Wiley Lynn facts for kids

Wiley Ulysses Lynn (born May 28, 1888 – died July 17, 1932) was an American agent during a time called the Prohibition Era. This was a period in the early 1900s when making and selling alcohol was against the law. Lynn is mostly known for a serious event: he killed a famous lawman named Bill Tilghman. This happened on November 1, 1924, in Cromwell, Oklahoma.

Early Life and Work

Growing Up in Oklahoma

Wiley Lynn was born in Madill, Oklahoma. His father was a farmer. His family were also members of the Choctaw Nation. Lynn is listed on the Dawes Rolls, which are official records of Native American tribal members.

Family and Early Jobs

On August 14, 1905, Wiley Lynn married Allie M. Banks. She was from Ardmore, Oklahoma. They had two sons together. Lynn worked in the oil fields of Oklahoma. He was a laborer and a mechanic. In 1918, he worked for the Rosana Petroleum Company.

Becoming a Prohibition Agent

Later, Lynn became an agent for the Bureau of Prohibition. He was sent to work in the town of Cromwell, Oklahoma. His job was to stop people from making or selling illegal alcohol.

Trouble in Cromwell, Oklahoma

A Dangerous Town

By 1924, Cromwell was a very rough and dangerous town. There was little law and order. Wiley Lynn, the Prohibition agent, was actually part of the problem. He was supposed to enforce the law. Instead, he made deals with people who sold illegal alcohol. He would take money from them. In return, he would let them avoid going to jail.

The Famous Lawman, Bill Tilghman

Bill Tilghman was a very famous lawman. He had been a Deputy US Marshal. By 1924, he was 70 years old and had retired from law enforcement. However, he was known as a legend. He helped capture the Doolin Dalton Gang in the 1890s.

Tilghman had also been elected to the Oklahoma Senate. He was even the police chief of Oklahoma City in 1911. In 1915, he helped make a film called The Passing of the Oklahoma Outlaws. This movie showed law enforcement in a more realistic way. In 1924, Tilghman took a job as marshal of Cromwell. His goal was to "clean up the town."

Lynn and Tilghman's Conflict

From the start, Lynn and Tilghman did not get along. Tilghman arrested many people for breaking Prohibition laws. But Lynn would often step in and let these prisoners go free. Tilghman suspected Lynn was corrupt. However, he did not have clear proof to show what Lynn was doing.

The Shooting of Bill Tilghman

On November 1, 1924, Bill Tilghman was shot twice by Wiley Lynn. Lynn had attacked Tilghman, and Tilghman fought back. After the shooting, Wiley Lynn ran away. He later turned himself in at the Federal District Headquarters in Holdenville, Oklahoma. He claimed he shot Tilghman in self-defense.

The Trial and Aftermath

Lynn was later found not guilty after a trial. One important witness did not show up in court. This witness had left for Florida. Another witness, Rose Lutke, also disappeared and was never seen again. A Deputy Marshal named Hugh Sawyer testified that he could not see clearly what happened. This made it harder for the prosecution.

About a month after Tilghman's death, the town of Cromwell was burned down. There was no investigation into the fires. No one was arrested. Many people believed that lawmen who were friends with Tilghman set the fires. Cromwell never fully recovered. It became a much smaller town.

Later Life and Death

Lynn's Life Changes

Wiley Lynn was found not guilty in the trial. He even kept his job as a Prohibition agent for a short time. But he eventually lost his job. His life became difficult. His wife took their two sons and left him.

Final Shootout in Madill

On the night of July 17, 1932, Wiley Lynn was badly hurt in a shootout. He died during surgery from his injuries.