As a kid growing up in the Rocky Mountain region of the West, I was enthralled by many of the Wild West icons of the 1800s. Figures like Buffalo Bill, Davy Crockett, Annie Oakley and Billy the Kid fascinated me, but Bat Masterson particularly intrigued me.
Maybe it was because his stomping grounds for many years, was around the Front Range of the Rockies where I lived. Therefore, there were lots of stories told about him locally. I began reading about his life and learning all I could about him over the years, and here are some interesting facts I've learned along the way..
He drew his pistol from across his body rather than straight down from his side.
He kept his single action Colt at the ready in a cross draw holster, with the butt facing forward. He did this, as most of the scuffles and fighting he was involved with took place at close range. This made it very difficult for someone to disarm him from behind, something he had seen happen to others, particularly in saloons. It also allowed for his gun to be drawn quickly from a seated position at card tables (where Masterson spent a lot of time).
A Buffalo Soldier connection
Around 1874, Masterson worked as a Teamster hauling supplies to troops stationed in Indian territory. Shortly after that, he hunted Buffalo and sold hides near Fort Elliot in the Texas panhandle, and had dealings with Buffalo Soldiers stationed in the area. He even once wrote about knowing of Henry O. Flipper, the very first black graduate from West Point academy, who served with the Buffalo Soldiers of the tenth Calvary in Texas.
Winter supplies for the soldiers were inadequate during this time, so the soldiers used to acquire 'Buffalo Robes' to protect themselves from subzero temperatures. The Buffalo Soldiers soon became synonymous with these very robes. It only makes sense that Masterson more than likely had some part in many of these supply transactions.
A young Saloon girl took a bullet for him
While with a saloon girl named Mollie Brennan, Masterson was shot by a jealous cavalryman named Melvin King. Two shots were fired by King. One bullet hit Mollie who had jumped between the two men, and the other found Masterson.
Masterson was able to shoot back, hitting King directly in the heart. The bullet that hit Masterson shattered his hip and left him with a limp for the rest of his life. This was the reason he used a cane off and on throughout the years.
This all took place at the 'Lady Gay Saloon' in the town of Sweetwater City Texas, which is now known as Mobeetie. There is a headstone for Mollie Brennan located in Mobeetie Texas that you can see to this very day. The historic account is inscribed upon the headstone.
He was an avid and skilled gambler
After his career as a gunfighter and lawman ended in Dodge City Kansas, Masterson made his living as a professional gambler. He would roam the boomtowns throughout Colorado, gambling, dealing, and promoting prize fights. He even opened the 'Olympic Athletic Club' in Denver to promote the sport of boxing, which no doubt bled over into his gambling pursuits.
What really piqued my interest was some of the company he kept while traversing the world of gambling. He actually worked at the 'Tivoli" in Denver as a dealer for the infamous 'Soapy Smith', a lifetime con man, bunko artist, and crime boss.
I heard stories of Masterson being mixed up with him. Stories that had to do with election scandal and crooked games. I really do want to research this part of Denver and Masterson history much more thoroughly.
He became a sportswriter after his career as a lawman
Masterson first began sports writing some time after 1892 with a weekly sports column for the Denver newspaper. After moving to New York in the early 1900s, he began sports writing for the 'Morning Telegraph' newspaper. His writing focused on sports in general, with a focus on boxing.
Masterson actually passed away at his newspaper desk from a heart attack, after finishing his last column on October 25th, 1921. He was 67 years old.
Bat Masterson lived quite an interesting life. Railroad builder, buffalo hunter, scout, gentlemen gambler, and of course lawman, were just a few jobs on this provocative fellows resume. I still read books about him, and very well may do another one of these articles as more interesting stories present themselves.