M. R. (Boss) Greene
Comanche, Comanche County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(Oct. 14, 1843 - May 12, 1877) Deputy U.S. Marshal: pursued Dee and James Bailey for passing counterfeit quarters in Comanche. After 10 mile chase, he captured and disarmed brothers. Catching Greene off guard (because of an unruly horse), one prisoner took Greene's rifle and shot him. He returned fire with hand gun but was fatally wounded in exchange. Prisoners escaped only to be recaptured and hanged on live oak tree here in cemetery where Greene is buried. Recorded - 1968
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Deputy U.S. Marshal M.R. "Boss" Greene chased down brothers Dee and James Bailey in 1877 for passing counterfeit quarters in Comanche, running them ten miles before disarming them. Caught off guard when his horse turned unruly, Greene was shot with his own rifle by one of the prisoners; he returned fire with his pistol but died of his wounds. The brothers fled, were recaptured, and were hanged from a live oak in this cemetery, where Greene himself lies buried.
Why it matters
Greene's death captures the everyday violence of frontier law enforcement, where a lawman and his prisoners could meet the same rough end within sight of one another.
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Related people
- · M.R. "Boss" Greene
- · Dee Bailey
- · James Bailey
Themes & tags
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