Incident Details
Cause of Death:Town Marshal Albert Byers was shot and killed during an altercation with a saloonkeeper as a result of his enforcement of local gambling laws.
A former town marshal began assaulting another man near a livery barn when the saloonkeeper attempted to intervene as they walked north towards McGregor's Saloon.
When Marshal Byers confronted him, the conversation escalated to an argument and the saloonkeeper was struck on the head with a mace.
The 28-year-old saloonkeeper pulled a revolver and fired once, striking Marshal Byers above his right temple, killing him almost instantly.
The suspect fled the scene but surrendered to the Parke County sheriff claiming self-defense and was later acquitted at trial of first-degree murder by a jury.
Several threats had been recently made by the suspect toward Marshal Byers for his enforcement action against local gambling rooms and slot machines.
Town Marshal Byers was survived by his wife, three sons, two daughters, parents, five brothers and two sisters.
Historical Note Town marshals were elected to unlimited, two-year terms until 1917 when state law was amended to require they be appointed to office by the trustees of the town board. |