Sheriff Galby E. Branson

Sheriff Galby Branson and Deputy Edward Funk were shot and killed by three brothers who support a different political party as the sheriff. The two officers were ambushed at a picnic. All three were arrested and charged with murder.

Two of the brothers were tried and acquitted on September 6, 1890. The charges were then dropped against the other brother.

Sheriff Branson had been elected the previous year and had served as a Sergeant in the Gasconade County Battalion with the United States Reserve Corps, Missouri Home Guard, and as a Corporal in the 31st Regiment, Missouri Infantry in the Civil War. He is buried in the Branson family Cemetery, Branson, Taney County, Missouri.