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 The "Dodge City Peace Commission" June 10, 1883. From left to right, standing: William H. Harris, Luke Short, Bat Masterson, William F. Petillon. Seated: Charlie Bassett, Wyatt Earp, Michael Francis "Frank" McLean and Cornelius "Neil" Brown. | |
| Date | 1883 |
|---|---|
| Location | Dodge City, Kansas, USA |
The so-called Dodge City War was a bloodless conflict that took place between April 28 and June 7, 1883 in Dodge City, Kansas. It came at the close of the first ten years of the city's history at a time when the cattle drive and saloons were fading as a dominant force in the city's politics.
Luke Short and the Long Branch Saloon
Luke Short arrived in Dodge City during April 1881. William H. Harris, whom Short had met in Tombstone a few months earlier, provided Luke with employment as a faro dealer at the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City. The Long Branch was owned by Harris and his partner Chalk Beeson. During February 1883 Chalk Beeson sold his interest in the Long Branch. A published "Dissolution Notice" stated that "Mr. Beeson is selling his interest in the business to Luke Short who will continue the business with Mr. Harris."
The month after Short and Harris formed their partnership, Harris was nominated to run for mayor of Dodge City. On March 19, 1883 a "law and order" group nominated Lawrence E. Deger to run against Harris. Deger defeated Harris by a vote of 214 to 143 in the election of April 3. All five of the city council candidates running with Deger were also elected. On April 23 the Dodge City Council passed two ordinances that were immediately approved by Mayor Deger. "Ordinance No. 70" was for "The Suppression of Vice and Immorality within the City of Dodge City," while "Ordinance No. 71" was used to "Define and Punish Vagrancy." Both of these ordinances were aimed at the Long Branch Saloon. On April 28, 1883 three prostitutes employed at the Long Branch were arrested by City Marshal Jack Bridges and policeman Louis C. Hartman. Soon afterward Short and Hartman exchanged gunfire. Neither man was hurt. Short was quickly arrested and released on $2,000 bond. His preliminary examination was set for May 2.
Luke Short Forced Out of Dodge
On April 30 Luke Short was again arrested (along with five other gamblers) and placed in jail.The following day Short and the five others were escorted to the train depot and given their choice of east or west-bound trains. Short went east to Kansas City, Missouri where he looked up Charles E. Bassett at the Marble Hall Saloon.Bassett and Luke had a lot in common, not the least of which was that they both, at different times, owned an interest in the Long Branch Saloon. Bassett had served as the first sheriff of Ford County, as well as city marshal of Dodge City. Both Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson had, at various times, served under Bassett as deputies. Together, Short and Bassett, along with William F. Petillon, began laying the groundwork for Luke's reinstatement in Dodge. Luke went to Topeka on May 10, where he presented a petition to Governor George W. Glick. Short then returned to Kansas City where he was joined by Bat Masterson. Things started to heat up when Wyatt Earp arrived in Dodge City, along with several gunfighters, on May 31. Short, Earp and Petillon met in Kinsley, Kansas on June 3, 1883 and took the afternoon train to Dodge City. Mayor Deger issued a proclamation the following day ordering the closing of all gambling places in Dodge City.
Dodge City Peace Commission Photograph
Seven of Luke Short's allies posed with him in what later became a famous photo, nick-named the Dodge City Peace Commission. The photo included Charles E. "Charlie" Bassett, Wyatt Earp, Michael Francis "Frank" McLean, Cornelius "Neil" Brown, William H. Harris, Luke Short, Bat Masterson, and William F. Petillon.
Friends arrive
Short was discussing the matter with Kansas Governor George Washington Glick in Topeka, and Bat Masterson called in favors from old friends including Wyatt Earp, Charlie Bassett, Johnny Millsap, Shotgun John Collins, Texas Jack Vermillion, and Johnny Green. They marched up Front Street into Short's saloon where they were sworn in as deputies by constable "Prairie Dog" Dave Marrow. The town council offered a compromise to allow Short to return for ten days to get his affairs in order, but Earp refused to compromise. When Short returned, there was no force ready to turn him away. Short's Saloon reopened, and the Dodge City War ended without anyone getting shot.
Webster was intimidated by the show of force and negotiated peace with the lawmen and gunfighters. Short returned to his place of business in return for a promise that there would be no violence. The pseudo-war ended without any deaths. Later that year, Short sold his interest and moved south to Fort Worth, Texas.
References
- Ford County Globe (Dodge City), February 6, 1883.
- Ford County Globe (Dodge City), May 1, 1883.
- Leavenworth Times, June 5, 1883.
- Woog, Adam (February 28, 2010). Wyatt Earp. Chelsea House Publications. p. 110. ISBN 1-60413-597-2.
External links
- The Dodge City War by P.A. Mallory
- Dodge City Peace Commission
- Dodge City Peace Commission June 1883. Original photograph, Ford County Historical Society
- Series of Photographs