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American regular army scout, lawman, gambler, and journalist (1853–1921)

Bat Masterson
Bat Masterson in 1879, age 26
Born	(1853-eleven-26)November 26, 1853 Henryville, Quebec, Canada Eastward
Died	October 25, 1921(1921-10-25) (anile 67) New York Urban center, U.s.
Resting place	Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York Metropolis, New York 40°53′17″Due north 73°52′19″W  /  40.88806°N 73.87194°Due west  / forty.88806; -73.87194  (Grave of Bat Masterson)
Occupation	Buffalo hunter, U.Southward. Army scout, lawman (sheriff and U.Southward. marshal), gunfighter, gambler, journalist
Years active	1872–1900 1908–1912
Parent(due south)	Thomas M. Masterson Catherine U. McGurk Masterson
Relatives	James Masterson (brother) Ed Masterson (brother)
Signature

Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (Nov 26, 1853 – Oct 25, 1921) was a U.Southward. Ground forces scout, lawman, professional gambler, and journalist known for his exploits in the 19th and early 20th-century American Old West. He was born to a working-class Irish family in Quebec, but he moved to the Western borderland as a immature human and rapidly distinguished himself every bit a buffalo hunter, civilian scout, and Indian fighter on the Great Plains. He later earned fame every bit a gunfighter and sheriff in Dodge City, Kansas, during which fourth dimension he was involved in several notable shootouts.

Past the mid-1880s, Masterson had moved to Denver, Colorado and established himself every bit a "sporting homo" or gambler. He took an involvement in prizefighting and became a leading authorization on the sport, attending almost every important match and title fight in the United States from the 1880s until his death in 1921. He moved to New York Metropolis in 1902 and spent the remainder of his life there as a reporter and columnist for The Morn Telegraph. His column covered boxing and other sports, and information technology frequently gave his opinions on crime, war, politics, and other topics, as well. He became a shut friend of President Theodore Roosevelt and was i of the "White House Gunfighters" who received federal appointments from Roosevelt,^[1] along with Pat Garrett and Ben Daniels.

Past the time of his expiry in 1921, Masterson was known throughout the country as a leading sports writer and glory. He is remembered today for his connection to many of the Wild Due west's most iconic people, places, and events, and his life and likeness are frequently depicted in American pop civilization.

Early life [edit]

Masterson was born on November 26, 1853,^[a] at Henryville, Quebec, in the Eastern Townships of what was then known as Canada Due east. He was baptized nether the proper name Bartholomew Masterson.^[2] Masterson was the second kid of Thomas Masterson (or Mastersan), who was built-in in Canada to an Irish family, and Catherine McGurk (or McGureth), who was born in Ireland.^[b] The other six Masterson children were Edward John (1852–1878), James Patrick (1855–1895), Nellie East. (1857–1925), Thomas (1858–1941), George Henry (1860–1889), and Emma Anna "Minnie" (1862–1884). The children were raised on farms in Quebec, New York, Illinois, and Missouri until the family finally settled near Wichita, Kansas.^[3]

Move to the frontier [edit]

In his belatedly teens, Masterson and his brothers Ed and Jim left their family's farm to chase buffalo on the Great Plains. In July 1872, Ed and Bat Masterson were hired by a subcontractor named Raymond Ritter to grade a five-mile section of runway for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Ritter skipped out without paying the Masterson brothers all of the wages to which they were entitled.

Information technology took Masterson about a year, just he finally collected his overdue wages from Ritter, at gunpoint. On April fifteen, 1873, Masterson learned that Ritter was due to arrive in Dodge City, Kansas, aboard a Santa Fe train and that Ritter was carrying a big roll of greenbacks. When Ritter's train pulled in, Masterson entered the car alone and confronted him and marched him out onto the rear platform of the train, where he forced him to mitt over the $300 owed to him, his brother Ed, and a friend named Theodore Raymond. A loud cheer then went up from a large crowd which had witnessed the event.^{[4] : 32–33}

Battle of Adobe Walls [edit]

Masterson was once over again engaged in buffalo hunting on June 27, 1874, when he became an involuntary participant in i of the Wild Westward'south nearly historic Indian fights: a five-day siege by several hundred Comanche, Kiowa and Cheyenne warriors led by Quanah Parker at a collection of ramshackle buildings in the Texas panhandle known as Adobe Walls. Masterson was i of merely 28 hunters who defended the outpost during the assail. The Comanche suffered the most losses during the battle, though the bodily number killed is non known, with reports ranging from a low of 30 to a loftier of lxx. The defenders of Adobe Walls lost but four men, one of whom shot himself by accident.^[c] Later on being fought to a standstill, Quanah Parker and his followers rode off.^{[ citation needed ]}

In August 1874, Masterson signed on as a U.Southward. Regular army spotter with Colonel Nelson Miles, who was leading a force from Fort Dodge to pursue Comanche and Apache war parties across the Cherokee Strip and into Texas. The forcefulness was eventually engaged to recover four sisters—ranging in historic period from 9 to 15—who had been captured by a grouping of Cheyenne Dog Soldiers. The sisters were part of a family that had been attacked outside of Ellis, Kansas, on September 11, 1874, while migrating to Colorado Territory. Their parents, brother, and 2 older sisters had been killed and scalped. All four sisters were recovered alive by Miles' force over a period of near vi months.^[3]

Gunfighter and lawman [edit]

Deputies Bat Masterson (continuing) and Wyatt Earp in Dodge City, 1876. The scroll on Earp's chest is a cloth pin-on badge.

