The Marlow Brothers

The story of the Marlow Brothers stands out as something just as exciting as any western put out by Hollywood, only this story is true.

"This is the first time in the annals of history where unarmed prisoners, shackled together, ever repelled a mob. Such cool courage that preferred to fight against such great odds and die, if at all, in glorious battle rather than die ignominiously by a frenzied mob, deserves to be commemorated in song and story." -- Federal Judge A. P. McCormick, 1891

Here is the tale as posted on the Marlow Brothers monument in Marlow, Oklahoma's Redbud Park:

The Marlow Brothers George, Boone, Alfred, Lewllyn, Charlie

Born along the Chisholm Train and on the banks of Wildhorse Creek the legend of the Marlow family and the five Marlow brothers has been proven to be more fact than fiction.

Dr. Williamson Marlow and his wife, Martha Jane, a relative of Daniel Boone, first established a homestead in this area during the early 1880's. The site of the original Marlow family home is reported to have been located just north of Redbud Park.

Somewhat of a nomad by nature, Dr. Marlow provided medical treatment to the many settlers in this portion of Indian Territory and to many cowboys driving cattle up the Chisholm Trail. He also framed while his some reportedly herded horses, selling many of the animals to the U.S. Army located at neighboring Ft. Sill. Dr. Marlow died in 1885.

In 1888 his five sons were accused of horse-stealing, a charge which was later proven to be unfounded. Four of the brothers (Charlie, Alfred, Boone and Lewllyn) were arrested and transported by a U.S. Deputy Marshall to the Federal Court in Graham, Texas, for trial.

Hearing of this brother's arrest, George Marlow took the entire family to Graham to clear his brothers but soon found himself behind bars.

Boone Marlow ultimately escaped and returned to the Marlow area in Indian Territory, while his four brothers were scheduled to be transported to a safer (?) jail in Weatherford, Texas.

Several attempts were made by Graham citizens and law enforcement officials to lynch the Marlows. On the night of January 19, 1889, the brothers were shackled in pars -- George to Lewellyn and Charlie to Alfred -- for the trip to Weatherford.

When the group reached Dry Creek outside of Graham, a signal was given and a hidden mob opened fire on the seemingly defenseless Marlows.

The guards ran to join the mob while the brothers leaped from the wagon and armed themselves with guns take from guards. In the vicious gunfight that followed, Lewellyn and Alfred were killed. Both George and Charlie were seriously wounded.

Retrieving a dead mob member's knife, George Marlow unjoined his dead brother' ankles. He and Charlie used a wagon to escape the ambush site.

Three members of the mob were also killed and a number of others wounded. Several members of the mob were later prosecuted and convicted for the assault upon the brothers.

Boone was later poisoned near Hell Creek west of Marlow. His corpse was then shot in an attempt to obtain a $1,500 reward, but his killers, too, were brought to trial.

Alfred Boon, and Lewellyn are buried in a small cemetery at what was once Finis, Texas outside of Graham.

George and Charlie Marlow survived the attack, eventually moving their families to Colorado where they became outstanding citizens, serving as law enforcement officers.

In 1891, after sentencing mob member for their part in the attack, Federal Judge A. P. McCormick was quoted as saying: "This is the first time in the annals of history where unarmed prisoners, shackled together, ever repelled a mob. Such cool courage that preferred to fight against such great odds and die, if at all, in glorious battle rather than die ignominiously by a frenzied mob, deserves to be commemorated in song and story."

More information on the Marlow Brothers monument can be found in our historic places database.

Marlow, Oklahoma is 64 miles south from I-40 (Exit 125) on US 81 in Stephens county.

Redbud Park is 4 blocks east from the Main Street stoplight.



Redbud Park encompasses 10 city blocks, this city park includes the Creekwalk, a 1/2 mile walking trail with historical exhibits and structures about the outlaw history of Marlow, and a 13,000 square foot western-themed children's playground called the Hideout. Redbud Chapel is also on site, one of the first churches built in the area during the early 1900s and relocated to the park in 1997.

More information about Marlow, Oklahoma can be found at www.marlowchamber.org