This is an iHeart Podcast. Time for a sofa upgrade? Visit washable sofas.com and discover Anibay, where designer style meets budget-friendly prices, with sofas starting at $699. AniBay brings you the ultimate in furniture innovation with a modular design that allows you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces, Anibay is the only machine-washable sofa inside and out.
Say goodbye to stains and messes with liquid and stain-resistant fabrics that make cleaning easy. Liquid simply slides right off. Designed for custom comfort, our high-resilience foam lets you choose between a sink-in feel or a supportive memory foam blend. Plus, our pet-friendly stain-resistant fabrics ensure your sofa stays beautiful for years. Don't compromise quality for price.
Visit washablefas.com to upgrade your living space today with no-risk returns and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get up to 60% off plus free shipping and free returns. Shop now at washablesofas.com. are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply. Good morning.
Welcome to Today. From back to school to tackling your to-do list, the Today Show is your best start to the day. It's a new season and every morning, we're here to help you take it all along. as the forecast calls for football all across the country. Blockbuster stars, live concerts, and so much more.
Wake up to where it's all happening. We're getting back to all of it, and the best way to start is together. Watch The Today Show, weekday mornings at 7 a.m. on NBC. At Homes.com, we do whatever it takes to get you the in-depth info on local schools you won't find anywhere else.
Things like student-teacher ratio, test scores, and school programs. And sometimes that requires attending school recitals.
So Many. Recitals. That's my son. Isn't he terrific? Yeah, a real prodigy.
Homes.com We've done your homework. This is Danielle Fischel from Pod Meets World. Parents, quick question. When is the last time you won snack time? The other day, I handed my son a perfectly portioned Pinterest-level snack and He traded it for a Mott's applesauce pouch.
I'm not mad, just impressed. And that's why Mott's No Sugar Added Applesauce pouches are perfect to keep on hand. They're made with real apples, packed in a super easy pouch, perfect for tossing in a lunchbox, keeping in the car, or grabbing as you're running out the door. Plus, they're a good source of vitamin C, and kids love them. Win-win.
Make sure your kid wins snack time with Motts. Real apples make real good applesauce. Learn more at Motts.com. SackSaw Fifth is your secret to fashion's most wanted deals at up to 70% off. On the hunt for designer steals that'll turn heads and leave a trail of envy, uncover Gucci, Valentino, Versace, Stuart Weizman, and more, with new arrivals dropping weekly at prices too good to stay confidential.
Luxe layers, statement boots, and tailored essentials from SackSoft Fifth will put your wardrobe on the most wanted list. Head to SacksOffFit.com or Sacks OffFit store near you for a style lineup you won't want to miss. This is Lee Habib with Our American Stories, and for the hour, we're going to tell a great story about our past. Old West lawman Bat Masterson was as well known in his lifetime as celebrities are today. To bat, gunslingers were hoodlums who killed for fun.
He used guns to enforce the law. or defend a friend. In the end, he'd achieved a feat almost none of the Old West legends had attained he'd lived to see in old age. Here to tell the story of Bat Masterson is Roger McGrath. McGrath is the author of Gunfighters, Highwaymen, and Vigilantes.
A U.S. Marine and former history professor at UCLA, McGrath is a regular contributor for us here at Our American Stories. Here's McGrath. One of the most widely traveled and greatest characters of the Old West was Bat Masterson. His first taste of the frontier came as a buffalo hunter on the High Plains in the early 1870s when he was still a teenager.
He took part in the famous Battle of Adobe Walls. He served as a scout. for the U. S. Army pursuing Indian war parties.
He was Sheriff of Ford County, which included Dodge City during the heyday of the cattle town. He was with the Earps in Tombstone, Arizona, for a time. He was a gunfighter and professional gambler, and eventually a sports promoter and journalist. Here's Texas state historian Bill O'Neill. Also Dodge City historian and narrator of the Wild West podcast, Brad Smalley.
There was a U.S. postal stamp series that was aptly named. It was called Legends of the West. Twenty of them, in fact, and one of them was Bat Masterson on a 29 cent stamp. Bat Masterson was indeed A legend of the West.
