Bat Masterson – King of the Gunplayers
William Barclay Masterson, better known as Bat Masterson, is a figure synonymous with the American Old West. He was a lawman, a gambler, a buffalo hunter, and a journalist – a multifaceted individual who embodied the spirit of a frontier constantly in flux. His life, a tapestry woven with threads of adventure, danger, and notoriety, cemented his place as one of the West’s most enduring legends. Born in 1853, Masterson’s journey took him from the farmlands of Quebec, Canada, to the dusty streets of Dodge City, Kansas, where he earned his reputation as a formidable gunfighter and a respected lawman.
Early Life and Frontier Education
William Barclay Masterson entered the world on November 26, 1853, in Henryville, Quebec, Canada. His parents, a farming family originally from St. Lawrence County, New York, eventually migrated westward, becoming pioneers in Sedgwick County, Kansas. This transition from settled farmland to the untamed plains marked the beginning of Masterson’s education in the harsh realities of frontier life. The Kansas prairies of his youth were a far cry from the cultivated fields of his birthplace. This was a land where survival depended on one’s ability to navigate danger, whether from Native American tribes defending their territory or from the ever-present threat of outlaws seeking fortune and refuge in the vast, lawless expanses.
From the tender age of thirteen, Masterson was immersed in this world of peril. He learned to rely on his instincts and his skills to protect himself. This formative period, spanning two decades, instilled in him a deep understanding of the land and the people who inhabited it. It forged the character of the man who would later become known as Bat Masterson.
The Buffalo Hunter: Earning a Name
Masterson’s moniker, "Bat," was not bestowed upon him at birth. It was an earned title, a testament to his prowess as a buffalo hunter. The name echoed that of Baptiste Brown, an earlier frontiersman known as "Old Bat," whose legendary hunting skills were widely admired. Masterson’s accuracy with a rifle was exceptional, and he quickly gained a reputation for his ability to bring down buffalo with remarkable efficiency.
During the 1870s, the demand for buffalo robes and leather fueled a massive hunting industry on the Great Plains. Bat Masterson found employment with large hunting outfits, responsible for "doing the killing" – that is, providing the carcasses for skinners and curers to process. The scale of this operation was staggering. In peak years, such as 1872, a single town like Dodge City shipped over 300,000 buffalo hides eastward, along with a substantial quantity of robes. This period of intense hunting not only honed Masterson’s skills as a marksman but also gave him an intimate knowledge of the terrain, particularly the location of vital water sources in the arid landscape.
Scout and the Adobe Walls
Masterson’s expertise in the terrain made him invaluable to the U.S. Army. General Miles enlisted him as a scout during the campaigns against the Cheyenne, Kiowa, Comanche, and Arapaho tribes in 1874. These campaigns were brutal and unforgiving, and Masterson’s knowledge of the land proved crucial to the army’s movements.
Before his service, Masterson had a run-in with Cheyenne warriors that nearly cost him his life. While skinning a buffalo, he was ambushed by a group who stole his prized 50-caliber Sharps rifle and left him with a head wound. In retaliation, Masterson later stole a herd of ponies from the Cheyenne, selling them in Dodge City to recoup his losses.
The following June, Masterson found himself at the Adobe Walls trading post when it was attacked by hundreds of Native American warriors. The Adobe Walls consisted of two buildings: Wright’s outfitting store and Hanrahan’s saloon. A mere fourteen buffalo hunters were present. The hunters managed to defend the post against overwhelming odds, thanks to their superior marksmanship and the Indians’ reluctance to fight at night. The Indians charged fiercely, but Masterson and his fellow hunters inflicted heavy casualties.
The siege lasted two weeks, but the initial charges were the most intense. The story of the Adobe Walls, including anecdotes like the tame crow flying between buildings and Masterson’s daring dash to retrieve cartridges, have become iconic tales of the Old West. The battle proved the buffalo hunters’ courage and skill, contributing significantly to Bat Masterson’s legendary status.
