Special Deputy Marshal Jim Ward

Jim Ward

Special Deputy Marshal Jim Ward and seven other deputy marshals were shot and killed as he a group of ten marshals attempted to arrest a man for murdering a married couple.

The suspect was being tried in an Indian court since the murdered woman was Indian. As the deputies approached the courthouse, which was being held in a schoolhouse, several Indians exited and opened fire on them, killing eight of the ten marshals. The incident was named the Going Snake Massacre.

Deputy Marshal Owens succumbed to his injuries several hours after the incident.

Several Indians were arrested after the incident but all charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence or witnesses refusing to testify.