Marshal Frisbie Shootout Re-enactment Follows Lamar Parade

Lamar parade-goers will enjoy a famous shootout this Saturday, May 14, following the annual Lamar Days parade. James Horace Frisbie was a marshal in Lamar, mortally wounded on December 26, 1906 in a famous shootout in front of what was then the Lamar Union Hotel, now known as Stockman’s. As Night Marshal, Frisbie was on patrol and investigated two men involved in some suspicious activity. When they were asked what they were up to, with little warning, one of the men pulled out a gun, shooting Frisbie on the spot. The shooting was witnessed by County Sheriff George Thomas who rushed to Frisbie’s aid, only to find the lawman already dead.

The account of the shooting and events leading up to that night and afterwards was recounted in one of the newspapers that served the Lamar area at the time, known as the Lamar Sparks. With the help of present day Lamar Police Department volunteers and lengthy research by Lamar Police Chief Gary McCrea, the event will be recreated near the intersection of Main and Olive following the 10am parade. Members of the Lamar high school dramatic club will act as background participants, and in a special presentation, relatives of the marshal will be on hand. Mark Frisbie the marshal’s great grandson and Robbie Frisbie, his great-great grandson have agreed to travel to Lamar from Texas to take part in the enactment.

Marshal Frisbie was buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Lamar with his wife, Nora, on one side of his grave, and his infant son, Norval buried on the other.

By Russ Baldwin