Uh when you mention Bat Masterson at least to the average person, By and large, the image that comes to mind is really that of Gene Berry from the 1950s TV show. You know, puff tie, derby hat. The silver tip cane, just sort of walking the west being Bat Masterson. without really any specifics. Canadian born.
farmed in in uh New York. Iowa. He was about 17, 18 years old when the family moved to Kansas. They lived around Wichita. or very near to Wichita, Kansas, for about a year.
Before the two oldest brothers, Bat and the oldest Masterson, his older brother Ed. headed west really to seek adventure. Matt and Ed are proficient with firearms before they start buffalo hunting, but they now become expert marksmen with the Sharps rifle, dropping buffalo at distances of five hundred yards or more. The town they haul the heights to is Dodge City. which will be a buffalo town for a decade before it becomes a cattle town.
Dodge City will be called the Queen of the Cattle Towns. have a reputation for gunfights and rough characters. but it is rougher and more violent in its buffalo days. It's in Dodge City that Bat begins making his name well known. At that time, in the summer of 1872, the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad was in western Kansas.
And Ed and Bat We're hired. By subcontractor Raymond Ritter. to help grade four miles of railroad track between Fort Dodge. And the uh the small settlement, a little boomtown that was to be known as Dodge City.
Well, Mr. Ritter skipped out on paying uh the Masters and Brothers, and probably the entire crew. The debt is nearly a year old. When word reaches Dodge City that Ritter is a passenger on a train that will be stopping at Dodge. Bat heads to the station, with a dozen or more men following him.
who are eager to watch what unfolds. Those in the crowds say Bat's pale blue eyes Ice cold. When the train grinds to a halt, Bat springs aboard and enters the passenger car. Minutes later, he's holding Ritter at gunpoint on the train's rear platform. Ritter yells out that he's being robbed.
Bat tells him to produce the money or he's dead. Ritter pleads that he doesn't have it on his person, but That it's in his Valise back in the car, and he'll have to go back to retrieve it. Batt doesn't fall for the trick. And as Henry Raymond, who is standing below in the crowd, get the valise. Raymond quickly returns with the valise and Bat has Ritter open it and count out the $300 owed them.
from several thousand dollars in the bag. With that, Bat allows Ritter to go back into the passenger car. Pat then invites all those in the crowd to follow him to Kelly's saloon so he can treat them to drinks. That is only nineteen years old, but his coolness and determination impresses everyone. Here's the owner of Legends of America, Kathy Alexander.
Batmasterson and the other buffalo hunters were working in the Dodd City area. It didn't take long, for they pretty much killed all of the buffalo in the area. But they got wind of the fact that in the Texas Panhandle, they still roamed. large and free. The Texas Panhandle was ruled by the Comanches and the Kiowa Indians.
So there was risk. But He and several others just couldn't resist. They set up a camp about 150 miles southwest of Dodge City, near the ruins of an old trading post. known as Adobe Walls. A camp grows day by day.
A big corral is built with a storehouse made of sod. Jim Hanran, a big, genial Irish immigrant, builds a sloon out of sod and logs. Tom O'Keefe, a Another Irishman. fashions a crude blacksmith shop. Surely wrath builds a general store out of soden logs.
Bill Oles and his wife Hannah the only woman in the camp open a restaurant in the rear of Wrath's store. They are entirely unaware. that on the Comanche Reservation in western Oklahoma, Ishidai. A medicine man. is calling for a war of extermination against the whites.
He says he talks with the Great Spirit, and the Great Spirit tells him he will restore dead warriors to life and that all warriors will now have magical protection against the bullets of the whites. And you've been listening to Roger McGrath. The story, Bat Masterson's, continues. Here. on our American stories.
Folks, if you love the stories we tell about this great country, and especially the stories of America's rich past. Know that all of our stories about American history, from war to innovation, culture, and faith, are brought to us by the great folks at Hillsdale College, a place where students study all the things that are beautiful in life and all the things that are good in life. And if you can't get to Hillsdale, Hillsdale will come to you with their free and terrific online courses. Go to hillsdale.edu. learn more.
When you're a pro, you need a project partner who delivers results. Ferguson Home understands that selection and availability are critical to transforming visions into realities. That's why they offer the best selection of home improvement products, spanning the latest trends, traditional styles, unique finishes, and smart technologies. From coordinated job site delivery to online project management tools, they tailor their services to support your goals. Their experienced associates know construction inside and out, helping you find exactly what you need to exceed your expectations.
