Siverd Star Memorial Pamphlet
Collection: Hugh H. Siverd
Title
Siverd Star Memorial Pamphlet
Subject
Siverd, Hugh H.
Cowley County Historical Society
Winfield, KS
Cowley, County
Norton, Wilber
Wright, Morgan
Description
This pamphlet made by the Cowley County Historical Society commemorates the star memorial for Hugh H. Siverd's murder on October 25, 1893.
Creator
Cowley County Historical Society, Winfield, KS
Publisher
Winfield Public Library, Winfield, KS USA
Date
Unknown
Rights
Format
text/plain
Type
Pamphlets
Citation
Cowley County Historical Society, Winfield, KS, “Siverd Star Memorial Pamphlet,” Winfield Digital Collections, accessed June 23, 2026, https://winfield.digitalsckls.info/item/233.
Text
THE STAR MEMORIAL
The seven inch, five pointed star with the letter ”S" in the center marks the spot where Captain Siverd, conscientious and well loved peace officer, fell fatally wounded.
The metal of which the star is made was composed of badges which were contributed by the members of the various orders to which he belonged.
The star is composed of copper, silver and gold Odd Fellows, Masonic, A.O.U.W., Grand Army badges and buttons, all of which he was an honored member.
The star was first placed in a flagstone sidewalk on the northeast corner of Ninth and Main in Winfield. It was later embedded in the new sidewalk and in 1986 was reembedded in the sidewalk in front of the present Kaufman Building.
YOU can help the COWLEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PRESERVE the PAST for the FUTURE
The CCHS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the task of preserving and interpreting the history of this area. In order to maintain the museum and carry out its other functions, the CCHS must depend upon memberships and donations, all of which are tax deductible. You are invited to become part of this important community activity by taking out one of the mem-berships listed below. Also, there is a constant need for additional documents and records for the archives, photos and old postcards for the picture file, and artifacts for displays.
COWLEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
Enclosed is my contribution of $ _ _______
for the following membership:
□ Active ------ $10.00
□ Contributing ---- 25.00
□ Sustaining ---- 50.00
□ Organization ---- 50.00
Name ____________________________________
Street_______________________City________
State ________Zip___________Phone _______
Contact me regarding the following document or artifact:
MAIL TO:
Cowley County Historical Society
1011 Mansfield
Winfield, Kansas 67156
SIVERD STAR
memorial
NORTHEAST CORNER NINTH AND MAIN
OCTOBER 25, 1893
"...directly in front of the Cowley County National Bank, when Morgan Wright, a pal of Norton's stepped forward and said, 'You had better let him (Wilbur Norton) go.'
At this young Norton jumped back and said 'shoot the s—of a b—,' and young Wright aimed a 38 Harrington and Richardson revolver at Siverd's heart and fired the FATAL SHOT.
Presented by The Cowley County Historical Society and Museum
Winfield, Kansas
CAPT. H. H. SIVERD
HISTORY
Winfield City Council Minutes of
May 4, 1891.
’’Whereas the will of the electors of a this city of Winfield expressed by ballot a at our last municipal election is decided- ly against the running of joints in our city, and in favor of the enforcement of law and order and,
’’Whereas: it is a notorious fact that joints where liquor has been sold in violation of the law, and to the detriment of the good name and peace of our city, have been suffered to exist in our midst
for several months immediately prior to
our last election.
’’Now, therefore, in compliance with the law and the expressed will of the people let it be ordered by the council that the city marshal and his assistant, close and keep closed all places where liquor can be obtained in violation of law as well as all places of disreputable character, and gambling dens.”
October 25, 1893
For some time past Capt. H. H. Siverd, a constable of Winfield for some 15 years, had been actively engaged in prosecuting those engaged in the liquor traffic and in consequence has made some bitter enemies, and it is stated by some parties that his foul murder was the direct result of his fight against the liquor traffic.
THE MURDER
At a quarter past three this afternoon Capt. H. H. Siverd was shot and killed by Morgan Wright.
Wilber Norton, a young man who has been a sort of bootleg whiskey seller, was being arrested by Siverd on a warrant sworn out by County Attorney Scott. He was in a vicious mood and resisted the officer, but finally cooled down and went with Siverd to the corner of Main and Ninth in front of the Cowley County Bank where they were met by young Wright, a pal of Norton's.
Wright levelled a revolver at Siverd and fired. The ball struck a few inches above the heart and Siverd staggered and fell. Wright ran southwest to the alley west of Main with his smoking revolver in his hand followed by a crowd. Norton ran to the southeast.
In a moment Drs. Emory and Hornaday were at Siverd's side. The blood was gushing from a wound in his breast and it was soon announced that he would live but a few minutes.
Courier Building and Cowley County Bank
Kind and tender hands lifted him up and conveyed him to the editorial room of The Courier where he died at four o'clock.
THE ARRESTS
Wright was followed closely by the crowd and was arrested by Marshal Douglass in the joint shop on south Main. Norton ran and his arrest took place in the vault in back of Ouster-haut's bakery where he was found by Assistant Marshal Archie Brown.
THAT NIGHT
The jail was surrounded by an immense crowd. The court was depended upon to do its duty. Be calm and justice will prevail was the admonish-ion from the news editor. Due to the threats of lynching, a decision was made during the night for Sheriff Nipp to move Wright and Norton to Wichita to await trial in Winfield.
THE FUNERAL
Calmer council prevailed and there was no violence. Captain Siverd was laid to rest in Union Cemetery and Norton and Wright were tried for first degree murder in district court. Both were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment in the state penitentary.
