[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen a drinking buddy tried to throw him out in the street in his birthday suit on the night of Sep. 6, 1868, hot-tempered Billy Thompson plugged the prankster and headed for the hills.

A famous gunfighter with a reputation matched only by John Wesley Hardin and Bill Longley, Ben Thompson was a walking bull’s-eye for every barroom braggart out to make a name for himself.  Staying alive was tough enough without having to look out for his baby brother.

Inseparable since chi...