The local newspapers were ambiguous about who shot Wagner and Walker, and this led some later historians to question whether Bat Masterson was involved. Masterson finally left Dodge City and made Denver, Colorado, his center of interest, where he soon became involved in a divorce scandal. On June 6, 1895, a Denver paper quoted a friend of Masterson's, who observed that "Bat has at last fallen into a dead easy game. Masterson had already killed a man in a gunfight over a woman and been wounded in return, giving him a slight limp for the rest of his life. [19] In 1888, he managed and then purchased the Palace Variety Theater. He then began promoting prize fights and lost his money when he bet on them. Bat and Emma were traveling through various eastern states at that time, and it is possible they were married … When police arrived they found Bagsby nursing his bloody head at the bar, and Masterson in a back room on a table, under treatment for a gunshot wound in the leg. Then, seeing the buffalo gun in Bat’s hand, he snapped: “You damn’ son-of-a-bitch! He took an interest in prizefighting and became a leading authority on the sport, attending almost every important match and title fight in the United States from the 1880s until his death in 1921. His youth was spent on various farms in the American Midwest and his … Old western lawman and gambler who became famous as a sports reporter for the New York Morning Telegraph. Runyon was a close friend of Masterson's and offered this memorable eulogy: "He was a 100 percent, 22-karat real man. He grew up in Garden City and East Williston, New York. "Gunfire in Dodge City: The Night Ed Masterson Was Killed". For the remaining 12 years of his life, Masterson covered the major boxing events of that era for the New York Morning Telegraph. Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Widener Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. "Hell's Belles: Prostitution, Vice, and Crime In Early Denver". William "Billy" Tyler was killed by the Indians, and two brothers, Isaac and Jacob Scheidler, were sleeping in their wagon when the Indians attacked and killed them. Masterson's biographer, Robert DeArment, has raised the possibility that Bat and Emma were actually married on November 21, 1893, two weeks after Emma's divorce from Edwin Moulton. [18] He wrote to his Denver friends glowing accounts of fishing trips "with the Goulds on their yacht," and announced his intention to remain in New York City indefinitely. It's a shoot-out that has come to represent the glamour and gore that defined the Wild West, or, at least, our modern-day understanding of it.Pitting a motley crew of unconventional lawmen — the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday — against the so-called Cochise County Cowboys, the gunfight at the O.K. The daughter of a Philadelphia teamster who died a Union soldier during the Civil War, leaving his widow and children in dire financial straits, Emma took to the stage at an early age. [citation needed] Masterson had only been in Tombstone for two months when he received an urgent telegram that compelled him to return to Dodge City. City Marshal James Masterson, Bat's younger brother, was listed on the same census as living with Minnie Roberts, age 16. He frequently placed bets on the fights and occasionally served in an official capacity as a second or a timekeeper. [citation needed] The end of Masterson's involvement came on June 12, 1879, when he surrendered a roundhouse his men were holding at Cañon City, Colorado. In 1893 he married Emma Moulton, a singer and juggler who remained with Masterson for the rest of his life. According to gossip around Dodge, Bat took a shine to Minnie and trouble developed between the two brothers over her. Masterson's Colorado activities did not go over well with the voters of Ford County, Kansas. Nellie Spencer watched from the wings while the two men slugg… [2] "The President and the Gunfighter,", DeMattos, Jack. Bat Masterson is best known as a Journalist. He was the designated timekeeper for Kilrain and came under fire from some sources for how he handled his role. ", DeArment, Robert K. "Bat Masterson in New York City. "[41] Hart subsequently cast a lookalike as Masterson in his biographical film Wild Bill Hickok, which was released in 1923. "Alfred Henry Lewis Lived in Action He Penned. Masterson's