And I can tell you personally that my contractor used Ferguson Homes and exceeded our expectations and his. With more than 250 showrooms nationwide, Ferguson Home is your trusted partner from concept to completion. Whether you're managing large-scale projects or perfecting a single detail, they have the expertise and selection to help you succeed. Visit your local Ferguson Home showroom or go to fergusonhome.com to discover kitchen, bath, and lighting solutions that set your projects apart. Ferguson Home, where it all comes together.
Explore top brands like Kohler at FergusonHome.com or visit your local showroom. Time for a sofa upgrade? Visit washable sofas.com and discover Anibay, where designer style meets budget-friendly prices, with sofas starting at $699. AniBay brings you the ultimate in furniture innovation with a modular design that allows you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces, Anibay is the only machine-washable sofa inside and out.
Say goodbye to stains and messes with liquid and stain-resistant fabrics that make cleaning easy. Liquid simply slides right off. Designed for custom comfort, our high-resilience foam lets you choose between a sink-in feel or a supportive memory foam blend. Plus, our pet-friendly stain-resistant fabrics ensure your sofa stays beautiful for years. Don't compromise quality for price.
Visit washablefas.com to upgrade your living space today with no risk returns and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get up to 60% off plus free shipping and free returns. Shop now at washable sofas.com. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply. Hold up, we got one play.
Everything we work for comes down to this. Quick question. Speaking of workouts, how would you rate your athletic program? Bro, we're in the middle of the state championship. Oh, so like a B plus then?
Dude, get out of our huddle.
Well, at homes.com, we leave it all on the field to get you detailed information on local schools. Off the field! Off the field. Copy. All right, go sports.
How'd he even get in here? Homes.com. We've done your homework. This is Danielle Fischel from Pod Meets World. Parents, let's talk snacks.
If your mornings look anything like mine, one kid's trying to pile drive a pillow and the other is trying to zip themselves into a backpack.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to sign a permission slip with an eyeliner pencil because that's all I could find. That's why Mott's no sugar-added applesauce pouches are perfect to have nearby. These things are clutch and are perfect for moments of stress. Made with real apples, no sugar-added, and the pouch? Genius!
It's mess-free and perfect for the car, the lunchbox, or after-school activities. This is a snack you can feel good about, and a good source of vitamin C, too. Just tasty applesauce your kids will actually want to eat. The other day, I handed one to my son mid-meltdown. He took a deep breath, squeezed the pouch, and suddenly he was...
calm. He had a tiny, apple-powered moment of zen. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Motts. Real apples make real good applesauce.
Learn more at motts.com. Zach's Off Fifth is your secret to scoring fashion's most wanted deals at up to 70% off. On the hunt for designer steals that'll turn heads and leave a trail of envy? Uncover Gucci, Valentino, Versace, Stuart Weitzman, and more top designers at prices too good to stay confidential. Dare to get caught up in Lux layers, statement boots, fall denim, and bohemian dresses from Sacks Off Fifth that'll put your wardrobe on the most wanted list.
Men's must-haves are here too, with tailored essentials, cozy sweaters, sneakers, and designer accessories for every fall mission. With new arrivals dropping weekly at Sacks Off Fifth, the pursuit for the ultimate find is always on. Whether you're looking for a seasonal wardrobe refresh, shopping for a specific occasion, or just want to get inspired, Sacks Off Fifth is your partner in crime for the big score. Head to SacksOffFith.com or a SacksOffFith store near you for up to 70% off every day. This is a style lineup you won't want to miss.
And we continue with Our American Stories and the story of Bat Masterson. Let's return to Roger McGrath. Ishatai's message. Spreads to Kiowa, Arapaho, and Cheyenne on nearby reservations, and soon Ishitai. has a large following.
During June, warrior bands of Comanche, Kiowa, Arapaho, and Cheyenne bulked their reservations. and head for the Texas panhandle. Ishitai is riding along with them. in Texas. They joined forces with Quanna Parker.
the chief of the Quahati band of Comanche. which has never been on a reservation. Quanna Parker is the son of a Comanche chief. and a kidnapped white girl. Cynthia Ann Parker.
