Lt. William M. "Wild Bill" Thomason

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57962659/william-thomason

"Wild Bill" Thomason

There was another influence not only to Jesse and Frank James, but also William T and James M Anderson in the mid 1850's, "Wild Bill" Thomason. Thomason was the brother of Robert Thomason, the James boy's mother Zerelda's stepfather. "Wild Bill" or William Thomason, with his wife, Mahala, is cited as part of the William C Anderson's family household in the 1850 US Federal Census. At the time of the 1850 census, William or " Wild Bill" is listed as 51 years old and a "hatter" as a profession, which is believed inaccurate.

William Thomason (Wild Bill) served as a lieutenant in the Mexican War, and after that conflict, in which he was cited for combat bravery, he returned to his earlier occupation as a "mountain man". Thomason came to Clay County in the mid-1850's, and his imposing fram, nearly six feet tall and often covered with buckskin garments, must have been both intimidating and fascinating to the Anderson and James boys. According to Jim Cummins, "Thomason was sturdily built...his hair was black...heavy and thick as the mane of a mustang, and hung below his belt. He often wore his hair inside his belt," and with his Indian finery he had "a wild yet fascinating appearance" He told the boys about adventures in the mountains, of bear of buffalo hunts. Thomason taught Frank James to ride like the Comanche Indians and how to shoot a rifle, pistol, and bow on horseback. **Presumably he also taught young Jess James some tricks. Living in the William Anderson household for a time, the arguement can be made that he taught both William C "Bloody Bill" Anderson and his younger brother, James "Jim" M Anderson, the same as he taught the James boys, they being about the same age. These lessons he gave the James and Anderson boys in their youth would come in handy for the deadly trials the 1860's would provide.

• *Frank And Jesse James, The Story Behind The Legend, Ted P. Yeatman, Cumberland House Publishing, Nashville, TN, USA, 2000.

Information provided by John Vincent "VINCE" Powers

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