biographer has raised the possibility that they were married on November 21, 1893, two weeks after Emma's divorce from Edwin Moulton. In a 1956 episode "Bat Masterson Again," Earp shows young Masterson on the proper use of a pistol. Secrest, Clark. [30], Lewis encouraged Masterson to write a series of sketches about his adventures, which were published by Lewis in Human Life magazine. When he was told that Kelley was fine and he had only succeeded in killing Dora Hand, Kenedy blanched. Masterson's story was that an irate woman belted him with an umbrella on May 2, 1902, when she took exception to an "undesirable" such as Masterson trying to cast his ballot at a local election. Three months later, on October 7, silent-screen cowboy star William S. Hart visited Masterson. Cannon said it … I doubt if a cane exists that can be proven to have been carried by Bat. The following day, Masterson was fined $25 for disturbing the peace. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press. "A Note on Bartholomew Masterson,", Penn, Chris. Journalist. [4]:342–343, Masterson moved to New York City in 1895 to briefly serve as a bodyguard for millionaire George Gould. Early life and family. Emma followed him in death 11 years later. That's the trouble with these mush-headed coppers. Recognizing Masterson, Updegraff and Peacock retreated behind the jail and exchanged gunfire with him. ", DeMattos, Jack. He became a close friend of President Theodore Roosevelt and was one of the "White House Gunfighters" who received federal appointments from Roosevelt,[1] along with Pat Garrett and Ben Daniels. Give them a political job to keep from starving and they think they own the earth. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, was over in less than 30 seconds. Both have a large number of depositors – one of time depositors and the other receives his deposits for keeps. ", Roberts, Gary L. "Bat Masterson and the Sweetwater Shootout. When the shooting was over, Peacock and Masterson were unscathed, but Al Updegraph had a bullet through his chest. Who had fired first is not clear. “She caught my eye, and … Masterson’s Later Career. "[15] On April 3, 1883, Masterson was defeated by a lopsided vote of 637 to 248. They were photographed standing together on the roof of the New York Morning Telegraph building and went back to Masterson's office where he asked Hart to sit in his chair and pose for a second photo with him. [3], In his late teens, Masterson and brothers, Ed and Jim, left their family's farm to hunt buffalo on the Great Plains. [c] After being fought to a standstill, Quanah Parker and his followers rode off. In Dodge, young Kenedy got into an altercation with Jim “Dog” Kelley, saloon owner and mayor of the town. [18]:40–41 Emma was not divorced from her first husband, Edwin Winford Moulton, until November 9, 1893. Masterson arrived from a visit to Ogallala, this week. Marshal for the Southern District of New York. Two days after his arrest, Masterson complained to a reporter, "This fellow Gargan who arrested me is a warm baby – in his mind. The 1880 census taken in Dodge indicated that he was cohabiting with one Annie Ladue, aged 19, occupation “concubine,” who was “keeping house.” Beyond this stark reference, no information has sur-faced regarding Miss Ladue. B. Masterson and Miss Brown” at a grand masquerade ball in Dodge City that Christmas. The "war" between the railroads was finally settled out of court. Marshal, which resulted in Masterson being terminated on August 1, 1909. [11], Santa Fe Railroad officials had wired Sheriff Bat Masterson asking him to recruit men to battle the forces of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, which were contesting the right-of-way through the Royal Gorge near Pueblo, Colorado. But she, like many women before her, was strongly attracted to the dashing sporting man and frontier celebrity. Webster arrested Masterson. p. 173. She had appeared in a succession of frontier towns where, according to no doubt exaggerated reports, her charms had precipitated gunfights in which 12 men died. Any difficulty he had with Jim over Minnie Roberts did not prevent Bat from hurrying almost a thousand miles back to Dodge from Tombstone, Arizona, in April 1881 when he was informed by telegram that enemies were conspiring to murder his brother. I wish you to show this letter to Alfred Henry Lewis and go over the matter with him. Masterson was shot in the pelvis but recovered. He has a brother, actor Christopher Masterson.Their maternal half siblings Jordan Masterson and Alanna Masterson are also actors. Bobby Gill, the cause of Masterson's fine, was assessed only $5. The only known source for that date was given by Masterson's brother, Thomas Masterson, years after Bat had died. For a time he managed the Palace Theater in Denver, called by one irate clergyman “a death-trap to young men, a foul den of vice and corruption.”  