Juana Parker assumes command of the force of Indian warriors, about 700 strong. In mid-June, reports begin arriving at Adobe Walls camp that whites here and there in the Panhandle have been killed and scalped. and their bodies mutilated.
Some of the hunters decide it's time to pack up their wagons and head for Dodge City. But most decide to stay. Right at sunrise in the morning of June 27th, hundreds of Indian warriors. sweep down on the camp. Both the Indians and their horses streaked in war paint.
Some are firing their rifles. are leveling their lances. The whites race inside whichever sod structure is nearest. Bat Masterson and nine others are in hand to hand saloon. A dozen more are in the storehouse.
and six in the general store. including the one woman. Yeah. Do teamsters. who are sleeping in their wagons.
are killed in the initial Indian assault. Since they outnumber the whites twenty five to one, The Indians think they will make quick work on the whites at the camp.
However, The Indians have picked on the wrong guys. Sharp's rifles begin to crack. and Indians began to fall from the horses at great distances. In the two hours of fighting, only one more white, Billy Tyler, is killed in addition to the two teamsters caught in their wagons. In the immediate vicinity of the camp are the bodies of 15 Indians.
The medicine man Ishitai We're in nothing but body pain. watched the battle from a safe distance. The Indians remain in the area for two more days, but stay out of rifle range. On the third day, a band of them is stationed on a rise about a mile away. They are gesturing and taunting the whites.
Bentley Dixon decides to take a shot with a Sharp's rifle. He reckons wind and elevation. and squeezes off around. That comes! A brief moment later, in the middle of the middle of the middle An Indian tumbles from his horse.
The other Indians are so unnerved by the long-distance shot, they whirl their horses about and gallop off. The distance of the shot is later measured at one thousand five hundred and thirty eight yards. about nine tenths of a mile. Here again is Brad Smalley. People still uh talk about that for uh uh years, years to come.
uh really cemented Billy Dixon's fame on the frontier as if he wasn't already famous enough by that point. Dixon becomes famous for the shot. But he himself is effusive in his praise of the youngest of the buffalo hunters in the fight. Batmasterson should be remembered for the valor that marked his conduct, says Dixon. He was a good shot.
and not afraid. Following the Battle of Adobe Walls, Batts serves as U.S. Army Scout with Colonel Nelson Miles tracking down Indian war parties. Here's Tom Clavin, the author of God's City. Wyatt Erp Batmasterson in the wickedest town in the American West.
His most famous adventure as a scout later became a basis, not the only one, but a basis for the famous film The Searchers, directed by John Ford. and starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, and a young Natalie Wood. There was a German family that was crossing Kansas, heading for Colorado, and they were attacked by Indians. The parents were killed. There were four daughters.
who were kidnapped. And soon after the kidnapping, the Indians divided into two separate bands, each taking two daughters, and off they went. Bat was one of the more prominent and eventually was the leader of a contingent of Army scouts who vowed to get these girls back. and they tracked down one of the bands and without too much trouble found the girls and returned them to family members. But the other band was really hard to find.
It took months and months and months of bat searching and all kinds of weather until he finally found the Indians, who by then were rather starving and the girls themselves had almost starved to death. Bat rode into camp. He rode in unarmed. Because his goal was to not put the girls in danger, even though he himself was in great danger. But he went in unarmed and worked out a deal with the Indians to provide them food in exchange for the girls, which was what was negotiated and successfully concluded.
Bat retrieved the girls, returned them to their family, and it was one of his more well-known adventures. And like I say, it became one basis for the film The Searchers, which is the story of Ethan Edwards and his search for his niece, who had been kidnapped by Indians after her family had been killed. The Army's relentless pursuit of the Indians during the summer and fall of 1874 puts an end to Indian depredations for the time being. Throughout this time, he learned just about every trail, hideaway in the entire southern plains from the Panahill of Texas all the way up through southwest Kansas. He knew his way around, which would serve him very well in later years as a lawman.
