Paul Colt's Blog, page 44
June 24, 2017
No Show Showdown
Reputations were handy if you were a lawman like Earp or Masterson. More than once both of them defused potentially deadly situations with little more than a steely eye and the imagination of what they might do. Some of those reputations, Masterson’s in particular were inflated by gaudy newspaper accounts, tabloid magazine stories and dime novels. Modesty never entered into debunking those stories. They were cheaper than ammunition.
Gamblers like Short and Holiday found comfort in their reputations. They made their livelihoods on the edges of society where liquor, winning, losing and chance might erupt into violence at any moment. Even a drunk might think twice about calling out Doc Holiday, Luke Short, Masterson or any of the Earps. Of the gamblers, Luke Short probably had the quickest gun and a resume as lethal as Holiday's.
During Abilene’s wide open Cowtown days, folks speculated about the speed and gunfighting prowess of Ben Thompson, John Wesley Hardin and City Marshal Wild Bill Hickock. It may have made entertaining speculation, but none of the principals wanted any part of a throw down. Hickock and Thompson may have walked up to the line over the Bull’s Head sign dispute, but that ended with a tongue-in-cheek white-washing of the anatomically correct offensive member. Hickock and Hardin had a respectful relationship. A reader from Hardin’s family tree once told me John Wesley wanted no part of tangling with Wild Bill. Hickock’s behavior suggests the feelings were mutual.
The closest account I can find to a high profile throw down happened in Dodge City September 18, 1878. Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and a collection of no nonsense lawmen were taming the tough Cowtown. Many Texas cowboys resented the lawmen. Wyatt Earp was singled out, likely over the killing of one of their own George Hoy. Shootist Clay Allison rode into town backed by a couple dozen of his Texas pals. From there the story takes on a life of its own with Allison drinking his way around town looking for variously Wyatt Earp or Bat Masterson. Some accounts have a drunken Allison confronting Watt with Wyatt talking Allison down. Other accounts have Masterson hiding from Allison or breaking up the Earp stand-off. What we know is that Masterson was out of town at the time. Earp was busy with the Dull Knife uprising and Allison eventually gave it up and left town.
A post series on old west gunfighters hardly seems complete without mention of Billy the Kid. Regular readers of these posts know I’ve written books on the Kid’s career. The third, Bounty of Greed comes out next month. We’ve previously written about the Kid’s life and times in these posts, so we’ll not go there this time. The scars have barely healed from the last time I offended the Garrett clan.
Next week: 3:10 to Yuma
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Ride easy, Photo-art by Jim Hatzell
Paul https://www.flickr.com/photos/fiddler...
Gamblers like Short and Holiday found comfort in their reputations. They made their livelihoods on the edges of society where liquor, winning, losing and chance might erupt into violence at any moment. Even a drunk might think twice about calling out Doc Holiday, Luke Short, Masterson or any of the Earps. Of the gamblers, Luke Short probably had the quickest gun and a resume as lethal as Holiday's.
During Abilene’s wide open Cowtown days, folks speculated about the speed and gunfighting prowess of Ben Thompson, John Wesley Hardin and City Marshal Wild Bill Hickock. It may have made entertaining speculation, but none of the principals wanted any part of a throw down. Hickock and Thompson may have walked up to the line over the Bull’s Head sign dispute, but that ended with a tongue-in-cheek white-washing of the anatomically correct offensive member. Hickock and Hardin had a respectful relationship. A reader from Hardin’s family tree once told me John Wesley wanted no part of tangling with Wild Bill. Hickock’s behavior suggests the feelings were mutual.
The closest account I can find to a high profile throw down happened in Dodge City September 18, 1878. Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and a collection of no nonsense lawmen were taming the tough Cowtown. Many Texas cowboys resented the lawmen. Wyatt Earp was singled out, likely over the killing of one of their own George Hoy. Shootist Clay Allison rode into town backed by a couple dozen of his Texas pals. From there the story takes on a life of its own with Allison drinking his way around town looking for variously Wyatt Earp or Bat Masterson. Some accounts have a drunken Allison confronting Watt with Wyatt talking Allison down. Other accounts have Masterson hiding from Allison or breaking up the Earp stand-off. What we know is that Masterson was out of town at the time. Earp was busy with the Dull Knife uprising and Allison eventually gave it up and left town.
A post series on old west gunfighters hardly seems complete without mention of Billy the Kid. Regular readers of these posts know I’ve written books on the Kid’s career. The third, Bounty of Greed comes out next month. We’ve previously written about the Kid’s life and times in these posts, so we’ll not go there this time. The scars have barely healed from the last time I offended the Garrett clan.
Next week: 3:10 to Yuma
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy, Photo-art by Jim Hatzell
Paul https://www.flickr.com/photos/fiddler...
June 17, 2017
Dirty Dave Rudabaugh
Dirty Dave got his start in a gang partnered up with Mysterious Dave holding up stages and rustling cattle. The gang broke up with the law on their trails. Dirty Dave moved his enterprise to Doge City in 1876 where he eventually attracted the law enforcement attention of Wyatt Earp. Dave headed to Texas with Wyatt, now a temporary Deputy U. S. Marshal on his trail. Wyatt trailed Rudabaugh four hundred miles to Griffin Texas, where Doc Holliday informed Wyatt the outlaw had doubled back to Dodge City. It was the beginning of a life-long friendship between Wyatt and the diseased dentist.
