In the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 25, 1905, Deputy U.S. Marshal Zack T. Wade, a 35-year-old lawman with approximately seven years of service, approached a home in Union Hall, nestled in Franklin County, Virginia. His objective was to arrest a man for the illegal production of moonshine. However, the attempt to serve the warrant turned fatal.
The suspect, resisting arrest, fired a shotgun, striking Deputy Marshal Wade in the abdomen.
The grievous wound proved to be fatal for Deputy Marshal Wade, ending his dedicated career in law enforcement. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the suspect fled into the rugged terrain of the surrounding mountains, sparking a manhunt. For five days, he managed to evade capture, his freedom, however, was short-lived. A local farmer discovered the fugitive and successfully apprehended him, turning him over to the authorities.
The wheels of justice began to turn for the man responsible for Deputy Marshal Wade's death. He was subsequently tried and found guilty of first-degree murder. The conviction carried the ultimate penalty, and on November 24th, 1905, the suspect was executed for his crime.
