Town Marshal John R. Simpson

Town Marshal John R. Simpson died after he was shot by a group of young men who were firing guns in downtown Danville.

Marshal Simpson warned the men once about firing the guns. They moved down the street and began firing again. When he went to arrest them, he was shot. John S. Harness, who was assisting Marshal Simpson, was also shot.

The three men accused of the shooting were charged with murder. Even before their trials began, one of the men had the charges dismissed and the other two were pardoned by Governor Luke Blackburn.