City Marshal Joseph H. Krechter

Joseph H. Krechter

City Marshal Joseph Krechter was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest several drunk men who were creating a disturbance inside a saloon.

The men were seasonal workers who had just been paid for picking hops in nearby fields. They had gone into town where they had been drinking all day. Marshal Krechter deputized two civilians and then entered one of the saloons where they men were. As they tried to arrest them the men opened fire, killing Marshal Krechter and wounding one of the deputy marshals. One of the subjects was also shot and seriously wounded.

The man who shot Marshal Krechter was arrested the following day by the county sheriff and charged with murder. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to an indeterminate term in prison. Several other men, including the saloon owner, were also arrested.