Grant Township in Abilene in Dickinson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Thomas J. Smith
Marshal of Abilene
| | 1870 | |
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Thomas J. Smith Marker
Thomas J. Smith, Marshal of Abilene, 1870.
Died, a martyr to duty, Nov. 2, 1870.
A fearless hero of frontier days who in cowboy chaos established the supremacy of law.
Erected 1904.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 38° 55.885′ N, 97° 13.293′ W. Marker is in Abilene, Kansas, in Dickinson County. It is in Grant Township. It can be reached from NW 14th Street 0.4 miles west of Buckeye Avenue (Kansas Route 15), on the right when traveling west. Located in Abilene Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 513 NW 14th St, Abilene KS 67410, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Kansas’ Smoky Hills. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
this page online
Regarding Thomas J. Smith. Thomas James Smith, also known as Tom "Bear River" Smith, was a lawman killed in the line of duty. Smith received the nickname "Bear River" due to his involvement in the Bear River Riot in 1867. 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.
Smith was commissioned as a deputy U.S. marshal, and was insistent that he could police Abilene using his hands rather than using guns. For a time, he was somewhat successful, although he was
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Thomas J. Smith Marker
On November 2, 1870, Smith and a deputy attempted to serve a warrant on two local farmers, Andrew McConnell and Moses Miles, who were wanted for murder. Smith located the suspects in a small settlement ten miles outside of Abilene. A gunfight erupted, in which Smith was badly wounded in the chest. Smith returned fire and wounded McConnell. His deputy fled the scene, and as Smith lay wounded, Moses Miles hit him with the butt of a rifle, then killed him with an axe.
McConnell and Miles were captured and arrested in March 1871, Andrew McConnell got 12 years in prison and Moses Miles got 16 years in prison. Smith was buried in Abilene, and in 1904 he was reburied with a unique stone and plaque marking his grave to honor his service and sacrifice. Smith was replaced as marshal by legendary lawman and gunfighter "Wild Bill" Hickok. Dwight Eisenhower reportedly considered Smith a personal hero, and is reported to have visited Smith's gravesite on numerous occasions.
Additional keywords. Thomas James Smith, Tom "Bear River" Smith, "Wild Bill" Hickok, Dwight Eisenhower,
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
