John S. Howard , City Marshal

Town of South Oklahoma (City)

On Thursday, June 13, 1889, Howard, 32, was appointed City Marshal of South Oklahoma, replacing Clyde Mattox. About 4 P.M. the next day, June 14th, Mattox was drunk and disgruntled about being replaced. Mattox began firing his Winchester rifle into the ground in front of the South Oklahoma Municipal Judge’s office in the 100 block of West Reno Avenue. Marshal Howard came out of the judge’s office and Mattox began firing at him. Howard returned fire along with Assistant City Marshal, Dan McKay. When Mattox ran out of ammunition he ran away. All three men were wounded in the shootout. Marshal Howard died of his wounds. Marshal Howard was the first lawman to die in what is today Oklahoma City.