The Terry-Wagoner Feud
a.k.a. The Ambrose-Terry Feud

For years, stories have circulated among researchers about an Arkansas feud involving the AMBROSE family.  My thanks to Shirley Sieting and Danette Robinette for finding the records that allowed us to confirm the stories.

The timeline below charts the involvement of Franklin Barton AMBROSE and his brothers William  and John with the Arkansas and Missouri Courts from 1886 through 1894.  The origins of the Terry-Wagoner Feud which flared up in 1887 on both sides of the Arkansas/Missouri border are not known. It has been suggested that the feud was part of the Bald Knobber, Anti-Bald Knobber activities. However, the Ambrose "boys" were arrested many more times than are documented here, and it is generally agreed that they were enthusiastic and frequent participants in the drinking, gambling and fighting which the original Taney County Chapter of the Bald Knobbers was organized to stop. Contemporary newspaper accounts refer to the "feud" separately and it appears to me that the feud had a different origin, perhaps a result of one of the fights that were endemic in the Missouri towns of Forsyth and Chadwick. 

Frank and William were indicted on two serious charges known to be connected to the feud: arson (the burning of Isaac "Ike" Terry's barn), and the murder of Alvin Culloden "Cul" GARRET.  Records relating to the arson charges are highlighted in yellow. Murder records are highlighted in green. For context, some significant Bald Knobber dates are included and are highlighted in gray.