Masterson's first gunfight took place on January 24, 1876, in Sweetwater, Texas (afterwards Mobeetie in Wheeler County). He was attacked past a soldier, Corporal Melvin A. King (real name Anthony Cook) allegedly because he was with a woman named Mollie Brennan. Brennan was hit past one of King's bullets, peradventure past accident, and was killed. Rex died of his wounds. Masterson was shot in the pelvis but recovered. This is the reason why he used a cane. The cane would become one of his famous trademarks.

Dodge Urban center [edit]

Masterson before long settled in Contrivance City. On June six, 1877, Masterson tried to prevent the abort of Robert Gilmore, who was known to the locals every bit "Bobby Gill." Masterson managed to wrap his artillery well-nigh the girth of the 315 pound city marshal, Lawrence Edward "Larry" Deger, thereby permitting Gill to escape. Masterson was grabbed by friends of Deger and pistol-whipped by the lawman. The post-obit mean solar day, Masterson was fined $25 for agonizing the peace. Bobby Gill, the crusade of Masterson'southward fine, was assessed only $5.^[5]

During July 1877, Masterson was hired to serve equally nether-sheriff to Sheriff Charles E. Bassett. Bassett was prohibited past the Kansas Country Constitution from seeking a third consecutive term. With the job upwardly for grabs, Masterson decided to run for the part. Masterson'southward opponent turned out to be Larry Deger. On November half dozen, 1877, Masterson was elected canton sheriff of Ford Canton, Kansas, by the narrow margin of iii votes.^[d] Within a calendar month of Masterson'southward election, on December 6, 1877, Ed Masterson replaced Larry Deger as metropolis marshal of Dodge, so together the Masterson brothers controlled the metropolis and canton police forces.^[6]

On February 1, 1878, Sheriff Masterson captured the notorious outlaws Dave Rudabaugh and Ed Westward, who were wanted for an attempted railroad train robbery. Ii more of the railroad train robbers were caught by Bat and brother Ed on March 15. The tandem constabulary enforcement endeavour came to an abrupt end, however, when 25-twelvemonth-former Metropolis Marshal Ed Masterson was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 9, 1878.^[seven] Ed Masterson was mortally wounded by a cowboy named Jack Wagner, who was unaware that Bat Masterson was in the vicinity. As Ed stumbled abroad from the scene, Bat Masterson responded from across the street, firing on both Wagner and Wagner's boss, Alf Walker—who was holding a gun. Wagner died the next day, but Walker was taken back to Texas and recovered. The local newspapers were ambiguous about who shot Wagner and Walker, and this led some later historians to question whether Bat Masterson was involved. However, the rediscovery of 2 court cases in which Bat Masterson testified under oath that he had shot both men adds credence to the thought that Bat had avenged his brother.^{[4] [8] [9]}

More violence followed on Oct 4, 1878, when a variety actress named Dora Manus, known professionally as "Fannie Keenan," was shot and killed by James Kenedy, son of the wealthy Texas cattleman, Miflin Kenedy. Masterson's posse, which included Wyatt Earp and Bill Tilghman, captured Kenedy the following day after Masterson shot him in the left arm, and other posse members killed his horse.^[10]

Royal Gorge Railroad War [edit]

Santa Atomic number 26 Railroad officials had wired Sheriff Bat Masterson asking him to recruit men to battle the forces of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, which were battling the right-of-way through the Imperial Gorge almost Pueblo, Colorado. Every bit a sheriff in Kansas, Masterson had no potency in Colorado, but this did non foreclose him from enlisting a large visitor of men. Among Masterson'south recruits were such noted gunmen every bit Ben Thompson, "Mysterious Dave" Mather, John Joshua Webb,^{[ citation needed ]} and perhaps Doc Holliday.^{[ citation needed ]} The end of Masterson'southward involvement came on June 12, 1879, when he surrendered a roundhouse his men were holding at Cañon City, Colorado. The "war" between the railroads was finally settled out of court. Masterson's Colorado activities did not go over well with the voters of Ford Canton, Kansas. On November 4, 1879, a bartender named George T. Hinkel defeated Masterson in his re-election bid for sheriff past a vote of 404 to 268.^[eleven]

Billy Thompson and Buffalo Bill Cody [edit]

The 1880 Dodge Urban center census shows that, at that time, Masterson was living with Annie Ladue, historic period 19 (described as his "concubine"). City Align James Masterson, Bat's younger blood brother, was listed on the same demography equally living with Minnie Roberts, age 16. Not long after this census was taken, Bat Masterson received a telegram from Ben Thompson asking Bat to save Ben's troublesome brother, Billy Thompson, from almost certain lynching in Ogallala, Nebraska. Baton Thompson had shot the pollex off a man named Tucker, who, despite missing a digit, managed to fire dorsum and seriously wound Billy. Masterson took Billy Thompson out of Ogallala by a midnight train bound for North Platte, Nebraska. In Due north Platte, Masterson was provided with assistance by William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, who promptly offered to help. According to Masterson, he and Billy Thompson "were given a royal welcome and were immediately taken in charge by Colonel Cody, who constitute a safe place for us to remain until he could outfit us for the trip across the country to Contrivance Urban center."^[12] This episode was reported in the Contrivance Urban center Times, which noted that "W.B. Masterson arrived from a visit to Ogallala, this week. He says Nebraska is dry and many people are leaving the state. He came by railroad vehicle, and was accompanied by 'Texas Baton' Thompson. The latter has recovered from his wounds."^[thirteen]

Battle of the plaza [edit]

