A man named Stevens was driving 2,200 head of cattle through Indian Territory en route to Kansas from Texas. Near the Comanche Agency, he hired George Padgett to help him. When Padgett identified some of the cattle as bearing the brand of a man named William Waggoner for whom he had previously worked, Padgett tried to take possession of those cattle.
Stevens resisted and the men argued. When the men arrived at their destination on July 26, 1880, Padgett again asked about the the cattle in question. The men argued again. When Stevens tried to leave, Padgett shot and killed him. There were witnesses to the shooting.
Padgett confessed at the time of his arrest.
Expecting that the circumstances of the case would lead to a manslaughter verdict, Padgett was convicted of murder on February 17, 1881.
George Padgett was hanged at Fort Smith on September 9, 1881.
The Federal Death Penalty Project 