In January 1878 Dirty Dave and fellow gang members attempted to rob a train near Dodge. The attempt failed. Newly elected Ford County Sheriff, Bat Masterson, rode out with a posse, eventually capturing Rudabaugh and his gang seeking shelter from a snow storm. Once in jail, Dave turned state’s evidence on his accomplices in return for immunity. He walked on the charges against him.
The following year Dave headed for New Mexico where he reunited in a criminal enterprise known as the Dodge City Gang with Mysterious Dave Mather. When fellow gang member Josh Webb was arrested, Dirty Dave and another member attempted to spring him. The jailbreak attempt failed but Dirty Dave was implicated in killing the jailer.
Dave headed south to Fort Sumner where he signed on to the outlaw exploits of Billy the Kid. He was with the Kid and his gang at Jim Greathouse’s ranch when it was surrounded by White Oaks Deputy Sheriff Jim Carlyle’s posse. Carlyle was given up for Greathouse in a hostage exchange and later killed by his own posse. He may have been killed by the Kid or Dirty Dave. Either way the siege ended.
When Pat Garrett and his posse caught up with the Kid and his gang at Sinking Springs in December 1880, Dave was arrested, charged with the murder of the Las Vegas jailer and sentenced to hang in May 1881. Dave dodged the hangman’s noose when he and Josh Webb broke jail. This time he headed for Arizona where he is believed to have thrown in with the Clanton Cowboy faction in their feud with the Earp brothers. He is suspected of having participated in the assassination attempt on Virgil Earp and the killing of Morgan. He escaped vendetta ride retribution crossing the border into Mexico.
Mystery surrounds Dirty Dave’s death. In one account he was gunned down following a shootout over a card game gone bad. His body was then decapitated and the head paraded around town. By another account he escaped to Montana, took up ranching and dies an alcoholic in Oregon in 1928. There are pictures of a head on a post that looks a good bit like Dirty Dave. You decide.
Next Week: No Show Showdown
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
In January 1878 Dirty Dave and fellow gang members attempted to rob a train near Dodge. The attempt failed. Newly elected Ford County Sheriff, Bat Masterson, rode out with a posse, eventually capturing Rudabaugh and his gang seeking shelter from a snow storm. Once in jail, Dave turned state’s evidence on his accomplices in return for immunity. He walked on the charges against him.
The following year Dave headed for New Mexico where he reunited in a criminal enterprise known as the Dodge City Gang with Mysterious Dave Mather. When fellow gang member Josh Webb was arrested, Dirty Dave and another member attempted to spring him. The jailbreak attempt failed but Dirty Dave was implicated in killing the jailer.
Dave headed south to Fort Sumner where he signed on to the outlaw exploits of Billy the Kid. He was with the Kid and his gang at Jim Greathouse’s ranch when it was surrounded by White Oaks Deputy Sheriff Jim Carlyle’s posse. Carlyle was given up for Greathouse in a hostage exchange and later killed by his own posse. He may have been killed by the Kid or Dirty Dave. Either way the siege ended.
When Pat Garrett and his posse caught up with the Kid and his gang at Sinking Springs in December 1880, Dave was arrested, charged with the murder of the Las Vegas jailer and sentenced to hang in May 1881. Dave dodged the hangman’s noose when he and Josh Webb broke jail. This time he headed for Arizona where he is believed to have thrown in with the Clanton Cowboy faction in their feud with the Earp brothers. He is suspected of having participated in the assassination attempt on Virgil Earp and the killing of Morgan. He escaped vendetta ride retribution crossing the border into Mexico.
Mystery surrounds Dirty Dave’s death. In one account he was gunned down following a shootout over a card game gone bad. His body was then decapitated and the head paraded around town. By another account he escaped to Montana, took up ranching and dies an alcoholic in Oregon in 1928. There are pictures of a head on a post that looks a good bit like Dirty Dave. You decide.
Next Week: No Show Showdown
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Ride easy,
Paul
June 10, 2017
Colfax County War
What, you might ask, has the Maxwell Land Grant to do with Clay Allison and the Colfax County War? Clay Allison was among those settlers and ranchers whose property rested on land claimed by the grant, but never developed. Maxwell sold the grant to a land grant company owned and controlled by a group of powerful wealthy men and politicians known as the Santa Fe Ring. Those of you familiar with the Lincoln County War will recall the political power behind the Murphy Dolan faction were none other than the very same ring.
The Santa Fe owners determined to develop the full extent of the grant. As was the case in Lincoln County the ring’s influence extended to include local law enforcement. Seizures and eviction orders targeting small ranchers and landholders followed. Subjects of these proceedings including Clay Allison resisted and retaliated. Land grant company pastures burned, cattle disappeared, night raids on ranches and homesteads spread on both sides.
