On December 26, 1898, as Constable E.E. Dixon was attempting to arrest E.H. Ellsworth on a warrant for libel, he was shot and killed by Ellsworth.

This warrant had been issued after Ellsworth, the editor of the local paper, had written several derogatory articles. In this incident the article had been written criticizing the manner in which Justice of the Peace Howell conducted his court. Howell had then sworn to a complaint and the warrant was issued and delivered to Constable Dixon to serve. Ellsworth was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison.