Marshall Eddleman and another man at the bar, Edward Spencer, exchanged words. Marshall Eddleman pulled his revolver and the man left. Later, Marshal Eddleman was at the bar in the act of ordering a drink when Spencer re-entered the saloon, walked up behind Marshal Eddleman and placed a revolver to the back of his head and fired. Marshal Eddleman fell to the floor dead. Spencer was taken into custody down the street by the mayor.

Marshal Eddleman was survived by his wife and two children. Interred: Vandalia Cemetery, Vandalia, Missouri.