Ben Thompson (lawman)
| Ben Thompson | |
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Ben Thompson as a City Marshal of Austin Texas.
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| Born |
Ben Thompson November 2, 1843 Knottingley, West Yorkshire, England |
| Died | March 11, 1884 (aged 40) San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Gunfighter, gambler, and lawman |
| Years active | 1868 – 1884 |
| Known for | Lawman and gunfighter of the old west |
| Spouse(s) | Catherine L. Moore |
| Children | 3 |
Ben Thompson (November 2, 1843 – March 11, 1884) was a gunman, gambler, and sometimes lawman of the Old West. He was a contemporary of "Buffalo" Bill Cody, Bat Masterson, John Wesley Hardin, and "Wild Bill" Hickock, some of whom considered him a friend, others an enemy. Thompson fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, and later for Emperor Maximilian in Mexico. When hired in 1881 as marshal in Austin, Texas, the crime rate reportedly dropped sharply. Thompson was murdered at the age of 40 in San Antonio, Texas in the "Vaudeville Theater Ambush".
Thompson was born in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, England to William and Mary Ann [nee Baker] Thompson, in November 1843. The family settled in Austin in late 1852. Ben was 8 years old, William 6, and Mary Jane 4 years old at the time.
Thompson worked for the Austin Rambler as a news printer's assistant while in his teens. Once he discovered gambling, however, Thompson began traveling and earning a living as a professional gambler.
On June 12, 1861 Thompson enlisted in the Confederate States Army at San Antonio, and became a private in the 2nd Regiment,Texas Mounted Rifles, Company H. His brother, Billy Thompson, joined the same regiment.
On January 1–2, 1863, Thompson participated in the Battle of Galveston, where the U.S.S. Harriet Lane was captured. Thompson was wounded during the battle, and was treated for six weeks in a military hospital at Niblett's Bluff (located west of Vinton, Louisiana).
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