In which he became very adept at tracking down horse thieves. He knew all the hidey holes. and places that they could gather mostly because of this time. That's first recorded gunfight occurs in the Lady Gay Dance Hall in Sweetwater, Texas. On a night late in January eighteen seventy six, That is with Molly Brennan.
when a soldier from a nearby post, Corporal Melvin King, Confronts them in a rage. King was not only wounded by his loss to bat at the poker table. He was severely wounded by his jealousy when he saw The girl that he was after hanging on to his newfound rival. Jealousy overtook him. He stormed through the door, pulled his gun, and started firing.
The bullet goes through Molly and into Bat, lodging in his pelvis. As Bat is falling to the dance hall floor, he draws his six shooter and fires. That's bullet drills king in the heart. And he collapses dead. Molly soon dies.
But Bat hangs on through the night. and then recovers enough To have the bullet removed. His wound was such that it actually punctured his intestine. And the doctor who examined him said that the only thing that saved his life was the fact that he hadn't eaten anything. Because of that puncture, if any food was in his tract, he actually would have succumbed to an infection and most likely killed.
Although he needs a cane to walk, Two months later, Bat is on the back of a horse riding for Dodge City. In Dodge, Bat joins his younger brother Jim. as one of the city's deputies. They're both hired by Wyatt Earp, who is Chief Deputy under Marshal Larry Deager.
Now in all fairness, you can tell the story of Dodge City without white herb. It's not nearly as good of a story, but it can be done. You cannot, however, tell the story of Dodge City without Bat Masterson. And starting in the spring of 1876, when Bat first pinned on a badge in Dodge City, that's where the story really takes off. A 300-pound Deager, the owner of a saloon, Was appointed marshal by the city council principally for political reasons.
And most law enforcement is left to herp, the Mastersons and other deputies. And you're listening to the story of Bat Masterson. and you're listening to Roger McGrath, who's the author of Gunfighters Highwayman. and vigilantes. And what a storyteller he is.
When we come back. More of this remarkable story, Bat Masterson's story. Here. on our American stories. When you're a pro, you need a project partner who delivers results.
Ferguson Home understands that selection and availability are critical to transforming visions into realities. That's why they offer the best selection of home improvement products, spanning the latest trends, traditional styles, unique finishes, and smart technologies. From coordinated job site delivery to online project management tools, they tailor their services to support your goals. Their experienced associates know construction inside and out, helping you find exactly what you need to exceed your expectations. And I can tell you personally that my contractor used Ferguson Homes and exceeded our expectations and his.
With more than 250 showrooms nationwide, Ferguson Home is your trusted partner from concept to completion. Whether you're managing large-scale projects or perfecting a single detail, they have the expertise and selection to help you succeed. Visit your local Ferguson Home showroom or go to fergusonhome.com to discover kitchen, bath, and lighting solutions that set your projects apart. Ferguson Home, where it all comes together. Explore top brands like Kohler at FergusonHome.com or visit your local showroom.
Time for a sofa upgrade? Visit washable sofas.com and discover Anibay, where designer style meets budget-friendly prices, with sofas starting at $699. AniBay brings you the ultimate in furniture innovation with a modular design that allows you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces, Anibay is the only machine-washable sofa inside and out. Say goodbye to stains and messes with liquid and stain-resistant fabrics that make cleaning easy.
Liquid simply slides right off. Designed for custom comfort, our high-resilience foam lets you choose between a sink-in feel or a supportive memory foam blend. Plus, our pet-friendly stain-resistant fabrics ensure your sofa stays beautiful for years. Don't compromise quality for price. Visit washablefas.com to upgrade your living space today with no risk returns and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Get up to 60% off plus free shipping and free returns. Shop now at washablesofas.com. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply. Homes.com is the only place where you can find specialized neighborhood guides with the in-depth insider info home shoppers want. very in-depth info.
Wanna know if there's homes for sale in the area? We've got it. How long has a home been on the market? We'll know it. Average lot size Uh-huh.
Proximity to local parks? course. Insight into your neighbor's divorce? We're working on it. Homes.com.
We've done your homework. This is Danielle Fischel from Pod Meets World. Parents, let's talk snacks. If your mornings look anything like mine, one kid's trying to pile drive a pillow and the other is trying to zip themselves into a backpack.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to sign a permission slip with an eyeliner pencil because that's all I could find. That's why Mott's no-sugar-added applesauce pouches are perfect to have nearby. These things are clutch and are perfect for moments of stress. Made with real apples, no sugar-added, and the pouch? Genius!
