Caldwell, Kansas 1880s.
William “Bill” or “Will” D. Fossett was a frontiersman, pioneer, detective, and marshal in “Old West” Kansas and Oklahoma.
Thought to have been born in about 1851, he was a native of New York before moving to southern Kansas in 1873 as a cowboy and law enforcer who chased down several bandits and outlaws on the Chisholm Trail.
During its reckless cowtown period, Fossett began his career as a lawman when he worked as an assistant marshal in Caldwell, Kansas. In 1881, he moved to Kingman, Kansas, serving as City Marshal until 1887. He then worked on the construction crews building the railroads until 1889, when he joined with thousands of others taking part in the Oklahoma Land Rush. Lining up west of the Kingfisher Station, he claimed a piece of the land for himself and soon went to work for the railroad as a special agent.
Later, he was appointed as a U.S. Deputy Marshal. He served with U.S. Deputy Marshals Heck Thomas, Bill Tilghman, and Sheriff Rhinehart when they Doolin Gang member Little Dick West in April 1897 near Guthrie, Oklahoma. The four lawmen shared the $2000 “Dead or Alive” reward.
On November 6, 1897, Fossett was appointed Chief Deputy of Oklahoma Territory. When outlaws Bob Hughes, Bill Bourland, and other gang members tried to rob a Rock Island train near Pond Creek, Oklahoma, they were surprised to find Deputy Marshal Fossett guarding the train. Fossett killed outlaw leader Bob Hughes in the fray, and the gang fled without looting. They were captured a few days later by Deputy Marshal Chris Madsen.
Fossett later rode with Bill Banks and other posse members when they drove the notorious Zip Wyatt and Ike Black from their stronghold in the Gloss Mountains, ultimately resulting in the fugitives’ death.
William Fossett Grave in Kingfisher, Oklahoma.
Fossett served as a lawman in various capacities for some 50 years. He continued to live in Kingfisher until he died in 1940.
© Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated April 2024.
Also See:
U.S. Marshals – Two Centuries of Bravery
Source: W.D. “Bill” Fossett: Pioneer and Peace Officer, Jim Fulbright, Mid-South Publications, 2002.