Our Arklahoma Heritage: Dispute at Mayes County Christmas Eve event in 1908 left Deputy Sheriff dead

On a cold Christmas Eve, the small community of Hogan Township was shaken by the tragic death of Mayes County Deputy Sheriff Charles Nicholas Mitchell.

At age 36, Mitchell was fatally shot while responding to a disturbance at a local Christmas program.

Charles Nicholas Mitchell was born on February 1, 1872, in Missouri, one of several children in a close-knit family. Little is documented about his early years, but by the time he settled in Mayes County,, he had established himself as a dedicated family man and community member.

Mayes County in the early 20th century was a region of transition. The area, part of the former Indian Territory, was home to a mix of Native American residents, settlers, and farmers.

Towns like Pryor and Chouteau were developing, but law enforcement was often stretched thin, with deputies covering vast rural areas. Mitchell’s role as a deputy placed him at the heart of maintaining order in a sometimes volatile frontier.

On December 24, 1908, Mitchell attended a Christmas program in Hogan Township. . Such events were common in rural Oklahoma, bringing together families for music, recitations, and celebration.

While inside, Mitchell was alerted to a disturbance outside the venue. According to reports, Mitchell confronted individuals causing the disturbance. In the ensuing encounter, he was shot three times, sustaining wounds that proved fatal. .

Mitchell succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a grieving family and a stunned community.

Three brothers were later arrested and charged with his murder, though historical records do not specify the outcome of their trials.

Married with five children, Mitchell was survived by his wife, two brothers, and three sisters

His burial place is unknown, although the Hogan Cemetery in Locust Grove is mentioned as a possible interment site in most records.