Roll of Honor
Harrington Lee "Hal" Gosling
Incident
Two outlaws, Charles Yeager and James Pitts, were arrested for robbing post offices and other crimes. They were tried, convicted and sentenced to life in prison at a trial in U.S. District Court in Austin. Family and friends conspired to free them on the train back to the jail in San Antonio. The conspirators agreed in advance that they had to kill Marshal Gosling. The prisoners were handcuffed together and were seated facing each other at the window. Pitts' 18 year old wife and Yeager's sister were allowed to sit next to them on the train. Marshal Gosling was warned of an escape attempt, but took no precautions. He was accompanied only by deputies John Manning and Fred Loring. A number of family and friends also got on the train, including Pitts' grandmother. At a point about 4 miles from New Braunfels, one or both of the women handed the prisoners each a pistol. Pitts ordered the officers to surrender, but Marshal Gosling was hindered because his pistol was under his vest. Pitts shot the marshal behind the left ear and Yeager shot him in the back. The marshal collapsed on Deputy Manning, who was then shot twice. Manning rose and shot Pitts twice. The conductor opened fire and shot and mortally wounded Pitts' grandmother when she confronted him. Deputy Loring opened fire and wounded Yeager's sister and shot Yeager twice as he and Pitts jumped from the train and fled. Pitts died from four wounds, and Yeager was arrested later by a posse. Charles Yeager and the conspirators were never convicted for the murder of Marshal Gosling. Yeager was sent to federal prison in Illinois on the original conviction. He was pardoned on December 25, 1903 after 18 years in prison. Marshal Gosling was buried in the Knights of Pythias Cemetery in San Antonio. He was survived by his wife and two small sons. He was a lawyer and newspaper owner before being appointed as a U.S. Marshal.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two small sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-A9A68F9E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Harrington. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
141 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Marshal Gosling gave the United States Department of Justice 2 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal Harrington Lee "Hal" Gosling is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 53.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, 251 of 313 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harrington Lee "Hal" Gosling's cause is highlighted.
How Harrington Lee "Hal" Gosling Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harrington Lee "Hal" Gosling is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harrington Lee "Hal" Gosling was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
312 officers from United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
