Marshal Elmo Frie was shot and killed while attempting to break up a fight between two gamblers.

On October 11, 1899, Marshal Frie's attention was caught by the sound of gunfire. He happened upon a fight that had spilled out from Bill Scott's saloon on lower Commercial. When he demanded to know about the commotion Riley Powell shot Marshal Frie two times in the legs. One of the bullets broke Marshal Frie's left leg at the ankle and the other struck an artery. Marshal Frie died at St. Marys Infirmary from loss of blood at 11:30.

The suspect, Riley Powell was apprehended, tried and hanged in April of 1900.

Marshal Frie had been elected Marshal in 1897 and again in 1899. He was survived by his parents, wife, Cordelia, and two young children. Interred: IOOF Cemetery, Charleston, MO.