3397

Lawman Heck Thomas Receipt c1895 [182522]

Currency:USD Category:Western Americana Start Price:350.00 USD Estimated At:900.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Lawman Heck Thomas Receipt c1895 [182522]
SOLD
275.00USDto D********r+ buyer's premium (68.75)
This item SOLD at 2024 Dec 06 @ 08:35UTC-8 : PST/AKDT
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A Pawnee, Territory of Oklahoma receipt/certification pre-printed 3" x 8" document, c1895, with the signature of Deputy United States Marshal Heck Thomas. The document is a certification that from April 2-4, 1895, the deputy furnished "subsistance, etc." to a prisoner in his charge, Frank Miller. "As there is hardly a place in the country in which I am on duty, where food or lodging can be obtained, it is necessary for me to be prepared at all times to furnish those articles myself, and the rates charged in within account are the lowest at which the articles can possibly be furnished." Heck Thomas (1850-1912) began his law enforcement career at 18 in Atlanta, later moved to Texas where he became Chief Agent for the Texas Express Co. in Ft. Worth where he worked with Chief of Police there, "Longhaired" Jim Courtright. Thomas had a shoot-out with the Sam Bass Gang. Later he operated his own detective agency there and eliminated Jim & Pink Lee of the "Lee Gang" in another shoot-out. Thomas was appointed a Deputy U.S. Marshal in Indian Territory under "Hanging Judge" Isaac Parker between 1886-1892 and continued work under various U.S. Marshals until 1900. During the time he worked with Bill Tilghman and Chris Madsen, the trio became known as the "Three Guardsmen" of the Territory. Thomas was noted for chasing the most dangerous of criminals because of their large rewards. He led posses that chased the Dalton Gang and was leading a posse when they caught and killed Bill Doolin. Thomas served as Chief of Police of Lawton, OK, from 1902-1907 before failing health forced him to retire. He remained close friends with Madsen and Tilghman, writing to both before his death, asking them not to attend his funeral. [ Oklahoma