In the waning days of December 1911, a violent altercation in the small town of Crab Orchard, Kentucky, claimed the life of Deputy Marshal Elijah F. 'Lige' Hoskins, a 38-year-old male. The fatal incident began on the evening of December 23rd at a local soft drink stand. An ongoing feud escalated, and Hoskins, aware of the potential for violence, went to investigate the disturbance.
Upon his arrival, Hoskins was confronted by Walter Wallin.
When Hoskins refused to remove his hand from his pocket, Wallin shot him in the leg. The deputy marshal immediately returned fire, fatally wounding Wallin who died almost instantly. As Hoskins retreated from the establishment, he was attacked by another member of the Wallin family.
While struggling with this individual, a third man, Jake Wallin, emerged from across the street and opened fire on the wounded deputy. Out of ammunition, Hoskins was unable to defend himself and was struck four times. He succumbed to his injuries the following day, on December 24, 1911. He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In the aftermath of the deadly shootout, Jake Wallin was arrested and charged with the murder of Deputy Marshal Hoskins. However, on April 4, 1912, he was tried and subsequently acquitted of the charge. The funerals for both Elijah Hoskins and Walter Wallin were held on Christmas Day in 1911, casting a pall over the holiday season in the small Kentucky community.
