Thomas James Smith, also known as Tom "Bear River" Smith, (12 June
1830 â€" 2 November 1870) was a lawman in the American Old West and
briefly marshal of cattle town Abilene, Kansas. He was killed and
nearly decapitated in the line of duty.Little is known of Smith's
youth, though he was well known as a tough man and had been a
professional middleweight boxer. Originally from New York City, where
he worked as a police officer, he also served as a lawman in a few
small towns in Wyoming, including Bear River, as well as in Kit
Carson, Colorado, prior to his move to Kansas. While working as a
police officer in New York City in 1868, Smith was involved in the
accidental killing of a 14-year-old boy, after which he resigned and
began working for Union Pacific Railroad in Nebraska.Smith received
the nickname "Bear River" due to a stand he made during a skirmish
with vigilantes while serving as a lawman in Wyoming. A vigilante
group had lynched a railroad employee who was suspected of murder.
Soon afterward, railroad employees retaliated against the vigilantes,
resulting in most of the small town of Bear River City, Wyoming being
burned to the ground, and a shootout between town citizens and mob
members erupted. Smith stood both sides off until troops from Fort
Bridger arrived and imposed martial law. Bear River City soon became
deserted, another railroad ghost town.Smith has been described as
having been a handsome man with a thick mustache and an almost
fearless nature. There are a number of examples of Smith refusing to
back down, despite whatever odds might be against him. Thomas J. Smith Biography, NetWorth, Height, Age, Weight, Family, Married, Son, Daughter