Deputy Marshal Henry Smith, Deputy
Marshal Mark Kuykendall and Deputy Marshal William Kelly
were killed after being assaulted by a
prisoner. The three deputy marshals along with Marshal John Phillips, had gone
into Indian Territory 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.