Red Creek Tribune - January 5th 1876

Sherriff  Barker Murdered

Beloved Lawman Gunned Down By Wanted Outlaw

By Silas Fergenson - Owner, Red Creek Tribune

Sherriff Lloyd Barker

    Make no mistake about it gentle readers, life as we, the god-fearing law abiding citizens of Red Creek, have known it has changed. With one vile bullet our town has been drug into the modern, lawless times of the rest of this wayward nation. Sherriff Lloys Barker, upstanding, rightous family man and pillar of our community was brutally murdered yesterday on the very streets he had sworn to protect. Randolf "Kid" Holmes, a debased animal of a man, murdered Barker yesterday just after 5 PM outside of the Broken Noose Saloon. 

    It is said that Holmes arrived in Red Creek just days ago. Apparently this monster is wanted in Texas, Kansas, and Missouri for a long list of evil deeds. And this paper has learned that Sherriff Barker is not the first lawman Kid Holmes has gunned down. He is said to have killed a Deputy in Wichita, and a Marshal in Texas. And now alas, Red Creek will be added to this black list.

   It seems the Sherriff was tipped off by someone in town about the true identity of Holmes, who was registered at the Hotel under the name Gus Horn. The Sherriff then got confirmation by way of a wanted poster that clearly displayed Holmes' evil face. Ignoring the warnings that Holmes was a dangerous scoundrel, Barker went alone to the Broken Noose yesterday afternoon to apprehend the criminal. Eyewitness reports from inside the Noose have the Sherriff approaching the outlaw with his pistol drawn and cocked. Holmes was sitting at the poker table with unnamed locals. Holmes coolly told the Sherriff he must have made some mistake. Barker said they could sort it all out back at the jail. Holmes is said to have smiled and said fine. He got up and handed his gunbelt to the Sherriff, then walked out of the saloon to the street outside. It was there that Barker made a fatal error.

     Holmes turned and faced the Sherriff and again spoke of a mistake being made, that he was not a wanted man. Barker said that may be so, but he was taking the Kid in anyways. He pushed the muzzle of his pistol into Holmes' belly and told him to start walking. He should have never gotten his gun so close to this rattlesnake. Holmes has a reputation as having the fastest hands in the west, and it would seem that is no exageration. His left hand shot up from his hip and pushed Barker's Colt to the right as the Sherriff pulled the trigger. The bullet shot harmlessly into the mud of the thruofare. Holmes' right hand was already moving with lightning speed towards his own gun belt that Barker had slung across his shoulder. Before the Sherriff could recover, the Kid had his own Remmington secured, cocked and pointed. Barker dropped his gun and raised his hands. "Now son," he said, "let's don't go do anything foolish here." The cold blooded killer laughed and pulled the trigger.

    Holmes slowly walked to his horse and casually rode out of town towards the foothills as our honest Sherriff lay bleeding to death in the street. Beware kind reader, this reporter fears the reprecussions of this evil, vile act will be felt for a long time here in our once peaceful little town.

    Barker's widow, Connie and his children, Lloyd Jr, Anna, and Micheal, will be recieveing quests at their house this afternoon starting at 1.