Heck Thomas
Confederate Army soldier, Old West lawman
Died when: 62 years 225 days (751 months)Star Sign: Capricorn
Henry Andrew "Heck" Thomas (January 3, 1850 – August 14, 1912) was a lawman on the American frontier, most notably in Indian Territory.He was known for helping bring law and order to the region.
In 1889 as a deputy in Fort Smith, Arkansas, he tried to capture Ned Christie (Cherokee), wanted as a suspect in the killing of a US marshal.
Thomas was among the lawmen who ended the run of the Wild Bunch, also known as the Doolin-Dalton Gang.Emmett Dalton, the surviving member of the gang, said that due to Thomas's relentless pursuit, they attempted two simultaneous robberies in Coffeyville, Kansas, planning to leave the territory with a haul.
These failed and four gang members died in a shootout there.In August 1896, Thomas led a posse that tracked down and killed outlaw Bill Doolin.