Silverton in San Juan County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Slaying of Town Marshal Clate Ogsbury
Photographed By James Hulse, July 7, 2021
1. The Slaying of Town Marshal Clate Ogsbury Marker
Inscription.
The Slaying of Town Marshal Clate Ogsbury. . , On August 24, 1881, Silverton Town Marshal David Clayton "Clate" Ogsbury was gunned down in a shootout with members of the Stockton-Eskridge Gang outside the notorious Diamond Saloon at the corner of 11th and Greene streets. The gang had ridden into town after a breakout at the Durango jail, with La Plata County Sheriff Luke Hunter on their trail. A dozen or more shots were fired, injuring at least two others. One shot hit the First Congregational Church at the corner of 11th and Reese. Two members of the gang were subsequently captured and lynched in downtown Silverton by persons unknown - the last lynchings in Silverton., Dedicated on the twenty-fourth day of August, 2016, in honor of Silverton Town Marshal David Clayton Ogsbury, Oct. 18, 1847-Aug. 24, 1881., David Clayton Ogsbury had been Silverton Town Marshal for just three months when he was killed in the line of duty by Burt Wilkinson, a member of the notorious Stockton-Eskridge Gang of outlaws. Members of gang had arrived in town Aug. 24, 1881, and Marshal Ogsbury was waiting for arrest warrants to arrive from La Plata County. The warrants did not arrive until 11 PM that night when La Plata County Sheriff Luke Hunter rode in from Durango. Sheriff Hunter contacted the night marshal, Emerson Hodges, and the two men went to Marshal Ogsbury's room at the rear of Goode's Saloon to awaken him. The three officers then walked to the Diamond Saloon where they believed the outlaws could be found. As they approached, Marshal Ogsbury saw a man leaning against the saloon in the dark. Before the marshal could say a word, the man fired a gun, mortally wounding Marshal Ogsbury. The outlaws emerged from the saloon firing their guns and forced the other officers to retreat. Two outlaws, Burt Wilkinson and Kid Thomas, were later captured and lynched by vigilantes in downtown Silverton. The good citizens of Silverton were justifiably enraged by the cowardly slaying of their beloved Town Marshal and regret that the two outlaws were hung prior to being afforded a trial.
On August 24, 1881, Silverton Town Marshal David Clayton "Clate" Ogsbury was gunned down in a shootout with members of the Stockton-Eskridge Gang outside the notorious Diamond Saloon at the corner of 11th and Greene streets. The gang had ridden into town after a breakout at the Durango jail, with La Plata County Sheriff Luke Hunter on their trail. A dozen or more shots were fired, injuring at least two others. One shot hit the First Congregational Church at the corner of 11th and Reese. Two members of the gang were subsequently captured and lynched in downtown Silverton by persons unknown - the last lynchings in Silverton.
Dedicated on the twenty-fourth day of August, 2016, in honor of Silverton Town Marshal David Clayton Ogsbury, Oct. 18, 1847-Aug. 24, 1881.
David Clayton Ogsbury had been Silverton Town Marshal for just three months when he was killed in the line of duty by Burt Wilkinson, a member of the notorious Stockton-Eskridge Gang of outlaws. Members of gang had arrived in town Aug. 24, 1881, and Marshal Ogsbury was waiting for arrest warrants to arrive from La Plata County. The warrants did not arrive until 11 PM that night when La Plata County Sheriff Luke Hunter rode in from Durango. Sheriff Hunter contacted the night marshal, Emerson Hodges, and the two men went to Marshal Ogsbury's room at
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the rear of Goode's Saloon to awaken him. The three officers then walked to the Diamond Saloon where they believed the outlaws could be found. As they approached, Marshal Ogsbury saw a man leaning against the saloon in the dark. Before the marshal could say a word, the man fired a gun, mortally wounding Marshal Ogsbury. The outlaws emerged from the saloon firing their guns and forced the other officers to retreat. Two outlaws, Burt Wilkinson and Kid Thomas, were later captured and lynched by vigilantes in downtown Silverton. The good citizens of Silverton were justifiably enraged by the cowardly slaying of their beloved Town Marshal and regret that the two outlaws were hung prior to being afforded a trial.
Erected 2016 by San Juan County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is August 24, 1881.
Location. 37° 48.649′ N, 107° 39.896′ W. Marker is in Silverton, Colorado, in San Juan County. Marker is at the intersection of Greene Street (County Highway 110) and East 11th Street, on the right when traveling north on Greene Street. The marker is located at the corner of the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1130 Greene Street, Silverton CO 81433, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1129 Greene (within shouting distance of this marker); 1069 Greene
Photographed By James Hulse, July 7, 2021
2. Reverse side - The Slaying of Town Marshal Clate Ogsbury Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 622 times since then and 74 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week August 21, 2022. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on August 18, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on July 8, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
