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Incident
Special Deputy Cyrus Eaton, Special Deputy Bob Hubbard, Special Deputy Roland Wilcox and Sheriff John Cross were shot and killed in what became known as the "Hay Meadow Massacre", the result of a fight between two towns, Hugoton and Woodsdale, to become the county seat of Stevens County.
The citizens of both towns were holding a meeting in nearby Voorhees when the Hugoton marshal hit the Woodsdale sheriff with the butt of his revolver. A warrant was issued for the marshal. Sheriff Cross and four men he deputized, Cyrus Eaton, Bob Hubbard, Roland Wilcox, and Herbert Tooney went after the marshal but failed to find him. While on their way back to Woodsdale they were ambushed by the marshal and up to 10 men with him. All five officers were lined up and then shot execution style with a Winchester rifle. Deputy Tooney survived the shooting and played dead as the subjects went through his pockets and took his belongings.
Two weeks later the Kansas Militia established martial law in the area. All six suspects were arrested and charged with four counts of murder. In July of 1890 all six were convicted of murder and sentenced to hang. On January 26, 1891, the U. S. Supreme Court voided their convictions because the killings took place in "No Mans Land", the present day Oklahoma Panhandle, where no court had jurisdiction. They were never tried again.
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- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Deputy Eaton served with the Stevens County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hugoton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Stevens County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Cyrus is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Cyrus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Cyrus is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1888, 7 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1888, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1888, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cyrus had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Cyrus had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cyrus had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.4% of these deaths in KS, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Stevens County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 1.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Stevens County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Cyrus among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Stevens County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.