A bright young Methodist minister, Franklin Toby waded in on the side of the settlers, taking up the cause of their justice from the pulpits on his circuit. Allison, for all his excesses and volatility, held a man of the cloth in respect. In September 1875, Toby’s body was found murdered. Rumor held Cimarron constable Cruz Vega responsible.
Fellow minister Oscar McMains took up the settler’s cause against the grant men. A $3,000 reward produced no clues as to the murderer’s identity. Frustrated, McMains turned to Allison. On October 30th a masked mob led by Allison and McMains confronted Vega. The constable denied responsibility for the murder blaming instead another man hired by his uncle. Reverend McMains departed when the mob turned ugly. They hung Vega from a telegraph pole.
Francisco “Pancho” Griego, Cruz uncle blamed Allison for his nephew’s death. In November 1875 he along with Cruz’ eighteen year old son and his partner Florencio Donahue confronted Allison in the saloon at the St. James Hotel. Griego imprudently made a play for his gun for which he received a two bullet death sentence. Charges against Allison were dropped. Manuel Cardenas, the man implicated in the Toby killing by Vegas later faced charges. He was assassinated while being taken to jail.
Clay Allison survived the Colfax County War relocating to Texas where he died in a freak wagon accident July 1, 1887.
Next Week: Dirty Dave Rudabaugh
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Ride easy,
Paul
The Santa Fe owners determined to develop the full extent of the grant. As was the case in Lincoln County the ring’s influence extended to include local law enforcement. Seizures and eviction orders targeting small ranchers and landholders followed. Subjects of these proceedings including Clay Allison resisted and retaliated. Land grant company pastures burned, cattle disappeared, night raids on ranches and homesteads spread on both sides.
A bright young Methodist minister, Franklin Toby waded in on the side of the settlers, taking up the cause of their justice from the pulpits on his circuit. Allison, for all his excesses and volatility, held a man of the cloth in respect. In September 1875, Toby’s body was found murdered. Rumor held Cimarron constable Cruz Vega responsible.
Fellow minister Oscar McMains took up the settler’s cause against the grant men. A $3,000 reward produced no clues as to the murderer’s identity. Frustrated, McMains turned to Allison. On October 30th a masked mob led by Allison and McMains confronted Vega. The constable denied responsibility for the murder blaming instead another man hired by his uncle. Reverend McMains departed when the mob turned ugly. They hung Vega from a telegraph pole.
Francisco “Pancho” Griego, Cruz uncle blamed Allison for his nephew’s death. In November 1875 he along with Cruz’ eighteen year old son and his partner Florencio Donahue confronted Allison in the saloon at the St. James Hotel. Griego imprudently made a play for his gun for which he received a two bullet death sentence. Charges against Allison were dropped. Manuel Cardenas, the man implicated in the Toby killing by Vegas later faced charges. He was assassinated while being taken to jail.
Clay Allison survived the Colfax County War relocating to Texas where he died in a freak wagon accident July 1, 1887.
Next Week: Dirty Dave Rudabaugh
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Ride easy,
Paul
June 3, 2017
Clay Allison
Clay Allison was born with a club foot September 2, 1840, the son of a minister. Violent swings characterized his adult behavior, likely as a result of a head injury. He enlisted to fight for the confederacy at the outbreak of the civil war. He was medically discharged in a few short months as a result of his erratic behavior. The following fall he reenlisted in 9th Tennessee Cavalry, serving as a scout and spy through the remainder of the war. Following his surrender, Allison was tried as a spy and convicted. Sentenced to face a firing squad the next day, he killed a guard and escaped.
Allison returned to Tennessee unbowed in defeat. His violent temper found expression for a time in white hoods and bedsheets. When union soldier called at the Allison farm with an order to seize property, Clay shot him for his trouble and with his brothers left for Texas. Clay turned to ranching on the Brazos River, becoming a capable cowhand. Still his temper dogged him. By one account, he settled a water rights dispute with a neighbor in a knife fight.
In 1870 Clay moved to Colfax County New Mexico, using proceeds of a cattle drive to homestead a ranch on the Canadian River north of Springer. The ranch prospered. Allison became well known in both Cimarron and Elizabethtown, where his raucous drunken escapades regularly shot up the town. In one incident in Elizabethtown Allison and friends broke into the jail removed an accused robbery suspect, threw a rope around his neck and dragged him through town behind a horse until he was then. Allison, cut off the head and carried it to Cimarron where it was mounted on a stake for all to see.
Allison had a penchant for showing his displeasure with someone by throwing his knife at them. In one incident hi pinned the county clerk to a door by the sleeve of his shirt. He similarly intimidated a young lawyer Melvin Mills who would bear him a grudge years later in the Colfax County War.
It’s hard to imagine Clay Allison shy and uncertain, but that’s how he came off around women. That’s the way things were until he met Dora McCullough and was smitten. A young orphan, Dora’s step-parents didn’t much care for Allison and his reputation. After the couple eloped the family got to reassess their appraisal. Clay somewhat settled down to married life and ranching.
In January 1974 gunny Jim Colbert came town looking for trouble. He found Clay Allison. The two men spent an affable day together while Colbert presumably sized up his chances. Toward evening Colbert invited Clay to have dinner with him. Colbert made his play under the table, which promptly deflected his aim. Allison made no such mistake.
