Thomas Pickett
by J. Young
Tomas Pickett was born near Clarksville, Texas. Most agree the birth took place at Camp Throckmorton, Wise County, Texas on May 27, 1856 and was subsequently raised in Decatur, Texas. At the young age of seventeen, Pickett was charged with cattle theft. Legend has it that Pickett’s father, a member of the Texas legislature, had to mortgage the family home to secure his son’s release from jail. While many have assumed that his father was Col. Edward B. Pickett, no evidence has been found to corroborate this claim.
According to the latest biography of Commander John B. Jones, Tom served as a Texas Ranger in Company “B” from April 1876 until August 1877. During his tenure, he was involved in an accidental discharge of his firearm that resulted in property damage. While a local judge charged him, a Texas Ranger inquiry ultimately acquitted him of any wrongdoing. Despite this resolution, Tom was unable to reconcile with the local judge and ultimately left the area. He went on to pursue other opportunities, ultimately joining a cattle drive to Kansas and later becoming a professional gambler.
Tom encountered Dave Rudabaugh and other individuals during his time in Kansas. Following Dave’s departure to Las Vegas, New Mexico, Tom followed suit. In Las Vegas, Tom was a fellow member of the Dodge City Gang with Dave and functioned as a “peace officer.” This designation was conferred upon him by Hoodoo Brown, who was both the Justice of the Peace and leader of the Dodge City Gang.
According to reports, Tom’s unfavorable reputation in Vegas led to a contract being issued for his death. Following Dave, this time fleeing from Las Vegas due to the murder of a deputy sheriff, Tom relocated to Fort Sumner alongside Dave, where they secured employment with the Yerby ranch. In due course, Tom and Dave became affiliated with the Rustlers, under the leadership of Billy the Kid.
Tom was present with the Rustlers during the unfortunate incidents that took place on December 19 and 23, 1880. Sheriff Pat Garrett’s posse was responsible for causing fatalities among the Rustlers, including Tom Folliard and Charlie Bowdre. Following the events at Stinking Springs, Tom and his Rustler associates were apprehended by Garrett’s posse and taken to Las Vegas. 
Tom was set free on $300 bail. He quickly fled New Mexico for Arizona and joined another cattle rustling gang there, which also. later included Billy Wilson after his escape from The Santa Fe Jail.
Tom Pickett eventually left the gang and secured employment at the Hash Knife Outfit in Arizona. However, in 1886, he was involved in a violent altercation which resulted in a gunshot wound to his leg. Despite his injury, he managed to secure a position as a bartender in Holbrook, Arizona thereafter. Tom went on to marry Kate Kelly in 1888, but unfortunately, his happiness was short-lived. Tragically, Kate passed away while giving birth to their first child, who also did not survive.
In or around 1890, Tom was employed as a driver for the Fort Apache-Holbrook stage, in addition to taking on various tasks around the Fort. Following his tenure, in 1909, he took a furlough to visit his ailing mother in Texas. During his stay, he was apprehended and held accountable for cattle rustling accusations from as far back as 1879. Despite pleading guilty to the charges, he received a fine of $137, but was spared time in detention.
Tom resumed his professional career as a bartender in Holbrook in 1912 and also served as a deputy during that time. Unfortunately, in 1914 both of his professional responsibilities came to an end, leading him to work as a ranch hand on several different ranches. However, in the summer of 1923, he was appointed to the role of deputy sheriff in Winslow, Arizona, under the leadership of Sheriff John Earl. It’s worth noting that Tom unfortunately had to undergo a leg amputation due to the bullet he received in the year 1886 or ’87. Courageously, he continued to work as a deputy following this loss. Tom passed away from nephritis on May 14, 1934. Some reports say Tom died near Pine Tank west of Winslow. BLM has no records of any property owned by Pickett, but this area could have been his home.
Tom is buried at Desert View Cemetery, Winslow, Arizona