Gunfighters: It Depends on Who You Ask
After researching and writing about the rogues’ gallery of colorful characters featured in this series, a couple of observations jumped out to me. The first is the unbelievable amount of overlap in their stories. Many of them knew each other. At various times they rode on opposite sides of the law or teamed up to face common opposition.
We know the Earp brothers famously went to the gunfight near the OK Corral with their friend Doc Holiday. What isn’t so well known is that prominent gunfighters, gamblers and friends Bat Masterson and Luke Short played the Oriental Saloon in the weeks leading up to the legendary show down. Both left town on other business and missed the festivities.
Dirty Dave Rudabaugh along with “Mysterious” Dave Mather rode through the lawless side of New Mexico with what became known as the Dodge City Gang. Early in his outlaw career in Kansas Rudabaugh was pursued and arrested by then Sheriff Bat Masterson. Later Masterson was hired by the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe to provide the muscle needed to defend AT&SF interests against rival Denver & Rio Grande railroad in a dispute known as the Royal Gorge War. Rudabaugh joined Masterson along with Doc Holiday, “Mysterious” Dave and Ben Thompson. Talk about a high profile posse.
Dodge City hosted a dust-up over Luke Short’s ownership interest in Chalk Beeson’s Long Branch Saloon. When the town’s political establishment decided to run Luke out of town, Short put out a call for help. Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Charlie Bassett and others answered. Short prevailed backed by a formidable assemblage of notorious gunnies, famously known as the Dodge City Peace Commission.
Ben Thompson and Phil Coe had their respective disputes with Wild Bill Hickock during the time they owned the Bull’s Head Saloon in Abilene. John Wesley Hardin was a regular at the Bulls head in those days. While the four of them strolled around town like competing roosters in a hen yard, they never really came to confrontation, other than Hickock killing Coe when Coe was too drunk to defend himself.
Which brings me to my second observation about all these coincidental acquaintances. The big reputations tended to give each other a wide birth. Big guns avoided throwing down on their peers. Call it healthy respect. So here are their stories, controversies and all. Take ‘em for what they’re worth; and enjoy. Hands-up, don’t shoot the messenger.
Next Week: Wild Bill Hickok
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Ride easy,
Paul
Photo-art by Jim Hatzell
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fiddler...
We know the Earp brothers famously went to the gunfight near the OK Corral with their friend Doc Holiday. What isn’t so well known is that prominent gunfighters, gamblers and friends Bat Masterson and Luke Short played the Oriental Saloon in the weeks leading up to the legendary show down. Both left town on other business and missed the festivities.
Dirty Dave Rudabaugh along with “Mysterious” Dave Mather rode through the lawless side of New Mexico with what became known as the Dodge City Gang. Early in his outlaw career in Kansas Rudabaugh was pursued and arrested by then Sheriff Bat Masterson. Later Masterson was hired by the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe to provide the muscle needed to defend AT&SF interests against rival Denver & Rio Grande railroad in a dispute known as the Royal Gorge War. Rudabaugh joined Masterson along with Doc Holiday, “Mysterious” Dave and Ben Thompson. Talk about a high profile posse.
Dodge City hosted a dust-up over Luke Short’s ownership interest in Chalk Beeson’s Long Branch Saloon. When the town’s political establishment decided to run Luke out of town, Short put out a call for help. Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Charlie Bassett and others answered. Short prevailed backed by a formidable assemblage of notorious gunnies, famously known as the Dodge City Peace Commission.
Ben Thompson and Phil Coe had their respective disputes with Wild Bill Hickock during the time they owned the Bull’s Head Saloon in Abilene. John Wesley Hardin was a regular at the Bulls head in those days. While the four of them strolled around town like competing roosters in a hen yard, they never really came to confrontation, other than Hickock killing Coe when Coe was too drunk to defend himself.
Which brings me to my second observation about all these coincidental acquaintances. The big reputations tended to give each other a wide birth. Big guns avoided throwing down on their peers. Call it healthy respect. So here are their stories, controversies and all. Take ‘em for what they’re worth; and enjoy. Hands-up, don’t shoot the messenger.
Next Week: Wild Bill Hickok
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
Photo-art by Jim Hatzell
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fiddler...
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