month after his death, the entire town was burned to the ground – no building was left standing. Chris Madsen and other former law enforcement friends of Tilghman were believed to have been responsible, but no investigation into the arsons was ever conducted. The town of Cromwell never recovered; as of the 2000 census, its population was less than 300. Madsen had retired in 1905, and died in 1944 at the age of 93. References External links The Three Guardsmen United States Marshals Pre-statehood history of Oklahoma People of the American Old West