James Doss, Constable

City of El Reno

On March 20, 1895, Constable Doss went into Sweitzer’s Saloon in El Reno where he saw Eugene Hays. Doss had arrested Hays the day before for cattle theft. The two men began talking and walking toward the rear of the saloon together. Soon two shots were heard and Doss was found collapsed with wounds to his right leg, face and neck. Hays surrendered to the sheriff, admitted shooting Doss and placed in jail in Guthrie. Doss apparently shot Doss to prevent him from testifying against him at his trial for cattle theft. Constable Doss died on Wednesday, March 27, 1895 from his wounds.