In the quiet, rural landscape of Menifee County, Kentucky, a dedicated Deputy U.S. Marshal named Howard Wilson was on a mission. He, along with a fellow deputy, was in pursuit of a man wanted in Virginia for a string of serious crimes that included murder and robbery. Their search led them to the small community of Mariba, where they located their quarry walking with another man and two young women. As the lawmen approached from behind and identified themselves, the situation escalated with shocking speed. Both the wanted man and his companion turned and began firing at the deputies.
In the ensuing gunfight, Deputy Marshal Wilson returned fire, fatally striking the suspect's associate. Tragically, the wanted man's shots found their mark as well, and Deputy Marshal Wilson fell, having been fatally wounded. The second deputy managed to shoot and critically injure the suspect, who was then taken into custody. However, the story did not end there. The 22-year-old suspect later managed to escape from the Frenchburg Jail, just two days after being transferred from a hospital.
Following his escape, the suspect continued a life of violence. He was responsible for the shooting death of another man at a liquor still in Menifee County the following September. His time as a fugitive came to a violent end in November 1904. While being pursued by a posse in Breathitt County, he once again chose to fight, turning and opening fire on his pursuers. He killed two of the posse members before he was shot and killed in the return fire, bringing a close to his violent rampage. Deputy Marshal Wilson was survived by his wife, a daughter, and two sons.