Next Week: Colfax County War
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Ride easy,
Paul
Allison returned to Tennessee unbowed in defeat. His violent temper found expression for a time in white hoods and bedsheets. When union soldier called at the Allison farm with an order to seize property, Clay shot him for his trouble and with his brothers left for Texas. Clay turned to ranching on the Brazos River, becoming a capable cowhand. Still his temper dogged him. By one account, he settled a water rights dispute with a neighbor in a knife fight.
In 1870 Clay moved to Colfax County New Mexico, using proceeds of a cattle drive to homestead a ranch on the Canadian River north of Springer. The ranch prospered. Allison became well known in both Cimarron and Elizabethtown, where his raucous drunken escapades regularly shot up the town. In one incident in Elizabethtown Allison and friends broke into the jail removed an accused robbery suspect, threw a rope around his neck and dragged him through town behind a horse until he was then. Allison, cut off the head and carried it to Cimarron where it was mounted on a stake for all to see.
Allison had a penchant for showing his displeasure with someone by throwing his knife at them. In one incident hi pinned the county clerk to a door by the sleeve of his shirt. He similarly intimidated a young lawyer Melvin Mills who would bear him a grudge years later in the Colfax County War.
It’s hard to imagine Clay Allison shy and uncertain, but that’s how he came off around women. That’s the way things were until he met Dora McCullough and was smitten. A young orphan, Dora’s step-parents didn’t much care for Allison and his reputation. After the couple eloped the family got to reassess their appraisal. Clay somewhat settled down to married life and ranching.
In January 1974 gunny Jim Colbert came town looking for trouble. He found Clay Allison. The two men spent an affable day together while Colbert presumably sized up his chances. Toward evening Colbert invited Clay to have dinner with him. Colbert made his play under the table, which promptly deflected his aim. Allison made no such mistake.
Next Week: Colfax County War
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Ride easy,
Paul
May 27, 2017
Bill Tilghman
With their camp raided, Tilghman sent one of his partners to replenish their supplies while he and the other man staked the hides of their fresh kill to dry. The following morning the first partner returned with a wagon load of supplies to restock the camp. Bill then sent his partners off to hunt while he concealed himself in ambush, awaiting the expected return of the raiders. Morning wore into high noon before a lone rider appeared on a rise some distance from the camp. Satisfied the camp was deserted, the lone warrior signaled for those in his party to ride in. Soon after the scout was joined by six others. The band rode in, dismounted and set about repeating the mischief of the previous day.
Bill Tilghman had them right where he wanted them. He cracked three quick shots from his Sharps big fifty that sent three warriors to the land of their grandmothers. The remainder scattered for the cover of a nearby stand of trees. Three of them made it. Bill got the fourth. The shoot was over by the time Bill’s partners made it back to camp. Tilghman went on to hunt and fight Indians for several more years. Notably he was present at second Adobe Walls, where his marksmanship was overshadowed by sharpshooter Billy Dixon in the famous shootout with Quanah Parker and his band.
Tilghman took to ranching near Dodge City where he was elected city marshal in 1884. Cool headed and fearless, Bill took to wearing a badge with competence.
That talent eventually led him to a U.S. marshal appointment in lawless Oklahoma Territory. Indian Territory became a haven for outlaws of every stripe.
One of the most notorious, dangerous and deadly was Bill Doolan. Wanted dead or alive Doolan seemingly could not be taken. The marshals who tried were left empty handed or dead until Bill Tilghman picked up his trail.
Tilghman followed Doolan to Eureka Springs Arkansas where he found him seated on a bench in a bathhouse. Before Doolan knew what was happening, Tilghman had the drop on him. Doolan reached for a gun he wore in a shoulder rig. Tilghman managed to disarm him at close quarters, arrest him and live to tell about it.
Doolan had fellow gang members who were still on the loose. Tilghman succeeded in tracking down Bill Raidler, Tom Calhoun and “Little Dick” West, ending the careers of all three in lethal gunplay. The latter may have been second only to Doolan in notoriety with a string of dead lawmen to his discredit. Tilghman’s dispatching of “Little Dick” cemented his place on the lore of legendary Oklahoma lawmen.
Next Week: Clay Allison
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Ride easy,
Paul
Bill Tilghman had them right where he wanted them. He cracked three quick shots from his Sharps big fifty that sent three warriors to the land of their grandmothers. The remainder scattered for the cover of a nearby stand of trees. Three of them made it. Bill got the fourth. The shoot was over by the time Bill’s partners made it back to camp. Tilghman went on to hunt and fight Indians for several more years. Notably he was present at second Adobe Walls, where his marksmanship was overshadowed by sharpshooter Billy Dixon in the famous shootout with Quanah Parker and his band.
Tilghman took to ranching near Dodge City where he was elected city marshal in 1884. Cool headed and fearless, Bill took to wearing a badge with competence.
That talent eventually led him to a U.S. marshal appointment in lawless Oklahoma Territory. Indian Territory became a haven for outlaws of every stripe.
