Oliver Swann, Deputy City Marshal
City of Wilburton
At 11 p.m. on Monday, September 23, 1907, Deputy City Marshal Swann arrested a black man name W.A. Johnson near the Wilburton Depot for a trivial offense. Johnson indicated that he might resist arrest and Swann drew his gun. Johnson asked Swann if he would shoot him over a $3 unpaid fine and told him if he would put the gun away he would go peacefully. Swann lowered his gun and Johnson drew a weapon firing at Swann three times. Two of the three shots struck Swann in the head and neck, killing him. Johnson then stole a horse and escaped. The town’s folks offered a $1,000 reward to which the Governor added another $300 for the capture of Johnson. He eluded officers until June of 1908 when he was spotted walking along the Rock Island tracks at the edge of town dressed in women’s clothing. Sheriff Mickle recognized Johnson and gave the alarm. Johnson threw off the female attire, drew a rifle and began shooting at Mickle. Mickle returned fire but Johnson ran toward the mountains. Within ten minutes every man who could secure arms joined the manhunt. Upon reaching Brandy Creek, Johnson came upon two fishermen who he killed thinking they were part of the posse. A four man posse headed by Ben Nowlin, a farmer, found Johnson and in the fight that followed Johnson was killed.
Albert Turner, Deputy
Constable
City of Wilburton
On Thursday morning June 24, 1909, Sylvester Stennien aka “Alabama Red” was on trial in Justice of the Peace Franks’ court in Wilburton for being drunk and disorderly. During the trial Stennien was able to get near and grab the gun of Constable Goodman and began shooting. Constable Turner who also was in the court room was shot in the stomach. Stennien was then wounded by a shotgun blast and taken into custody by other Constables. Constable Turner died the next day, June 25th from his wound.
Just after midnight Saturday morning a mob broke Stennien out of jail and hanged him from a telephone pole near the jail in Wilburton.