Evett Dumas Nix, often known as “E.D.” Nix, stood as a towering figure in the annals of Old West law enforcement, serving as the U.S. Marshal for the Oklahoma Territory from July 1, 1893, to 1896. During his pivotal tenure, Nix spearheaded relentless campaigns against the era’s most dangerous outlaws, most notably orchestrating the capture and demise of the notorious Doolin-Dalton Gang, forever etching his name into the history of American justice.
Born on September 19, 1861, in Kentucky, Evett Dumas Nix was destined for a life intertwined with law and order, inheriting a legacy from his father, a deputy sheriff, and his uncle, a county sheriff. His early life saw him working in his father’s factory before venturing into entrepreneurship, operating a successful grocery, hardware, and furniture business in Coldwater, Kentucky. Nix later transitioned into a traveling sales representative role, which eventually led him to Paducah, Kentucky, where he married Ellen Felts in 1885. Seeking new opportunities, the couple relocated to Guthrie, Oklahoma, in October 1889. Here, Nix quickly established himself as a prosperous businessman, forging influential friendships that would prove instrumental in his future career.
The Youngest U.S. Marshal: A Leader Emerges
At the remarkably young age of 32, Evett Dumas Nix was appointed U.S. Marshal of the Oklahoma Territory on July 1, 1893, making him the youngest individual to ever hold such a significant federal position. His appointment was met with widespread approval and a profound sense of anticipation, particularly highlighted by the Guthrie Daily News, which lauded his capabilities:
“He has, right now, all the sturdy characteristics of a veteran. A forceful independence, a clear, cool head, a quiet, unostentatious confidence in himself that is the best equipment a man can have who would fill successfully the high office to which his merits, and his merits alone, were the signal cause of his call.”
This declaration underscored the high expectations placed upon Nix to tame the burgeoning lawlessness of the Oklahoma Territory. His strategic foresight and leadership qualities were recognized early, setting the stage for a dramatic period of law enforcement.
Taming the Lawless Frontier: A Formidable Force
The Oklahoma Territory, during the concluding years of Judge Isaac Parker’s influential tenure, remained a perilous and unruly frontier, teeming with desperadoes and criminal elements. Recognizing the monumental challenge ahead, Marshal Nix swiftly moved to assemble an elite and formidable force of deputies. He strategically enlisted veteran peace officers, including legends of the Old West such as Henry Andrew “Heck” Thomas, William Matthew “Bill” Tilghman, Chris Madsen, Frank M. Canton, Charles Colcord, and John Hixon, among others. These seasoned lawmen formed the backbone of Nix’s aggressive campaign to bring order to the chaotic territory.
The Hunt for the Doolin-Dalton Gang
Upon assuming office, Marshal Nix identified the terror unleashed by the Doolin-Dalton Gang as his foremost priority. This notorious gang was actively pillaging and murdering across the territory, posing a direct threat to peace and stability. Nix wasted no time in devising a comprehensive strategy to dismantle their operations. Just a few months into his appointment, on September 1, 1893, he personally led a massive posse comprising 27 deputy marshals and Indian Police. Their target was Ingalls, Oklahoma, a known sanctuary for the outlaws.
The Fateful Battle of Ingalls
The ensuing confrontation, famously known as the Battle of Ingalls, was a brutal and costly affair for both sides. While gang members “Bittercreek” Newcomb, Charley Pierce, and “Dynamite Dan” Clifton were wounded but managed to escape, the Marshal’s office suffered significant losses. Three of Nix’s brave deputy marshals—Thomas Hueston, Richard Speed, and Lafeyette Shadley—were tragically killed in the line of duty. Only one gang member, “Arkansas Tom” Jones, was captured. Despite the tactical victory for the outlaws that day, Evett Nix was resolute: the “war” against the Doolin-Dalton Gang was far from over.
Undaunted by the initial setback, Nix intensified his efforts. He organized an even more specialized and formidable group, an elite force of approximately 100 U.S. Deputy Marshals, singularly dedicated to the eradication of the Doolin-Dalton Gang. Under Nix’s relentless leadership, this specialized unit systematically hunted down and brought to justice every member of the gang. By 1898, a mere five years after Nix took office, the Doolin-Dalton Gang had been entirely captured or killed, effectively ending their reign of terror and bringing a measure of peace to the Oklahoma Territory. This achievement stands as one of the defining moments of E.D. Nix‘s career, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to law and order.
Dismissal, Later Life, and Enduring Legacy
Evett Nix’s distinguished career as U.S. Marshal came to an abrupt end on January 24, 1896, following an audit that alleged misuse of funds. However, subsequent investigations and historical context revealed that this “misuse” was likely a consequence of the inadequate and flawed fee system then in place for compensating U.S. Marshals Service officers, rather than any deliberate wrongdoing on Nix’s part. The system often left marshals personally funding operations, blurring financial lines, thus making his dismissal controversial in retrospect.
After his dismissal, Nix returned to his life as a respected businessman in Guthrie. His experiences on the frontier and intimate knowledge of the outlaws he pursued inspired him to co-author a significant historical account. In 1929, alongside Gordon Hines, he published “Oklahombres: Particularly the Wilder Ones,” a detailed narrative chronicling the final days and ultimate downfall of the Doolin-Dalton Gang. This work provided invaluable insights into a critical period of Old West history from the perspective of a central figure.
Evett Dumas Nix passed away on February 4, 1946, in Riverside, California, and was laid to rest in Paducah, Kentucky. His tenure as U.S. Marshal, though relatively brief, was marked by extraordinary courage, strategic acumen, and an unwavering commitment to justice. He inherited a chaotic, lawless territory and, through his decisive leadership and the efforts of his dedicated deputies, left a profound and lasting impact, helping to usher in an era of greater stability and order. His legacy continues to resonate as a testament to the challenges and triumphs of law enforcement in the American Old West.