There he had op-portunity to consort with many vivacious and attractive en-tertainers, keeping company with such beauties as Maggie Cline, Lottie Rogers, Effie Moore, Ettie St. Clair and Cora Vane. Masterson provided only one more article, on Buffalo Bill Cody,[37] which was his final Human Life contribution. [citation needed]. The sisters were part of a family that had been attacked outside of Ellis, Kansas, on September 11, 1874, while migrating to Colorado Territory. The result of this gathering reinstated Luke Short in Dodge. Jim Gaines Orangevale, California Bat Masterson’s…, During his term as sheriff at Dodge City, the local papers contained several oblique references to Masterson’s consorting with the ladies. Journalists. Masterson Birth Records As he brandished a pistol, Mollie jumped between the men, in an effort to prevent gunplay. Masterson was born on Long Island, New York, the son of Carol, a manager, and Peter Masterson, an insurance agent. Cockrell subsequently apologized to Masterson, who insisted he was not even in Gunnison at the time. All four sisters were recovered alive by Miles's force over a period of about six months. He thinks all people are suckers. Born William Barclay Masterson the second of five children, his birthplace is recorded as being either Quebec, Canada or an unknown farm in Illinois. No known photos of Bat Masterson show him with a cane, although he did receive a gold-headed cane in 1885 when he was named the most popular man in Dodge City, Kansas. [f] In 1907, Masterson provided five biographical studies of Ben Thompson,[31] Wyatt Earp,[32] Luke Short,[33] Doc Holliday[34] and Bill Tilghman.[35]. Richard Hammond. Born in Illinois in 1855, William Barclay Masterson, nicknamed "Bat", drifted westward as a teenager and tried his hand at such professions as buffalo hunter, army scout and gunfighter. [4]:351–361, 363, 367. They lived together as man and wife for more than 30 years, until he died at his newspaper desk in New York City in 1921. "Gunfighters of the Real West: Bat Masterson,", DeMattos, Jack. "[38] Masterson served in the position, earning $2,000 per year (equal to $56,911 today), until 1909. who was “keeping house.” Beyond this stark reference, no information has sur-faced regarding Miss Ladue. Daniel Masterson also has a paternal half-brother, Will Masterson. His brother Jim had a partnership with Alfred James "A.J." Bat Masterson. [4]:210, Bat Masterson became more widely known as a gunfighter as a result of a practical joke played on a gullible newspaper reporter in August 1881. [4][9][10], More violence followed on October 4, 1878, when a variety actress named Dora Hand, known professionally as "Fannie Keenan," was shot and killed by James Kenedy, son of the wealthy Texas cattleman, Miflin Kenedy. "[13] This episode was reported in the Dodge City Times, which noted that "W.B. "Those Guns of Bat Masterson,", DeMattos, Jack. The editor is very promising; if he survives the first week of his literary venture, there is no telling what he may accomplish in the journalistic field. There was a social item in June 1878 mentioning the attendance of  “Sheriff Masterson and lady” at a gala in neighboring Spearville, and the appearance of “W. By June 6, 1902, Masterson was in New York City, where he and two other men were arrested on a bunco charge. Masterson managed to wrap his arms about the girth of the 315 pound city marshal, Lawrence Edward "Larry" Deger, thereby permitting Gill to escape. A “typical” beauty, from Century magazine, 1904. "[24], In early 1892 Masterson moved to the silver boom-town of Creede, Colorado where he managed the Denver Exchange gambling club until the town was destroyed by fire on June 5, 1892. Bat Masterson and the love of his life Emma Walter, to whom he was married for over 30 years.This photo