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Submitted: 4/26/20 • Approved: 4/27/20 • Last Updated: 4/30/20 • R305731-G0-S3
2nd Regiment Texas Cavalry
Civil War Confederate
November 2, 1843 - March 11, 1884
Western Lawman. Born in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, England, he emigrated with his family to Austin, Texas, in 1851. After serving in the Confederate 2nd Texas Cavalry Regiment in the Civil War, he joined Emperor Maximilian's forces in Mexico and fought until the fall of the empire in June 1867. Returning to Texas, he was a gambler in various Texas cities, earned a reputation as a fast gun and spent some time in prison for being involved in many shootouts, 1868 to 1878. Known as a fast gun, he was hired by lawman Bat Masterson as an agent for the Kansas Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1879. In 1880, he returned to Austin and opened a gambling hall. Acknowledged for his honesty and prowess with a revolver, the citizens of Austin elected him City Marshal. In July 1882, Marshal Thompson quarreled over a card game in a saloon, where he shot and killed a prominent sportsman Jack Harris. After the trial and acquittal, he resigned as marshal and resumed his life as a professional gambler. On the evening of March 11, 1884, at the Vaudeville Theatre, San Antonio, Thompson was shot and killed from behind.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Contributed on 4/26/20 by tomtodd
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Record #: 305731