2027

F.M. Canton (Joe Horner) Signed Receipt, 1895 [182921]

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 700.00 USD
F.M. Canton (Joe Horner) Signed Receipt, 1895 [182921]
SOLD
275.00USD+ (68.75) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2024 Aug 23 @ 08:39UTC-7 : PDT/MST
UNCLAIMED MERCHANDISE: In the event that a successful bidder has paid in full for their merchandise but fails to settle outstanding shipping invoices or make arrangements for merchandise pickup within 60 days, HWAC reserves the right to declare the merchandise forfeited. This forfeiture will result in the merchandise becoming the property of HWAC and the successful bidder shall have no claim to or rights over the forfeited merchandise.
Autographed document signed "F. M. Canton" as Deputy United States Marshal, c1895. The document is an 8.25" x 3" prisoner's receipt, Territory of Oklahoma, April 4, 1895. Partially pre-printed, "I Certify That from - April 4, 1895, I used my own team for the purpose of apprehending Wa. Nun. Ka & Mo-huty as stated in within account. I further certify that the rates charged do not exceed those ordinarily charged by livery men, and that nothing is charged for feeding the team. I also certify that my team consists of Hack and two horses as good or better than the average livery team that I kept this team for the sole purpose of enabling me to perform my official duties and that it would otherwise be impossible to serve processes, as teams to go into the Indian Country for any length of time can not be hired. F.M. Canton, Deputy United States Marshal." Comes with several informational sheets.
Frank M. Canton (1849-1927) was born "Joe Horner" in Virginia. Canton changed his name to escape his outlaw past. In 1874 he was in a gunfight with several Buffalo Soldiers in a Texas saloon, killing one, wounding another and shooting his way out of town to make his escape. In 1877 he was jailed for robbing a bank, but later escaped. He left Texas for good on a cattle drive to Nebraska, leaving behind his "Joe Horner" image. He settled near the town of Buffalo, was elected Sheriff there in 1882 and later married. In 1886 he accepted another job with the Stock Growers Association as a "Range Detective" & also served as a deputy U. S. Marshall there. During the famous Johnson County War there between the cattle barons and settlers, Canton sided with his employers and was involved in several gun battles, the worst being the hired gunman Canton led to the KC Ranch where two men were arrested and two were killed in the shootout. Canton left Wyoming and a year later was in Indian Territory as a Deputy U. S. Marshall under "Hanging Judge" Isaac Parker where he gained a reputation as being fearless gunfighter, working alongside such notable lawmen as Heck Thomas, Bill Tilghman and Chris Madsen. November 6. 1896 on the streets of Pawnee, outlaw Bill Dunn challenged Canton and both men drew their guns. Canton shot Dunn in the forehead before Dunn could pull his own trigger. Eyewitnesses say the dying outlaw's trigger finger twitched instinctively for several moments before he died. After breaking up several outlaw gangs, Canton accepted an appointment in 1897 as deputy Marshall in Alaska Territory during the gold rush period, but returned to Oklahoma Territory after two years. He served as Deputy Sheriff in Oklahoma till 1907. [] [Oklahoma] [] [] []