Edward T. "Red" Beard – Drifting Gunfighter – Legends of America
The American Old West, a period steeped in myth and legend, was populated by characters as diverse as the landscape itself. Among the more obscure figures who roamed this era was Edward T. "Red" Beard, a gunfighter whose life was marked by a propensity for wandering and a fateful end in a Kansas cowtown. His story, though less celebrated than those of Wyatt Earp or Billy the Kid, offers a glimpse into the volatile and often violent nature of life on the frontier.
Early Life and Transformation
Born in 1828, Edward T. Beard’s origins were far removed from the dusty streets of frontier towns. He was the son of the founder of Beardstown, Illinois, a heritage that afforded him a privileged upbringing. Well-educated and refined, Beard married a woman of culture from Virginia and settled into a life of domesticity, becoming a father to three children. By all accounts, he was a man of standing and respectability.
However, the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 marked a turning point in Beard’s life. He abruptly abandoned his family and comfortable existence, severing ties with his past and venturing westward. The reasons behind this dramatic departure remain shrouded in mystery. While some accounts suggest he was fleeing legal trouble, possibly one step ahead of vigilante justice, the true motives for his westward migration are unknown. Whatever the reason, this decision irrevocably altered the course of his life, transforming him from a family man into a drifting gunfighter.
Wandering the West
Beard’s journey led him through a vast expanse of the American West, including California, Oregon, Colorado, and Arizona. During these years of wandering, he shed his former identity and embraced the rugged lifestyle of the frontier. It was during this period that he acquired the moniker "Red" Beard, likely a reference to the color of his facial hair. More significantly, he developed a reputation as a gunfighter, a deadly profession in a land where disputes were often settled with firearms.
The specifics of Beard’s exploits during this time are scarce, but the fact that he earned a reputation as a gunfighter suggests he was involved in numerous confrontations. The Old West was a dangerous place, and the ability to handle a gun was often essential for survival. Beard’s quick temper, a character trait that would ultimately contribute to his downfall, likely exacerbated his involvement in violent encounters.
Settling in Delano, Kansas
In 1873, Beard’s travels brought him to Kansas, a state experiencing a cattle boom that attracted fortune seekers from all corners of the country. Drawn by the promise of opportunity, he settled in Delano, a bustling cowtown located across the Arkansas River from Wichita. Delano was a rough-and-tumble place, known for its saloons, gambling dens, and brothels. Situated on the Chisholm Trail, it served as a major destination for cowboys driving herds of cattle north to market. The town’s population swelled with transient workers, creating a volatile atmosphere ripe for conflict.
Beard established a saloon in Delano, a business venture that catered to the town’s rowdy clientele. Saloons were central to the social and economic life of frontier towns, serving as gathering places for cowboys, gamblers, and other denizens of the West. They were also notorious for being the scenes of frequent brawls and gunfights. Beard’s saloon, unsurprisingly, quickly gained a reputation for gunplay, reflecting the violent nature of its owner and the lawless environment in which it operated.
The Fatal Confrontation
The event that sealed Red Beard’s fate occurred on October 27, 1873. An argument with a prostitute who worked at a rival saloon owned by "Rowdy Joe" Lowe escalated into a violent confrontation. Accounts suggest that Beard, in a fit of anger, chased the woman from his establishment and across the street to Lowe’s saloon, firing his pistol as he went. In the ensuing chaos, Beard accidentally shot and wounded a patron and another woman in Lowe’s establishment.
Rowdy Joe Lowe, a notorious figure in his own right, responded by opening fire on Beard, wounding him severely. The gunfight between Beard and Lowe was a culmination of the tensions and rivalries that simmered beneath the surface of Delano’s volatile social scene. The incident underscored the dangers of the town’s lawless environment, where personal disputes could quickly escalate into deadly violence.
Death and Legacy
Edward T. "Red" Beard succumbed to his wounds on November 11, 1873, bringing an end to his life as a drifting gunfighter. His death, though perhaps unremarkable in the context of the violent Old West, serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of a life lived on the edge. Beard’s transformation from a respected family man to a gun-toting saloon owner highlights the profound impact that the frontier could have on individuals, stripping away the veneer of civilization and exposing the raw instincts that lay beneath.
While Red Beard’s name may not be as widely recognized as those of other Western figures, his story contributes to the rich tapestry of the American West. He was a product of his time, a man shaped by the forces of circumstance and personal choice. His life, though ultimately tragic, offers a glimpse into the complexities and contradictions of a bygone era.
In the end, Edward T. "Red" Beard remains a footnote in the history of the Old West, a reminder of the countless individuals who sought fortune and adventure in a land of opportunity and peril. His story, like those of so many others, serves as a testament to the enduring allure and the inherent dangers of the American frontier.