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Frank EatonAmerican cowboy, scout, author, and assistant federal marshal
Date of Birth: 26.10.1860
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Frank Eaton
- A Tragic Event
- Becoming Revolver Pete
- A Life of Revenge
- A Life of Law Enforcement
- Later Years
- Personal Life and Legacy
- Eaton remains an unofficial mascot of the state of Oklahoma.
Biography of Frank Eaton
Early LifeFrank Boardman Eaton was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on October 26, 1860. His mother envisioned a future lawyer or politician in him, while his father, a member of the "vigilance committee," dreamed of leaving modern Hartford and settling in the countryside. Disagreements between his parents led to a move to Twin Mound, Kansas, when Frank was eight years old. The family lived on a large ranch, where they gradually began breeding horses for sale. Their neighbor, pensioner Mose Beaman, helped with the business and always entertained Frank with countless anecdotes.
A Tragic Event
When Frank was just eight years old, six Confederate raiders, members of Quantrill's Raiders, broke into his home one night. They raped Frank's mother and brutally beat his father. The Confederate soldiers ordered the half-dead man to kneel, but he remained unyielding. He was shot dead in front of a weeping Frank. In 1868, Mose Beaman told the young boy, "My boy, your father's curse will fall upon you if you don't seek revenge for him." That same year, the neighbor began teaching Frank how to handle firearms. However, it took another nineteen years before Eaton was able to avenge his father's blood.
Becoming Revolver Pete
Frank grew up to be a solitary man but mastered the use of a revolver. The cowboy could hit a snake in the head from a distance of 40-45 meters. At the age of sixteen, Frank decided to visit Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, to learn more about shooting. It was there that his paths permanently diverged from Beaman. The nickname "Revolver Pete" was earned by Frank from Colonel Copinger, the commander of Fort Gibson, who admired the young man's marksmanship skills. The legend goes that Copinger, who constantly forgot the names of his subordinates, simply called everyone Pete or John. Upon seeing Frank's precise shooting at the fort's targets, he declared, "This kid is worth ten ordinary shooters! Not a soldier, but some kind of revolver Pete!"
A Life of Revenge
Frank claimed that from the very beginning of his work as a lawman, he began tracking down his father's killers. The first two victims were bruiser Doc Ferber, nicknamed "The Butcher," and former slave trader Shannon Kempsy, known as "Toothless Shen." The avenger claimed to have finished off five members of the gang by 1887, and that only the sixth did not receive his bullet because someone else had already shot him in a dispute during a card game. According to the stories, Frank strangled former Confederate officer MacCollie, his third victim, with a belt. Unaware of his fate, MacCollie had received a huge inheritance from his father and was preparing to marry in Arizona. Frank waited until he was alone in the house, sneaked in through the window, and lynched MacCollie.
A Life of Law Enforcement
Frank continued to work as a marshal, sheriff, or deputy sheriff, making over 1,000 arrests. He offered the most hardened and audacious criminals an alternative to imprisonment – a duel. It is said that Revolver Pete would load only one bullet into his revolver's cylinder, while allowing the criminals to fully load theirs. When they stood a hundred paces apart, Eaton never failed to hit their head, neck, or chest when pulling the trigger. His silver cross, given to him by his girlfriend, allegedly helped soften the impact of the bullets. Frank wrote, "I would prefer the prayers of an upright woman to a dozen guns in battle. After all, a woman speaks directly to the 'command.'"
Later Years
At the age of 29, Frank joined the land rush in Oklahoma. He settled in Perkins, Oklahoma, where he initially served as a sheriff and later became a blacksmith. He enjoyed the rural way of life, growing beans and herding cattle. Frank often visited Native American tribes to participate in spiritual and physical cleansing ceremonies. As a sign of respect for the Native Americans, Frank grew long braids at various stages of his life. He wrote that only the knowledge of the Native Americans revealed the true meaning of human life to him. Eaton also added that most Americans had no idea of the depth of knowledge possessed by the indigenous people of America.
Personal Life and Legacy
Frank married for the first time at the age of 29. His wife passed away three years later from a serious illness, leaving Frank with two daughters. He delegated some of his responsibilities to colleagues while undertaking only the most risky tasks. Frank married for the second time at the age of 60. His young wife gave birth to eight children. He had 31 grandchildren, and during his lifetime, Frank witnessed the birth of three great-grandchildren.
Frank Eaton passed away at the age of 98 on April 8, 1958. In addition to his other accomplishments, Frank was known for his habit of tossing a coin into the air, quickly drawing his weapon, and shooting it before the coin hit the ground. The phrase "Hotter than Revolver Pete" originated in the Midwestern United States due to Eaton's shooting skills.
