In the small town of Coyle, Oklahoma, a night of camaraderie among friends took a tragic and fatal turn for 26-year-old Ben Higbee. On the evening of January 31, 1904, Higbee, who served as a cashier in his father's bank and had recently been appointed the city marshal, was at a local saloon with several other young men. A friendly scuffle broke out, and in the midst of the horseplay, Higbee's.
45 caliber pistol was dislodged from its holster.
The heavy firearm struck the floor and discharged, sending a single bullet into Higbee's body. The projectile entered his groin and traveled upward, inflicting devastating damage to his intestines, liver, and lungs before coming to rest in his left shoulder. He was taken for medical attention but succumbed to his grievous injuries on the operating table the following day, February 1, 1904.
The official accounts of the incident describe the shooting as a tragic accident. As a result, no arrests were made, and there were no suspects in the death of Ben Higbee. The community was left to mourn the sudden and unfortunate loss of a promising young man. The Higbee family, struck by the tragedy, sold their interest in the bank and departed from Coyle soon after.
