Deputy US Marshal and Folk Figure. Little is known of his early life in Denmark, but before migrating to America, he was a member of the Danish Army. He served in the Danish-Prussian and Franco-Prussian wars and served in the Foreign Legion in Algeria. Upon immigrating to the United States, he joined the Fifth Calvary as quartermaster sergeant and over the next 14 years Chris fought in many major Indian campaigns. In 1891, he was appointed US Deputy Marshal serving under Judge Isaac Parker, the noted Hanging Judge. In this capacity he teamed up with Bill Tilghman and Heck Thomas as the "Three Guardsmen of Oklahoma". The three of them were largely responsible for ridding Oklahoma of organized outlaw gangs. The three were responsible for the arrest and/or death of over 300 of the territories outlaws. Chris' law enforcement career was temporarily interrupted when Colonel Leonard Wood asked him to straighten out the quartermaster corps for the Spanish-American war. After the war ended, he returned to Oklahoma and his law enforcement duties. In 1911, he was appointed the US Marshal for the entire state of Oklahoma. When World War I broke out he tried to enlist but was rejected because of his age. While in his sixties he was appointed Chief of Police for Oklahoma City. He eventually retired to Guthrie, Oklahoma and died at the age of 92.
Deputy US Marshal and Folk Figure. Little is known of his early life in Denmark, but before migrating to America, he was a member of the Danish Army. He served in the Danish-Prussian and Franco-Prussian wars and served in the Foreign Legion in Algeria. Upon immigrating to the United States, he joined the Fifth Calvary as quartermaster sergeant and over the next 14 years Chris fought in many major Indian campaigns. In 1891, he was appointed US Deputy Marshal serving under Judge Isaac Parker, the noted Hanging Judge. In this capacity he teamed up with Bill Tilghman and Heck Thomas as the "Three Guardsmen of Oklahoma". The three of them were largely responsible for ridding Oklahoma of organized outlaw gangs. The three were responsible for the arrest and/or death of over 300 of the territories outlaws. Chris' law enforcement career was temporarily interrupted when Colonel Leonard Wood asked him to straighten out the quartermaster corps for the Spanish-American war. After the war ended, he returned to Oklahoma and his law enforcement duties. In 1911, he was appointed the US Marshal for the entire state of Oklahoma. When World War I broke out he tried to enlist but was rejected because of his age. While in his sixties he was appointed Chief of Police for Oklahoma City. He eventually retired to Guthrie, Oklahoma and died at the age of 92.
Bio by: Tom Todd
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