Picking the Wrong Horse

Bill Tilghman lost the job of his dreams by backing the wrong candidate

Bill Tilghman may have been a great lawman, but as a politician he left much to be desired. In 1904, Tilghman actively supported Alton Parker for President of the United States. Theodore Roosevelt beat Parker in a landslide. Tilghman had long wanted to be named US marshal for Oklahoma; he even met with Roosevelt in an attempt to get the job. But Roosevelt couldn’t forget that Tilghman had worked against his election. TR tried to appoint Bat Masterson and then Chris Madsen before finding another candidate. Bill Tilghman was never considered.