CHEROKEE LAWMAN & GUNFIGHTER TOM THREEPERSONS BORN
Born in Vinita, Indian Territory, Tom attended Carlisle Indian Industrial School before riding the rodeo circuit. In 1907, after cattle rustlers killed his father, Tom tracked & killed the 2 suspects in a saloon. Tried for murder, he was acquitted. Tom joined the U.S. Army in 1916, serving under General Jack Pershing in pursuit of Pancho Villa. At Fort Bliss, he was kicked in the head by a horse, causing him severe headaches for most of his life. Discharged in 1920, in his 2 years with the El Paso Police (EPPD) he was 2 shootouts, killing 4 suspects. In 1922, managing a ranch in Durango, Mexico, he killed 2 rustlers in a shootout. Arrested by Mexican police, he escaped to the U.S. In 1923, Tom became a Mounted Inspector for the U.S. Customs Service and, from 1925-29, was with both the El Paso County Sheriff & EPPD. Leaving law enforcement, he moved to Silver City, New Mexico, where he worked as a rancher and hunting guide. Threepersons died on April 2, 1969, in Safford, Arizona.
Sources: “Tom Threepersons, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Retrieved 12/17/2020, Tom Threepersons | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (atf.gov) Wikipedia Photo: U.S. Department of Justice, undated. Public Domain in the United States. No other source for the photo is indicated. See, Legal Policies and Disclaimers (justice.gov). Source: Tom Threepersons | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (atf.gov)