One of the most notorious, dangerous and deadly was Bill Doolan. Wanted dead or alive Doolan seemingly could not be taken. The marshals who tried were left empty handed or dead until Bill Tilghman picked up his trail.
Tilghman followed Doolan to Eureka Springs Arkansas where he found him seated on a bench in a bathhouse. Before Doolan knew what was happening, Tilghman had the drop on him. Doolan reached for a gun he wore in a shoulder rig. Tilghman managed to disarm him at close quarters, arrest him and live to tell about it.
Doolan had fellow gang members who were still on the loose. Tilghman succeeded in tracking down Bill Raidler, Tom Calhoun and “Little Dick” West, ending the careers of all three in lethal gunplay. The latter may have been second only to Doolan in notoriety with a string of dead lawmen to his discredit. Tilghman’s dispatching of “Little Dick” cemented his place on the lore of legendary Oklahoma lawmen.
Next Week: Clay Allison
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
May 20, 2017
Belle Starr
Born Myra Maybelle “Belle” Shirley Feb. 5, 1848 in Carthage Missouri, young Belle was raised a refined young lady, attending the Carthage Female Academy. She owed her riding and shooting prowess to older brother, Bud. Swept up in the Kansas Missouri border conflict, prefiguring the Civil War, Bud joined Quantrill’s Raiders on the southern side of the conflict. When Bud was killed in action, Belle’s father moved the family to Texas, locating southwest of Dallas.
The Kansas Missouri conflict launched a number of high profile outlaws who refused to lay down their arms following the war. The James brothers and Younger clan being notable examples. Both were known to Belle’s family. She and Cole Younger shared a brief infatuation before her heart fell to the lesser known Jim Reed. The marriage lasted until 1874 when Reed was killed in a gunfight with a member of his own gang. Following Jim’s death, Belle struck out for the lawless Indian territories in Oklahoma. There she briefly took up with a renegade Indian before committing her second act of matrimony, this time with Sam Starr.
The Starr’s pursued a life of horse theft, rustling and trading whiskey with the Indians. Belle, now known as Belle Starr, provided the brains behind the criminal enterprise. Operating in the Oklahoma nations soon attracted the attention of hanging-judge Isaac Parker. While Parker had her brought in as often as he could, charges were repeatedly dismissed for lack of evidence. She did do one year in prison for a minor misadventure. That conviction served only to burnish her Bandit Queen’s reputation.
In 1866 Sam Starr was killed in a gunfight with an old enemy. Belle didn’t let much grass grow under her boots. She turned cougar, marrying a much younger Jim July in 1889. July’s hot temper coupled with Belle’s tempestuous temperament made for a stormy chapter of nuptial bliss. Soon after one particularly heated outburst, Belle Starr was ambushed and murdered on a deserted country road February 3, 1889. Her killer was never found, though clouds of suspicion speculated on what might be considered a bitter divorce.
Next Week: Bill Tilghman
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Ride easy,
Paul
The Kansas Missouri conflict launched a number of high profile outlaws who refused to lay down their arms following the war. The James brothers and Younger clan being notable examples. Both were known to Belle’s family. She and Cole Younger shared a brief infatuation before her heart fell to the lesser known Jim Reed. The marriage lasted until 1874 when Reed was killed in a gunfight with a member of his own gang. Following Jim’s death, Belle struck out for the lawless Indian territories in Oklahoma. There she briefly took up with a renegade Indian before committing her second act of matrimony, this time with Sam Starr.
The Starr’s pursued a life of horse theft, rustling and trading whiskey with the Indians. Belle, now known as Belle Starr, provided the brains behind the criminal enterprise. Operating in the Oklahoma nations soon attracted the attention of hanging-judge Isaac Parker. While Parker had her brought in as often as he could, charges were repeatedly dismissed for lack of evidence. She did do one year in prison for a minor misadventure. That conviction served only to burnish her Bandit Queen’s reputation.
In 1866 Sam Starr was killed in a gunfight with an old enemy. Belle didn’t let much grass grow under her boots. She turned cougar, marrying a much younger Jim July in 1889. July’s hot temper coupled with Belle’s tempestuous temperament made for a stormy chapter of nuptial bliss. Soon after one particularly heated outburst, Belle Starr was ambushed and murdered on a deserted country road February 3, 1889. Her killer was never found, though clouds of suspicion speculated on what might be considered a bitter divorce.
Next Week: Bill Tilghman
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Ride easy,
Paul
May 13, 2017
A Night at the Theater
Following the Royal Gorge War, Ben opened a gambling parlor in the Iron Front Saloon in Austin Texas. In 1880 Ben was elected City Marshal. About that time while on a business trip to San Antonio, He became involved in a dispute over gambling losses with a man named Foster, part owner in a gambling hall establishment known as the Vaudeville Theater. Following the incident Foster and his partner Jack Harris made it clear, Thompson was no longer welcome in their place of business.
Not one to back down, on his next trip to San Antonio Ben returned to the Vaudeville in July 1882. He ordered a drink and told the bartender to let Foster and Harris know he was in the bar. Finished with his drink, Ben stepped outside to converse with a passerby. Harris appeared in the bar armed with a shotgun. Ben spotted Harris and demanded to know what Harris intended to do with the shotgun. Pleasantries were exchanged and shots fired. Harris was mortally wounded, without firing a shot.
