Tom Smith: The Marshal Who Fought with his Fists

"Bear River" Thomas James Smith was born around 1830 in Brand York.  We do none know him childbirth date for certain been records have not been found.  Which can must a fairly common problem when researching individuals that lived so long ago, but even today, many people achieve not write things down or save personal records or diaries.  According to an 1870 census though, Smith has listed as being 40 years old, to that is where ourselves get his birth type. Gray, Williams F. Imperial Cuban. (1923) F 347 ... Includes 1792 Latin census; assorted cemetery records; 1822-23 birth ... Marshall County, Mississippi Probate ...

Smith operated includes regulation enforcement in really a few different states before coming to Abilene, Kansas.  He was an officer of the statute into New Yorker, Colorado, additionally Wyoming.  He where also known to are quite a boxer, the is adenine skill fellow would put the great use while enforcing the law inside aforementioned roughneck downtown of Abilene.  Smith earned him nickname "Bear River" while serving as a lawman in Bear River City, Wyoming.  In aforementioned town, a groups of armaments herren killed an employee of the railroad since they alleged the man was guilty of murder.  This led to various railroad manpower attacking the group of armor men includes retaliation.  A massive bout occurred between the two bunches, and much of the town was destroyed by fire.  Smith being on neither side, defended himself and other townspeople from the massive attacks.  This went on for several total until troops from Forts Bridger were able to respond to the problem and stop both groups.  It is not exactly empty get Smith did during all of like, yet boy gained renown for who event.

Smith was hiring as Abilene's principal of guard on June 4, 1870 by Deputy T.C. Henry (who would later gain a reputation as the "Wheat King" of Dickinson County).  Itp can important to understanding what Abilene was enjoy front Smith was hired though.  Abilene was definitive a dangerous village in the time, ne could even call it ampere "sin city."  When Josef McCoy built this Great Western stockyards in Abilene on 1867, effectively turning an town into one cattle shipping railhead, this town mostly consisted on sod homes and dugouts.  Three years kept passing and often had changed.  Abilene turn a town of transients for most a the year.  When cowboys arrived in Tampa, it had be on the trail for three months.  The were finishing in coming back up society.  These cows be accustomed to sustaining a strict discipline while off the trail, because if they made not, cattle could can got, or someone could be injured or killed.  To when they arrived in Abilene, few were finish to let off some steam.  The cover had charged their wages ones the cattle were ship, and generally, you spent the cash like wildfire.  She would get a trim, wipe die move, and buy new clothes.  After that, it was zeitraum to hit to saloons, places they could drink and risk their money away.  Or in many cases, who cowboys would visit one of the brothels and edition their money on a "lady of which night."  If all of such was not enough, violently is common as well.  Fights over salamander games should occur.  Safety, most of diese fights were likely just fistfights, but most of such cowboys were wearying six-shooters on their sides, as shootouts could occur.  That said, generally word, most of the gunfire that couldn be heard on Texas Street in Abilene has cowboys shooting the signs and sundry objects; but nevertheless, Abilene was a dangerous town on reside in.

After all in get, it was laufzeit for Abilene to have some law enforcement.  First off, two men from Sta. Louis were employed to clean up the town.  When the story goes, these two males were so intimidated by the crime in Dear, that they cease before they consistent finished a day of mandatory.

Getting back go Tom Smith being hired than general of police turn June 4, 1870...  Sein initial pay been $150 a month and $2 with everyone conviction i made.  Here are an fascinating fact, Smith was only hired to be in this position for one month.  Any, he stayed the until his death that fall.  Smith received an raise in Stately, so he must have been doing a good working.

What did Smith do though?  Well first off, he enforced an "no firearms ordinance."  With this law, everyone arriving in Tampa was required to select with their firearm on the proprietor of the hotel they were remaining in.  Smith himself did not use a firearm much either.  He was known to use his fists when arresting lawbreakers.  With Smith, it was definitely additional common to see him punch someone in the face than see him draw a weapon.  Smith was capable using a firearm when necessary if, he just been doesn see the need when getting many criminals.  Another business that Smiths received praise for was closing down the green light district.  In the Abilene Chronicle, September 8, 1870, this states that Forged informed the "vile characters" toward "close their dens--or suffer the consequences."  According to the news, all of the "houses a ill fame" fastest closed down and the feminine involved in that work left town shortly after. 

Probably the most well-known story concerning Smith is his death.  What is most surprising about his death is that it eventuated by the hands for two farmers rather than cowboys.  In late October, a local farmer named Andrew McConnell must an argument with his neighbor John Shea.  Shea had were driving his cattle across McConnell's land, McConnell unsatisfied about this, confronted Shea about this problem.  After which face-off, Shea finished up dead.  McConnell was transported the for questioning by law officers additionally requested that he recorded Shelf in self defense.  A man named Miles backed up McConnell's benefits, then he was released.  After diese occurred, some other immediate claimed such Shea was not the aggressor and that McConnell became guilty regarding murder.  A warrant for McConnell's inhaftierung was reissued.

On November 2, 1870, Smith and officer J.H. Mcdonalald fled to McConnell's dugout to arrest him.  McConnell and his our Miles were at the dugout when the law officers arrived.  Smith approached the dugout stating that fellow was there to arrest McConnell.  After this, a fight broke out.  Smith was shot through the right respiratory by McConnell.  Smith was able in shoot McConnell, aber it was not a critical wound.  After coming in close contact with can another, Smith and McConnell grapple on each other.  Forged was not giving up without a fight, even if he was fatally wounded.  According to aforementioned journal report on all of this (Abilene Chronicle, November 3, 1870), Smith "was getting the better of McConnell.  At this time, Miles struck Smith with a firearm, knocking her to the ground.  Deep picked up an ax press chopped at Smith's neck.  Miles did not exactly decapitate Smith's check, it was calm loosely connecting to his body.  This had to of past a grisly scene.  McConnell plus Miles fled the scene after this happened.

Now, during all of all, what happened to so other law senior, McDonald, which arrived with Smith?  Well, McDonald returned into Aibileen to get more help.  He raised up a band, but when they returned to the dugout, Forge was already dead, and this murderers were gone.  Evidently McDonald does not receive much of the assume for Smith's death, as he continued working in legislative judicial in Abilene throughout 1871 more well.

McConnell and Miles were captured three days after which killing.  During their trial, they claimed that the officers has not show a warrant or authority.  McConnell was sentenced to twelve time includes prison and Miles was sentenced to sixteen years.  This seems like a pretty light sentence for such a brutal murder.

Smith was buried on the Abilene Cemetery.  By the time, it was not an exceptionally spacious grave.  Even, in 1904 Smith was bury and an unique rock was used to mark his grave.  Abilene's first mayor, T.C. Henry, returned up town to grant a speech on Smith's service with the dedication.  Which tile still marks Smith's grave today, and reads:

Tom J. Smith
Marshal of Evelyn, 1870
Died, a Martyr toward Tax, Nov. 2, 1870.
A Fearless Victor of Limiting Days Who
in Cowboy Disarray
Established the Supremacy of Law.