Frontier lawman serving Ellis County, Kansas; he was elected Sheriff of Ellis County on Nov. 1, 1871 and was the first man to complete a full term in office. During his first term, he broke up several bands of stock thieves near Hays, Kansas, winning a local reputation. He was re-elected on Nov. 4, 1873, and also appointed a Deputy US Marshal in Dec. 1873. On June 15, 1874, after an exciting chase, he apprehended the notorious cattle rustler and horse thief, Henry "Dutch Henry" Born, who had been wounded during the chase. However, he was freed.
A year later, just a few days before his death, he broke up a band of train robbers that had been for many months committing "serious depredations" in the vicinity of Hays City. No sooner had he finished this job, when he was informed about an extensive robbery in which a band of horse thieves had captured and taken away a large drove of ponies.
On Monday, he and his Deputy Sheriff, Frank Shepherd, traveled during the forenoon in a two-horse wagon. Near Kill Creek, they observed recently made tracks showing that a large number of horses had passed through there. They were confident they were hot on the trail of the guilty parties. They believed it could be the work of Henry Born, who was known to be operating in the area. Unhitching their horses, they rode fast to Stockton, arriving there just after sundown. They found the drove of ponies there and a man by the last name of Deems attempting to sell them.
Sheriff Ramsey walked up to the man, ordered him to hold up his hands and declared him under arrest. Dodging behind a pony, the thief drew up his revolver and as Ramsey fired at him, he returned the shots. Ramsey could not see the outlaw, who was protected by his horse. Suddenly, Ramsey was seen to stagger for a moment after the discharge of the horse thief's revolver. Pale as death, he rushed forward and fired three bullets at the thief, who was killed instantly. Ramsey sank to the ground, fatally wounded. He was carried to a nearby drug store, where he died a short time later.
During the shooting, Shepard pursued the second suspect, found him in a store, and the two men exchanged gunfire. The thief then ran, firing at Shepherd on the jump, until he reached the street, when he jumped on a strange horse and slipping the bridle from off his head, thrust his spurs into his flanks and sped away like the wind. He did not sit firm in his saddle, but reeled from one side to the other, leading Shepard to believe he was wounded. He escaped for the time being, but left behind his drove of stolen ponies, over twenty in number.
The thief who escaped was described in a local newspaper as follows: Six feet in height, sharp features, dark complexion, small black chin whiskers, and mustache. In stealing the ponies he gave a bill of sale signed with the name of Stanley. (The Inter Ocean, June 11, 1875, page 1). He was eventually apprehended near Kirwin, and his name was William F. Stanley. He was acquitted during his trial because it had been discovered that the horses had been stolen from Indians, and therefore "technically" he and his partner were not guilty of any crime. Stanley was later tried for assaulting a police officer and was found not guilty.
Sheriff Ramsey was survived by a son, Charles, from his first wife, and by his second wife, a young woman named Mary, who was "ready to step into the grave with consumption who cannot survive her awful loss." She died a week later. They were both buried in the new Hays cemetery, Mount Allen, which had been developed to replace the former boot hill cemetery. In 1923, the Board of County Commissioners erected a marker over his grave.
Sources:
Inter Ocean, June 11, 1875, page 1.
Kansas City Star, July 5, 1953. "Ellis County Sheriff Killed by Thief."
Kansas State Historical Society web site, Kansas Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, Alexander Ramsey.
Kansas Trails web site, Ellis County, Kansas newspaper articles, "That Sheriff Shooting."
Thrapp, Dan L. "Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography: A-F."∼Ellis County (Ks) Sheriff.
Sheriff Ramsey was shot and killed when he and a deputy encountered two horse thieves while traveling to Stockton, Kansas. They observed a horse trail in Rooks County and went to investigate to see if the county's most wanted man and horse thief was involved. They encountered two men attempting to sell horses and a shootout ensued. Sheriff Ramsey and one of the suspects were killed. The second suspect was wounded and apprehended but acquitted in trial.
A year later, just a few days before his death, he broke up a band of train robbers that had been for many months committing "serious depredations" in the vicinity of Hays City. No sooner had he finished this job, when he was informed about an extensive robbery in which a band of horse thieves had captured and taken away a large drove of ponies.
On Monday, he and his Deputy Sheriff, Frank Shepherd, traveled during the forenoon in a two-horse wagon. Near Kill Creek, they observed recently made tracks showing that a large number of horses had passed through there. They were confident they were hot on the trail of the guilty parties. They believed it could be the work of Henry Born, who was known to be operating in the area. Unhitching their horses, they rode fast to Stockton, arriving there just after sundown. They found the drove of ponies there and a man by the last name of Deems attempting to sell them.