Murder allegations against Thompson were vigorously tried in newspapers, San Antonio for the prosecution, Austin for the defense. A court finally ruled in January 1883. Ben was acquitted to the delight of his supporters and the wrath of his detractors. Bad blood simmered for more than a year.
On March 11, 1884 while again in San Antonio on business Ben ran into longtime friend and fellow noted gun hand, King Fisher. The two old friends spent a pleasant evening together, attending a play. Later in the evening they stopped in at the Vaudeville Theater. Ben asked to see Joe Foster, perhaps in hope of putting hostilities to rest after the passage of so much time. Under the circumstances, an invitation to meet two of the west’s most accomplished gunmen must have been greeted with some skepticism. Even more so if the intent was to avenge the death of Jack Harris.
Thompson and Fisher were invited to accompany Foster’s new partner Billy Sims to Foster’s box in the theater. They did, though Foster made no move to amenity. Fisher sensed something amiss when Sims stepped out of the box. He and Ben leaped to their feet to meet a volley of assassins’ bullets fired from another box. Ben went down. Someone in the box finished him with a pistol shot to the head.
As one might imagine, accounts of what happened that night in the Vaudeville Theater are one sided. Foster was wounded in the fight, lost a leg and died on the operating table. The only other certainty is that Ben Thompson and King Fisher for having been with him, were gunned down from ambush by faceless assassins who would never be held to account.
Next Week: Belle Starr
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
Not one to back down, on his next trip to San Antonio Ben returned to the Vaudeville in July 1882. He ordered a drink and told the bartender to let Foster and Harris know he was in the bar. Finished with his drink, Ben stepped outside to converse with a passerby. Harris appeared in the bar armed with a shotgun. Ben spotted Harris and demanded to know what Harris intended to do with the shotgun. Pleasantries were exchanged and shots fired. Harris was mortally wounded, without firing a shot.
Murder allegations against Thompson were vigorously tried in newspapers, San Antonio for the prosecution, Austin for the defense. A court finally ruled in January 1883. Ben was acquitted to the delight of his supporters and the wrath of his detractors. Bad blood simmered for more than a year.
On March 11, 1884 while again in San Antonio on business Ben ran into longtime friend and fellow noted gun hand, King Fisher. The two old friends spent a pleasant evening together, attending a play. Later in the evening they stopped in at the Vaudeville Theater. Ben asked to see Joe Foster, perhaps in hope of putting hostilities to rest after the passage of so much time. Under the circumstances, an invitation to meet two of the west’s most accomplished gunmen must have been greeted with some skepticism. Even more so if the intent was to avenge the death of Jack Harris.
Thompson and Fisher were invited to accompany Foster’s new partner Billy Sims to Foster’s box in the theater. They did, though Foster made no move to amenity. Fisher sensed something amiss when Sims stepped out of the box. He and Ben leaped to their feet to meet a volley of assassins’ bullets fired from another box. Ben went down. Someone in the box finished him with a pistol shot to the head.
As one might imagine, accounts of what happened that night in the Vaudeville Theater are one sided. Foster was wounded in the fight, lost a leg and died on the operating table. The only other certainty is that Ben Thompson and King Fisher for having been with him, were gunned down from ambush by faceless assassins who would never be held to account.
Next Week: Belle Starr
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
May 6, 2017
Ben Thompson
Ben Thompson was born in England. His family came to America and settled in Austin Texas where he grew up, learning the printer’s trade. He fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War which whetted his appetite for action and put an end to his printing career. He joined the Texas Rangers after the war and fought Comanche on the Texas plains.
In 1870 Ben left Texas for the wide open Cowtown of Abilene Kansas. He and partner Phil Coe opened the Bull’s Head Saloon which soon became a favored hangout for gunslinger John Wesley Hardin. Many speculated as to who would prevail should the two ever throw down on each other, though the early handicapping tended to favor Thompson. Neither chose to prove the point, maintaining a healthy respect for one another. The speculations became even more interesting when Abilene city fathers engaged James Butler Hickok as town marshal.
The closest Thompson ever came to a confrontation with Hickok came up over a sign. Ben had a sign painted to attract clientele to the Bull’s Head. The sign depicted a standing bull, sporting a lascivious grin and an anatomically correct invitation to go with it. Hickok determined the sign offensive and ordered Ben to take it down or entertain the consequences. When Ben refused, it looked like the handicappers would get their first go at a show down. After cool headed deliberation, Ben elected to ‘white wash’ the offending part of the painting without removing the sign. After further cool headed deliberation, Hickok decided to accept the gesture. The truce held even after Hickok gunned down Ben’s partner Phil Coe in a row over Coe’s disorderly conduct more deeply rooted in a dispute over a woman.
In 1875 Ben returned to Austin, where he and brother Billy opened the Lady Gay Saloon and gambling parlor in what was then Sweetwater Texas. The Lady Gay was outfitted like her owner, first class and fancy. Ben dressed the part of prosperous gentleman in bowler hat, formal mourning coat, white shirt and tie festooned with a diamond stick pin.
