The Beginnings of Dodge City
By Robert M. Wright, 1913
Dodge City, Kansas, a name synonymous with the Wild West, emerged from the vast, untamed plains in 1872. Its genesis was directly linked to the westward expansion of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. As the iron rails snaked their way across the Kansas landscape, they brought with them the promise of commerce, opportunity, and a burgeoning settlement that would quickly etch its place into the annals of American history. Even before a proper depot could be erected – the railroad initially operated out of a humble boxcar – business began to flourish in this new frontier town.
The location of the early Beginnings of Dodge City was key to its rapid growth. Situated in the heart of buffalo country, the town became a central hub for the burgeoning hide and meat trade. Railroad cars, arriving and departing at a frenetic pace, carried a constant stream of goods. Dozens were loaded daily with the spoils of the buffalo hunt – hides destined for tanneries and meat for consumption in the growing nation. Simultaneously, an equal number of cars arrived laden with essential provisions: grain, flour, and other supplies necessary to sustain the rapidly expanding population of Dodge City and the surrounding region. The streets of the town became a chaotic yet vibrant tapestry, lined with wagons from dawn till dusk, as hunters and settlers arrived to trade their goods and replenish their supplies.
The scale of this early trade was truly staggering. One anecdote vividly illustrates the booming economy of The Beginnings of Dodge City. Charles Rath & Company, a prominent mercantile firm, placed an order for 200 cases of baking powder with Long Brothers of Kansas City. The sheer volume of the order raised eyebrows, prompting Long Brothers to question whether Rath & Company had made a mistake, suggesting they might have meant 200 boxes instead of cases. They contacted Colonel W.F. Askew, a major figure in the hide shipping business, expressing their disbelief. Askew, in turn, wired Long Brothers to verify the order. The response was unequivocal: "No, double the order." The enormity of the order only became clear when Askew visited a warehouse and witnessed six to eight carloads of flour stacked high, destined to be baked into bread to feed the burgeoning population.
Robert M. Wright, writing in 1913, recalled the unparalleled energy and prosperity of the town. He stated that in all his travels, even through bustling mining camps during gold rushes, he had never witnessed anything quite like the Beginnings of Dodge City. A successful buffalo hunter could earn as much as $100 a day, a considerable sum at the time. Money flowed freely, and even the smallest items carried a hefty price tag. A drink, a shave, a paper of pins – all cost a quarter, reflecting the high demand and the relative scarcity of goods and services in the remote frontier settlement.
Even civic necessities were handled with a frontier practicality. The first jail, or "calaboose," in Dodge City was a simple 15-foot deep pit. Intoxicated individuals were lowered into this makeshift dungeon and left to sober up. While rudimentary, it served its purpose, holding multiple offenders simultaneously.
The Beginnings of Dodge City quickly earned a reputation as "Wicked Dodge," a moniker that spoke to its lawless nature and its status as a haven for unsavory characters. However, Wright insisted that the negative portrayals often overshadowed the town’s positive aspects. He acknowledged that Dodge attracted its share of reckless and dangerous individuals, but these men were met by equally brave and determined law enforcement officers. As the saying goes, "You must fight the devil with fire." These officers, while allowing a certain degree of freedom on the south side of the railroad tracks, maintained order and respectability on the north side. Wright refuted claims of indiscriminate violence, such as shooting at "plug hats," asserting that strangers who behaved themselves were treated with courtesy. However, those who sought trouble were met with swift and decisive action.
Chivalry, surprisingly, also found a place in this rough-and-tumble environment. Wright recounted instances of rough men extending courtesies to ladies on the streets. If a drunk man accidentally jostled a woman, he would be swiftly reprimanded, often by one of his own companions, with a stern warning against insulting a lady. According to Wright, Dodge City’s chivalry towards women and strangers was proverbial. Strangers were never mistreated but treated with the utmost courtesy and respect. No frontier town was more generous than Dodge.
Despite this defense, the author conceded that even residents would not wear a plug hat or formal evening wear because they did not want to stand out.
An article from 1877 provided a snapshot of Dodge City at this time, highlighting its growing importance as a cattle market. The decline in cattle drives to other parts of Kansas meant that Dodge City became a central hub for the sale of surplus stock. Buyers met drovers, purchased cattle, and facilitated business efficiently. Situated along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, the article predicted that Dodge would become a leading cattle market.
