Hamilton Bell – Transforming Wicked Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City, Kansas, once a name synonymous with lawlessness and frontier mayhem, underwent a remarkable transformation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Where gunfights and saloons dominated the landscape, a new era of peace, order, and prosperity gradually emerged. This dramatic shift was not a matter of chance but the result of dedicated individuals who tirelessly worked to build a better future for their community. Among these figures, Hamilton B. Bell stands out as a pivotal force, a man whose bravery, integrity, and unwavering commitment played a crucial role in taming the "Wicked Little Town."
The story of Hamilton Bell is one of resilience and determination. Born on July 31, 1853, on a farm in Washington County, Maryland, his early life was marked by hardship. The year of his birth brought the loss of his mother, and nine years later, his father passed away, leaving him and his two siblings orphaned. This early adversity forged a strong sense of self-reliance in the young Bell.
For a few years, Hamilton Bell resided with an uncle in Hagerstown, Maryland, where he received a basic education. However, at the age of 14, he ventured out into the world to carve his own path. He found employment as a salesman in a jewelry store in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, where he remained for five years, learning valuable skills in sales and customer service.
In 1872, Hamilton Bell embarked on a westward journey, financing his travels by repairing and cleaning clocks. He arrived in Lawrence, Kansas, in June and continued onward to Abilene and then Ellsworth. By July, he had reached Great Bend. After several months of working as a hack driver, he transitioned to the ice business, a venture that proved surprisingly profitable. It was in September 1874 that Hamilton Bell made the pivotal decision to move to Dodge City.
Upon his arrival in Dodge City, Hamilton Bell immediately put his entrepreneurial skills to use. He secured a contract to haul cross ties for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway (ATSF), which was then under construction through to Colorado. Employing five teams, he dedicated himself to this project for several months. In 1875, he returned to Dodge City and established a livery business, which he successfully operated for the next 24 years.
The early days in Dodge City were a crucible, testing the mettle of all who resided there. It was during this period that Bell’s courage and unwavering sense of justice began to shine. His bravery soon led to his appointment as a deputy sheriff. He served in this capacity for three years, gaining invaluable experience in law enforcement and confronting the harsh realities of the frontier. Later, he was elevated to the position of sheriff, a role he embraced during the town’s most tumultuous "cowboy" era. The challenges were immense, and the demands on his character were constant.
For an impressive 12 years, Hamilton Bell also served as a Deputy United States Marshal, extending his reach and influence beyond the immediate confines of Dodge City. His dedication and effectiveness as a lawman were further recognized when he was repeatedly elected sheriff of Ford County, holding the office for an unbroken 12-year period before January 1911. This sustained electoral success was particularly remarkable, considering that he was a Democrat in a county with a strong Republican majority. It was a testament to the respect and trust he had earned from the community, regardless of political affiliation.
During his tenure as sheriff of Ford County, Hamilton Bell was instrumental in apprehending numerous notorious outlaws and criminals who had long evaded justice. These were individuals who had terrorized the region for years, engaging in cattle rustling, bank robberies, and train heists. Bell became a formidable figure in their world, a force to be reckoned with. His skillful law enforcement tactics played a significant role in dismantling the criminal gangs that had plagued western Kansas and the border regions of the Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). Dodge City, once a haven for these undesirable elements, gradually shed its reputation as a lawless town, thanks in large part to Bell’s efforts.
What set Hamilton Bell apart from many other lawmen of the era was his commitment to upholding the law without resorting to excessive force. Unlike some who gained notoriety for their gunfighting prowess, Bell was known for his restraint and his preference for due process. Throughout his career, he was never accused of shooting a man or using overly drastic measures in making arrests. His approach was one of firmness and fairness, earning him the respect of both law-abiding citizens and even some of the outlaws he apprehended.
By 1912, Bell had become a living link between the old, wild Dodge City and the new, more civilized town it had become. He was widely known and respected throughout the region, from the Rio Grande in Texas to the Canadian border. Cattlemen and cowboys alike knew him as "Ham" Bell, a fearless officer and a public-spirited citizen.
Beyond his law enforcement achievements, Hamilton Bell was also a visionary who contributed to the betterment of his community in other ways. When the federal government decided to abandon Fort Dodge as a military post, there was considerable debate about what to do with the land and buildings. It was Bell who conceived the idea of transforming the former fort into a State Soldiers’ Home, providing a sanctuary for aging veterans. He shared his idea with John McEvalla and Captain Howard, fellow veterans from Dodge City, who helped him garner support from their Grand Army Post.
Bell’s dedication to the welfare of Civil War veterans was unwavering. He not only spearheaded the effort to establish the State Soldiers’ Home at Fort Dodge but also played a key role in organizing and funding the district reunion of soldiers held there. He personally secured and collected around $1,000 to cover expenses, and he generously contributed his own funds to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of the veterans. It was through his efforts that the reunion was held in Dodge City, providing a memorable experience for those who had served their country.
In 1910, Bell was appointed chief of police of Dodge City, further solidifying his commitment to maintaining law and order in the community. That same year, he demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit once again by erecting one of the most modern automobile garages in Kansas. His auto livery was equipped with a well-appointed ladies’ restroom, a rare amenity in the West at the time, making it a welcome haven for tourists traveling to Colorado.
Bell’s forward-thinking approach extended to his involvement in the burgeoning automobile industry. He was a member of both the American Auto Association and the Touring Club of America, reflecting his interest in promoting travel and tourism.
From humble beginnings as a penniless orphan, Bell had risen to become a wealthy and respected member of the community. His success was a testament to his hard work, intelligence, and unwavering determination. In addition to his garage, he owned an 8,000-acre ranch near Dodge City, where he raised horses and engaged in cattle ranching.
Bell married Miss Josephine Dugan, the daughter of James Dugan, a farmer from Barber County, Kansas, on August 1, 1874. They had one son, Hamilton B. Bell, Jr., who was born on November 22, 1876, and later became a traveling salesman based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sadly, Josephine Bell passed away on October 7, 1900.
Bell was a member of several fraternal organizations, including the Knights Templar Masons, the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
During his long and distinguished career in Dodge City, no citizen was more closely associated with its growth and development than Hamilton Bell. He was known for his generosity, often giving freely of his time and resources to support worthy causes. He made and spent fortunes, but he remained an active and energetic businessman, beloved by his fellow citizens.
Hamilton Bell remained a resident of Dodge City until his death in 1947. He was the longest-living Old West sheriff and marshal in the history of the American West. During his time in Dodge City, he was acquainted with such legendary figures as Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Luke Short, and Bat Masterson. Despite his long career in law enforcement, he never shot a man during his 30 years of service, but arrested more outlaws with a warrant than any other lawman in the West. He retired around 1911 and, at the age of 90, was operating a pet shop in Dodge City, selling canaries, his favorite bird.