Francis Dargus was born July 2, 1896, at Pittston, Pennsylvania. He enlisted with the Constabulary on October 1, 1917, and was assigned to Troop A, Greensburg. At the time of enlistment, he resided at 28 Market Street, Inkerman.
On May 31, 1918, Private Dargus, Sergeant Homer Chambers, and Fayette County Detective Smith were detailed to arrest Walter Richardson. Richardson, a fugitive murderer wanted in Pennsylvania, was in Struthers, Mahoning County, Ohio, 4½ miles west of the Pennsylvania/Ohio border. Private Dargus ascended the porch of the home Richardson was occupying and entered the house. As he ascended the stairs to the second floor, he was shot twice by Richardson. He died immediately. His body was shipped by rail from Youngstown, Ohio, to Pittston, accompanied by Private Bennett.
Private Dargus was buried in St. Casimir’s Cemetery, Pittston, on June 4, 1918, with military honors. His fellow Troopers served as pallbearers. A large crowd attended the funeral. Private Dargus, 21, had completed eight months of Constabulary service. He was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Dargus, of Inkerman, two sisters, Mrs. John Kasacavicz and Julia Dargus, and three brothers, Bernard, Alex, and Joseph Dargus.
