City Marshal J. H. Swinford

J. H. Swinford

City Marshal J. H. Swinford was shot and killed by six men he surprised looting the State Bank.

The cashier, who lived above the bank, was awakened by a noise shortly after midnight. Upon investigation he saw two men at work on the vault door and hastily summoned Marshal Swinford. With revolvers drawn, the marshal and the cashier entered the bank through the front door. The robbers opened fire killing Marshal Swinford instantly, and critically wounded the cashier who died that night.

The suspects fled the scene with a posse in pursuit. Two were captured but later released.