Chandler in Lincoln County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
William Matthew Tilghman
July 4, 1854 - Nov. 1, 1924
Photographed By Jason Armstrong, August 28, 2021
1. William Matthew Tilghman Marker
Bill Tilghman was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, but soon moved to Atchison, Kansas. As a young man he was a buffalo hunter and scout for the U.S. Army. His skill as a marksman brought him into law enforcement as marshal of Dodge City, Kansas. He was appointed Deputy United States Marshal in 1891. His service continued for 35 years. Tilghman made the Oklahoma Territory Land Run for former Sac and Fox Indian lands September 22, 1891, staking a claim near what would become Chandler. Tilghman also served as sheriff of Lincoln County, police chief of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma state senator. Historian William Raines said of Marshal Tilghman, "He took a thousand chances, made more arrests of dangerous men, broke up more outlaw gangs, sent more criminals to prison than any individual officer on the frontier." None of the fabled lawmen of Western myth, including Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, or Bill Hickok, came close to matching his record. Called out of retirement at age 70 to return to duty, Tilghman was killed in Cromwell, OK in 1924. Bat Masterson said of him, "He was the greatest of us all."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1854.
Location. 35° 42.01′ N, 96° 54.223′ W. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lincoln County War Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); Wolcott Building (approx. 1.3 miles away); Oleson-Crane Building (approx. 1.3 miles away); Chandler Brick Paving (approx. 1.3 miles away); Phillips 66 Filling Station (approx. 1.3 miles away); Crane Motor Company (approx. 1.3 miles away); Flynt Building (approx. 1.3 miles away); 1930 Phillips 66 Filling Station, Chandler, Oklahoma (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chandler.
Photographed By Jason Armstrong, August 28, 2021
2. William Matrhew Tilghman Marker
Photographed By Jason Armstrong, August 28, 2021
3. William Matthew Tilghman Headstone
Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2022, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. This page has been viewed 197 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 7, 2022, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