Sheriff Ramsey walked up to the man, ordered him to hold up his hands and declared him under arrest. Dodging behind a pony, the thief drew up his revolver and as Ramsey fired at him, he returned the shots. Ramsey could not see the outlaw, who was protected by his horse. Suddenly, Ramsey was seen to stagger for a moment after the discharge of the horse thief's revolver. Pale as death, he rushed forward and fired three bullets at the thief, who was killed instantly. Ramsey sank to the ground, fatally wounded. He was carried to a nearby drug store, where he died a short time later.
During the shooting, Shepard pursued the second suspect, found him in a store, and the two men exchanged gunfire. The thief then ran, firing at Shepherd on the jump, until he reached the street, when he jumped on a strange horse and slipping the bridle from off his head, thrust his spurs into his flanks and sped away like the wind. He did not sit firm in his saddle, but reeled from one side to the other, leading Shepard to believe he was wounded. He escaped for the time being, but left behind his drove of stolen ponies, over twenty in number.
The thief who escaped was described in a local newspaper as follows: Six feet in height, sharp features, dark complexion, small black chin whiskers, and mustache. In stealing the ponies he gave a bill of sale signed with the name of Stanley. (The Inter Ocean, June 11, 1875, page 1). He was eventually apprehended near Kirwin, and his name was William F. Stanley. He was acquitted during his trial because it had been discovered that the horses had been stolen from Indians, and therefore "technically" he and his partner were not guilty of any crime. Stanley was later tried for assaulting a police officer and was found not guilty.
Sheriff Ramsey was survived by a son, Charles, from his first wife, and by his second wife, a young woman named Mary, who was "ready to step into the grave with consumption who cannot survive her awful loss." She died a week later. They were both buried in the new Hays cemetery, Mount Allen, which had been developed to replace the former boot hill cemetery. In 1923, the Board of County Commissioners erected a marker over his grave.
Sources:
Inter Ocean, June 11, 1875, page 1.
Kansas City Star, July 5, 1953. "Ellis County Sheriff Killed by Thief."
Kansas State Historical Society web site, Kansas Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, Alexander Ramsey.
Kansas Trails web site, Ellis County, Kansas newspaper articles, "That Sheriff Shooting."
Thrapp, Dan L. "Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography: A-F."∼Ellis County (Ks) Sheriff.
Sheriff Ramsey was shot and killed when he and a deputy encountered two horse thieves while traveling to Stockton, Kansas. They observed a horse trail in Rooks County and went to investigate to see if the county's most wanted man and horse thief was involved. They encountered two men attempting to sell horses and a shootout ensued. Sheriff Ramsey and one of the suspects were killed. The second suspect was wounded and apprehended but acquitted in trial.
Frontier lawman serving Ellis County, Kansas; he was elected Sheriff of Ellis County on Nov. 1, 1871 and was the first man to complete a full term in office. During his first term, he broke up several bands of stock thieves near Hays, Kansas, winning a local reputation. He was re-elected on Nov. 4, 1873, and also appointed a Deputy US Marshal in Dec. 1873. On June 15, 1874, after an exciting chase, he apprehended the notorious cattle rustler and horse thief, Henry "Dutch Henry" Born, who had been wounded during the chase. However, he was freed.
A year later, just a few days before his death, he broke up a band of train robbers that had been for many months committing "serious depredations" in the vicinity of Hays City. No sooner had he finished this job, when he was informed about an extensive robbery in which a band of horse thieves had captured and taken away a large drove of ponies.
On Monday, he and his Deputy Sheriff, Frank Shepherd, traveled during the forenoon in a two-horse wagon. Near Kill Creek, they observed recently made tracks showing that a large number of horses had passed through there. They were confident they were hot on the trail of the guilty parties. They believed it could be the work of Henry Born, who was known to be operating in the area. Unhitching their horses, they rode fast to Stockton, arriving there just after sundown. They found the drove of ponies there and a man by the last name of Deems attempting to sell them.
Sheriff Ramsey walked up to the man, ordered him to hold up his hands and declared him under arrest. Dodging behind a pony, the thief drew up his revolver and as Ramsey fired at him, he returned the shots. Ramsey could not see the outlaw, who was protected by his horse. Suddenly, Ramsey was seen to stagger for a moment after the discharge of the horse thief's revolver. Pale as death, he rushed forward and fired three bullets at the thief, who was killed instantly. Ramsey sank to the ground, fatally wounded. He was carried to a nearby drug store, where he died a short time later.
During the shooting, Shepard pursued the second suspect, found him in a store, and the two men exchanged gunfire. The thief then ran, firing at Shepherd on the jump, until he reached the street, when he jumped on a strange horse and slipping the bridle from off his head, thrust his spurs into his flanks and sped away like the wind. He did not sit firm in his saddle, but reeled from one side to the other, leading Shepard to believe he was wounded. He escaped for the time being, but left behind his drove of stolen ponies, over twenty in number.
