Frank Canton – Cowboy, Outlaw, and Lawman
The saga of the American West is replete with figures who straddled the line between law and lawlessness, individuals whose lives were a tapestry woven with threads of both virtue and vice. Among these complex characters stands Frank Canton, a man who embodied the duality of the era, experiencing life as a cowboy, an outlaw, and ultimately, a respected lawman. His story, a compelling narrative of transformation and redemption, offers a glimpse into the turbulent heart of the Old West.
Born Josiah Horner on September 15, 1849, near Richmond, Virginia, Canton’s early life provided little indication of the adventurous path he would eventually tread. His family soon relocated to Texas, a state then undergoing rapid expansion and development, where the young Josiah grew up amidst the burgeoning cattle industry. As a teenager, he embraced the life of a cowboy, participating in the arduous cattle drives that pushed herds from the fertile grazing lands of North Texas to the bustling railheads of Kansas during the 1860s. This formative experience instilled in him the skills and resilience that would later define his character, even as he ventured down a darker path.
However, in 1871, Josiah Horner seemingly vanished. He disappeared from the familiar trails and cattle pens, resurfacing instead as a figure operating on the fringes of the law. He adopted the alias Frank Canton and engaged in activities that placed him squarely on the wrong side of the law. He made his living robbing banks and rustling cattle, embracing the outlaw life with a daring that belied his earlier, more conventional pursuits. This dramatic shift in character remains a subject of speculation, with historians offering various theories ranging from economic hardship to a disillusionment with the established order.
A pivotal moment in Canton’s outlaw career occurred on October 10, 1874, when he was involved in a deadly gunfight with a contingent of Buffalo Soldiers, the African American troops who served in the U.S. Army. In the ensuing altercation, Canton fatally shot one soldier and wounded another. This violent episode further solidified his status as a wanted man and intensified his commitment to a life outside the boundaries of the law.
In 1877, Canton’s criminal activities caught up with him when he was apprehended and jailed for robbing a bank in Comanche, Texas. However, his time behind bars proved to be short-lived. Displaying the resourcefulness and determination that characterized his life, Canton managed to escape from custody and once again found himself a fugitive. Instead of continuing his criminal enterprises, Canton returned to his former occupation, cattle herding, driving a herd to Ogallala, Nebraska. This journey marked a turning point in his life, a moment of reflection that led him to renounce his outlaw past and embrace a new identity. It was after this drive that Josiah Horner officially became Frank Canton, vowing to uphold law and order. This decision, whether born of genuine remorse or a calculated attempt to evade capture, set the stage for the next chapter of his extraordinary life.
Canton’s newfound commitment to the law led him to Wyoming, where he was hired as the top enforcer of the Wyoming Stock Grower’s Association. This organization, comprised of powerful cattlemen, wielded considerable influence in the region and sought to protect their interests through both legal and extra-legal means. Canton’s experience as a cowboy and his reputation as a man of action made him an ideal candidate for the position. He soon rose through the ranks, eventually being elected sheriff of Johnson County, a position that placed him at the center of one of the most notorious conflicts in the history of the American West.
The Johnson County War of the 1890s was a brutal struggle between the wealthy cattle barons of the Wyoming Stock Grower’s Association and the smaller ranchers and homesteaders who were challenging their dominance. Canton played a prominent role in this conflict, leading posses and participating in raids against those perceived as threats to the cattlemen’s interests. His involvement in the unlawful hanging of James Averell and Ella Watson, known as "Cattle Kate," further tarnished his reputation and cemented his image as a ruthless enforcer of the cattlemen’s agenda. The events of the Johnson County War left an indelible mark on Wyoming history and continue to be debated and analyzed to this day.
Facing scrutiny and potential legal repercussions for his actions in Wyoming, Frank Canton fled south and sought refuge in the Indian Territory, the area that would later become the state of Oklahoma. There, he reinvented himself once again, this time as a U.S. Deputy Marshal under the legendary Judge Isaac Parker, also known as the "Hanging Judge." In this role, Canton was tasked with maintaining law and order in a vast and often lawless territory, bringing criminals to justice and protecting the lives and property of its residents.
Canton’s transformation from outlaw to lawman was complete. He gained a reputation as a dedicated and fearless officer, known for his unwavering commitment to upholding the law, regardless of the personal risks involved. He patrolled the rough and dangerous landscape of the Indian Territory, apprehending outlaws, settling disputes, and earning the respect of both his fellow lawmen and the communities he served.
In 1897, the lure of gold drew Canton north to Alaska, where he joined the Klondike Gold Rush. However, instead of seeking his fortune in the goldfields, he once again found himself serving as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, maintaining order in the chaotic boomtowns that sprang up in the wake of the gold rush. After a couple of years, he returned to Oklahoma and resumed his career as a lawman, further solidifying his legacy as a figure of authority and justice.
In 1907, Canton achieved a new level of prominence when he was appointed adjutant general of the Oklahoma National Guard. This position, which he held until his death on September 27, 1927, placed him in charge of the state’s military forces and allowed him to continue serving his community in a meaningful way. He was buried at the Fairlawn Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, leaving behind a complex and controversial legacy.
The life of Frank Canton is a testament to the fluidity of identity and the capacity for change, even in the most hardened individuals. His journey from cowboy to outlaw to lawman reflects the complexities of the American West, a region where the lines between right and wrong were often blurred and where individuals were forced to make difficult choices in order to survive. While his actions during the Johnson County War remain a subject of controversy, his later service as a U.S. Deputy Marshal and his contributions to the Oklahoma National Guard demonstrate his commitment to upholding the law and serving his community.
Frank Canton‘s story continues to fascinate and inspire, reminding us that even those who have strayed from the path of righteousness can find redemption and make a positive impact on the world. He was a man of contradictions, a product of his time, and a symbol of the enduring allure and the enduring challenges of the American West. His life, a blend of adventure, violence, and transformation, remains a captivating chapter in the history of the Old West.