Date	Place	Who	Event	Description/Comments	Source
Sep-Nov 1883	Taney Co MO	Bald Knobbers	Organized	Nat Kinney called together 12 respectable citizens to form a vigilante group that would put an end to the marauding gangs and bushwhackers that had freely roamed the area since the end of the Civil War.  Originally organized as the "Anti-Horse Thief Association", and followed by "The Law and Order League", but were soon referred to by the locals as Bald Knobbers because of the location of their meetings.	Asher
10 Apr 1886	Taney Co MO	Bald Knobbers	Taney County Chapter formally disbanded	The Anti-Bald Knobbers petitioned the Missouri Governor John S. Marmaduke to disband the group.  Marmaduke sent his Adjutant General, J. C. Jamison, to Forsyth for a meeting with the Bald Knobbers and Jamison recommended to Kinney that an official dissolution of the Bald Knobbers would be in the best interest of the County. The next day a formal dissolution ceremony was held in the town square. However, by this time, Stone, Douglas, Greene, and Christian counties had adopted the idea of masked night riders and the Bald Knobbers continued unofficially in those counties until about 1890.	Asher
11 Jul 1886	Carroll Co AR	John Ambrose	Assault	John drew a pistol and threatened to shoot Joseph Reynolds. Indictment not sustained since a fine had already been assessed by the J. P. and paid.	Court Record
11 Mar 1887	Christian Co MO	Bald Knobbers	Green-Eden murders	Incited by incendiary speeches at their meeting, several members leave to scare into silence William Eden and Charles Green, both out-spoken critics of the Bald Knobbers. Eden and Green are killed and several others are wounded or killed.	Asher
16 Mar 1887	Christian Co MO	Bald Knobbers	19 members arrested for Green-Eden murders	NINETEEN OF THE BALD KNOBBERS LOCKED UP ... Ozark, Mo., March 17. -- Eleven members of the Bald Knobbers' organization were arrested and brought here yesterday, making 19 in all now under arrest and confined here.  These prisoners are believed to include the leading spirits of the gang, and also a majority of the masked band concerned in the murder of William Eden and Charles Green last Friday night. Read the entire article	NYTArch
10 May 1887	Carroll Co AR	William Ambrose	Shoots and wounds John Carr	Indicted for Assault with intent to Kill during August 1887 Term.	Court Record
May 1887	Carroll Co AR	John Ambrose	Indicted for Bribery.	Offered $50 to any one who would "try Bill Ambros and turn him loose in the case against him for shooting John Carr."	Court Record
7 Dec 1887	Dateline: Little Rock AR	Garrett & Waggoner	Account of the killing of Cul Garret and Grant Waggoner	VICTIMS OF AN ARKANSAS FEUD. Little Rock, ARK., Dec. 6. -- Particulars of a singular double tragedy have just been received from Berryville, Ark.  Grant [Cul] Garrett and Cul  [Grant]Waggoner, living in the Polo Township, met on the roadside and began firing at each other.  Garrett was killed outright, and Waggoner will die from his wounds.  The murder is the result of a feud, which thus far has cost four lives, and further bloodshed is imminent.  Several prominent families are involved. --THE NEW YORK TIMES, Published: 7 Dec 1887	NYTArch
9 Dec 1887	Stone Co MO	Wagner, Ambrose boys, Cull Garret	Account of the killing of Cul Garret & Grant Waggoner	From Galena Oracle : The 1st inst., about 25 miles from Galena, near the house of Missouri H. Wilder and about 1/4 mile from the state line, a boy named Wagner and another young man named Ambrose concealed themselves on the road and as Cull Garrett was passing them fired upon him from the brush. He dismounted and fired back. Another Ambrose boy heard the firing and rode rapidly to the place. Several shots had been exchanged and Garret had been hit in both arms. Ambrose at once fired on Garret and gave him the wound that proved fatal. Garret in the meantime had hit and killed Wagner. Garret, after being mortally wounded, fired on and wounded young Ambrose; both Ambrose boys took flight and left the state. Garret rode to Wilder’s and called for help. He died near 10 o’clock. --SPRINGFIELD EXPRESS [Greene Co], Published  9 Dec 1887 Grant Waggoner is buried in Blackjack Cemetery near Berryville, Carroll Co, AR.  The original tombstone was replaced by a descendant and now reads: R. Grant Waggoner 22 Sep 1867 - 1 Sep 1887 Contemporary records indicate he was killed the 1st of December.	SpringfieldX87
16 Dec 1887	Dateline: Marion Co AR	Cul Garret & Grant Wagoner	Account of the killing of Garret & Waggoner	HARRISON HASH (Times, 10th. Inst.) Cul Garrett and Grant Wagoner were the two men killed in the Carroll county ruckus last week. --The MOUNTAIN ECHO, Yellville [Marion Co], AR: Published 16 Dec 1887	ARGW ARCCHS
