Ben Thompson and Other Noted Gunmen - A tale by Bat Masterson

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, Texas, 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 in years 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.

Ben Thompson

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

For the dash and courage he displayed at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, just above the mouth of 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 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 in 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 Maxmilian 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 man killer 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 "man killers," 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. He stood about five feet nine inches in height and weighed in later years, in the neighborhood of 180 pounds.

Wore Silk Hat and Prince Albert

Ben Thompson liked dressing in a "Prince Albert" suit.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

His face was pleasant to look upon and his head was round and well-shaped. He was what could be called a handsome man. He was always neat in his dress but never loud, and wore little if any jewelry at any time. He was often seen on the streets of Austin, especially on a Sunday, wearing a silk hat and dressed in a Prince Albert suit of the finest material. While he was not given to taking any unnecessary chances with his life, he would unhesitatingly do so if he felt that occasion demanded it. For example:

He had a falling out one day with the proprietor of a vaudeville house in Austin and that night, just at the busiest hour, went over to the place and fired a shot from his pistol into one of the big chandeliers that was hanging from the ceiling, which broke some of the glass shades and scattered the pieces of broken glass in all directions over the audience.

This, as might be expected, caused an immediate stampede of the patrons who rushed pell mell for the street. Thompson, when things quieted down somewhat, left the place without offering to do any further mischief. That seemed to satisfy Ben and in all probability the trouble would have ended then and there had the proprietor let the matter rest where it was; but he refused to listen to the advice of his friends and openly declared that he intended to get even with Thompson. As a matter of course everything he said about Ben was instantly carried to him and, as is generally the way in such cases, some things he did not say were added to the story by the tale-bearers.

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