Masterson spent the balance of 1880 in Kansas City and Dodge. On February eight, 1881, he left Dodge City and joined Wyatt Earp in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, where he met Luke Short for the get-go time. Earp, Short, and Masterson worked equally faro dealers, or "look outs", at Tombstone'southward Oriental Saloon.^{[ citation needed ]} Masterson had only been in Tombstone for two months when he received an urgent telegram that compelled him to return to Contrivance Urban center. His blood brother Jim had a partnership with Alfred James "A.J." Peacock in Contrivance City'due south Lady Gay Saloon and Dance Hall. Albert "Al" Updegraff was Peacock'south blood brother-in-police force and bartender. Updegraff was a drunk, and Jim thought him quack. Jim had demanded that Peacock burn down Updegraff, but Peacock refused. Their disagreement grew until threats were fabricated, prompting the telegram.^{[ citation needed ]}

Masterson arrived in Dodge City on April 16, 1881,^{[4] : 442} where he accosted Updegraff and Peacock. Recognizing Masterson, Updegraff and Peacock retreated backside the jail and exchanged gunfire with him. Who had fired first is not clear. Citizens ran for comprehend equally bullets ripped through the Long Co-operative Saloon. Other individuals began firing in support of both sides until Updegraff was wounded. Mayor A.B. Webster arrested Masterson. Later on, Masterson learned that his blood brother Jim was not in danger. Updegraff recovered from his wounds, but the shooter who hitting him could not be identified, so Masterson was fined $8.00 and released.^{[4] : 206} Citizens were outraged and warrants were issued, just Bat and Jim Masterson were permitted to leave Contrivance Urban center.^{[four] : 210}

Bat Masterson became more widely known as a gunfighter as a result of a practical joke played on a gullible newspaper reporter in August 1881. Seeking copy in Gunnison, Colorado, the reporter asked Dr. W.S. Cockrell about human-killers. Dr. Cockrell pointed to a beau nearby and said it was Masterson and that he had killed 26 men. Cockrell then regaled the reporter with the story of Ed Masterson's death and how Bat responded fearlessly and heroically against his blood brother's killers. The story was published in The Sun newspaper in New York (November 7, 1881) and was also widely reprinted in papers all over the country. Cockrell afterwards apologized to Masterson, who insisted he was not in Gunnison at the time.^[8]

City marshal of Trinidad, Colorado [edit]

Masterson was appointed urban center marshal of Trinidad, Colorado, on April 17, 1882. He had inappreciably settled into his $75-a-month align's task when Wyatt Earp requested his assistance to prevent the extradition of Medico Holliday from Colorado to Arizona. Masterson took his case direct to Colorado Governor Frederick W. Pitkin, who listened to Masterson's appeal and finally refused to grant Holliday's extradition. Yet, Masterson's rescue of Medico Holliday, as well as his nightly "moonlighting" every bit a faro dealer, spelled doom for his career every bit metropolis marshal of Trinidad. On March 28, 1883, a local paper noted: "At that place are now ii 'bankers' running for city offices – Mr. Taylor of the Las Animas County Bank, and Mr. Masterson of the bank of 'Fair O.' Both have a large number of depositors – one of time depositors and the other receives his deposits for keeps."^[fourteen] On April 3, 1883, Masterson was defeated by a lopsided vote of 637 to 248.^{[4] : 247}

Dodge City War [edit]

The "Dodge City Peace Commission" on June 10, 1883. From left to right, standing: William H. Harris, Luke Brusque, Bat Masterson, William F. Petillon; seated: Charlie Bassett, Wyatt Earp, Michael Francis "Frank" McLean and Cornelius "Neil" Brown.

Masterson'south term equally city marshal of Trinidad concluded only in fourth dimension for him to come up to the aid of his friend, Luke Short, who had been run out of Dodge City by the mayor and Masterson's long-fourth dimension enemy, Larry Deger. Inside weeks, a group of gunfighters recruited past Masterson and Earp descended upon Dodge City to resolve what became known every bit the "Contrivance City War." The result of this gathering reinstated Luke Short in Dodge. Before disbanding on June x, 1883, Short, Masterson, Earp, and five other notable men from frontier history posed for a group portrait that was soon labeled "The Dodge City Peace Commission." The photo became an iconic prototype of the Old W.^[e]

First attempt at journalism [edit]

Masterson was back in Dodge City on November 1, 1884, where he issued a pocket-size newspaper called Vox Populi which was devoted to local political bug. Three days after its advent, he received a flattering – and prophetic – review of his journalistic endeavor from another Dodge City newspaper which observed: "We are in receipt of the first number of Phonation Populi, W.B. Masterson, editor, which in appearance is very corking and tidy. The news and statements it contains seem to exist of a somewhat personal nature. The editor is very promising; if he survives the kickoff week of his literary venture, there is no telling what he may attain in the journalistic field."^[15] Editor Masterson did non survive his first week. Vox Populi folded after printing just one issue and almost some other 20 years would pass earlier he made journalism a full-time profession in New York Metropolis.