23 Dec 1887	Stone Co MO	William Ambrose, Grant Wagner, Cull Garret & Frank Ambrose	Account of the killing of Grant Wagoner & Cull Garret.	FIGHTING WITH OUTLAWS.; A DEADLY WAR BEING WAGED IN MISSOURI. Ozark, Mo., [Christian Co.] Dec 23 -- A deadly warfare is progressing near Galena, Stone County, and an appeal has been made to Gov. Marmaduke to send troops to the scene. Stone County is on the southwestern border and has neither railroad nor telegraph. It is the home of many of the Bald Knobbers who were recently punished by the Government, and the majority of its citizens travel armed. Col. Almus Harrington of Ozark returned from Stone County to-day, and says that the whole section along the White River is terrorized. Very little is known of the history of the feud, but it seems that the Terry brothers, five in number, living near Maybury's Ferry on the White River, have for years defied the law and terrorized the community. They have been charged with various crimes, including horse stealing, and finally a vigilance committee was organized to drive them out of the county. The Terrys, with their friends, overawed the leaders of the regulating movement, and the outlaws held their ground. Two weeks ago one of the Terrys was shot from ambush and killed. Soon after this one Meeks, a member of the anti-Terry faction was shot to pieces by unknown assassins. A few days later Cull Garret, a friend of the Terrys was fired upon by Grant Wagner and William Ambrose, who had secreted themselves behind a tree. Garret carried a Winchester rifle, and when fired upon by the assassins, jumped from his horse and took a position behind a tree about 45 yards from Ambrose and Wagner. The fight which ensued lasted about 15 minutes during which over 20 shots were exchanged. Wagner received two mortal wounds, and his ally [William Ambrose] fled, leaving Garret master of the field. About this time Frank Ambrose, brother of William, who had heard the shooting came up, armed with a revolver, and opened fire on Garret, killing him on the second shot, and reeceiving himself a wound from the effects of which he will die. [Frank did not die until 1943.] The Stone County Oracle says about 10 men have been killed in this neighborhood, and that no one has received any legal punishment. A correspondent of the same paper, writing from the vacinity of the disturbance, says that good men are being ordered to leave the locality, and thinks Gov. Marmaduke ought to send assistance immediately to restore order, as the authorities of the county seem powerless to enforce the law. --The NEW YORK TIMES, Published 24 Dec 1887.	NYTArch
20 Jan 1888	Stone Co MO	Terry Brothers	Background	BLOODY BATTLE PROBABLE. Ozark, Mo., Jan 20 -- Reports from Galena, Stone County, indicate that the war between the Vigilance Committee of the county and the Terry outlaws is liable to culminate in a bloody battle. Six weeks ago, when the outlaws were driven out of Stone County, they crossed the Arkansas line and fortified themselves at Boon. Their depredations soon aroused the people in the neighborhood and they were ordered to leave. They refused and purchased 25 Winchester Rifles and defied the authorities. The outlaws number altogether about 30 and the Vigilance Committee about 100 and both are preparing for battle. The Stone County committee has joined forces with the Arkansas committee. --The NEW YORK TIMES, Published: 21 Jan 1888	NYTArch
6 Feb 1888	Carroll Co AR	Terry, Waggoner, Mitchell, Ambrose	Account of arrests for 1 Dec 1887 shootings	DESPERATE OUTLAWS CAGED. Little Rock, Ark., Feb. 6. -- Intelligence of the arrest of Miles and John Terry was received today from Berryville.  They are border outlaws having killed a number of men, the last being John Meeks.  The scene of their exploits for some time past has been Stone County, Mo., and the border Arkansas counties.  Lately these men, with numerous followers, had a desperate fight on the highway in Carroll County, Ark., with a party of their foes headed by an ex-Federal soldier named Waggoner.  He was killed, two of his men were wounded, and the remainder were dispersed, of whom William Waggoner, John Mitchell, and Frank and William Ambrose have been arrested.  They are out under bond.  The Terry faction threaten to burn the jail and release the Terry's. --THE NEW YORK TIMES Published:  7 Feb 1888	NYTArch
16 Feb 1888	Carroll Co AR	Isaac Terry	Purchased Land	Patented 80 acres adjoining the farm of Henry Clark Ambrose.	Land Record
Feb 1888	Carroll Co AR	Rufus Peters, Frank Ambrose, William Ambrose, Cole Wagoner, John Mitchell	Arson Charge: Indicted	Defendants recognizanced $750 each.  Henry C. Ambrose is security for Frank. William requests a change of venue to Madison County stating that it would be impossible to obtain a fair trial in Carroll County. Change of venue is granted by the Court. Cole Wagoner was the twin brother of Grant Wagoner who was killed 1 Dec 1887.	Court Record
Jul 1888	Carroll Co AR	Wm. & Frank Ambrose	Arson Charge: Bond forfeiture	1) Frank and William fail to appear in Court. 2) Henry Ambrose and C.S. Davis, securities for Frank and William, are summoned to appear Aug 1, 1888 to show cause why bond should not be ordered forfeit. 3) Arrest warrants issued for Frank and William.	Transcription
Aug 1888	Carroll Co AR	Frank Ambrose	Arson Charge: Trial	First trial ends in Hung Jury.	Court Record
20 Aug 1888	Taney Co MO	Nat Kinney	Killed by Billy Miles	The Anti-Bald Knobbers resented Kinney's continuing influence and conspired to remove him. They designated William Miles as the assassin.  Miles shot the unarmed Kinney, then immediately surrendered claiming self defense.	Asher