The thief who escaped was described in a local newspaper as follows: Six feet in height, sharp features, dark complexion, small black chin whiskers, and mustache. In stealing the ponies he gave a bill of sale signed with the name of Stanley. (The Inter Ocean, June 11, 1875, page 1). He was eventually apprehended near Kirwin, and his name was William F. Stanley. He was acquitted during his trial because it had been discovered that the horses had been stolen from Indians, and therefore "technically" he and his partner were not guilty of any crime. Stanley was later tried for assaulting a police officer and was found not guilty.
Sheriff Ramsey was survived by a son, Charles, from his first wife, and by his second wife, a young woman named Mary, who was "ready to step into the grave with consumption who cannot survive her awful loss." She died a week later. They were both buried in the new Hays cemetery, Mount Allen, which had been developed to replace the former boot hill cemetery. In 1923, the Board of County Commissioners erected a marker over his grave.
Sources:
Inter Ocean, June 11, 1875, page 1.
Kansas City Star, July 5, 1953. "Ellis County Sheriff Killed by Thief."
Kansas State Historical Society web site, Kansas Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, Alexander Ramsey.
Kansas Trails web site, Ellis County, Kansas newspaper articles, "That Sheriff Shooting."
Thrapp, Dan L. "Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography: A-F."∼Ellis County (Ks) Sheriff.
Sheriff Ramsey was shot and killed when he and a deputy encountered two horse thieves while traveling to Stockton, Kansas. They observed a horse trail in Rooks County and went to investigate to see if the county's most wanted man and horse thief was involved. They encountered two men attempting to sell horses and a shootout ensued. Sheriff Ramsey and one of the suspects were killed. The second suspect was wounded and apprehended but acquitted in trial.
A year later, just a few days before his death, he broke up a band of train robbers that had been for many months committing "serious depredations" in the vicinity of Hays City. No sooner had he finished this job, when he was informed about an extensive robbery in which a band of horse thieves had captured and taken away a large drove of ponies.
On Monday, he and his Deputy Sheriff, Frank Shepherd, traveled during the forenoon in a two-horse wagon. Near Kill Creek, they observed recently made tracks showing that a large number of horses had passed through there. They were confident they were hot on the trail of the guilty parties. They believed it could be the work of Henry Born, who was known to be operating in the area. Unhitching their horses, they rode fast to Stockton, arriving there just after sundown. They found the drove of ponies there and a man by the last name of Deems attempting to sell them.
Sheriff Ramsey walked up to the man, ordered him to hold up his hands and declared him under arrest. Dodging behind a pony, the thief drew up his revolver and as Ramsey fired at him, he returned the shots. Ramsey could not see the outlaw, who was protected by his horse. Suddenly, Ramsey was seen to stagger for a moment after the discharge of the horse thief's revolver. Pale as death, he rushed forward and fired three bullets at the thief, who was killed instantly. Ramsey sank to the ground, fatally wounded. He was carried to a nearby drug store, where he died a short time later.
During the shooting, Shepard pursued the second suspect, found him in a store, and the two men exchanged gunfire. The thief then ran, firing at Shepherd on the jump, until he reached the street, when he jumped on a strange horse and slipping the bridle from off his head, thrust his spurs into his flanks and sped away like the wind. He did not sit firm in his saddle, but reeled from one side to the other, leading Shepard to believe he was wounded. He escaped for the time being, but left behind his drove of stolen ponies, over twenty in number.
The thief who escaped was described in a local newspaper as follows: Six feet in height, sharp features, dark complexion, small black chin whiskers, and mustache. In stealing the ponies he gave a bill of sale signed with the name of Stanley. (The Inter Ocean, June 11, 1875, page 1). He was eventually apprehended near Kirwin, and his name was William F. Stanley. He was acquitted during his trial because it had been discovered that the horses had been stolen from Indians, and therefore "technically" he and his partner were not guilty of any crime. Stanley was later tried for assaulting a police officer and was found not guilty.
Sheriff Ramsey was survived by a son, Charles, from his first wife, and by his second wife, a young woman named Mary, who was "ready to step into the grave with consumption who cannot survive her awful loss." She died a week later. They were both buried in the new Hays cemetery, Mount Allen, which had been developed to replace the former boot hill cemetery. In 1923, the Board of County Commissioners erected a marker over his grave.
Sources:
Inter Ocean, June 11, 1875, page 1.
Kansas City Star, July 5, 1953. "Ellis County Sheriff Killed by Thief."
Kansas State Historical Society web site, Kansas Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, Alexander Ramsey.
Kansas Trails web site, Ellis County, Kansas newspaper articles, "That Sheriff Shooting."
Thrapp, Dan L. "Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography: A-F."∼Ellis County (Ks) Sheriff.
Sheriff Ramsey was shot and killed when he and a deputy encountered two horse thieves while traveling to Stockton, Kansas. They observed a horse trail in Rooks County and went to investigate to see if the county's most wanted man and horse thief was involved. They encountered two men attempting to sell horses and a shootout ensued. Sheriff Ramsey and one of the suspects were killed. The second suspect was wounded and apprehended but acquitted in trial.
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