Constable John Gaines was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man near the Katy coal shed.

On March 17, 1914, Constable Gaines was sent to arrest three men that were causing a disturbance and making threats near the station. When he arrived, two men fled, the third, Dallas Shields, refused to be arrested. During the ensuing struggle both men fell to the ground. Shields got up first and was in possession of Deputy Gaines revolver. Deputy Gaines was still on his hands and knees as Shields shot him in the head once, then shot him two more times in the head after Deputy Gaines fell to the ground. The suspect proceeded across the town square where he confronted Constable Gaines' eldest son, Deputy Constable Tom Gaines, bragging about what he had just done and leveled the revolver, declaring his intent to kill him as well. Policeman Jack Wells pounced on Shields and took the revolver away from him. Shields was arrested and placed in the County Jail. News spread quickly and an angry mob went to the jail where they overpowered Sheriff Dollard, took Shields from the county jail and lynched him in the courthouse yard, hanging him from a tree limb, about 2 hours after the shooting.

Constable Gaines was in law enforcement for 20 years and was survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. Constable Gaines served in capacities of deputy sheriff for Howard County Sheriff's Department and constable for Richmond Township for twenty years. He was survived by his wife, Josephine, and four sons including his son, Tom, who was his deputy constable. Interred: Fayette City Cemetery.