29 Aug 1888	Greene Co MO	Bill Miles	Description	Bill Miles, the slayer of Capt. N. N. Kinney was in Ozark today and caused a sensation. He is a small man, weighing only about 30 pounds [sic] and is only 22 years old. He was born in Virginia and has lived in Taney county only a few years. The only marked feature is a pair of deep set, vigilant eyes. --SPRINGFIELD EXPRESS, Published 29 Aug 1888	Asher
Oct 1888	MO/Indian Territory	Terry, Wagoner & Meek	Meeks killed by John & Abe Terry abt 21 Oct. Wagoners pursue Terrys. One Wagoner and one Terry killed.	AN OLD FEUD REVIVED. Ozark, MO., Oct 28 -- The Terry-Wagoner feud that broke out a year ago along the Ting River on the borders of Missouri, Arkansas, and Indian Territory was renewed on Friday with fatal effect. Last January three of the Terrys were killed from ambush by two of the Wagoners, and a relative named Meek. About a month ago John Terry and Abe Terry, a brother and cousin of the two [sic] killed, heard that Meek was in the Indian Territory. They charged him with murder, and secured appointments as Deputy United States Marshals to make the arrest. They went down into the Territory a week ago, and arrested Meek. While on the way to Vinita they riddled the prisoner with bullets, and then alleged that he had attempted to escape. The Wagoners heard of the murder and started in pursuit of the Terrys and came up with them. A bloody fight took place, in which one Wagoner and one Terry were killed, while Abe Terry escaped only through the superiority of his horse. The friends of both sides are up in arms, and more bloodshed is expected. --The NEW YORK TIMES, Published: October 29, 1888	NYTArch
Feb 1889	Stone Co MO	Frank & William Ambrose	Murder Charge: Indicted	Week of Feb 11, Indicted for 1st Degree murder of A. C.  Garret.	SpringfieldX89
22 Feb 1889	Christian Co MO	Wm. M. Ambrose & Frank B. Ambrose	Murder Charge: Arrested	Arrested by Sherriff of Stone Co for 1st Degree murder of Cul Garret. Moved to Christian Co for safekeeping.	ShirleyS SpringfieldX89
1 Mar 1889	Greene Co MO	Frank and William Ambrose	Murder Charge: Account of indictment and arrest.	Ozark MO Feb 23 - Two members of the anti-Terry faction of the Stone county feud, Frank and William Ambrose were brought to Ozark for safekeeping, charged with murder on A.C. Garrett on 1 December 1887. They were indicted for murder in the first degree last week. Both are young men, Frank being only 23 and his brother William 20. --SPRINGFIELD EXPRESS, Published 1 Mar 1889	SpringfieldX89
22 Mar 1889	Barry Co MO	John Ambrose	Arson Charge: Prison Record	Sentenced to 5 years in the Missouri State Penitentiary for Arson	Penitentiary Record
8 Apr 1889	Christian Co MO	Wm. M. Ambrose	Murder charge: Released on Bond	Wm. M. Ambrose in Account with Z. A. Johnson Committed: February 22, 1889 Christian County Jailer by Sheriff Stone County Discharged: April 8, 1889 Offense: Murder 1st Degree How Discharged: On Bond Ledger Page: 128 Acc't Payable by: State February 22, 1889 Commitment 1.00 April 8, 1889 Board of Deft 46 Days 23.00 Clothing furnished deft 2.50 July 26, 1890 - 26.50 paid	ShirleyS
8 Apr 1889	Christian Co MO	Frank B. Ambrose	Murder charge: Released on Bond	Frank B. Ambrose in Account with Z. A. Johnson, Committed: February 22, 1889 Christian County Jailer by Sheriff Stone County Discharged: April 8, 1889 Offense: Murder 1st Degree How Discharged: On Bond Ledger Page: 128 Acc't Payable by: State February 22, 1889 Commitment 1.00 April 8, 1889 Board of Deft 46 Days 23.00 Clothing furnished deft 2.40 December 23, 1890 - Board paid, Clothing not paid ShirleyS suggests that Frank was released because he was "nearly starved to death" and "in a dying condition".  If he was seriously wounded in the shoot-out with Cul Garret per the contemporary newspaper articles, the effects could have lingered. Another researcher says he had tuburculosis and was expected to die.	ShirleyS
10 May 1889	Christian Co MO	Dave Walker, Billy Walker, Deacon John Mathews	Executed for the Green-Eden murders	Out of dozens arrested, four men were sentenced to be hanged for the murders. Wiley Mathews escaped jail before the execution and was never heard from again.	Asher
4 Jul 1889	Taney Co MO	Billy Miles	Branson & Funk killed	Frustrated over the exoneration of Miles for the killing of Nat Kinney, Sheriff Galba Branson must have obtained a new warrant when he hired a bounty hunter named Ed Funk. Together they found Billy Miles at the Kirbyville Fourth of July picnic. They approached him and a gunfight broke out between the Anti-Bald Knobber supporters, the Bald Knobber supporters, and the lawmen. Both Branson and Funk were killed, and Billy Miles and his brothers fled.  Billy Miles surrendered to the Springfield Sherriff 9 Jul 1889 and was released on bond.  Bill and Jim Miles requested a change of venue to Christian Co which is granted and are arraigned there 5 Jun 1890.	Asher
1890	Carroll Co AR	Rufus Peters, Cole Waggoner, and John Mitchell	Arson Charge: Trial	Tried and found not guilty.  The Court orders they be "discharged fully acquitted".	Court Record
