Deputy Constable F. M. Woods

F. M. Woods

Deputy Constable Woods succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day when he confronted a group of armed men who were attempting to move county records from the county seat of Eufaula to another town in an effort to relocate the county seat after an election.

The citizens of Checotah wanted the county seat of McIntosh County moved to their town, but Eufaula won the close election. The Oklahoma Supreme Court issued an injunction pending the outcome of the case in court. However, a group of 15 Checotah citizens entered the town armed with the intention of taking all the county records. When Deputy Constable attempted to disarm one of the men, shots were fired and Deputy Constable was mortally wounded. He was taken to the local doctor and passed away the next day.

Another civilian was also killed.

The suspect, who suffered a gunshot wound to his hand, was charged with manslaughter but was acquitted.

Deputy Constable Woods was survived by his wife and four children.