Gun Trouble in Mobeetie
While the Adobe Walls cemented Masterson’s reputation as a fighter, his first documented gunfight occurred in Mobeetie, Texas, at a dance hall called the Lady Gay. A soldier named Sergeant King, fueled by gambling losses and animosity towards Masterson, ambushed him at the saloon’s side door. King shot Masterson in the groin. In the ensuing chaos, King accidentally killed a girl named Anna Brennan. Masterson returned fire, killing King instantly. Despite his severe wound, Masterson recovered remarkably quickly, a testament to his robust constitution. This incident marked the beginning of Masterson’s notoriety as a man not to be trifled with.
Sheriff of Dodge City
At the age of twenty-two, Masterson’s reputation for courage and fairness led to his election as sheriff of Ford County, Kansas, with Dodge City as its seat. This role thrust him into the heart of one of the wildest towns in the West, where cowboys, gamblers, and outlaws converged. As sheriff, Masterson was responsible for maintaining order across sixteen unorganized counties, a daunting task that required a combination of skill, nerve, and diplomacy.
His approach to law enforcement was pragmatic. He preferred to de-escalate situations whenever possible, using force only when necessary. He was known for his ability to disarm volatile cowboys without bloodshed. He earned respect from the citizens of Dodge City, who appreciated his efforts to keep the peace.
Masterson’s tenure as sheriff was not without its challenges. The cowboys arriving with the cattle drives often turned Dodge City into a rowdy and dangerous place. However, Masterson’s firm but fair hand kept the town under control. One incident saw Masterson shooting the ponies of cowboys shooting up the town, sending them sprawling into the dust and then arresting them.
Kennedy’s Pursuit and Ed Masterson’s Death
One notable event during Masterson’s time as sheriff involved a man named Kennedy, who shot and killed a woman at the Alhambra saloon. Masterson pursued Kennedy across the plains, eventually catching up to him near the Medicine Lodge River. In a brief gunfight, Masterson killed Kennedy, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to justice.
Tragedy struck when Masterson’s brother, Ed, who served as city marshal, was killed in a shootout with two men, Wagner and Walker. Wagner sought to enter Peacock’s dance hall. The encounter cost both Wagner and Ed Masterson their lives. Consumed by grief and rage, Masterson hunted down Walker, killing him before he could escape. These events underscore the dangers faced by lawmen in the Old West and the personal sacrifices they often had to make. Bat Masterson had to deal with death and violence more than the average person.
Confrontations and Close Calls
Masterson’s reputation as a skilled gunfighter made him a target for those seeking to make a name for themselves. One such individual was a Texan named Driscoll, who arrived in Dodge City with the intention of challenging Masterson. Masterson, however, quickly intimidated Driscoll, giving him a half hour to leave town.
Another tense situation arose when Clay Allison, a notorious gunman, arrived in Dodge City. Allison, known for his volatile temper and his habit of carrying weapons, posed a significant threat to the town’s peace. Masterson, however, managed to defuse the situation through a combination of intimidation and diplomacy, preventing a potential bloodbath. Bat Masterson was the top dog in town.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1881, when a new liquor law took effect in Kansas, Masterson left his position as sheriff. He moved on to other ventures, including gambling and promoting boxing matches. Eventually, he settled in New York City, where he became a sportswriter and columnist.
Despite leaving the West, Masterson never forgot his roots. He remained a figure of fascination and admiration, and his exploits continued to be recounted in dime novels and popular lore. He was not only a prominent figure in the Old West, but also a storyteller, sharing anecdotes and experiences from his life.
Bat Masterson passed away in 1921, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most iconic figures of the American West. His life story is a testament to the courage, resilience, and adaptability required to survive and thrive in a lawless and unforgiving environment. He remains a symbol of the Old West, a reminder of a time when the line between law and lawlessness was often blurred.
