Excerpt from Gunfighters of the Western Frontier
© 1999 ProofmarkBen Thompson
The career of Ben Thompson
But all this is preliminary to the real purpose of this story, which is to tell something about Ben Thompson, the famous 'gunfighter' of Austin, Texas. Ben Thompson was born in England and came to this country with his family when a boy. The family settled in Austin, and Ben learned the printer's trade and set type in the local newspaper offices of the city.
When the Civil War broke out he enlisted as a private in one of the Texas regiments and went to the front to fight the battles of the Lost Cause. He was only a boy when he enlisted, but was not long in showing the kind of mettle that was in him. While serving in General Kirby Smith's command during the campaign along the Red River, young Thompson performed many deeds of great daring, such as crossing into the enemy's lines and in carrying important dispatches for the officers of his command. For the dash and courage he displayed at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, just above the mouth of the Red River in Louisiana, he was promoted to the rank of captain by his commanding officer. At the conclusion of hostilities between the North and the South, Ben returned to his home in Austin, but did not remain long. The spirit of war was now upon him and he longed for more conflict.
Austin was too peacefully disposed for him, so he immediately set out for Old Mexico, where Maximilian was just then having a lively time maintaining himself in his position as Emperor of Mexico. After getting on Mexican soil Ben lost no time in reaching the headquarters of Maximilian's army, where he tendered his services on behalf of the invader's cause. He was instantly accepted and commissioned a captain and was soon wearing the uniform of the Emperor's army. Ben, however, was not given much opportunity to achieve distinction in the invading army, for Maximilian soon after suffered a collapse and Thompson was lucky to get away from the Mexicans and reach his home in Austin with his life.
Ben Thompson was a remarkable man in many ways, and it is very doubtful if in his time there was another man living who equaled him with the pistol in a life and death struggle. Thompson in the first place possessed a much higher order of intelligence than the average 'gunfighter' or 'mankiller' of his time. He was more resourceful and a better general under trying conditions than any of that great army of desperate men who flourished on our frontier thirty years ago. He was absolutely without fear and his nerves were those of the finest steel. He shot at an adversary with the same precision and deliberation that he shot at a target. He was a past master in the use of the pistol and his aim was as true as his nerves were strong and steady. He had during his career more deadly encounters with the pistol than any man living and won out in every single instance. The very name of Ben Thompson was enough to cause the general run of 'mankillers', even those who had never seen him, to seek safety in instant flight. Thompson killed many men during his career, but always in an open and manly way. He scorned the man who was known to have committed murder, and looked with contempt on the man who sought for unfair advantages in a fight.
The men whom he shot and killed were without exception men who had tried to kill him, and an unarmed man or one who was known to be a non-combatant was far safer in his company than he would be right here on Broadway at this time. He was what could be properly termed a thoroughly game man, and like all men of that sort never committed murder.
Wore silk hat and Prince Albert