was taken in 1921, shortly before Bat’s death, and presented to Billy Thompson (no relation to the famous Ben Thompson), an old friend from Denver. "[17] Three days later, Nellie filed for divorce and the Denver papers were quick to report that Nellie had "eloped" with Masterson. "Bat." Masterson and his companions were accused of fleecing George H. Snow, a Mormon elder, out of $17,000. Gene and Betty married later that year and lived a long happy life together until her death in 2003. In 1888 Masterson was living in Denver, Colorado, where he dealt faro for "Big Ed" Chase at the Arcade gambling house. When they spotted him, Peacock and Updegraph ran behind the heavily timbered calaboose and opened up with pistols. The fictionalized film account of his life starred Gene Barry.In his teens, he and his two brothers left home to become buffalo hunters. Finally, they were arrested, fined, and released a short time later. Seeking copy in Gunnison, Colorado, the reporter asked Dr. W.S. In its account of the incident, the Rocky Mountain News described Masterson as one "who pleases the ladies", and Nellie McMahon Spencer as "a beautiful woman, with a fine wardrobe and a sweet voice. Masterson finally left Dodge City and made Denver, Colorado, his center of interest, where he soon became involved in a divorce scandal. "Who Killed Jack Wagner? Bassett was prohibited by the Kansas State Constitution from seeking a third consecutive term. ", Earp, Wyatt. "W. B. The Night Ed Masterson Was Killed. A friend, journalist, Alfred Henry Lewis, persuaded his brother, William Lewis, to provide Masterson with employment as a columnist for William's newspaper, the New York Morning Telegraph. One of Bat’s brothers told an interviewer years later that Bat and Emma were married in Denver in 1891, but no record of a formal union has been found, and it is believed the couple lived together in a common-law marriage arrangement. Betty had disguised her hair color with a dark black wig. Robert K. DeArment, the “master” on Masterson, World War II veteran, author of several books and member of NOLA since 1979, is also a contributing editor to True West. Soon the two were keeping house. Little is known of Mollie Brennan who died in that roar of gunfire and whose name would be forever linked with the famous Bat Masterson. King died of his wounds. Cannon attended West Seattle High School, then her first film opportunity would come in 1960, entitled “The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond”, but prior to this movie role, she had already made a few appearances on television. American Western Frontier Figure, Journalist. Three days after its appearance, he received a flattering – and prophetic – review of his journalistic effort from another Dodge City paper which observed: "We are in receipt of the first number of Vox Populi, W.B. Cannon gave birth to his only child, a daughter named Jennifer, in 1966. Two more of the train robbers were caught by Bat and brother Ed on March 15. [39] Later that day, in the official film of the fight, Masterson can be seen as one of the seconds for Jess Willard, climbing through the ropes just prior to the fight. Most Popular #76276. From Re: emma walters masterson, bat masterson's wife 2013 "As a young man Edward Moulton married 15-years old Emma Walter in Philadelphia on 13 January 1873. According to Hart: "I did so, and he stood beside me. Aiding an enemy was a personal affront to Bat, and when he ran into Bagsby in Murphy’s Exchange Saloon, he first belabored him with invective and then the barrel of his revolver, cracking him on the cranium with his six-shooter as he had Spencer. Earp, Short, and Masterson worked as faro dealers, or "look outs", at Tombstone's Oriental Saloon. Masterson drew his pistol and Connors attempted to seize it. He was a prominent member of the “sporting” crowd, the denizens of the saloons and honky-tonks, the dancehalls and theaters, the gambling halls and brothels, that were the frontier’s playgrounds. [citation needed], On October 25, 1921, at age 67, Masterson died at his desk from a massive heart attack after writing what became his final column for the Morning Telegraph. You ought to have made a better shot than you did!”, “Well, you damn’ murdering son-of-a-bitch,” Bat retorted, “I did the best I could!”. 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