Background
Chris Madsen was born Christen Madsen Rørmose in Denmark.
Chris Madsen was born Christen Madsen Rørmose in Denmark.
The Three Guardsmen consisted of Madsen, Bill Tilghman, and Heck Thomas. After his graduation from Kauslunde Agricultural School, the bright young man started a criminal career, resulting in several convictions for fraud and forgery. Upon emigrating to the United States in 1876, he dropped the last name, Rørmose.
He later claimed to have been a soldier in the Danish Army and the French Foreign Legion.
Arriving in New York City, Madsen enlisted in the United States. Army on January 21, 1876, and served fifteen years in the Fifth Cavalry. He was quartermaster sergeant of the Fifth Cavalry and fought in many major Indian campaigns.
Later, in 1883, he became President Chester A. Arthur"s guide to Yellowstone. Discharged on January 10, 1891, Madsen became a deputy United States. marshal under Marshal William Grimes in Oklahoma Territory.
He had joined the United States Marshals as a Deputy Marshal with the priority of policing the vast Oklahoma Territory.
Over 300 outlaws were either apprehended or killed by Madsen, Thomas and Tilghman, thus leading to their nickname, The Three Guardsmen.The three lawmen were largely responsible for bringing down outlaw Bill Doolin and his Doolin Dalton gang. Madsen was personally responsible for the killings of Doolin gang members Dan "Dynamite Dick" Clifton, George "Red Buck" Waightman, and Richard "Little Dick" West. In 1898, he joined Theodore Roosevelt"s Rough Riders, serving as Quartermaster Sergeant.
After the Spanish–American War, Madsen returned to Indian Territory and served as deputy United States. marshal.
In 1911 he was appointed United States. Marshal for the entire state of Oklahoma. While in his sixties he was appointed Chief of Police for Oklahoma City.
From 1918 to 1922 he served as a special investigator for the governor of Oklahoma. He eventually settled in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and at the outset of World War I he tried to enlist in the United States. Army but was rejected due to his age.