Henry Bugler
Agency: Jackson County Sheriff's Department
Henry Bugler was born during 1825 in Ireland. He was survived by his wife, Mary, and their children.
On June 13, 1866, Jailer Henry Bugler was shot and killed when six or seven well-armed men rode into town and attacked the jail. Reportedly two members of Quantril's guerrillas had been arrested and were in the jail; a group of horsemen, believed to be members of Jesse James gang, rode into town and demanded a prisoner and horse thief named Perry be released. The bandits advised Jailer Hughes that he would not be harmed if he released his prisoner. The bandits stood only a few feet from Jailer Bugler when he raised his gun but he was struck by one of the volley of shots fired by the bandits before he could fire. Jailer Bugler was struck through the heart and a wild shot struck Jailer Bugler's 11 year-old son - who was in bed - in the wrist.
As a result of this murder and the outrage brought on within the city, a company of 100 loyal men was formed as a posse to enforce the law.
Mary Bugler, Henry’s wife, voluntarily assisted her husband in tending to prisoners while they lived together at the adjacent Marshal’s Home and then she promptly assumed his duties for several months after Henry was murdered in 1866.
Jailer Bugler was also elected Marshal of Independence shortly before his death.
Reflections:
This man was my GGGrandfather. He and his wife were Irish immigrants. His widow Mary and six year old son Henry moved to San Francisco shortly after his death.
David Buckley
References:
Son of A Bandit: Jesse James & The Leeds Gang By Ralph A. Monaco (Book)
www.examiner.net/news/20190827/women-figure-prominently-in-history-of-1859-jail-in-independence