On a Tuesday afternoon, June 30, 1903, in Centralia, Washington, the life of Deputy Marshal James C.A. Parsons, a 56-year-old man, was tragically cut short. The events leading to his death began with a complaint about a man, who identified himself as John Smith, making obscene remarks to children at the Harbor Hotel. Marshal Henry Schields initially responded to the complaint and, after speaking with Smith, decided to obtain an arrest warrant before taking him into custody.
He instructed Deputy Marshal Parsons to keep an eye on Smith in the meantime.
Later that day, Smith became disorderly, and Parsons attempted to arrest him. A gunfight erupted between the two men. Parsons expended all the ammunition in his revolver and had to retreat into a nearby tavern to procure another weapon. He then took cover behind a white picket fence, intending to reload and surprise Smith.
As Smith approached, Parsons attempted to strike him with his revolver but unfortunately dropped the weapon. Smith quickly seized the opportunity, picked up Parsons' fallen revolver, and shot the deputy marshal three times in the chest. James Parsons died from his wounds later that night. His death marked the first and only killing of a law enforcement officer in Centralia's history. A posse was quickly formed to apprehend John Smith, who was last seen fleeing the area. Smith was described as a railroad laborer wearing corduroy trousers with a torn knee, a black coat and vest, and a black hat. Despite the manhunt and various reported sightings, there is no record of John Smith ever being captured, and the murder of Deputy Marshal James C.A. Parsons remains unsolved.
