Deputy James Coggburn and Deputy William Bates were shot and killed while leading a posse that was pursuing several horse thieves along Bee Creek, near the Missouri - Arkansas state border.

Both deputies were killed during a shootout that ensued after the posse cornered the subjects in a cabin. The owner of the cabin and a suspect were shot and killed. The others escaped.

Deputy Bates was survived by his wife and three children.

Deputy Coggburn was a private in the Union Army's 5th Missouri Regiment during the Civil War.

Article by Brent Marchant