Denver [edit]

Masterson finally left Dodge City and made Denver, Colorado, his center of involvement, where he shortly became involved in a divorce scandal. The trouble began in a Denver theater on September eighteen, 1886, when a comedian named Lou Spencer, who was performing on stage, spotted his wife, Nellie, seated in the audition on Masterson's knee. Spencer cut short his routine and confronted Masterson, who hitting Spencer beyond the confront with his pistol. Nellie Spencer watched from the wings while the two men slugged it out. Finally, they were arrested, fined, and released a brusk fourth dimension later. In its account of the incident, the Rocky Mountain News described Masterson as 1 "who pleases the ladies", and Nellie McMahon Spencer as "a beautiful adult female, with a fine wardrobe and a sweet voice."^[16] 3 days after, Nellie filed for divorce and the Denver papers were quick to report that Nellie had "eloped" with Masterson. No record has been institute of the ii e'er getting married, and she presently disappeared from Masterson's life.^{[17] : 38–39}

Masterson dealt faro for "Big Ed" Hunt at the Arcade gambling house.^[eighteen] In 1888, he managed and then purchased the Palace Variety Theater.^[19] There, Masterson probably first met an Indian club swinger and vocalist, Emma Moulton. The pair subsequently lived together and they were widely reported to have married in Denver on November 21, 1891, although no tape of the spousal relationship has been found. The only known source for that date was given past Masterson's brother, Thomas Masterson, years subsequently Bat had died.^{[17] : 40–41} Emma was non divorced from her first husband, Edwin Winford Moulton, until Nov 9, 1893.^[20] When they were later enumerated in the 1910 U.Southward. Demography, Bat and Emma claimed that they had been married for 17 years, suggesting a marriage date of 1893. Masterson'due south biographer has raised the possibility that they were married on November 21, 1893, 2 weeks after Emma'due south divorce from Edwin Moulton. The 2 were traveling through the eastern states at that time, but an actual marriage record has not been found.^{[17] : 41}

It was in Denver that Masterson met and began a long-term friendship with the infamous confidence man and criminal offense boss Soapy Smith.^[21] In 1889, the two were involved in election scandal involving fraudulent registration election casting.^[22]

Prizefighting [edit]

Masterson maintained an involvement in prizefighting and other sports, and was known equally a frequent attendee at boxing matches across the state. He frequently placed bets on the fights and occasionally served in an official chapters as a 2nd or a timekeeper. He knew—and was known by—the heavyweight champions of the era, from John 50. Sullivan and James J. "Gentleman Jim" Corbett to Jack Johnson and Jack Dempsey. The sports-minded Masterson was ringside during the John L. Sullivan – Jake Kilrain heavyweight championship fight at Richburg, Mississippi, on July 8, 1889. He was the designated timekeeper for Kilrain and came under burn from some sources for how he handled his role. Reportedly, Masterson saw to it that Luke Short, Johnny Irish potato, and "twelve other expert men were scattered around the ring where they would do the most skilful in case of an emergency."^[23]

In early on 1892 Masterson moved to the silver boom-town of Creede, Colorado where he managed the Denver Commutation gambling club until the town was destroyed by fire on June five, 1892. On September seven, 1892, Masterson, Short, and Charlie Bassett attended the Sullivan–Corbett title fight in New Orleans. According to a Dodge Urban center newspaper, Masterson bet on the winner, while noting, "Charlie Bassett and Luke Short were among the notables in attendance. Bassett bet his coin on Sullivan."^[24] Masterson was in Jacksonville, Florida, on January 25, 1894, acting as a 2nd for Charlie Mitchell during Mitchell's heavyweight championship shot at the champion, James J. "Gentleman Jim" Corbett. Mitchell was knocked cold in three rounds.^{[4] : 342–343}

Last years in Denver [edit]

Masterson moved to New York City in 1895 to briefly serve every bit a bodyguard for millionaire George Gould.^[17] He wrote to his Denver friends glowing accounts of line-fishing trips "...with the Goulds on their yacht..." and announced his intention to remain in New York Urban center indefinitely. On June half-dozen, 1895, a Denver paper quoted a friend of Masterson's, who observed that "Bat has at last fallen into a dead easy game."^[25]

Masterson returned to Denver for several more years.^[26] On Apr vi, 1897, serving equally a deputy sheriff of Arapahoe County, he got into a dispute on election solar day with a Tim Connors. Masterson drew his pistol and Connors attempted to seize information technology. During the scuffle, the gun discharged and C.C. Louderbaugh was shot in the left wrist.^{[four] : 346–347}

On Apr 9, 1899, Masterson became a partner in a boxing gild called the Colorado Athletic Association. Within a few days, Masterson was excluded from the arrangement past his partners. Masterson retaliated on April 18 past founding a rival club, the Olympic, with himself equally president. Masterson received favorable media coverage from a Denver newspaper chosen George's Weekly, where he was employed every bit sports editor.^{[4] : 351–361, 363, 367}

In September 1900, Masterson sold his interest in the Olympic Athletic Lodge and made another visit to New York Urban center. Masterson had decided to settle in New York City, but had a sudden alter of eye and returned to Denver, with humiliating results.^{[4] : 361–363} Two alien versions are given for what caused his final divergence from Denver. Masterson'south story was that an irate woman belted him with an umbrella on May two, 1902, when she took exception to an "undesirable" such as Masterson trying to cast his ballot at a local election. An alternate version states that Masterson had become a dangerous drunk who was run out of Denver for beingness a public nuisance.^[27] Whatever actually happened, Masterson left Denver and never returned.

