Tom Nixon – Buffalo Hunter & Lawman
The annals of the American West are filled with figures who straddled the line between civilization and the untamed wilderness. Among these individuals, Tom Nixon, a man known for his prowess as a buffalo hunter and his later role as a lawman, stands out. His life, a blend of frontier enterprise and turbulent conflict, encapsulates the spirit of a bygone era.
Thomas Clayton Nixon’s story begins around 1837 in the state of Georgia. The details of his early life remain somewhat obscured, but history reveals that he eventually migrated westward, ultimately settling in Kansas. It was in the burgeoning town of Dodge City that Nixon would truly make his mark. He emerged as one of the early pioneers, contributing to the town’s growth and development during its formative years.
By the 1870s, Tom Nixon had established himself as a successful buffalo hunter and ranch owner. The demand for buffalo hides was high, driven by the fashion industry back east and various industrial uses. This lucrative trade attracted scores of hunters to the vast plains, and Nixon quickly distinguished himself among them. He honed his skills alongside other notable figures of the era, including Bat Masterson, Bill Tilghman, and Levi Richason. While he shared the field with the famed Buffalo Bill Cody, Nixon’s reputation as a highly effective hunter was undeniable.
Nixon’s skill with a rifle became legendary. One particular event, witnessed by a crowd of townspeople he had strategically positioned on a nearby hill, cemented his fame. In a mere 40 minutes, Nixon felled an astounding 120 buffalo. This display of marksmanship and hunting efficiency was a testament to his expertise and earned him widespread recognition. Further solidifying his reputation, Tom Nixon reportedly killed over 3,200 buffalo in a span of just 35 days that same year, an almost unbelievable feat that speaks to the scale of the buffalo hunting industry and Nixon’s relentless pursuit of it.
Beyond his hunting exploits, Tom Nixon also established a family. Around 1870, he married Cornelia Caroline Houston, and together they had a son named Howard Tracy Nixon. This domestic aspect of his life offers a glimpse into the personal side of a man often associated with the rough-and-tumble world of the frontier.
As the 1880s approached, the landscape of the West began to change dramatically. The once-plentiful buffalo herds dwindled rapidly due to over-hunting, threatening the livelihoods of those who depended on them. Recognizing the shifting economic tides, Tom Nixon adapted and transitioned into freighting. He took charge of Charles Rath’s bull trains, which were often laden with thousands of pounds of buffalo bones. The hide yards in Dodge City, once overflowing with valuable hides, now housed massive piles of bleached bones, a stark reminder of the buffalo’s near extinction and the changing fortunes of the region.
However, Tom Nixon‘s story is not solely defined by his hunting and business ventures. He also became entangled in the volatile politics and social dynamics of Dodge City. In the spring of 1883, the town was gripped by the "Dodge City War," a conflict rooted in a dispute between saloon owners. The conflict involved Alonzo B. Webster, Dodge City’s former Mayor, and Luke Short, the owner of the Long Branch Saloon. Webster had implemented ordinances that favored his own saloons and those of his allies, while simultaneously imposing restrictions and taxes on competing establishments.
Nixon aligned himself with Webster and his supporters, becoming a key player in the escalating tensions. He owned his own saloon, called the Lady Gay, and led a vigilante group that sought to enforce Webster’s rules and drive rival saloon owners out of town. This involvement in the "Dodge City War" reveals a more assertive and confrontational side to Nixon’s character, highlighting his willingness to engage in the political struggles of the time.
The arrival of "Mysterious Dave" Mather further complicated the situation. Mather, a figure with a checkered past, had frequented Dodge City in previous years. He was appointed as Dodge City’s Assistant Marshal, adding another layer of complexity to the already tense environment.
When Luke Short enlisted the support of prominent figures such as Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp, the balance of power shifted. The show of force from Short’s allies caused Webster’s faction to back down, averting potential bloodshed. While the "Dodge City War" ended without a major gunfight, the underlying tensions remained unresolved. Ironically, Luke Short departed for Texas after his victory, leaving behind a simmering atmosphere of resentment and rivalry.
Mather, meanwhile, established his own saloon, the Opera House Saloon, with plans to turn it into a dance hall. However, the city council, concerned about its prominent downtown location, passed an ordinance banning all dance houses. Ironically, this ordinance only restricted all the saloons except Tom Nixon’s Lady Gay. For months, Nixon and Mather engaged in a bitter rivalry, each seeking to undermine the other’s business. In 1884, the city government replaced Mysterious Dave with Tom Nixon as the Assistant Marshal, exacerbating the feud that had been brewing for months. Mather’s animosity towards Nixon intensified.
As Assistant Marshal under Bill Tilghman, Nixon earned $100 per month. The lawmen’s wages were funded by license fees collected from the city’s gamblers, prostitutes, madams, and pimps. The Lady Gay remained the only dance hall in town, and Webster continued to profit from his saloons while wielding considerable influence over the city’s affairs.
The tension between Nixon and Mather reached a breaking point on the night of July 18, 1884. As Mather stood on the front steps of the Opera House Saloon, Nixon shot him. Although Mather sustained injuries, including powder burns to the face and splinter wounds to his left hand, he did not return fire and refused to press charges. It became clear that Mather had his own plans for resolving the conflict.
Three nights later, on July 21, Tom Nixon was standing at the corner of First Avenue and Front Street, in front of the Opera House, at approximately 10 p.m. A voice called out to him from behind, and as Nixon turned, Mather pointed a Colt .45 at him. Within seconds, Nixon was struck by four bullets, one piercing his heart. He died instantly.
Mather surrendered himself to the authorities. Despite witness testimony indicating that Nixon never drew his pistol, Mather was acquitted on the grounds of self-defense. Later, Mather was overheard saying, "I ought to have killed him six months ago," revealing the depth of his animosity towards Nixon.
Following the trial, Mather remained in Dodge City until the following year. On May 10, 1885, he and his brother Josiah were involved in a gunfight at the Junction Saloon. One man was killed, and several others were wounded, including Mather, who sustained a graze wound to the head. Both Dave and Josiah were arrested but were soon released on bail and left town.
The life of Tom Nixon, the buffalo hunter turned lawman, serves as a compelling illustration of the complexities and contradictions of the American West. From his remarkable hunting skills to his involvement in the tumultuous politics of Dodge City, Nixon’s story captures the essence of a frontier era marked by opportunity, conflict, and the ever-present threat of violence.