Thomas James Holden

Who is Thomas James Holden?

Thomas James Holden was the first person placed on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List. He was listed on March 14, 1950 andwas arrested onJune 23,1951inBeaverton, Oregon.His arrestfollowed a tip from a citizen who read the INS story in thePortland, OregonnewspaperThe Oregonianand contacted the FBI.Holden was convicted of robbing a mail train in the 1920s and incarcerated in Leavenworth until his escape in 1930. Hewas alleged to be one of the "outside" crew in a sensational armed break of other prisoners from Leavenworth in December, 1931. He was a fugitive after his 1930 escape but was caught with a fellow escapee by FBI Special Agents and local police officers on a golf course atKansas City, MissouriJuly 7,1932. He was once again incarcerated in Leavenworth Prison until his release on November 28, 1947. On June 5th 1949 he shot to death his wife and her two brothers while drinkingin Chicago. Holden thenfledIllinois, and was charged with unlawful flight across state linesNovember 4,1949.