27 Feb 1890	Carroll Co AR	Frank Ambrose	Arson charge: Sentence	Comes the State by her attorney in their behalf prosecuting and the defendant in his own proper person in custody of the Sheriff and being informed of the nature of the charge plea and the verdict of the jury was asked if he had any legal cause to show why the judgment and sentence of the law should not be pronounced against him and no legal cause or excuse being shown, it is by the Court considered and adjudged that said defendant, Frank Ambrose be taken by the Sheriff of Carroll County to the State Penitentiary of the State of Arkansas and there delivered to the keeper of said Penitentiary and that he be confined at hard labor in said Penitentiary for the period of two (2) years from this date and it is further ordered and considered that the State of Arkansas have and recover of from said defendant all its costs in thus first laid out and expanded and ??? issue thereof. [Transcr. Danette Robinette, MB 21 Aug 2006]	DanetteR
26 Jul 1890	Christian Co MO	Wm. M. Ambrose	Murder Charge:	Christian Co committment, board, and clothing charges paid.	Jail Record
26 Aug 1890	Carroll Co AR	Wm. Ambrose	Arson Charge: Pleads guilty and is sentenced.	State of Arkansas vs. William Ambrose  On this day the order of this court continueing this cause and by consent of the Defendant set aside and comes the Defendant and in open court interposes his plea of guilty as charged of Arson him and the court doth assess his punishment at two years imprisonment . . . more in Source/Court Record.	Court Record
28 Aug 1890	Arkansas State Penitentiary	Wm. Ambrose	Arson Charge: Penitentiary Records	Commitment Record and Description of Prisoner.	Peniteniary Records
Sep 1890	Christian Co MO	Jim & Billy Miles	Trial: Killing of Branson & Funk	The Miles brothers claimed self-defense and were acquitted.  John & Miles Terry were summoned by the Christian Co Circuit Court to testify on behalf of the defendants.	Asher
23 Dec 1890	Christian Co MO	Frank Ambrose	Murder Charge:	Partial payment of Christian Co committment, board, and clothing charges.	Jail Record
27 Nov 1891	Arkansas	Frank Ambrose	Arson	Frank's prison records have not yet been found, but if he (like William) was released 3 months early, he would have been released this approximate date.
27 May 1892	Arkansas	William Ambrose	Arson	Released approximately 3 months early.	Peniteniary Records
6 Sep 1892	Stone Co MO	Frank B. Ambrose	Murder charge: dismissed Nolle Prosequi	The State of Missouri Pltf vs. Frank B. Ambrose Deft Indicted for murder in the first degree--Nolle prosequi Comes now the prosecuting attorney of Stone County on the part of the state and the Defendant in his own proper person and by attorney and the said prosecuting attorney says that he will not further prosecute this action against the defendant but will suffer the same to be dismissed. Wherefore, it is considered, ordered and adjudged by the court that the State of Missouri take nothing by virtue of this with that the defendant be discharged here without delay and that he have and recover of the State of Missouri his costs in his behalf and expenses. [Transcr. Danette Robinette] "Nolle Prosequi" means the prosecution has decided not to pursue the prosecution at this time. It is not an acquittal, and it is not a judgment by the Court on the merits of the prosecution. Charges may be reinstated should the prosecution acquire new or additional evidence, usually within a statutory time period.	DanetteR
*1892	Stone Co MO	Franklin B. Ambrose	Charge unknown: Action on forfeited recognizance  dismissed	State of Missouri Plff ) Action on Forfited Recognizance Vs Franklin B. Ambrose ) Dismissed by the State By W. P. Weatherman ) Now at this day comes the Prosecuting Attorney for the State and says he will no further prosecute this action against the Defendant, but will suffer the same to be dismissed. It is therefore considered and adjudged by the court that the plaintiff (the State) take nothing by reason of its writ, that Defendant be discharged and hence hereof without day. Source: Circuit Court Stone Co, MO [transcr. Shirley Sieting] *Shirley says the copy of the Court entry she received was not dated, but she believes it was made on 8 Apr 1889, the same day Frank was released from the Christian County Jail. However, since he was released on bond, unless he had another charge pending in Stone County for which the bond had been ordered forfeit, 1892 seems a more likely date for this entry.  The 27 Sep 1892 dismissal of the murder charge ordered that the defendent recover his costs and expenses, so the State would have been unable to pursue a forfeited bond on that charge.	ShirleyS
11 Jan 1893	MO State Penitentiary	John Ambrose	Released	Released early under the 3/4 Law.	Penitentiary Record
1894	Madison Co AR	William Ambrose	Assault	Tried and convicted of "assault with a deadly thing" on a change of venue from Carroll County. Fine $200 and 30 days in the County jail.	Transcription
4 Jul 1895	Carroll Co AR	John Ambrose	Death	Shot and killed by F. S. Helt.	Green Forest Tribune

SOURCES:

ARCCHS: Carroll County Arkansas Historical Society, Cemetery Listings, Blackjack Cemetery

ARGW: ARGenWeb, Marion County, Mountain Echo Newspaper, http://www.argenweb.net/marion/mtecho/188712.html
 
Asher: Background on the Bald Knobbers was drawn from a number of sources, including but not limited to

DanetteR: Danette Robinette
 
NYTArch: The New York Times Archives (on-line)

 ShirleyS: Shirley Sieting
 
Springfield Express [Greene Co MO], Excerpts from: