Tilghman, William Matthew, 1854-1924
Person
Dates
- Existence: 1854-07-04 - 1924-11-01
biographical statement
Bill Tilghman was a career lawman during the Wild West days of Kansas and Oklahoma. He was the city marshal in Dodge City, participated in the Kansas County Seat Wars and the Oklahoma land rushes, and served as a Deputy U.S. Marshal in Oklahoma. With fellow marshals Heck Thomas and Chris Madsen, known as Oklahoma’s Three Guardsmen, he is credited with bringing order to the Territory. He documented his life in The passing of the Oklahoma outlaws, a film that he directed and starred in as himself. In 1924, at age 70, he became city marshal of Cromwell, Oklahoma and was shot and killed after arresting a corrupt federal prohibition agent for public intoxication.
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
Letter from Bill Tilghman and Chris Madsen to Mattie Mobray Thomas, 1912-08-17
Item
Identifier: 2006.012.20
Scope and Contents
Signed typewritten note to Mrs. Heck Thomas and children:"It is beyond our power to express in words our sympathy for you in the loss of your dear husband and father. We have lost too. Friends and companions for years, we well know the worth of him who now is beyond where earthly friendship avails. At present we can only express our heartfelt feelings for you, hoping that in your faith in the Almighty God you will find that comfort which no earthly sympathy can bring you. With...
Dates:
1912-08-17
Letter From Chris Madsen to Mrs. Mattie Thomas, 1937-01-27
Item
Identifier: 2006.012.20
Scope and Contents
Typed and signed letter from Chris Madsen to Heck Thomas's widow about the legendary incident at the hideout on Bill Dunn's ranch where Bill Doolin supposedly saved Bill Tilghman's life. According to Madsen, it didn't happen that way at all, and through this letter he is seeking Mrs. Thomas's advice regarding Zoe Tilghman's (incorrect, according to him) written account of the incident. He says in the letter :"You probably remember that in April and May 1894 Heck, Bill and I with a posse were...
Dates:
1937-01-27
Zoe A. Tilghman collection, 1907-1966
Collection
Identifier: 1972-002
Scope and Contents
The collection is arranged into 5 series:Series 1: Zoe Tilghman: correspondence, drafts of her writings (Bill Tilghman: Fifty Years a Peace Officer and Outlaw Gangs of Oklahoma), short stories and poems.Series 2: William M. "Bill" Tilghman: correspondence, draft of his writings ("Outlaw History"), court documents relating to the trial of Wiley Lynn (man who allegedly killed Tilghman).Series 3: Tilghman children and their spouses: correspondence and...
Dates:
1907 - 1966