The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1884-03-27
SOUTHERN GLEANINGs.
A Texas Tragedy--yiolent Death OF Two
Noted Desperadoes at San Antonio.


SAN ANTONIO, TEX, March 49,
The particulars of the killing of Ben
Thompson and King Fisher, the two most
noted desperadoes that Texas has ever
known, are as follows; Thompson and
Fisher arrived here on the eight o'clock
train from Austin. They had been on nm
friendly terms for some time, but had
madefriends, got drunk and came here to
take in the town, acting in boisterous
manner on the train. Arrived here they
went to an entertainment at Turner Hall,
where they displayed their pistols con.
spicuously, but committed no act of vio.
lence other than forcing their way in with.
out paying admission. Just before the
close Of the play they left the opera hall
and drove to the Vaudeville Thenter. This
place will be remembered as where
Ihompson's last victim, Jack Harris, fell a
little over year ago. They took drink
at the bar and sauntered upstairs and into
the gallery, where Joe Foster and Billy
Slmms, the present proprietor of the Vau-
deville, and who were in partnership with
Jack Harris when he was killed, were seat
ed. They spoke to and shook hands with
Simms, and Thompson ordered the drinks.
Owing to the insulting remarks of Thomp.
son to Foster quarrel ensued almost inn.
mediately, and all parties jumped to their
feet. Special Policeman Jake Coy inter.
fered and ordered them to quiet down.
Thompson addressed Foster with op.
probrious epithets, called him thief,
and then changed his tone and asked
Foster to shake hands with him.
1he latter refused, whereupon Thomp-
son struck Foster with his cooked pistol,
cutting his lip; at the same time Officer
Coy struck Thompson's pistol hand and
the pistol Went off, taking effect in Fosters
leg below the knee. Rapid firing from all
ensued. King Fisher fell at the first fire,
with one ball through his head Just above
the left eye, one through the heart, and one
through the knee. His own pistol was not
discharged. Thompson received one shot
in the left eye, one in the temple and one
through the abdomen. They fell side by
side. Thompson continued to shoot as he
fell. Of the theatre party, Foster, as be.
fore stated. had his left leg shattered be-
low the knee. Officer Coy received flesh
wound in the cali of the leg and Simins n
slight wound.
The greatest confusion prevailed in and
about the theatre. Several parties jumped
out of the second-story window.
Officers took charge of the place and re-
moved the dead bodies to the jail, where
an inquest was held. The jury returned a
verdict that Thompson and Fisher came to
their deaths from pistol shots at the hands
Of Foster, Simms and Coy. They further
find that the killing was done in self-de-
fense, the lives Of the latter being in immi-
nent danger No arrests were made.
Thompson's body was shipped to Austin
and Fishers to Uvalde. Joseph Foster
had his leg amputated and it is thought
he cannot live. The public knows Thomp-
sons history. King Fisher is credited
with having killed not less than twenty
five men. Both have held high civil Of
fees at different times, and despite their
fame, or possibly in consequence OF it,
they have many, very many, friends.