New York [edit]

Journalism career [edit]

Masterson and Emma moved to New York Metropolis on June 5, 1902. The next 24-hour interval, Masterson was having his shoes shined at a public stand when police swooped in and arrested a West Declension gambler named James A. Sullivan, who was standing nearby. They took Masterson, too, alleging he was office of a bunco scheme to fleece a Mormon elderberry named George H. Snow out of $16,000.^{[17] : 56–57} Masterson too had a concealed revolver. The collusion charge was dismissed. Masterson paid a $ten fine for the curtained weapon. About his arrest, Masterson complained to a reporter, "This fellow Gargan who arrested me is a warm baby – in his mind. He thinks all people are suckers. That'south the trouble with these mush-headed coppers. Give them a political chore to keep from starving and they think they own the globe."^[28]

A friend, journalist, Alfred Henry Lewis, persuaded his brother, William Lewis, to provide Masterson with employment as a columnist for William's newspaper, the New York Morning Telegraph. His cavalcade, "Masterson'due south Views on Timely Topics," concerned sports in full general and boxing in particular. The column appeared thrice weekly from 1903 until his death in 1921. In 1905, Alfred Henry Lewis published The Sunset Trail, a fictionalized biography of Masterson.^[29]

Bat Masterson circa 1911 in New York City

Lewis encouraged Masterson to write a series of sketches about his adventures, which were published by Lewis in Human Life magazine.^[f] In 1907, Masterson provided five biographical studies of Ben Thompson,^[thirty] Wyatt Earp,^[31] Luke Short,^[32] Doc Holliday^[33] and Neb Tilghman.^[34]

Masterson explained to his audience what he felt were the best properties of a gunfighter. Other manufactures were supposed to be in Masterson'south Human being Life series, which had appeared under the title of "Famous Gun Fighters of the Western Frontier", just the next three issues of Human being Life came and went without a Masterson commodity. In the Nov 1907 issue, editor Alfred Henry Lewis assured the readers that Masterson would resume the series by explaining that Masterson's reasons for "breaking off the output" were "wholly of an idle, indolent, midsummer sort, which the managers of this mag hope to overthrow and then presently as a cooler temperature comes to the assistance of their arguments." Lewis offered this apology every bit role of his own article called "The Rex of the Gun-Players: William Barclay Masterson."^[35] Lewis met with only limited success. Masterson provided simply ane more article, on Buffalo Bill Cody,^[36] which was his terminal Homo Life contribution.

Concurrent to his career every bit a paper writer, Masterson served every bit the timekeeper for many prize fights, about notably for the Jack Johnson – Jess Willard title fight in Havana, Cuba, on April 5, 1915. A newsreel featuring the then 61-year-sometime Masterson's introduction in that role was included in a documentary called Legendary Champions 1882–1929.^{[ citation needed ]}

Presidential appointment [edit]

Alfred Henry Lewis introduced Masterson to President Theodore Roosevelt, and the ii formed a friendship that resulted in Masterson being a frequent White Business firm invitee and also included regular correspondence. President Roosevelt bundled for Masterson's appointment as deputy U.S. Align for the Southern District of New York. On February 2, 1905, Roosevelt wrote Masterson a alphabetic character which concluded with the lines: "You lot must be careful non to gamble or practise annihilation while y'all are a public officeholder which might beget opportunity to your enemies and my critics to say that your appointment was improper. I wish you to show this letter of the alphabet to Alfred Henry Lewis and go over the matter with him."^[37] Masterson served in the position, earning $2,000 per year (equal to $57,607 today), until 1909. Theodore Roosevelt did not seek a third term in 1908, and his successor, William Howard Taft, did not share Roosevelt's enthusiasm for Masterson. President Taft had his attorney general conduct an investigation of Masterson's employment equally a deputy U.S. Align, which resulted in Masterson existence terminated on Baronial one, 1909. For the remaining 12 years of his life, Masterson covered the major boxing events of that era for the New York Morning Telegraph.

On April 5, 1915, the 61-yr-old Masterson was in Havana, Cuba, attending the heavyweight championship fight between Jack Johnson and Jess Willard. As he arrived, he posed for a newsreel cameraman. In the cursory moving picture clip, he doffs his chapeau, smiles for the photographic camera, and dons his lid.^[38] Later that day, in the official film of the fight, Masterson can be seen as one of the seconds for Jess Willard, climbing through the ropes merely prior to the fight.^[39]

Final days [edit]

On July 2, 1921, Masterson attended his last heavyweight championship fight, the then-called "Million Dollar Gate", promoted by George "Tex" Rickard, in which Jack Dempsey defended (and retained) his championship of heavyweight champion of the earth. Three months later, on Oct 7, silent-screen cowboy star William S. Hart visited Masterson. They were photographed standing together on the roof of the New York Morning Telegraph building and went dorsum to Masterson'due south function where he asked Hart to sit in his chair and pose for a 2d photo with him. Co-ordinate to Hart: "I did so, and he stood beside me. Mr. Masterson was sitting in that same chair 18 days subsequently when he heard the last phone call."^[40] Hart subsequently cast a lookalike as Masterson in his biographical moving picture Wild Nib Hickok, which was released in 1923.^{[ citation needed ]}

Death and burying [edit]

The grave of Bat Masterson

On October 25, 1921, at historic period 67, Masterson died at his desk from a massive heart set on after writing what became his final column for the Morning Telegraph.

His last cavalcade included this statement "I suppose these ginks who argue that ... because the rich human gets ice in the summer and the poor man gets it in the wintertime, things are breaking even for both. Maybe and then, but I'll swear I tin can't come across information technology that way."^[41]

About 500 people attended Masterson'south service at Frank E. Campbell's Funeral Church building at Broadway and 66th Street. Masterson's honorary pallbearers included Damon Runyon, Tex Rickard, and William Lewis. Runyon was a close friend of Masterson's and offered this memorable eulogy: "He was a 100 percentage, 22-karat real man. Bat was a good hater and a wonderful friend. He was e'er stretching out his hand to some down-and-outer. He had a not bad sense of sense of humour and a marvelous fund of reminiscence, and was one of the most entertaining companions we have ever known. At that place are only too few men in the world like Bat Masterson and his death is a 18-carat loss."^{[ citation needed ]}

Masterson was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. His full proper name, William Barclay Masterson, appears above his epitaph on the large granite grave marker. Masterson's epitaph states that he was "Loved by Everyone".^{[42] [43]}

In popular culture [edit]

Masterson's life has been portrayed in endless works of fiction and not-fiction in moving picture, goggle box, literature, and other popular media.

