Offered is an original, and unpublished cabinet card photo of legendary gunfighter and frontier scout Bat Masterson. Card has faint script on reverse that reads \"B. Masterson\" and you can clearly see the \"B\" on his gold fob. Masterson had very distinct eyes that are one of a kind. He loved to wear a certain type of bowler hat that is also in the photo. Great jaunty and confident pose with his swagger stick. Photo is 100% original and on the San Francisco photographers advertising card stock. Measures 8.25\" x 4.\" This is a great image of a very well known lawman and gunfighter.
Bat MastersonBat Masterson in 1879, age 26BornNovember 26, EastDiedOctober 25, 1921(aged67)
New York City,New York,United StatesResting placeWoodlawn CemeteryinThe Bronx,New hunter,U.S. Armyscout, lawman (sheriff and U.S. marshal), gunfighter, gambler, style=\"list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: inherit;\">
Thomas M. MastersonCatherine U. McGurk MastersonRelativesJames Masterson(brother)
Ed Masterson(brother)Signature
Bartholemew William Barclay \"Bat\" Masterson(November 26, 1853 – October 25, 1921) was a U.S. Army scout, lawman, professional gambler, and journalist known for his exploits in the 19th-centuryAmerican Old West. Born to a working-class Irish family inQuebec, Masterson moved to the Western frontier as a young man and quickly distinguished himself as abuffalo hunter, civilian scout, and Indian fighter on theGreat Plains. He later earned fame as a gunfighter and sheriff inDodge City, Kansas, during which time he was involved in several notable shootouts.
By the mid-1880s, Masterson moved toDenver, Coloradoand established himself as a \"sporting man\" (or gambler). He took an interest inprizefightingand 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. He moved toNew York Cityin 1902 and spent the rest of his life there as a reporter and columnist for theNew York Morning Telegraph; Masterson\'scolumnnot only covered boxing and other sports, but frequently gave his opinions on crime, war, politics, and other topics as well. He became a close friend of PresidentTheodore Rooseveltand was one of the \"White House Gunfighters\" who received federal appointments from Roosevelt,along withPat GarrettandBen Daniels.
By the time of his death in 1921, Masterson was known throughout the country as a leading sports writer and celebrity. He is remembered today for his connection to many of the Wild West\'s most iconic people, places, and events, and his life and likeness are frequently depicted in American popular culture.
Masterson was born on November 26, 1853,atHenryville, Quebec, in theEastern Townshipsof what was then known asCanada East. He was baptized under the name Bartholomew Masterson.[2]Masterson was the second child of Thomas Masterson (or Mastersan), who was born inCanadato an Irish family, and Catherine McGurk (or McGureth), who was born inIreland.[b]The other six Masterson children wereEdward John(1852–1878),James Patrick(1855–1895), Nellie E. (1857–1925), Thomas (1858–1941), George Henry (1860–1889), and Emma Anna \"Minnie\" (1862–1884). The children were raised on farms inQuebec,New York,Illinois, andMissouriuntil the family finally settled nearWichita, Kansas.
Move to the frontier
In his late teens, Masterson and brothers, Ed and Jim, left their family\'s farm to huntbuffaloon theGreat Plains. In July 1872, Ed and Bat Masterson were hired by a subcontractor named Raymond Ritter to grade a five-mile section of track for theAtchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Ritter skipped out without paying the Masterson brothers all of the wages to which they were entitled. It took Masterson nearly a year, but he finally collected his overdue wages from Ritter, at gunpoint. On April 15, 1873, Masterson learned that Ritter was due to arrive inDodge City, Kansasaboard a Santa Fe train and that Ritter was carrying a large roll of cash. When Ritter\'s train pulled in, Masterson entered the car alone and confronted him and marched him out onto the rear platform of the train, where he forced him to hand over the $300 owed to him, his brother Ed, and a friend named Theodore Raymond. A loud cheer then went up from a large crowd which had witnessed the event.
