

Deputy William R. Ayers had a warrant for Emanuel Patterson on a larceny charge.
Late the night of August 11, 1880, Deputy Ayers went to Patterson’s house near Cherokeetown in the Chickasaw Nation to serve the warrant.
Ayers knocked on the door and entered the house, telling Patterson he was under arrest. Patterson asked Ayers if he could get some clothes on and Ayers agreed.
Instead of getting dressed, Patterson picked up a gun and shot the deputy in the head killing him.
Emanuel Patterson was found guilty of Deputy Ayers’ murder and was hanged on April 28, 1888, by Judge Parker in Ft. Smith.
