FRANK M. (JOE HORNER) CANTON - DOCUMENT SIGNED - HFSID 218013

FRANK M. CANTON (JOE HORNER)
The famed western outlaw turned lawman has filled out a form charging the government for expenses
Document signed: "F.M. Canton" as Deputy United States Marshal, 1p, 8¼x3. Printed by "Guthrie Daily Leader Print". (Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory), circa 1895 June 3. In full: "I Certify That from on June 3 to 1895, I used my own team for the purpose of Arresting Phillip Myers Et al as stated in within account. I further certify that the rates charged do not exceed those ordinarily charged by liverymen, and that nothing is charged for feeding the team. I also certify that my team consists of Hack and two horses as good or better than the average livery team, that I kept this team for the sole purpose of enabling me to perform my official duties and that it would otherwise be impossible to serve processes, as teams to go into the Indian country for any length of time can not be hired." Joe Horner (1849-1927) was a bank robber and rustler. He was jailed in 1877 for robbing a bank at Comanche, Texas but escaped. He legally changed his name to FRANK M. CANTON and vowed to uphold law and order. By 1882, he was a respectable ranch owner in Wyoming and was elected Sheriff of Johnson County. In 1891, Canton joined Frank Wolcott's Regulators, a group of gunmen hired by the cattlemen to wipe out the settlers in Johnson County. After the siege of the KC Ranch and the murders of settlers Nate Champion and Nick Ray, Canton and the others were tried for murder but, with the influence of the cattlemen, had the venue changed from Johnson County to Cheyenne, where they were tried and freed. Canton became Deputy U.S. Marshal under Judge Isaac Parker, the "Hanging Judge". It was in this capacity that Canton signed this document. Two years later, he became Deputy U.S. Marshal during the gold rush days in Alaska's Klondike and befriended writer Rex Beach, who used him as a model for many of the frontier heroes portrayed in his books. An extremely desirable, rarely encountered autograph of one of the important characters of the American West who contributed to its colorful history on both sides of the law. Pinched cancellation hole (all paper intact) at upper left corner touches 1 letter of signature. Otherwise, fine condition.