Battle of Adobe Walls
Masterson was once again engaged in buffalo hunting on June 27, 1874, when he became an involuntary participant in one of the Wild West\'s most celebrated Indian fights:a five-day siegeby several hundredComanchewarriors led byQuanah Parkerat a collection of ramshackle buildings in theTexas panhandleknown as Adobe Walls. Masterson was one of just 28 hunters who defended the outpost during the attack. The Comanche suffered the most losses during the battle, though the actual number killed is not known, with reports ranging from a low of 30 to a high of 70. The defenders of Adobe Walls lost only four men, one of whom shot himself by accident.After being fought to a standstill, Quanah Parker and his followers rode off.
In August 1874, Masterson signed on as aU.S. Armyscout with ColonelNelson Miles, who was leading a force fromFort Dodgeto pursue Comanche andApachewar parties across theCherokee Stripand intoTexas. The force was eventually engaged to recover four sisters — ranging in age from 9 to 15 — who had been captured by a group ofCheyenneDog Soldiers. The sisters were part of a family that had been attacked outside ofEllis, Kansas, on September 11, 1874, while migrating toColorado Territory. Their parents, brother, and two older sisters had been killed and scalped. All four sisters were recovered alive by Miles\' force over a period of about six months.
Gunfighter and lawman
Dodge CityMasterson\'s first gunfight took place on January 24, 1876, in Sweetwater, Texas (laterMobeetieinWheeler County). He was attacked by a soldier, Corporal Melvin A. King, allegedly because of a girl named Mollie Brennan who was accidentally hit by one of King\'s bullets and was killed. King died of his wounds. Masterson was shot in thepelvisbut recovered.
Masterson soon settled in Dodge City. On June 6, 1877, Masterson tried to prevent the arrest of Robert Gilmore, who was known to the locals as \"Bobby Gill.\" Masterson managed to wrap his arms about the girth of the 315 pound city marshal, Lawrence Edward \"Larry\" Deger, thereby permitting Gill to escape. Masterson was grabbed by friends of Deger andpistol-whippedby the lawman.The following day, Masterson was fined $25 for disturbing the peace. Bobby Gill, the cause of Masterson\'s fine, was assessed only $5.
During July 1877, Masterson was hired to serve as under-sheriff to SheriffCharles E. Bassett. Bassett was prohibited by the Kansas State Constitution from seeking a third consecutive term. With the job up for grabs, Masterson decided to run for the office. Masterson\'s opponent turned out to be Larry Deger. On November 6, 1877, Masterson was elected county sheriff ofFord County, Kansas, by the narrow margin of three votes.Within a month of Masterson\'s election, on December 6, 1877, Ed Masterson replaced Larry Deger as city marshal of Dodge, so together the Masterson brothers controlled the city and county police forces.
More violence followed on October 4, 1878, when avariety actressnamed Dora Hand, known professionally as \"Fannie Keenan,\" was shot and killed by James Kenedy, son of the wealthy Texas cattleman, Miflin Kenedy. Masterson\'s posse, which includedWyatt EarpandBill Tilghman, captured Kenedy the following day after Masterson shot him in the left arm, and other posse members killed his horse.On February 1, 1878, Sheriff Masterson captured the notorious outlawsDave Rudabaughand Ed West, who were wanted for an attempted train robbery. Two more of the train robbers were caught by Bat and brother Ed on March 15. The tandem law enforcement effort came to an abrupt end, however, when 25-year-old City Marshal Ed Masterson was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 9, 1878.Ed Masterson was mortally wounded by a cowboy named Jack Wagner, who was unaware that Bat Masterson was in the vicinity. As Ed stumbled away from the scene, Bat Masterson responded from across the street, firing on both Wagner and Wagner\'s boss. Alf Walker — who was holding a gun. Wagner died the next day, but Walker was taken back to Texas and recovered.
