HENRY H. "HECK" THOMAS - DOCUMENT SIGNED 09/11/1888 CO-SIGNED BY: GENERAL STEPHEN WHEELER - HFSID 286416

HECK THOMAS
As Deputy Marshal, he reports expenses he incurred while arresting Jesse McLain. Also signed by District Court Clerk and Civil War veteran Stephen Wheeler
Document signed: "Heck Thomas" as Federal Marshal, 1 page, 8½x14. Also signed: "Stephen Wheeler" as Clerk of the District Court. Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1888 September 11. Thomas submits to court clerk Wheeler his itemized expenses while serving an arrest warrant on Jesse McLain. Including his own travel expenses, the feeding of two prisoners, and payment to a deputy who served subpoenas on witnesses, these expenses total $39.50. HENRY "HECK" THOMAS (1850-1912), a deadly frontier lawman employed by "hanging judge" Isaac Parker, was responsible for arresting over 300 outlaws between 1893-1896 and cleaning up a dangerous zone known as "Hell's Half Acre." He killed notorious outlaw Bill Doolin and shot another, Ned Christie. He was numbered with Bill Tilghman and Chris Madsen as one of the "Three Guardsmen" promoting law and order in the territory. STEPHEN WHEELER (1839-1897), a Union officer in the Civil War present at the Battle of Pea Ridge, became quartermaster general of the Arkansas militia (1869) during Reconstruction and then State Auditor (1872-1874). In 1875 he was appointed clerk of the US District Court at Fort Smith, Western Arkansas District, serving under "hanging judge" Isaac C. Parker. Three horizontal fold creases. Torn at each edge of fold creases. Tear at right center horizontal fold to center of document. Lightly toned. Stained at beginning of "H" in Heck Thomas signature. "Duplicate" stamp on verso. Ink note (unknown hand) on verso. Otherwise fine condition.