Volume 17 , Issue 29

Evett Dumas Nix (1861-1946)

Even Dumas Nix was born September 19, 1861, in Calloway county, Kentucky, a turbulent border state during the Civil War. He died on February 4, 1946, in Riverside county, California, and burial in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Paducah, McCracken County, Kentucky; Plot: Addition Old, Section 48, Lot 11, GPS (lat/lon): 37.08589, -88.62045. His parents were: Simpson Socrates Nix (1841-1925), a confederate army officer; Rebecca Elizabeth Holland (1845-1939). His siblings were: Evett Dumas Nix (1861 - 1946), William Myers Nix (1863 - 1947), Leona Jane Nix Jones (1865 - 1951), Nellie Nix Ramsey (1870 - 1949), Eulalia Nix Graham (1873 - 1952).

Evett Nix's proudest moment came when he fired the gun that sent homesteaders rushing into the Cherokee Strip on September 16, 1893. In 1896 he returned to civilian life, managing the Nix-Halsell Wholesale Grocery Company and also organizing and operating the first electric franchise in the area. Five years later he sold all his Oklahoma interests and moved his family to Joplin, Missouri, then later to St Louis where he became a partner in the H.J. Kattleman & Company brokerage firm. In 1914, the Eagle Film Company was organized by Bill Tilghman and Mr. Nix and the documentary "The Passing of the Oklahoma Outlaws" was made, which starred him and many of his old deputies. In later life he tried his hand at writing ("Oklahombres") and played roles in a few movies, one being "Get Along Li'l Doggies" with Gene Autry in 1939. He also appeared on an international radio program (Don Lee Broadcasting with Dixie Lee, wife of Bing Crosby). He died at the age of 84 in Riverside California.

Nix had an uncle serving as county sheriff and his father was deputy sheriff. It was natural that Evett would become a peace officer. Even worked in his father's factory and operated a grocery, hardware, and furniture business in Goldwater, Kentucky. Moving to Paducah, Kentucky, Evett became a traveling sales representative and in 1885 married his childhood friend, Ellen Felts (1864-1942).

Evett Nix moved to Oklahoma Territory in October 1889, after the Land Run of April 22, 1889. He settled in Guthrie and became a prosperous businessman. Evett formed friendships with Guthrie's leading citizens, including rancher Oscar Halsell. Even was considered a bright, ambitious, young man. At thirty-two he was appointed as the first United States Marshal over the lawless Oklahoma Territory by President Grover Cleveland. Evett was the youngest man assigned to such a position. The Nix family followed him to Oklahoma Territory, settling in Guthrie.

With a tough job ahead, Evett appointed a formidable force of deputies, which induced Henry Andrew "Heck" Thomas, William Matthew "Bill" Tilghman, Chris Madsen, Frank M. Canton, Charles Concord, John Hixon, and others, most of whom were already veteran peace officers. Evett was headquartered at Guthrie, the territorial capital. Even was in office during the turbulent 890's when many desperate outlaws were brought to justice. Evett did not serve without controversy, though. Critics charged that he mismanaged public funds, and an audit resulted in his dismissal from office January 24, 1896. There are many historians that believe Evett Nix was a victim of the fee system used at that time for payment of U.S. Marshals Service officers.

Evett Dumas Nix preserved his story in his autobiography, Oklahombres: Particularly the Wilder Ones (1929). There were some scholars that have questioned the accuracy of his account, but the book gives an interesting look at Nix's career during Oklahoma's territorial period.
  |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

---