In the rugged and often lawless expanse of the American Old West, law enforcement officers faced peril daily. Among these brave individuals was Andrew Balfour, a dedicated Deputy Sheriff in Kiowa County, Kansas, whose commitment to justice ultimately cost him his life in the pursuit of a notorious outlaw. The story of Deputy Sheriff Andrew Balfour is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who sought to bring order to a burgeoning frontier.
Andrew W. Balfour, or Belfour as his surname was sometimes recorded, was born on May 12, 1851, in Quincy, Illinois. His early life in Illinois saw him marry Perina Price, also a native of the state. Together, they would build a family, raising six children. At some point, seeking new opportunities or perhaps drawn by the frontier spirit, the Balfour family relocated to Kansas, where Andrew would eventually take up the badge as a law officer, dedicating himself to public service in Kiowa County.
The Shadow of Zip Wyatt: A Lawman’s Fateful Pursuit
The 1890s in the American West were still marked by the exploits of daring outlaws and the relentless efforts of lawmen to apprehend them. It was in this tumultuous environment that Deputy Balfour found himself on the trail of one of the era’s most elusive criminals, Zip Wyatt. Wyatt, whose real name was George Washington Miller, had already established a reputation for violence and defiance of the law.
Wyatt’s notoriety grew after an incident in Mulhall, Oklahoma, on June 3, 1891, where he had brazenly shot up the town, leaving two citizens wounded. Following this violent spree, Wyatt fled north, disappearing into the vast Cherokee Outlet before making his way into Kansas. This move brought him directly into Deputy Balfour’s jurisdiction and ultimately set the stage for their tragic encounter.
The Fourth of July Confrontation
With an active arrest warrant for Wyatt, the pursuit intensified. Deputy Balfour learned that Wyatt had been spotted in Kiowa County, specifically stealing riding gear in Greensburg. Information then surfaced that the outlaw planned to attend a Fourth of July picnic at Pryor’s Grove, located in southeast Edwards County, approximately ten miles north of Greensburg. This seemingly innocuous gathering on a national holiday would become the scene of a fatal showdown.
On July 4, 1892, Deputy Sheriff Andrew Balfour bravely made his way to Pryor’s Grove. Locating Zip Wyatt amidst the festivities, Balfour approached him calmly. The two men engaged in a brief conversation before Balfour, fulfilling his duty, informed Wyatt of the outstanding warrant and the necessity of taking him into custody. It was at this critical moment, as Balfour momentarily shifted his attention due to the arrival of another individual, that Wyatt seized his chance. The outlaw swiftly drew a gun and fired, striking Balfour in the abdomen, with the bullet lodging in his spine. Despite being mortally wounded and falling to the ground, Deputy Balfour demonstrated immense courage. He managed to draw his own weapon and return fire, wounding Wyatt in the hand before succumbing to his injuries just 30 minutes later.
Andrew Balfour was only 41 years old. He left behind his wife and six children, a family shattered by the sudden loss of their patriarch. His body was laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Greensburg, Kansas, a solemn testament to the dangers faced by lawmen on the frontier.
The Pursuit and Downfall of Zip Wyatt
In the immediate aftermath of Balfour’s murder, Zip Wyatt once again managed to escape justice. Now with an additional warrant for murder and a $1,000 reward for his capture, he fled to his native Indiana, seeking refuge with relatives. However, the long arm of the law eventually caught up with him. Several months later, Wyatt was apprehended and, following a lengthy extradition process, was returned to Guthrie, Oklahoma, to face charges related to his rampage in Mulhall.
Yet, Wyatt’s ability to evade capture seemed almost supernatural. In December 1892, he once again escaped, quickly forming a new gang with another notorious outlaw, Ike Black. Together, they continued their reign of terror, committing numerous robberies and murders across the territory. The duo became so infamous that their gang was soon blamed for virtually every crime committed in the area, leading authorities to place a substantial $5,000 reward on Wyatt’s head, signaling the territory’s desperate desire for his capture.
The law’s relentless pursuit of Zip Wyatt finally reached its climax years later. On August 1, 1895, a fierce shootout erupted, during which Ike Black was killed. Though wounded, Wyatt managed to slip away once more, showcasing his remarkable resilience. However, his luck would soon run out. Just three days later, a determined posse cornered him at Skeleton Creek. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, Wyatt was gravely wounded, suffering a gut-shot and a shattered pelvis. He was taken into custody but his injuries were too severe. Zip Wyatt died in jail in Enid, Oklahoma, on September 7, 1895, at the age of 32. He was ultimately buried in a pauper’s grave south of Enid, a solitary end for a life lived on the wrong side of the law.
A Lasting Legacy of Courage
The tragic death of Deputy Sheriff Andrew Balfour on the Fourth of July, 1892, stands as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers during the formative years of the American West. His bravery in confronting a dangerous outlaw like Zip Wyatt, even at the cost of his own life, embodies the spirit of dedication to justice that many frontier lawmen demonstrated. While Wyatt’s criminal career eventually ended, Balfour’s legacy as a courageous officer, who died upholding the law in Kiowa County, Kansas, is etched into the history of the Old West, serving as an enduring symbol of duty and sacrifice.
