Benjamin “Ben” Thompson: The Old West’s Deadliest Gunfighter was an Englishman, Part 2
Monday, 31 December 2012
In 1873, Ben and his brother Billy were running a gambling joint in Ellsworth, Kansas, when there was a dispute over a poker game. Ben had staked a man who wouldn't give him his half of the winnings. The fight spilled into the street, and Billy came with a shotgun to back up Ben. Sheriff Whitney, came to stand beside a drunken Billy. Billy’s shotgun accidentally discharged and killed the sheriff.