Royal Gorge Railroad WarSanta Fe Railroad officials had wired Sheriff Bat Masterson asking him to recruit men to battle the forces of theDenver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, which were contesting the right-of-way through theRoyal GorgenearPueblo, Colorado. As a sheriff in Kansas, Masterson had no authority in Colorado, but this did not prevent him from enlisting a large company of men. Among Masterson\'s recruits were such noted gunmen asBen Thompson,\"Mysterious Dave\" Mather,John Joshua Webb,and possiblyDoc Holliday.The end of Masterson\'s involvement came on June 12, 1879, when he surrendered a roundhouse his men were holding atCañon City, Colorado. The \"war\" between the railroads was finally settled out of court. Masterson\'s Colorado activities did not go over well with the voters of Ford County, Kansas. On November 4, 1879, a bartender named George T. Hinkel defeated Masterson in his re-election offer for sheriff by a vote of 404 to 268.Billy Thompson and Buffalo Bill Cody
The 1880 Dodge City census shows that, at that time, Masterson was living with Annie Ladue, age 19 (described as his \"concubine\"). City Marshal James Masterson, Bat\'s younger brother, was listed on the same census as living with Minnie Roberts, age 16. Not long after this census was taken, Bat Masterson received a telegram from Ben Thompson asking Bat to save Ben\'s troublesome brother, Billy Thompson, from almost certain lynching inOgallala,Nebraska. Billy Thompson had shot the thumb off a man named Tucker, who, despite missing a digit, managed to fire back and seriously wound Billy. Masterson took Billy Thompson out of Ogallala by a midnight train bound forNorth Platte, Nebraska. In North Platte, Masterson was provided with assistance byWilliam F. \"Buffalo Bill\" Cody, who promptly offered to help. According to Masterson, he and Billy Thompson \"were given a royal welcome and were immediately taken in charge by Colonel Cody, who found a safe place for us to remain until he could outfit us for the trip across the country to Dodge City.This episode was reported in theDodge City Times, which noted that \"W.B. Masterson arrived from a visit to Ogallala, this week. He says Nebraska is dry and many people are leaving the state. He came by wagon, and was accompanied by \'Texas Billy\' Thompson. The latter has recovered from his wounds.\"
Battle of the plaza
Masterson arrived in Dodge City on April 16, 1881,where he accosted Updegraff and Peacock. Recognizing Masterson, Updegraff and Peacock retreated behind the jail and exchanged gunfire with him. Who had fired first is not clear. Citizens ran for cover as bullets ripped through theLong Branch Saloon. Other individuals began firing in support of both sides until Updegraff was wounded. Mayor A.B. Webster arrested Masterson. Afterward, Masterson learned that his brother Jim was not in danger. Updegraff recovered from his wounds, but the shooter who hit him could not be identified, so Masterson was fined $8.00 and released.Citizens were outraged and warrants were issued, but Bat and Jim Masterson were permitted to leave Dodge City. Masterson spent the remainder of 1880 in Kansas City and Dodge. On February 8, 1881, he left Dodge City and joinedWyatt EarpinTombstone,Arizona Territory, where he metLuke Shortfor the first time. Earp, Short, and Masterson worked asfarodealers, or \"look outs\", at Tombstone\'s Oriental Saloon.Masterson had only been in Tombstone for two months when he received an urgent telegram that compelled him to return to Dodge City. His brotherJimhad a partnership with Alfred James \"A.J.\" Peacock in Dodge City\'s Lady Gay Saloon and Dance Hall. Albert \"Al\" Updegraff was Peacock\'s brother-in-law and bartender. Updegraff was a drunk, and Jim thought him dishonest. He had demanded that Peacock fire him, but Peacock refused. Their disagreement grew until threats were made, prompting the telegram.
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. Seeking copy inGunnison, Colorado, the reporter asked Dr. W.S. Cockrell about man-killers. Dr. Cockrell pointed to a young man nearby and said it was Masterson and that he had killed 26 men. Cockrell then regaled the reporter with several lurid tales about Masterson\'s supposed exploits, and the reporter wrote them up for theNew York Sun. The story was widely reprinted in papers all over the country. Cockrell subsequently apologized to Masterson, who insisted he was not even in Gunnison at the time.
