THE LAST KNOWN PHOTOGRAPH OF

BEN THOMPSON

DISCOVERED AFTER MANY YEARS

The last known photograph of Ben Thompson has been discovered after it was feared it may have been lost forever. This blood-stained photograph was in the pockets of John King Fisher when both he and Ben were gunned down in San Antonio's Vaudeville Theatre on 11th March 1884.

The day after the killings the San Antonio Light reported on the belongings found on King Fisher's body and this photograph was among the items discovered.

The photograph, which measures 8 inches by 4 inches and was taken in the studio of H.R. Marks, of Austin, Texas, was signed and presented to King Fisher by Ben Thompson on the very day they were killed.

[above] The Last Known Photograph of Ben Thompson
Photograph reproduced courtesy of Mr. Robert McCubbin

The rear of the photograph, signed by Ben Thompson.
Photographed reproduced courtesy of Mr. Robert McCubbin.

Knottingley and Ferrybridge Online played a key role in the discovery of the photograph.

We received an e-mail from a resident of San Antonio back in May 2004 who had noticed the similarity in pictures of Ben Thompson on our website with a photograph he had been given by a client some fifteen years ago. We were able to put him in contact with Tom Bicknell in America who referred him to Bob McCubbin, an expert in nineteenth century photographs of Old West characters. Mr. McCubbin was able to confirm the photographs rock solid authenticity.

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