In the quiet summer of 1901, the town of Humboldt, Iowa, was shaken by the sudden and violent death of one of its own. Ole McMillan, a 28-year-old male, served as the community's night watchman, a familiar and trusted presence in the small town. His life was cut tragically short on Sunday, July 7, 1901, while in the line of duty.
The catalyst for the fatal encounter was a domestic disturbance. A local man was reportedly abusing his family, and McMillan was dispatched to intervene.
Word of the approaching lawman reached the man, who then armed himself with a shotgun and went out to confront McMillan. The two met on a road near the suspect's home. In a swift and brutal act, the man fired his shotgun, striking McMillan in the chest and killing him instantly.
Following the shooting, the 54-year-old perpetrator was taken into custody. He was subsequently tried and found guilty of second-degree murder. The court sentenced him to 25 years in prison for the killing of Night Watchman McMillan. In a poignant turn of events, the convicted man was granted a day of freedom in 1905 to attend the funeral of his two daughters who had drowned in Humboldt. After serving a portion of his sentence, he was paroled a few years later.