Original Format
Paper
Title
Siverd Star Memorial Pamphlet
Subject
Siverd, Hugh H.
Cowley County Historical Society
Winfield, KS
Cowley, County
Norton, Wilber
Wright, Morgan
Description
This pamphlet made by the Cowley County Historical Society commemorates the star memorial for Hugh H. Siverd's murder on October 25, 1893.
Creator
Cowley County Historical Society, Winfield, KS
Publisher
Winfield Public Library, Winfield, KS USA
Date
Unknown
Rights
Format
text/plain
Type
Pamphlets
Citation
Cowley County Historical Society, Winfield, KS, “Siverd Star Memorial Pamphlet,” Winfield Digital Collections, accessed June 23, 2026, https://winfield.digitalsckls.info/item/233.Text
THE STAR MEMORIAL
The seven inch, five pointed star with the letter ”S" in the center marks the spot where Captain Siverd, conscientious and well loved peace officer, fell fatally wounded.
The metal of which the star is made was composed of badges which were contributed by the members of the various orders to which he belonged.
The star is composed of copper, silver and gold Odd Fellows, Masonic, A.O.U.W., Grand Army badges and buttons, all of which he was an honored member.
The star was first placed in a flagstone sidewalk on the northeast corner of Ninth and Main in Winfield. It was later embedded in the new sidewalk and in 1986 was reembedded in the sidewalk in front of the present Kaufman Building.
YOU can help the COWLEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PRESERVE the PAST for the FUTURE
The CCHS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the task of preserving and interpreting the history of this area. In order to maintain the museum and carry out its other functions, the CCHS must depend upon memberships and donations, all of which are tax deductible. You are invited to become part of this important community activity by taking out one of the mem-berships listed below. Also, there is a constant need for additional documents and records for the archives, photos and old postcards for the picture file, and artifacts for displays.
COWLEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
Enclosed is my contribution of $ _ _______
for the following membership:
□ Active ------ $10.00
□ Contributing ---- 25.00
□ Sustaining ---- 50.00
□ Organization ---- 50.00
Name ____________________________________
Street_______________________City________
State ________Zip___________Phone _______
Contact me regarding the following document or artifact:
MAIL TO:
Cowley County Historical Society
1011 Mansfield
Winfield, Kansas 67156
SIVERD STAR
memorial
NORTHEAST CORNER NINTH AND MAIN
OCTOBER 25, 1893
"...directly in front of the Cowley County National Bank, when Morgan Wright, a pal of Norton's stepped forward and said, 'You had better let him (Wilbur Norton) go.'
At this young Norton jumped back and said 'shoot the s—of a b—,' and young Wright aimed a 38 Harrington and Richardson revolver at Siverd's heart and fired the FATAL SHOT.
Presented by The Cowley County Historical Society and Museum
Winfield, Kansas
CAPT. H. H. SIVERD
HISTORY
Winfield City Council Minutes of
May 4, 1891.
’’Whereas the will of the electors of a this city of Winfield expressed by ballot a at our last municipal election is decided- ly against the running of joints in our city, and in favor of the enforcement of law and order and,
’’Whereas: it is a notorious fact that joints where liquor has been sold in violation of the law, and to the detriment of the good name and peace of our city, have been suffered to exist in our midst
for several months immediately prior to
our last election.
’’Now, therefore, in compliance with the law and the expressed will of the people let it be ordered by the council that the city marshal and his assistant, close and keep closed all places where liquor can be obtained in violation of law as well as all places of disreputable character, and gambling dens.”
October 25, 1893
For some time past Capt. H. H. Siverd, a constable of Winfield for some 15 years, had been actively engaged in prosecuting those engaged in the liquor traffic and in consequence has made some bitter enemies, and it is stated by some parties that his foul murder was the direct result of his fight against the liquor traffic.
THE MURDER
At a quarter past three this afternoon Capt. H. H. Siverd was shot and killed by Morgan Wright.
Wilber Norton, a young man who has been a sort of bootleg whiskey seller, was being arrested by Siverd on a warrant sworn out by County Attorney Scott. He was in a vicious mood and resisted the officer, but finally cooled down and went with Siverd to the corner of Main and Ninth in front of the Cowley County Bank where they were met by young Wright, a pal of Norton's.
Wright levelled a revolver at Siverd and fired. The ball struck a few inches above the heart and Siverd staggered and fell. Wright ran southwest to the alley west of Main with his smoking revolver in his hand followed by a crowd. Norton ran to the southeast.
In a moment Drs. Emory and Hornaday were at Siverd's side. The blood was gushing from a wound in his breast and it was soon announced that he would live but a few minutes.
Courier Building and Cowley County Bank
Kind and tender hands lifted him up and conveyed him to the editorial room of The Courier where he died at four o'clock.
THE ARRESTS
Wright was followed closely by the crowd and was arrested by Marshal Douglass in the joint shop on south Main. Norton ran and his arrest took place in the vault in back of Ouster-haut's bakery where he was found by Assistant Marshal Archie Brown.
THAT NIGHT
The jail was surrounded by an immense crowd. The court was depended upon to do its duty. Be calm and justice will prevail was the admonish-ion from the news editor. Due to the threats of lynching, a decision was made during the night for Sheriff Nipp to move Wright and Norton to Wichita to await trial in Winfield.
THE FUNERAL
Calmer council prevailed and there was no violence. Captain Siverd was laid to rest in Union Cemetery and Norton and Wright were tried for first degree murder in district court. Both were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment in the state penitentary.
Original Format
Paper