City Marshal James Ryan

James Ryan

City Marshal James Ryan and Night Watchman James Basham were shot and killed, and another officer was wounded, while escorting a man to the Hotel Estes, located at South Holden Street and Grover Street, at 8:30 p.m.

Night Watchman Basham responded to reports of a man waving a gun at the hotel. He tried to persuade the man to give him his gun or put it away. When Marshal Ryan and another night watchman entered the room, the man became agitated. Marshal Ryan attempted to grab the weapon, and the man fired, striking Marshal Ryan in the stomach and neck. He died instantly.

The other night watchman was shot in the thigh. Night Watchman Basham was hit in his side with the bullet passing through his body. He succumbed to his wounds the next day.

The hotel porter grabbed a gun and returned fire. When a bullet struck the suspect, he ran upstairs and shot himself.

Marshal Ryan had been elected marshal three years earlier. He was survived by his wife and two sons.