City Marshal Archibald McCollum Buchanan

Archibald McCollum Buchanan

City Marshal Archibald Buchanan was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a father and son for being intoxicated and shooting their weapons around town.

Sometime in the afternoon of December 22, 1906, Marshal Buchanan stopped two individuals about a quarter mile from the Gulf and Ship Island (G&SI) railroad station. As Marshal Buchanan was trying to arrest them for being drunk and disorderly, one of the suspects drew a handgun and shot him three times. Buchanan was able to return fire and struck both of them, resulting in minor injuries.

Both suspects were arrested and charged with murder, although the son is the one who shot Marshal Buchanan. The father was acquitted of the crime. The son's trial was moved to a change of venue, and he was acquitted of the murder.

City Marshal Buchanan was survived by his wife and daughter.

He is buried in the Old McNair Cemetery.