Long Branch Saloon Shootout, Dodge City, Kansas
The American West, a landscape etched with tales of daring and lawlessness, often witnessed conflicts erupting in the most unexpected of places. One such event unfolded in the spring of 1879, within the walls of the infamous Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City, Kansas. The Long Branch Saloon Shootout, also known as the Richason-Loving Gunfight, serves as a potent reminder of the volatile nature of life on the frontier, where disputes were frequently settled with pistols drawn and lives hanging in the balance. This incident, involving Levi Richason, a buffalo hunter, and Frank "Cockeyed Frank" Loving, a professional gambler, has become ingrained in the lore of Dodge City, a town notorious for its rough-and-tumble atmosphere.
Dodge City, a burgeoning settlement on the Kansas plains, served as a vital hub for cattle drives, buffalo hunters, and fortune seekers. By 1879, while attempts were made to bring order to the town, it retained a reputation for being a place where the rules were often bent and justice was sometimes served at the end of a gun barrel. Saloons, like the Long Branch, were central to the social and economic life of Dodge City. These establishments provided a place for weary travelers to quench their thirst, for cowboys to unwind after long cattle drives, and for gamblers to try their luck at various games of chance. The Long Branch Saloon, in particular, was a well-known and popular spot, becoming the backdrop for the dramatic events that would forever link the names of Richason and Loving.
Levi Richason, despite being described as a slow and awkward man, held a reputation as a formidable gunfighter. His profession as a buffalo hunter demanded resilience and skill with firearms, qualities that translated into a dangerous proficiency in confrontations. Frank Loving, nicknamed "Cockeyed Frank" due to a visual impairment, was a professional gambler. Gamblers in the Old West often relied on their wits and nerves to survive, and Loving was no exception. He was known for his cool demeanor and his willingness to take risks, characteristics that made him a formidable opponent in any situation.
Initially, Richason and Loving frequented the Long Branch Saloon together, bonding over games of chance and shared experiences in the bustling town. A semblance of friendship developed between the two men as they spent time in the saloon’s smoky atmosphere. However, this camaraderie was shattered by an escalating rivalry fueled by an infatuation. Richason reportedly developed feelings for Loving’s wife, Mattie. This created a rift between the two men, leading to heated arguments and simmering tensions.
The conflict between Richason and Loving began to escalate publicly. One day in March 1879, the animosity spilled out onto Front Street, the main thoroughfare of Dodge City. An argument erupted, culminating in Richason punching Loving in the face. However, Loving, unarmed at the time, chose to walk away from the confrontation, turning his back on Richason. This act of apparent restraint did little to diffuse the situation. As Loving retreated, Richason reportedly yelled threats, promising to "blow the guts" out of Loving. This public humiliation and the explicit threat set the stage for the inevitable showdown that would occur weeks later within the confines of the Long Branch Saloon.
On April 5, 1879, Levi Richason entered the Long Branch Saloon with a clear purpose. Determined to settle his differences with Frank Loving, he believed he would find him there, indulging in his usual pastime of gambling. However, Loving was not initially present. Undeterred, Richason ordered a drink at the bar and positioned himself near the pot-bellied stove in the front of the saloon, waiting for his rival to appear. As the evening progressed, Richason began to believe that Loving would not show up. Around 9:00 p.m., as he turned to leave, Frank Loving walked through the door.
The tension in the Long Branch Saloon became palpable. Loving sat down at a long table, and Richason followed, taking a seat nearby. The two men engaged in a hushed conversation, their words inaudible to the other patrons. However, the subdued exchange soon escalated. Witnesses overheard Richason taunting Loving, questioning his courage and manhood. Loving responded with a defiant challenge, daring Richason to test him.
The confrontation reached its climax swiftly and violently. Richason drew his pistol, and Loving responded in kind. The Long Branch Saloon erupted in gunfire, filled with smoke and the roar of discharging firearms. Charlie Bassett, the Dodge City Marshal, was in Beatty & Kelley’s Saloon when he heard the shots and rushed to the scene.
When Marshal Bassett arrived, both men were still standing, but the scene was chaotic. Richason had fired all five rounds from his gun, while Loving’s Remington No. 44 was empty. Deputy Sheriff Duffey intervened, throwing Richason into a chair and disarming him, while Bassett disarmed Loving. Richason then attempted to move towards the billiard table but collapsed to the floor. He had sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the chest, side, and right arm. Frank Loving, miraculously, had only a slight scratch on his hand.
Loving was immediately taken into custody. Two days later, on April 7, 1879, the coroner’s inquest ruled that the killing had been an act of self-defense. Loving was immediately released.
The Long Branch Saloon Shootout had a lasting impact on the lives of those involved. Frank Loving would later leave Dodge City, abandoning his wife Mattie, his two-year-old son, John, and his one-year-old daughter, Mintie. He moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico, and then to Trinidad, Colorado, where he met a similar fate, dying in a saloon shootout on April 16, 1882.
The Long Branch Saloon Shootout became a part of Dodge City’s history. It serves as a reminder of the dangers and uncertainties of life on the frontier, where personal disputes could quickly escalate into deadly gunfights. The Long Branch Saloon, as the setting for this dramatic event, became even more deeply embedded in the legends of the Old West.
The historical accounts of the Long Branch Saloon Shootout provide valuable insights into the event and the atmosphere of Dodge City at the time. An article in the Ford County Globe on April 8, 1879, described the shooting as a regrettable event, emphasizing the recklessness of both men and the dangers of settling disputes with firearms. The article also lamented the lack of enforcement of ordinances preventing the carrying of concealed weapons.
The witness statement of Adam Jackson, a bartender at the Long Branch Saloon, provides a detailed account of the events leading up to the shooting, highlighting the escalating verbal exchange between Richason and Loving. Marshal Charles Bassett’s witness statement confirms the chaotic scene and the fact that Richason had emptied his pistol before collapsing.
The Long Branch Saloon Shootout, though a brief and violent episode, encapsulates many of the themes that define the mythology of the American West. It is a story of personal conflict, honor, and the ever-present threat of violence in a lawless environment. The event cemented the Long Branch Saloon’s place in history and contributed to the enduring legend of Dodge City as a wild and untamed frontier town.