January 24, 1876 the Lady Gay would be scene of the shootout that launched Bat Masterson’s gun fighting career. In the throw down Masterson killed cavalry sergeant Melvin Cook after Cook accidently killed dance hall girl Mollie Brennan, object of the dispute while wounding Masterson. Thompson stepped into the aftermath of the fray, guns drawn to hold Cook’s comrades in arms at bay. His action formed a friendship with Masterson that would last for years to come.
Next Week: A Night at the Theater
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Paul
In 1870 Ben left Texas for the wide open Cowtown of Abilene Kansas. He and partner Phil Coe opened the Bull’s Head Saloon which soon became a favored hangout for gunslinger John Wesley Hardin. Many speculated as to who would prevail should the two ever throw down on each other, though the early handicapping tended to favor Thompson. Neither chose to prove the point, maintaining a healthy respect for one another. The speculations became even more interesting when Abilene city fathers engaged James Butler Hickok as town marshal.
The closest Thompson ever came to a confrontation with Hickok came up over a sign. Ben had a sign painted to attract clientele to the Bull’s Head. The sign depicted a standing bull, sporting a lascivious grin and an anatomically correct invitation to go with it. Hickok determined the sign offensive and ordered Ben to take it down or entertain the consequences. When Ben refused, it looked like the handicappers would get their first go at a show down. After cool headed deliberation, Ben elected to ‘white wash’ the offending part of the painting without removing the sign. After further cool headed deliberation, Hickok decided to accept the gesture. The truce held even after Hickok gunned down Ben’s partner Phil Coe in a row over Coe’s disorderly conduct more deeply rooted in a dispute over a woman.
In 1875 Ben returned to Austin, where he and brother Billy opened the Lady Gay Saloon and gambling parlor in what was then Sweetwater Texas. The Lady Gay was outfitted like her owner, first class and fancy. Ben dressed the part of prosperous gentleman in bowler hat, formal mourning coat, white shirt and tie festooned with a diamond stick pin.
January 24, 1876 the Lady Gay would be scene of the shootout that launched Bat Masterson’s gun fighting career. In the throw down Masterson killed cavalry sergeant Melvin Cook after Cook accidently killed dance hall girl Mollie Brennan, object of the dispute while wounding Masterson. Thompson stepped into the aftermath of the fray, guns drawn to hold Cook’s comrades in arms at bay. His action formed a friendship with Masterson that would last for years to come.
Next Week: A Night at the Theater
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Ride easy,
Paul
April 29, 2017
"Mysterious Dave" Mather
Mysterious Dave spent time in Dodge City in the late 1870’s where he was associated with Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp and Bill Tilgham. His whereabouts in 1879 are a trifle mysterious. Various accounts have him in two places. He and Rudabaugh were recruited by Bat Masterson as part of an army of gunfighters Masterson raised to the cause of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe during the so called Royal Gorge War with the Denver & Rio Grande. That action had him in southwestern Colorado in spring and early summer. Other accounts have Mather and Dirty Dave in Las Vegas, New Mixico as part of an outfit known as the Dodge City Gang. That gang controlled gambling and prostitution in Las Vegas on its way to obtaining political power. Funny how often history finds those bedfellows sleeping together. Some things never change. The most likely explanation for Mather’s activities in 1879 is that he and Rudabaugh repaired to New Mexico following the railroad war.
By March 1880 the Dodge City Gang moved on. Mather drifted to Texas before returning to Dodge in May 1883. Once resettled in Dodge, Dave bought the Opera House Saloon and inserted himself into local politics. By wider examination of the events that followed, it appears Dave got into politics a little late and on the wrong side of Dodge City political power, ironically known as ‘The Dodge City Gang’. The mayor and city council passed an ordinance that year prohibiting music and dancing in saloons. The ordinance was selectively enforced to the competitive advantage of the mayor’s saloon ownership interests, including Tom Nixon’s Lady Gay Saloon. The Dodge Lady Gay is not to be confused with the Sweetwater Texas Lady Gay where Bat Masterson came into his gunfighter reputation.
The first confrontation over the ordinance pit Luke Short backed up by Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp and assorted competent friends against the mayor and his cronies. What became known as the Dodge City War was settled without gun play, owing to Short’s firepower. Once Short left Dodge the mayor went back to his old tricks, this time putting Mather to disadvantage. The dispute between Nixon and Mather turned violent when Nixon drew on Dave, fired and missed. Nixon posted bond on assault charges. Three days later Mather accosted Nixon and killed him. The shooting was ruled self-defense.
Dave disappeared soon after the Nixon incident. What became of him is uncertain. Most identify him with a gunshot body found sprawled on a railroad track in Dallas Texas in 1886. Mysterious indeed.
Next Week: Ben Thompson
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Ride easy,
Paul Photo-art by Jim Hatzell
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fiddler...