City marshal of Trinidad, Colorado
Masterson was appointed city marshal ofTrinidad, Colorado, on April 17, 1882. He had hardly settled into his $75-a-month marshal\'s job when Wyatt Earp requested his help to prevent the extradition of Doc Holliday from Colorado to Arizona. Masterson took his case directly to Colorado GovernorFrederick W. Pitkin, who listened to Masterson\'s appeal and finally refused to grant Holliday\'s extradition. However, Masterson\'s rescue of Doc Holliday, as well as his nightly \"moonlighting\" as a faro dealer, spelled doom for his career as city marshal of Trinidad. On March 28, 1883, a local paper noted: \"There are now two \'bankers\' running for city offices – Mr. Taylor of the Las Animas County Bank, and Mr. Masterson of the bank of \'Fair O.\' Both have a large number of depositors – one of time depositors and the other receives his deposits for keeps.\"On April 3, 1883, Masterson was defeated by a lopsided vote of 637 to 248.
Dodge City War
Masterson\'s term as city marshal of Trinidad ended just in time for him to come to the aid of his friend, Luke Short, who had been run out of Dodge City by the mayor and Masterson\'s long-time enemy, Larry Deger. Within weeks, a group of gunfighters recruited by Masterson and Earp descended upon Dodge City to resolve what became known as the \"Dodge City War.\" The result of this gathering reinstated Luke Short in Dodge. Before disbanding on June 10, 1883, Short, Masterson, Earp, and five other notablemen from frontier history posed for a group portrait that was soon labeled \"The Dodge City Peace Commission.\" The photo became an iconic image of the Old West.[f]
First attempt at journalism
Masterson was back in Dodge City on November 1, 1884, where he issued a small newspaper calledVox Populiwhich was devoted to local political issues. 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 ofVox Populi, W.B. Masterson, editor, which in appearance is very neat and tidy. The news and statements it contains seem to be of a somewhat personal nature. 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.\"Editor Masterson did not survive his first week.Vox Populifolded after printing just one issue and almost another 20 years would pass before he made journalism a full-time profession in New York City.
Denver
Masterson finally left Dodge City and madeDenver, Coloradohis center of interest, where he soon became involved in a divorce scandal. The trouble began in a Denver theater on September 18, 1886, when a comedian named Lou Spencer, who was performing on stage, spotted his wife, Nellie, seated in the audience on Masterson\'s knee. Spencer cut short his routine and confronted Masterson, who hit Spencer across the face with his pistol. Nellie Spencer watched from the wings while the two men slugged it out. Finally, they were arrested, fined, and released a short time later. In its account of the incident, theRocky Mountain Newsdescribed Masterson as one \"who pleases the ladies\", and Nellie McMahon Spencer as \"a beautiful woman, with a fine wardrobe and a sweet voice.\"Three days later, Nellie filed for divorce and the Denver papers were quick to report that Nellie had \"eloped\" with Masterson. No record has been found of the two ever getting married, and she soon disappeared from Masterson\'s life.
Masterson dealt faro for \"Big Ed\" Chase at the Arcade gambling house. In 1888, he managed and then purchased the Palace Variety Theater.There, Masterson probably first met an Indian club swinger and singer, Emma Moulton. The pair subsequently lived together and they were widely reported to have married in Denver on November 21, 1891, although no record of the marriage has been found. The only known source for that date was given by Masterson\'s brother, Thomas Masterson, years after Bat had died.Emma was not divorced from her first husband, Edwin Winford Moulton, until November 9, 1893.When they were later enumerated in the 1910 U.S. Census, Bat and Emma claimed that they had been married for 17 years, suggesting a marriage date of 1893. Masterson\'s biographer has raised the possibility that they were married on November 21, 1893, two weeks after Emma\'s divorce from Edwin Moulton. The two were traveling through the eastern states at that time, but an actual marriage record has not been found.
It was in Denver that Masterson met and began a long-term friendship with the infamous confidence man and crime bossSoapy Smith.In 1889, the two were involved in election scandal involving fraudulent registration ballot casting.
