The Three Guardsmen is the name popularized in Old West literature describing three lawmen who became legendary in their pursuit of many outlaws of the late 19th century.
Widely considered honest, dutiful, and capable, they were responsible for suppressing much of the outlaw element in the Indian Territory and environs, reportedly arresting in excess of some 300 desperadoes during the next decade, and killing several others.
Deputy Marshal Chris Madsen led the posse that killed Doolin gang members "Dynamite Dan" Clifton and Richard "Little Dick" West.
Deputy Marshal Tilghman was ultimately responsible for the death of Doolin gang member William F. "Little Bill" Raidler.
On Halloween night, 1924, and at the age of 70, Tilghman was murdered by a corrupt prohibition agent named Wiley Lynn, while serving as town Marshal for Cromwell, Oklahoma.
Modern histories of territorial Oklahoma often claimed outlaws pursued by the lawmen applied the nickname "The Three Guardsmen."
Grant Richardson, an advertising representative for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, wrote an article based on a subject suggested by "Mrs. Heck Thomas of Lawton, Oklahoma."
In this article, Richardson made reference to "The Three Guardsmen" and identified them as Thomas, Bill Tilghman, and Chris Madsen.