By March 1880 the Dodge City Gang moved on. Mather drifted to Texas before returning to Dodge in May 1883. Once resettled in Dodge, Dave bought the Opera House Saloon and inserted himself into local politics. By wider examination of the events that followed, it appears Dave got into politics a little late and on the wrong side of Dodge City political power, ironically known as ‘The Dodge City Gang’. The mayor and city council passed an ordinance that year prohibiting music and dancing in saloons. The ordinance was selectively enforced to the competitive advantage of the mayor’s saloon ownership interests, including Tom Nixon’s Lady Gay Saloon. The Dodge Lady Gay is not to be confused with the Sweetwater Texas Lady Gay where Bat Masterson came into his gunfighter reputation.
The first confrontation over the ordinance pit Luke Short backed up by Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp and assorted competent friends against the mayor and his cronies. What became known as the Dodge City War was settled without gun play, owing to Short’s firepower. Once Short left Dodge the mayor went back to his old tricks, this time putting Mather to disadvantage. The dispute between Nixon and Mather turned violent when Nixon drew on Dave, fired and missed. Nixon posted bond on assault charges. Three days later Mather accosted Nixon and killed him. The shooting was ruled self-defense.
Dave disappeared soon after the Nixon incident. What became of him is uncertain. Most identify him with a gunshot body found sprawled on a railroad track in Dallas Texas in 1886. Mysterious indeed.
Next Week: Ben Thompson
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Ride easy,
Paul Photo-art by Jim Hatzell
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fiddler...
April 22, 2017
Luke's White Elephant
Luke soon discovered Fort Worth had its own brand of corrupt politicians and law dogs. Former sheriff, Jim Courtright supported himself after leaving the public trough by running a protection racket. Luke provided his own protection, putting him at odds with Courtright’s intimidation tactics. Luke didn’t intimidate.
Matters came to a head one February night in 1887. Luke was upstairs in the White Elephant minding his games in the company of Bat Masterson when word came Courtright was out front demanding to see him. Courtright, who’d been drinking, made it clear rejecting his offer of protection was not an option; and if he were to accuse Luke of threatened violence, no one would question the fact he’d killed him.
Here accounts vary as to what happened next. By one account, Luke claimed he was unarmed. The claim failed to dissuade Courtright from going for his gun. Luke drew and shot off the racketeer’s thumb, at which point Courtright switched gun hands. Here accounts agree, Luke killed him, emptying his gun for good measure by one account.
Luke was arrested and taken into custody. According to Masterson, he accompanied Luke to jail and prevailed on the sheriff to allow him to remain there with his friend, lest allies of the deceased determine to take the matter of justice into their own hands. The sheriff agreed, locking Luke up armed. He was arraigned before a grand jury. The jury ruled self-defense in the matter.
The Courtright affair ended Luke’s gunfighting days. He continued his business as a professional gambler, investing in the ownership of various gaming establishments. He married and in August 1893, suffering from congestive heart disease, traveled with his wife to Geuda Springs Kansas. There he sought curative relief from therapeutic hot springs. He died in his sleep September 8. His body was returned to Fort Worth where it lies in repose in the same cemetery as his vanquished nemesis, Jim Courtright.
Luke Short passed away September 8, 1893. It is remarkable that Luke, along with his notorious pals Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp survived all the dangerous encounters of their gunfighting days in the west. All three died of natural causes, with Earp reaching the ripe old age of eighty.
Next Week: “Mysterious Dave” Mather
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Ride easy, Photo-art by Jim Hatzell
Paul https://www.flickr.com/photos/fiddler...
Matters came to a head one February night in 1887. Luke was upstairs in the White Elephant minding his games in the company of Bat Masterson when word came Courtright was out front demanding to see him. Courtright, who’d been drinking, made it clear rejecting his offer of protection was not an option; and if he were to accuse Luke of threatened violence, no one would question the fact he’d killed him.
Here accounts vary as to what happened next. By one account, Luke claimed he was unarmed. The claim failed to dissuade Courtright from going for his gun. Luke drew and shot off the racketeer’s thumb, at which point Courtright switched gun hands. Here accounts agree, Luke killed him, emptying his gun for good measure by one account.
Luke was arrested and taken into custody. According to Masterson, he accompanied Luke to jail and prevailed on the sheriff to allow him to remain there with his friend, lest allies of the deceased determine to take the matter of justice into their own hands. The sheriff agreed, locking Luke up armed. He was arraigned before a grand jury. The jury ruled self-defense in the matter.
The Courtright affair ended Luke’s gunfighting days. He continued his business as a professional gambler, investing in the ownership of various gaming establishments. He married and in August 1893, suffering from congestive heart disease, traveled with his wife to Geuda Springs Kansas. There he sought curative relief from therapeutic hot springs. He died in his sleep September 8. His body was returned to Fort Worth where it lies in repose in the same cemetery as his vanquished nemesis, Jim Courtright.
Luke Short passed away September 8, 1893. It is remarkable that Luke, along with his notorious pals Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp survived all the dangerous encounters of their gunfighting days in the west. All three died of natural causes, with Earp reaching the ripe old age of eighty.
Next Week: “Mysterious Dave” Mather
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Ride easy, Photo-art by Jim Hatzell
Paul https://www.flickr.com/photos/fiddler...
