Known affectionately as Pistol Pete, Frank Boardman Eaton was a quintessential figure of the American Old West, embodying the rugged spirit of the frontier. From a tender age, Frank Eaton navigated a life marked by tragedy, vengeance, and an unwavering commitment to justice, becoming a cowboy, an Indian fighter, a U.S. Deputy Marshal, a scout, and an author whose tales captivated generations.
Born on October 26, 1860, in Hartford, Connecticut, Frank Eaton’s early life took a dramatic turn when his family relocated to a homestead in Twin Mounds, Kansas, at the tender age of eight. This pivotal year tragically defined much of his future when his father, a Union Army veteran, became embroiled in a dispute with a group of former Confederate men, some of whom had ridden with the notorious Quantrill’s Raiders during the Civil War. In a cold-blooded act witnessed by young Frank, his father was murdered right in front of him. This horrific event ignited a deep-seated desire for retribution, which a compassionate family friend nurtured by teaching the boy the intricate art of gun handling.