Novels and comic books [edit]

Forepart cover of Bat Masterson number iii (Dell Comics, June 1960), featuring a publicity still of Gene Barry.

• Eleven years after Masterson'south expiry, a collection of Damon Runyon's short stories was published under the title Guys and Dolls. These stories later formed the basis for the classic 1950 musical comedy of the same name. The cardinal character in Runyon'due south Guys and Dolls was a high-rolling gambler from Colorado whom Runyon barely disguised under the name of Sky Masterson.
• Bat Masterson, forth with many other historical figures of the fourth dimension, is a character in the novel The Buntline Special (2010) by Mike Resnick.
• Dell Comics published a brusque-lived comic book based on the television series. The first issue was published as Four Color Comics #1013, followed by Bat Masterson #2–nine (1960–1962). All the problems had photographic covers. The stories were scripted by Gaylord DuBois.
• The 1986 novel The Ham Reporter past Robert J. Randisi features Bat Masterson equally an investigating newspaperman.^{[ citation needed ]}
• The comic series The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck past Don Rosa portrayed Masterson alongside Wyatt Earp, Soapy Smith, and hanging Judge Roy Edible bean.
• The 2011 novel The Gunsmith #351 (The Trial of Bat Masterson) by Robert J. Randisi describes a fourth dimension in which fictional character Clint Adams comes to the help of his friend Bat Masterson, who has been wrongly accused of murder and is existence pursued by the "victim's" brother. Many references are fabricated to Masterson as 1 of Adams' closest friends throughout the serial.
• The 2015 novel And The Air current Whispered by Dan Jorgensen features Bat Masterson as ane of the cardinal characters in a book ready in 1894 Hot Springs, Southward Dakota. In it, he joins forces with famed reporter Nellie Bly and Sheriff Seth Bullock to help thwart an outlaw gang's incursion on the metropolis and attempts to rob visiting (and vacationing) dignitaries in the southern Black Hills community.

Film [edit]

• Albert Dekker portrayed Bat Masterson in the 1943 film The Woman of the Boondocks.
• Randolph Scott portrayed Masterson in the 1947 film Trail Street.
• Steve Darrell portrayed Masterson (uncredited) in the 1950 film Winchester 73.
• Frank Ferguson portrayed Masterson in the 1951 film Santa Fe.
• George Montgomery portrayed Masterson in the 1954 film Masterson of Kansas.
• Keith Larsen portrayed Masterson in the 1955 film Wichita.
• Kenneth Tobey portrayed Masterson in the 1957 film Gunfight at the O.Yard. Corral.
• Joel McCrea portrayed Masterson in the 1959 motion-picture show The Gunfight at Dodge City.
• Tom Sizemore portrayed Masterson in the 1994 movie Wyatt Earp.
• Matt Dallas portrayed Masterson in the 2012 picture Wyatt Earp's Revenge.

Television [edit]

• Mason Alan Dinehart 3 played Masterson from 1955 to 1959 in 34 episodes of the ABC Western series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, starring Hugh O'Brian in the championship function.
• Bat Masterson was a U.S. boob tube series loosely based on the historical character. Masterson was portrayed past Gene Barry. Bat Masterson aired on NBC in 108 episodes from October eight, 1958, to June 1, 1961, and featured Masterson as a superbly dressed gambler, mostly outfitted in a black adjust and derby lid, who was more inclined to "bat" crooks over the caput with his gold-knobbed cane than shoot them. Hundreds of thousands of plastic derby hats and canes were sold as children'southward toys during the show's run.^{[ citation needed ]}
• Animators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera satirized Masterson in a 1964 Punkin' Puss and Mushmouse cartoon, "Bat Mouseterson", in which Mushmouse's urban center-abode, cane-wielding cousin comes to hill land for a visit and teaches Mushmouse the admirer'south fashion of warding off Punkin' Puss.
• Richard Beale portrayed Bat Masterson in the 1966 Doc Who serial The Gunfighters, which depicts the events leading to and including the famous O.M. Corral gunfight.
• A character called "Bat Masterson" appears in the 1980s Western series Bordertown in the episode "Nebraska Lightning", where he helps the fictional characters U.S. Marshal Jack Craddock and Canadian Northwest Mountie Corporal Clive Bennett accept on the Nebraska Lightning Gang.
• In one episode of Beakman'due south Earth, Beakman portrayed himself in a short picture show as Masterson when teaching about how actors do not hurt themselves when doing things that are meant to crusade injury.
• Cistron Barry reprised his role as Masterson in the episode "A Gathering of Guns" (1987) on the television set series Guns of Paradise (Hugh O'Brian also reprised his office as Wyatt Earp).
• A man claiming to be Bat Masterson, portrayed by Philip Bosco and credited as Mike Killabrew, appears in the series Early Edition in a 1997 episode titled "Bat Masterson".^[44]
• A character chosen Bat Masterson, portrayed by Steven Ogg, appears in the 2014 Murdoch Mysteries episode "Celebrity Days", going to Toronto in pursuit of famous outlaws and ambivalent with the local police'southward mode of investigation.
• A graphic symbol called Bat Masterson is played by Matthew Le Nevez in the 2015 Lifetime Idiot box series, The Lizzie Borden Chronicles, a counter-history to the legend of Lizzie Borden.
• Bat Masterson is played by Jack Elliott in the 2021 INSP Television set series Wild West Chronicles, a retelling of true stories behind the W's incredible events.^{[45] [46]}

