Dodge City came by its reputation honestly. “The Beautiful Bibulous Babylon of the Plains” was a magnet for adventurers and opportunists of all kinds.

According to the editor of the Kinsley Graphic, “Dodge City is far famed, not for its virtues, but for its wickedness; the glaring phases of its vices stand pre-eminent and attract the attention of the visitor; and these shadows of Babylon are reproduced in the gossip’s corner and in the press.”

Despite the town’s reputation, town fathers struggled to establish law and order. That spring of 1878 it seemed the revelry was endless, especially across “the deadline.” The Santa Fe tracks essentially served as the boundary to the bawdy south side of town, where the sporting crowd celebrated around the clock. To the north, the “busy little city” endeavored to foster a town “ornamented with cozy cottages, modern mansions and happy homes…” The good citizens had their work cut out for them. Fortunately, the lawmen were men of courage with a resolve to stand for law and order.

Bat Masterson was Ford County Sheriff. His undersheriff was Charlie Bassett, the previous sheriff. Bat’s brother, Ed Masterson, was the city marshal of Dodge City. Undersheriff Bassett also served as Ed Masterson’s assistant marshal. A bevy of men, including Wyatt Earp, served as policemen. One would think these men could hold the line, however, that would prove to be challenging, even for the most proficient of lawmen.

The north side folks were growing weary. The Ford County Globe of March 12, 1878, complained of a rash of robberies in the city streets.

“We have heard more complaint during the past few days about parties being ‘held up’ and robbed on our streets than ever before. How long is this to continue? ... There is something wrong somewhere, and the people are beginning to feel there is no legal remedy. We would like to see the town smell worse of dead highway robbers than hell does of sinners.”

In another reference the Globe observed, “If there is any place in this country that needs the attention of our officers of the law, it’s the robbers roost across the dead line.”

Even so, the Globe also found reason to commend Dodge City’s lawmen.

“Some of our officers displayed great courage and justice in raising h-ll in the south side dance hall last Sunday.”

For weeks, bad men and lawmen vied for supremacy until tragedy struck the evening of April 9, 1878. Around 10 p.m., a group of cowboys in the employ of W. C. Oburn were celebrating on the “south side.” As a Kansas City Packing Company, Slavens & Oburn had introduced canned beef to the market in 1878, and like all good beef businesses, they were active on the cattle range.

Oburn’s men had filled up on too much Dodge City whiskey. When shots were fired, City Marshal Ed Masterson and deputy Nat Haywood responded. Jack Wagner was disarmed for carrying a sixshooter contrary to the “No Gun Ordinance.” Masterson turned the pistol over to Wagner’s boss, Alfred Walker. Walker was told to check the gun with the bartender according to the ordinance.

The officers then stepped out of the saloon into the evening air, but Wagner ran after them pulling a “hideout” pistol that had gone unobserved by Marshal Masterson.

Masterson turned and grabbed hold of Wagner just as the cowboy shoved the hide-out pistol into Masterson’s abdomen and fired. Meantime, a pair of cowboys drew pistols on Deputy Haywood, forcing him to back down. One snapped his pistol in Haywood’s face, but it misfired.

Although seriously wounded, Marshal Masterson drew his pistol and quickly snapped off four shots. The April 13, 1878, Dodge City Times reported, “The shots were fired almost simultaneously...”

Hot lead struck both Wagner and Walker, causing them to retreat into the dance hall. Wagner only made it three steps inside the door before he staggered and fell in a heap on the floor. Walker made it to the back of the hall before he also collapsed.

Marshal Masterson coolly walked across the railroad tracks. No one would have suspected that he had been shot. Once inside George Hoover’s saloon, George Hinkle heard Masterson say, “George, I’m shot.” Then he sank to the floor. The marshal was carried to brother Bat’s room, where he died approximately one-half hour later.

The Ford County Globe, April 16, 1878, mourned, “Everyone in the City knew Ed Masterson and liked him as a boy, they liked him as a man and they liked him as an officer.”

The business houses closed the next day for Marshal Edward Masterson’s funeral. Every door was draped with crepe and every vehicle in the city was employed for the use of funeral attendants. The Dodge City Fire Department took charge of the remains and covered all costs. Funeral services were held in the Fireman’s Parlor. A large funeral procession carried the beloved marshal to the military cemetery at Fort Dodge, “where the last sad rites were performed to one of the best and most generous men that God ever fashioned,” on The Way West.

“The Cowboy” Jim Gray can be reached at 220 21st Rd., Geneseo, KS 67444, (785) 531-2058 or kansascowboy@kans.com.