Brooks–McFarland feud facts for kids
| Date | 1896–1902 |
|---|---|
| Location | Creek Nation, Indian Territory, USA |
| Outcome | ~5 killed 1 wounded |
The Brooks–McFarland feud was a long-standing conflict between two families. It happened between 1896 and 1902 in what is now Oklahoma. This feud began after Thomas Brooks died in August 1896. The Brooks family believed the McFarlands were responsible.
This led to several tense meetings and fights. The feud reached its peak with a major gunfight. This happened in a place called Spokogee in September 1902.
The Start of the Feud
The conflict started on August 24, 1896. This was the day Thomas Brooks passed away. His family, the Brooks, blamed the McFarland family for his death. This accusation sparked a series of angry confrontations. These events slowly built up over several years.
The Big Shootout
A very important event happened on September 22, 1902. This was a large gunfight in Spokogee. During this shootout, Willis Brooks was killed. Two other people also lost their lives. A fourth person was badly hurt. This event was a major turning point in the feud.
The End of the Conflict
The feud finally ended about three weeks later. On October 10, 1902, Jim McFarland was attacked and killed. This happened near his home. With the deaths of Willis Brooks and Jim McFarland, the long conflict came to an end.
According to author Edward Herring, these deaths marked a significant change. He wrote that it was "the end of an era." This was a time when disagreements were often settled with violence. The old feud ended with them.
