Special Deputy Marshal Mark Kuykendall

Mark Kuykendall

Deputy Marshal Kuykendall, Deputy Marshal William Kelly, and Deputy Marshal Henry Smith were killed after being assaulted by a prisoner. The three deputy marshals along with Marshal John Phillips, had gone into Indian Territory (modern day Oklahoma) to execute several arrest warrants. They arrested an 18-year-old Indian and then setup camp near current day Stidham, Oklahoma, about 20 miles from Eufaula.

Marshal Phillips then went into Eufaula on business. When he returned he found all men dead. The prisoner had attacked the three with a camp axe and put the bodies of Deputy Marshal Smith and Deputy Marshal Kuykendall in the campfire. Deputy Marshal Kelly had also been shot in the back. Marshal Phillips buried the three men and then tracked the suspect down and rearrested him. The man was tried and convicted on July 13th, and hung on October 7, 1887.

Marshal John Phillips was shot and killed the following June along with Deputy Marshal William Whitson.