAND in what is now Adair Co., OK (Oklahoma Territory). There had been some question as to why ZEKE PROCTOR shot POLLY BECK. It seems that his intended victim was JIM KESTERSON.

POLLY BECK HILDERBRAND was possibly the wife of JIM KESTERSON, or his partner.

During the court proceedings, a shooting occurred. GEORGE BLACKWOOD was a juror.

THOMAS BECK from Georgia who came to Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in the 1830's appears to be the father of POLLY BECK HILDERBRAND.

ZEKE PROCTOR's father was WILLIAM (not Indian) and his mother, unnamed, was Cherokee. ZEKE PROCTOR died at the age of 76, February 1907, from pneumonia and is buried at Johnson Cemetery, five miles west f Siloam Springs, AR.

The Deputy Marshall, in charge, was CHARLES F. ROBINSON.

Do any of you have information on these people?

Thanks,
Linda Cashen Gaunt