The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Sides of Sheriff Frank Canton

  Historian Nancy Tabb will present the program “The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Sides of Sheriff Frank Canton” on Wednesday, June 3 at 6 p.m. at the library. Frank Canton was the sheriff of Johnson County before the Invasion of the Johnson County Cattle War and most agree he was a very good sheriff. In April 1892, Frank Canton rode into Johnson County leading the Invaders as a U.S. Deputy Marshal employed by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association. He was a Marshal in Alaska during the gold rush and served as the Adjutant General of the National Guard for the state of Oklahoma. He sounds like an alright guy, but his personality was more like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He could easily sit on either side of the law. Canton, as a young man, whose original name was Joe Horner, started out on the wrong side of the law in Texas, wound up in prison, escaped and was later pardoned by Governor Hogg. He married the “prettiest girl” in Northeast Wyoming and they had two beautiful daughters. There were lots of ups and downs in his life and probably never a dull or peaceful moment.

  Tabb is the Johnson County Library’s Local History Librarian and enjoys sharing his story. This event will likely be held virtually with opportunity to interact with the presenter.