Kate’s Notes: The killing of Jeff Gilliland made headlines in papers across the country, some reports a bit more colorful than the one which appeared in the “proper” New York Times. One Missouri paper stated that Gilliland had been shot through the head and the local sheriff referred to the departed as “too dead to skin”. In other reports he was labeled as the “Jesse James of North Arkansas” though at this time I cannot tie Jeff to a particular Gilliland family of the area. If anyone has additional information on Jeff Gilliland, the “desperado”, please drop me a line at hpuppet@verizon.net

The New York Times
January 12, 1884

A NOTED DESPERADO KILLED

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Jun. 11. -- In a quarrel between Jeff Gilliland and John Malone, while on their way home from this city last night, Gilliland fired a shot at Malone without effect. Malone then fired and killed Gilliland. The latter, who was a noted desperado, was known as the “Jesse James of Arkansas.”

-- Contributed and transcribed by Kate Maynard, 2009.