However, the article also acknowledged the town’s less savory aspects. Despite having a church, courthouse, and jail, Dodge City was described as lacking strict moral ideas and principles. It was home to "fast men and fast women," gamblers, cowboys, and dance halls. Gambling ranged from low-stakes games to high-roller poker pots. Dance halls provided entertainment, where men of all backgrounds – cattle dealers, gamblers, and cowboys – mingled in a wild revelry. Despite the apparent chaos, a degree of order was maintained. Arms were not allowed, and drunken disturbances were quickly suppressed.
The article further noted the presence of two cemeteries: one for those who died "with their boots on," known as Boot Hill, and another for those who died more peacefully.
Another article, written in 1878, attempted to paint a more balanced picture of Dodge City, referring to it as "The Beautiful, Bibulous Babylon of the Frontier." While acknowledging its vices, the article argued that Dodge City was no worse than other cities like Chicago. It emphasized the town’s magnetic appeal, attracting people not out of mere curiosity, but for business opportunities. The Kinsley Graphic praised Dodge City and went as far as to compare its morality to that of Chicago.
The article painted a picture of a bustling city nestled on the Arkansas River, with a view from the elegant brick courthouse overlooking a valley where thousands of cattle grazed. It highlighted the presence of saloons alongside other businesses, and pointed to civic institutions such as the Dodge House hotel, The Times newspaper, the courthouse, the fire company, and the "Varieties" theater. While acknowledging the town’s wickedness, the article predicted that Dodge City would eventually become a model of morality and a city of importance.
Various other newspapers throughout the country chimed in with their observations. The Kokomo, Indiana, Dispatch, while acknowledging Dodge City’s reputation as a "hell on the plains," commended its orderly character. The Topeka Times recalled Dodge City’s early days as a haven for gamblers, cutthroats, and prostitutes, but also noted its rapid growth and development into a modern city with fine buildings and institutions.
Some articles defended Dodge City against its negative image, arguing that it was as quiet and orderly as any other town of its size in Kansas. They emphasized the cordiality of the citizens, the efficiency of the law enforcement officers, and the strict enforcement of ordinances prohibiting firearms.
Despite these defenses, the lurid stories and jokes persisted, solidifying Dodge City’s reputation as the "Wickedest Town in America." Travelers approached the town with trepidation, fearing for their safety and well-being.
A letter written by a young man on his way west, just before reaching Dodge City, illustrates the fear and apprehension that the town inspired. He wrote to his father, explaining that they were waiting for a larger group to ensure their safety when passing through Dodge.
The Dodge City Times, in a sarcastic response to this letter, quipped that the caravan had "escaped us without a serious loss of life."
Robert Wright argued that what made The Beginnings of Dodge City so famous was that it was the last of the towns of the last big frontier of the United States. With its settlement, the frontier was gone, marking the passing of the buffalo and the resolution of the Indian question. It was a melting pot of people from all walks of life, drawn by curiosity, business opportunities, the cattle trade, hunting, freighting, gambling, and the promise of wealth and excitement.
Money flowed freely, and people spent lavishly. There were women, dance halls, music, saloons, and restaurants, equipped with every luxury, while gambling in every conceivable form was in full blast.
Wright then described the booming business of early Dodge City. The cattle and stock trade, the government freight business, and the mercantile business all contributed to the town’s economic success. The bone trade, in particular, was immense, providing a lifeline for many poor settlers.
The Santa Fe railroad played a crucial role in Dodge City’s development, providing employment and fostering a harmonious relationship between the railroad company and the town’s residents.
Wright concluded by highlighting Dodge City’s beautiful climate and pure air, making it a haven for those suffering from tuberculosis.
He also touched on Dodge City’s contributions to the American lexicon, tracing the origins of the words "stinker," "stiff," and "joint" to the town’s unique culture and experiences.
Finally, Wright recalled the birth of the first child in Dodge City, the illegitimate offspring of a prostitute, followed soon after by the birth of Claude McCarty, who could claim the distinction of being the first legitimate child born in the town.
The history of the Beginnings of Dodge City provides a fascinating glimpse into the raw, untamed spirit of the American West. It was a place of opportunity, danger, and contradictions, a town that earned its place in legend.