Heck Thomas – Tough Law in Indian Territory
The annals of the American West are replete with figures of grit, determination, and unwavering commitment to justice. Among these stands Henry Andrew "Heck" Thomas, a name synonymous with effective law enforcement in the tumultuous era of the Wild West, particularly within the often-lawless expanse of the Indian Territory. Thomas wasn’t just a lawman; he was a force of nature, a relentless pursuer of outlaws who carved a legacy of order from chaos. His story is a testament to courage, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of those who sought to tame the frontier.
Early Life and Influences
Born in Athens, Georgia, on January 3, 1850, to Lovick and Martha Thomas, Henry Andrew Thomas, later known as Heck Thomas, was raised in Atlanta. The nickname "Heck" stuck with him from a young age, a moniker that perhaps hinted at the spirited nature that would later define his career. While his parents envisioned a life of religious service for him, hoping he would become a Methodist minister, the young Thomas harbored a different calling.
The Civil War dramatically shaped his formative years. His father and two uncles all served with distinction in the Confederate Army. His father, Lovick Thomas, rose to the rank of colonel, commanding the 35th Georgia Infantry. Uncle Henry also became a colonel, leading the 16th Georgia Infantry, while another uncle, Edward Lloyd Thomas, commanded the 49th Georgia Infantry. Young Heck Thomas found himself amidst the conflict at the tender age of twelve, serving as a courier for his Uncle Edward at the front lines in Virginia. This early exposure to the harsh realities of war undoubtedly instilled in him a sense of discipline and a profound understanding of human nature under pressure.
From Atlanta Police Officer to Railroad Guard
Following the war, Heck’s father became the first city marshal of Atlanta, marking the family’s entry into law enforcement. At the age of seventeen, Heck Thomas joined the Atlanta police force, quickly establishing himself as a fearless and capable officer. During his time on the force, he was wounded in one of the city’s race riots, further solidifying his reputation as a man of action. In 1871, he married his cousin, Isabelle Gray, the daughter of an Atlanta preacher, and they started a family.
In 1875, seeking new opportunities, Heck Thomas moved his family to Galveston, Texas. There, he accepted a position as a railroad guard for the Texas Express Company, tasked with protecting the Houston and Texas Central Railroad between Denison and Galveston. This route was notorious for train robbery attempts, making it a dangerous but crucial assignment. In 1878, the infamous Sam Bass Gang attempted to rob the train near Hutchins Station, southeast of Dallas. During the ensuing shootout, Thomas was injured, but his quick thinking and bravery foiled the gang’s plans. He had cleverly hidden the cash in an unlit stove and placed decoy packages in the safe. By the time the outlaws discovered the ruse, the train had escaped safely. This act of courage and ingenuity earned him a promotion to Fort Worth detective for the company, and by 1879, he was appointed Chief Agent.
Pursuit of the Lee Gang and Appointment as U.S. Deputy Marshal
In 1885, Thomas left the Texas Express Company and unsuccessfully ran for Chief of Police. He then joined the Fort Worth Detective Association, continuing his relentless pursuit of justice. His next significant case involved the Lee brothers, Jim and Pink, two notorious and murderous members of the Lee Gang. This gang of horse and cattle thieves had been terrorizing Cooke County, Texas, and the Chickasaw Nation, inciting both settlers and Native Americans. When a posse led by U.S. Marshal James Guy attempted to apprehend the gang in May 1885, they were ambushed, resulting in the deaths of four posse members.
The stakes were high, with rewards totaling $7,000 offered for the capture of Jim and Pink Lee. Heck Thomas took on the challenge, embarking on a four-month pursuit. Finally, with a posse led by Jim Taylor, Thomas cornered the Lee brothers in a hayfield near Dexter, Texas. Giving them a chance to surrender, as was his custom, the pair responded with gunfire. In the resulting gunfight, both bandits were killed, and the posse collected the reward. The newspapers hailed the event, proclaiming that the Lee brothers, "the most notorious desperadoes in Texas," had finally met their end.
