In the winter of 1902, a violent encounter in Caddo County, Oklahoma, led to the death of 42-year-old Sheriff Frank E. Smith. On Wednesday, January 15th, Sheriff Smith, along with Deputy Sheriff George Beck and another deputy, attempted to arrest a group of five horse thieves. The lawmen located the suspects, members of the notorious Casey Gang, in a cabin situated between Anadarko and Fort Cobb.
As the deputies moved in to apprehend the men, the suspects opened fire.
Deputy Beck was wounded in the initial volley of gunfire. Sheriff Smith managed to reach the front door of the cabin. As he kicked in the door and entered the dwelling, he was fatally shot. Despite his injuries, Deputy Beck continued the fight until he too was killed.
In the aftermath of the deadly shootout, the Casey Gang fled the scene. However, law enforcement launched a determined effort to bring the perpetrators to justice. A few days after the killings, two of the suspects were apprehended. Their legal proceedings concluded with convictions for manslaughter, with one receiving a sentence of three years and the other eight years in the Kansas Penitentiary. The remaining members of the gang met a more violent end. One of the suspects was shot and killed by deputies near Wewaka on February 21st, 1902. The final two fugitives were located and killed by deputies at Cleo Springs on November 3rd, 1902.
