Chariton in Lucas County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Murder of Sheriff Gaylord Lyman

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021

1. The Murder of Sheriff Gaylord Lyman Marker

Inscription. It was in this spot on July 6th, 1870 that Hiram Wilson gunned down Sheriff Gaylord Lyman.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is July 6, 1870.

Location. 41° 0.873′ N, 93° 18.405′ W. Marker is in Chariton, Iowa, in Lucas County. Marker is at the intersection of North Grand Street and Court Avenue (Business U.S. 34), on the right when traveling north on North Grand Street. The marker is mounted on the southwest corner of the building at this address, facing North Grand Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 North Grand Street, Chariton IA 50049, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Crozier Building (here, next to this marker); Lucas County Civil War Monument & Fence (within shouting distance of this marker); Lucas County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mormon Trail (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John L. Lewis (approx. 8.1 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. The murder of Sheriff Gaylord Lyman (Lucas Countyan Blog). Excerpt:

(by Frank D. Myers) So far as I know, the good people of Lucas County lost their collective
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temper only once, during July of 1870 when horse thief Hiram Wilson shot and killed Sheriff Gaylord Lyman. The result was a lynching at the courthouse.
The following account was published on Pages 563-569 within a chapter entited "Criminal History," of "History of Lucas County, Iowa," Des Moines: State Historical Co., 1881. Much of the report was transcribed from an account published in The Chariton Democrat of 12 July 1870...

(Submitted on January 15, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Hiram Wilson's lynching: The lost Patriot report (Lucas Countyan Blog). Excerpt:

(by Frank D. Myers) Lucas County Sheriff Gaylord Lyman was shot down near the southeast corner of Chariton's square by a horse thief on July 6, 1870, and his killer — Hiram Wilson — lynched that night, tossed out a second-floor courthouse window by an enraged mob with a rope around his neck. We all know that story. Right?
We know it in large part because Dan Baker, when compiling the 1881 history of Lucas County, transcribed The Chariton Democrat's first-hand "Extra" report of these events and republished it. But now, thanks to the miracles of modern technology (digitalized newspaper databases with search engines), I've located the "lost" Patriot report transcribed
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021

2. The Murder of Sheriff Gaylord Lyman Marker
The marker is mounted on the southwest corner of the building.
and published on July 11, 1870, in The Chicago Tribune...

(Submitted on January 15, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Eikenberry-Crozier Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021

3. Eikenberry-Crozier Building

Looking northeast. Court Avenue is on the right. The marker is mounted at the right edge of the front facade.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 60 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on January 14, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on January 15, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on January 14, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.