Shortly after this feat, Thomas was appointed a U.S. Deputy Marshal in 1886. He moved his family to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and worked under the legendary Judge Isaac Parker, famously known as the "Hanging Judge." For the next seven years, Heck Thomas would cement his reputation as one of the most effective deputies in the lawless Indian Territory. On his first assignment out of Fort Smith, he apprehended eight murderers, a bootlegger, a horse thief, and several other hardened criminals, setting the standard for his future endeavors. Thomas often worked alone and brought more outlaws to justice than any other marshal in Indian Territory.
Personal Life and the "Three Guardsmen"
While his career flourished, his marriage suffered. In 1888, just two years after becoming a U.S. Deputy Marshal, his wife, Isabelle, weary of frontier life and her husband’s frequent absences, divorced him and returned to Georgia with their five children.
In 1888, while recovering from wounds sustained in the line of duty in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Thomas met Mattie Mowbray, a schoolteacher and preacher’s daughter. They married in Arkansas City, Kansas, in October 1889, and Heck Thomas started a second family.
By 1891, Heck Thomas joined forces with fellow Deputy U.S. Marshals Chris Madsen and Bill Tilghman to tackle some of the era’s most notorious outlaws. The trio became known as the "Three Guardsmen" and were largely credited with bringing law and order to the Indian Territory.
Chasing the Dalton Gang and Taming Perry, Oklahoma
In 1892, Thomas and Madsen pursued the Dalton Gang, who were terrorizing Indian Territory with train robberies and deadly shootouts. On October 5, 1892, the Dalton Gang attempted to simultaneously rob two banks in Coffeyville, Kansas, hoping to amass enough money to retire from their life of crime and escape to South America.
Chasing the Daltons was a complex situation for Heck Thomas, as Bob and Grat Dalton had previously served as Deputy U.S. Marshals like himself. He had also worked closely with their deceased brother, Frank Dalton, who was killed in the line of duty. Despite these former ties, Heck Thomas remained committed to his duty. Emmett Dalton even referred to him as their "nemesis."
After the Dalton Gang robbed a train in Adair, Oklahoma, in July 1892, Thomas relentlessly tracked them into the Osage Nation and discovered their hideout. Continuing the pursuit, he located their campsite approximately 20 miles south of Coffeyville. As he pressed on, news arrived that four Dalton Gang members, including Bob and Grat, had been killed in Coffeyville. Emmett Dalton, the only survivor, was severely wounded. Hearing this, Heck Thomas proceeded to Coffeyville and identified the bodies for the Wells Fargo Company.
In 1893, the "Three Guardsmen" were tasked with bringing order to Perry, Oklahoma, a town that had sprung up overnight during the Oklahoma land run of September 16, 1893. Perry quickly became known as "Hell’s Half Acre," a settlement teeming with 25,000 people and 110 saloons. Lawlessness, disputes, and general mayhem were commonplace. The infamous Doolin Gang also operated in the area, and the trio was determined to apprehend them.
The Doolin Gang robbed trains and banks in Kansas, Indian Territory, and Texas for four years, constantly pursued by the "Three Guardsmen." Finally, in August 1896, Thomas led a posse that caught up with Bill Doolin. When confronted, Doolin attempted to shoot his way out but was killed.
Later Life and Legacy
During his tenure in the Indian Territory, Thomas arrested more than 300 wanted men in a dangerous profession that claimed the lives of fifteen other Indian Territory officers. He was known to pursue the most dangerous outlaws because the rewards were higher. His success came at a price, as he was wounded at least six times during gunfights.
In 1902, Thomas moved to Lawton, Oklahoma, to serve as Police Chief for the next seven years. After suffering a heart attack in 1909, he retired from law enforcement at the age of 59. He died of Bright’s Disease on August 15, 1912. Henry Andrew "Heck" Thomas was buried at Highland Cemetery in Lawton, Oklahoma, where his grave remains today. His legacy as a tough and effective lawman endures, a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice in the face of danger and adversity. Heck Thomas remains a symbol of the Old West, a figure who helped shape the landscape of law enforcement in a turbulent time.