Gaming [edit]

• In the 2004 video game Red Dead Revolver, the graphic symbol of Jack Swift is based on Bat Masterson.^{[ citation needed ]}
• In Sidewinder: Wild Westward Adventures, both original quotations and fictional quotations attributed to Bat Masterson are used throughout the rulebook.^{[ citation needed ]}
• Bat Masterson is used as a non-actor grapheme in Pirate101.^{[ citation needed ]}
• Bat Masterson makes an advent as a railroad manager in Railroad Tycoon 2 and Railroad Tycoon iii. As the railroad's chairman, a player can choose to apply him and enjoy a lower incidence rate of costly railroad train robberies while Masterson is employed.^[47]

Theater [edit]

• Masterson plays an of import role in the play Bat Masterson's Creede, a play written by Tony Clark about Masterson and the important part he played in the silver boomtown of Creede, Colorado.

See as well [edit]

• Gray County War

Notes [edit]

1. ^ Other dates are cited in some Colin sources, but his baptism is recorded in the Quebec Archives in a record dated 27 November 1853, making it clear that he was born the previous day. (Encounter DeArment, Robert K., Bat Masterson, The Human being and the Legend, Academy of Oklahoma Press, 1979, pp.9–10.)
2. ^ Bat Masterson subsequently claimed on a U.S. census form that he was born in Illinois or Missouri, merely that was probably considering he had never bothered to become naturalized despite having voted and held public office.
3. ^ William Olds accidentally shot himself in the head as he was descending a ladder. William "Billy" Tyler was killed by the Indians, and ii brothers, Isaac and Jacob Scheidler, were sleeping in their railroad vehicle when the Indians attacked and killed them.^{[ citation needed ]}
4. ^ Masterson defeated his opponent, Lawrence Edward "Larry" Deger, past a vote of 166 to 163.^{[ citation needed ]}
5. ^ On July 21, 1883, The National Police force Gazette published an engraving based upon the iconic grouping photograph taken by Charles A. Conkling simply 41 days earlier. It was the get-go occasion that a version of this group portrait was reproduced for a wide audience and the first time information technology was provided with the caption by which it remains best known, "The Contrivance City Peace Commission".^{[ citation needed ]}
6. ^ The full title of the magazine was Human Life: The Mag About People Edited by Alfred Henry Lewis.

References [edit]

1. ^ Laughead, George. "West. B. "Bat" Masterson | Contrivance City Constable | Borderland Gunfighter, Gambler, Buffalo Hunter | Ford County Historical Society, Dodge City, KS". www.kansashistory.us . Retrieved 2017-09-29 .
2. ^ Bartholomaeus Masterson in the 1870 US Census in St. Clair County, Illinois
3. ^ ^{a b} Clavin, Tom, "Dodge Metropolis", p.39
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f thou h i j} DeArment, Robert One thousand. (1979) Bat Masterson: The Man and the Legend. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Printing.
5. ^ The Opening of the Cattle Trade Historic in the Canis familiaris Firm; Dodge City times., June 09, 1877
6. ^ Dodge City Times, Dec 8, 1877.
7. ^ King, Gilbert (Apr iv, 2013). "When New York Metropolis Tamed the Feared Gunslinger Bat Masterson". smithsonianmag.com. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved Mar xxx, 2020.
8. ^ ^{a b} DeArment, Robert K. (2005) Broadway Bat: Gunfighter in Gotham (Talei Publishers)
9. ^ Penn, Chris. "Gunfire in Dodge Metropolis: The Dark Ed Masterson Was Killed". Wild West. December 2004.
10. ^ Contrivance City Times, October 12, 1878.
11. ^ Dodge Urban center Times, November 8, 1879. no link found
12. ^ Masterson, W.B. "Bat." "Colonel Cody - Hunter, Lookout man, Indian Fighter." Human Life. Vol. 6, No.6. March 1908.
13. ^ Contrivance Urban center Times, July 17, 1880.
14. ^ Trinidad Daily Advertiser, March 28, 1883.
15. ^ Globe Alive Stock Periodical, November 4, 1884.
16. ^ Rocky Mountain News, September 22, 1886.
17. ^ ^{a b c d due east} DeArment, Robert Thou. (2013) Gunfighter in Gotham: Bat Masterson's New York City Years. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Printing. ISBN 978-0-8061-4263-0
18. ^ DeArment, Robert K. (1982) "Knights of the Dark-green Cloth: The Saga of the Frontier Gamblers". Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 173.
19. ^ Secrest, Clark. (2002). "Hell's Belles: Prostitution, Vice, and Criminal offence In Early on Denver". Boulder: UP CO. pp. 143–145.
20. ^ Penn, Chris. (2011). "Bat Masterson's Emma." Wild West Historical Association Periodical, Volume 4 Number 2.
21. ^ Smith, Jeff (2009). Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Expiry of a Scoundrel, Klondike Research. p. 84. ISBN 0-9819743-0-9
22. ^ Rocky Mountain News 03/20/1890 & 03/xv/1890, p. 6.
23. ^ Cleveland Patently Dealer, July xiii, 1889.
24. ^ Dodge City Globe-Republican, September ix, 1892.
25. ^ Rocky Mountain News, June 6, 1895.
26. ^ 1900 United States Federal Census Record, Arapahoe, Denver, Precinct #3; text summary: William Masterson, birthplace of Missouri and birth-appointment of 1854; holding an occupation as Athletic Gild Keeper. His wife is listed as Emma Masterson, married for ten years.
27. ^ Raine, William McLeod. Guns of the Frontier. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 1940. pp. 167–169.
28. ^ New York World, June viii, 1902.
29. ^ Lewis, Alfred Henry. The Sunset Trail: A Novel. New York: A. L. Burt Company. 1905.
30. ^ Human Life (Vol. 4, No. four) January, 1907.
31. ^ Human Life (Vol. 4, No. 5) February, 1907.
32. ^ Human Life (Vol. 5, No. ane) April, 1907.
33. ^ Human Life (Vol. 5, No. two) May, 1907.
34. ^ Human Life (Vol. v, No. iv) July, 1907.
35. ^ Human Life (Vol. 6, No. 2) November, 1907.
36. ^ Human Life (Vol. 6, No. half-dozen) March, 1908.
37. ^ Roosevelt to Masterson, February ii, 1905. Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Widener Library, Harvard Academy, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
38. ^ DeMattos, Jack. Masterson and Roosevelt. College Station, TX: Creative Publishing Company. 1984. ISBN 0-932702-31-vii.
39. ^ Battle's Best: Jack Johnson, HBO Sports Presentation. Big Fights, Inc., 1989. VHS Tape, 55 minutes. ISBN i-55983-158-8
40. ^ Hart, William S. My Life E and West. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1929. p. 307.
41. ^ as quoted in Mariana Gosnell, Ice, p. 389
42. ^ "Bat Masterson Dies at Editor's Desk. Sporting Writer and Last of Oldtime Western Gun Fighters Was 67. Crush in Long Siege. Deputy U.S. Marshal for Southern District of New York Under His Friend, Colonel Roosevelt". New York Times. October 26, 1921. William Barclay Masterson, improve known as Bat Masterson, sporting writer, friend of Theodore Roosevelt and erstwhile sheriff of Contrivance City, Kansas, died suddenly yesterday while writing an article at his desk in the function of The Morn Telegraph.
43. ^ "Bat Masterson". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 2006-xi-11. Retrieved 2007-02-14 .
44. ^ Bat Masterson at IMDb
45. ^ "Wild W Chronicles". imdb.com . Retrieved 11 February 2021.
46. ^ "Wild West Chronicles". insp.com . Retrieved xi February 2021.
47. ^ "Railroad Tycoon Three Review". IGN. half dozen November 2003. Retrieved 18 December 2017.

