John Thomas Wilson, City Marshal
City of Nowata
James Dyer and Jack Cotton were returning from a cattle drive on Tuesday, February 8, 1898. Shortly after they stabled their horses at McCartney’s Livery stable, Dyer had become drunk and started arguing with a local farmer, William Dilley, about the ownership of a halter. With the argument becoming more violent, someone sent for Marshal Wilson. When Wilson arrived and entered the stable, Dyer opened fire on him shooting him in the chest below the heart. Wilson returned fire, even though he was mortally wounded, hitting Dyer four times. Wilson was able to stumble across the street before he collapsed and died. Dyer went to a nearby drug store and died within ten minutes.