Deputy Sheriff James Wesley Williams

Deputy Sheriff James Williams was shot and mortally wounded in a gun battle with a suspicious man he attempted to question.

For several days people who lived near Penick, a small village six miles north of Lebanon, had been frightened by the actions of a strange man who would run away when approached. When Deputy Willams and his posse attempted to approach the man he drew two pistols and opened fire. As Deputy Williams fell with a bullet wound in his right side, he emptied his gun, killing the suspect. Four of his possemen were shot and wounded, two seriously. Deputy Williams died from his wounds the next day.