Constable Thomas E. Milstead

Thomas E. Milstead

On Thursday, February 10, 1898, Fannin County Precinct 1 Constable Thomas E. Milstead and Fannin County Deputy Sheriffs C. B. "Charley" Bridge, Dailey Parish, and June Riddling went to the community of Mulberry in northern Fannin County to arrest two subjects for selling illegal whiskey and carrying pistols.

Constable Milstead and Deputy Sheriff Bridge knocked on the front door and advised the subject that there was a warrant for his arrest when he opened the door. The subject drew a pistol and began firing at the officers. Constable Milstead was struck in the face by the gunfire but drew his gun, charged into the house, and killed one subject.
The constable then engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with the other subject. Constable Milstead, who was weak from the loss of blood, was thrown down on a bed, and the subject was trying to shoot him when Deputy Sheriff Bridge came to Milstead's rescue and shot and killed the subject.

Constable Milstead was mortally wounded with five gunshot wounds and died four days later on February 14, 1898. Deputy Sheriff Bridge was seriously injured by the gunfire but did not die from his wounds.

Constable Milstead was survived by his wife and an unknown number of children.

He was buried in the Willow Wild Cemetery, Bonham, Fannin County, Texas.