Farther reading [edit]

• DeArment, Robert K. "Bat Masterson's Rescue of Slap-up Bill," True West, October 1979.
• DeArment, Robert G. "That Masterson-McDonald Standoff." True W, Jan 1998.
• DeArment, Robert K. "Bat Masterson and the Boxing Club War of Denver." Colorado Heritage, Autumn 2000.
• DeArment, Robert K. "Bat Masterson in New York City." Wild West, June 2001.
• DeArment, Robert One thousand. "Bat Masterson'south Femmes Fatales." True West, October 2001.
• DeArment, Robert One thousand. "Bat Masterson Myths." Wild Westward, June 2004.
• DeMattos, Jack. "The President and the Gunfighter," True West, February 1976.
• DeMattos, Jack. "Those Guns of Bat Masterson," Frontier Times, March 1977.
• DeMattos, Jack. "Gunfighters of the Real West: Bat Masterson," Real West, February 1985.
• DeMattos, Jack. "Betwixt Pals: A Missive Between Presidential Gunfighters." Quarterly of the National Association for Outlaw and Lawman History, July–September 1993.
• Earp, Wyatt. "Wyatt Earp'southward Tribute to Bat Masterson, the Hero of 'Dobe Walls," San Francisco Examiner, Sunday, August 16, 1896.
• Lewis, Alfred Henry. "William Barclay Masterson: An Adventure Story with a Live Hero." Texas Magazine. March 1913.
• Masterson, W.B. (Bat). "Alfred Henry Lewis Lived in Activity He Penned." New York Morning Telegraph, Nov 11, 1917.
• Masterson, W.B. (Bat). Famous Gun Fighters of the Western Frontier. (The 75th Anniversary Edition Annotated and Illustrated by Jack DeMattos). Monroe, WA: Weatherford Printing. 1982. ISBN 0-9604078-1-two
• Miller, Nyle H. and Snell, Joseph Westward. Why the Westward Was Wild. Topeka: Kansas State Historical Lodge. 1963.
• O'Connor, Richard. Bat Masterson: The Biography of one of the Westward's Most Famous Gunfighters and Marshals. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc. 1957.
• Palmquist, Bob. "Who Killed Jack Wagner?" True West. October 1993.
• Penn, Chris. "A Notation on Bartholomew Masterson," English language Westerners Make Book. Vol. 9, No. 3. April 1967.
• Penn, Chris. "Gunfire in Dodge City. The Night Ed Masterson Was Killed." Wild Due west. December 2004.
• Penn, Chris. "Bat Masterson's Emma." Wild West History Association Journal. April 2011.
• Roberts, Gary L. "Bat Masterson and the Sweetwater Shootout." Wild West. October 2000.
• Thompson, George C. Bat Masterson: The Dodge City Years. Topeka: Kansas Country Printing Plant. 1943.
• Wiltsey, Norman B. "A Man Called Bat," True West. December 1956.

External links [edit]

• Bartholomew Masterson
• Photograph of Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp

Constabulary appointments
Preceded by Charlie Bassett	Sheriff of Ford County, Kansas November ix, 1877–November iv, 1879	Succeeded by George T. Hinkel
Preceded by Lou Kreegler	City Marshal of Trinidad, Colorado Apr 17, 1882–April 3, 1883	Succeeded past Lou Kreegler

moraindraviverry.blogspot.com

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_Masterson

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