It's mess-free and perfect for the car, the lunchbox, or after-school activities. This is a snack you can feel good about, and a good source of vitamin C, too. Just tasty applesauce your kids will actually want to eat. The other day, I handed one to my son mid-meltdown. He took a deep breath, squeezed the pouch, and suddenly he was.
calm. He had a tiny apple-powered moment of zen. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Mots. Real apples make real good applesauce.
Learn more at mods.com. Zach's Off Fifth is your secret to scoring fashion's most wanted deals at up to 70% off. On the hunt for designer steals that'll turn heads and leave a trail of envy? Uncover Gucci, Valentino, Versace, Stuart Weitzman, and more top designers at prices too good to stay confidential. Dare to get caught up in Lux layers, statement boots, fall denim, and bohemian dresses from Sacks Off Fifth that'll put your wardrobe on the most wanted list.
Men's must-haves are here too, with tailored essentials, cozy sweaters, sneakers, and designer accessories for every fall mission. With new arrivals dropping weekly at Sacksoft Fifth, the pursuit for the ultimate find is always on. Whether you're looking for a seasonal wardrobe refresh, shopping for a specific occasion, or just want to get inspired, Zaxa Fifth is your partner in crime for the big score. Head to SacksOffFith.com or a Sacks OffFifth store near you for up to 70% off every day. This is a style lineup you won't want to miss.
And we continue with our American stories in the story of Bat Masterson. Let's pick up where we last left off with Roger McGrath. They try to avoid shooting and prefer to use their heavy revolvers to club lawbreakers into submission. For clubbing, Bat uses the cane he has relied on while recovering from his gunshot wound. Here's Bob Bose Bell, executive editor of True West magazine.
And Tom Cleveland. And the cowboys coming up from Texas, who had been on the trail for three months, they all got paid and they were going to spend it all in one night, which they. He usually did. And so for Bat Masterson and Wyder to be essentially bouncers in a biker bar. It was really intense.
Go bunk up and sleep it off.
So Bat's first job was at Dodge City, and it was a really daunting challenge for Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, because Dodge City had gotten a reputation as the wickedest town in the American West. I mean, one example of the reputation it had was there was a story that went around that. A very depressed man was sitting on a train, and a conductor was concerned about him. Went over and said, So, buddy. What's the matter?
And morosely the man said, I'm going to hell. And after a pause, the conductor said, That'll be two dollars and get off at Dodge City. That's the kind of reputation it had.
So, with Batmasterson and Wyatt Earp, this is where they really solidified becoming best friends. Their job was to try and clean up Dodge City, but Do it in a way that they were peace officers, not outgun the bad guys. Dodge City, you know, lawmakers had tried that. They had hired a man as a Marshall, who just started shooting everything that everybody didn't like. And they quickly realized that was not a way to have a civilized town that people could raise their families.
So, with Wyatt and Bat Masterson leading the way, they started to tame Dodge City. They started to arrest people. And one of the things that they can credit themselves with is taking the most wicked. town in the American West and turning it into a place that people felt they could raise their families. What the Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson generation represented was was a peace officer, and they took the word peace very seriously.
And what was happening with these peace officers, they were forming police departments. They were forming ways of administering a law and order system that didn't include shoot first and ask questions later. In July 1877, Masterson is appointed Undersheriff of Ford County, Kansas. The county's principal town is Dodge City. Sheriff Charlie Bassett's second term Is up in November, and the state's constitution prohibits him from running for a third consecutive term.
Beck decides to run for sheriff. His opponent is Marshal Larry Deager. who is supported by much of Dodge City's business community. On November 6th, Bat ekes out a narrow victory to become Sheriff of Ford County. Bat is only twenty three years old.
Here again is Bill O'Neill. Goodness, he was elected by three votes. But he got after it. He was arresting train robbers and horse thieves and jail escapees and confidence men as sheriff. He was responsible for the whole county.
In December, Bat's older brother Ed is appointed Marshal of Dodge City. The 1-2 Masterson punch is hard on outlaws. The country was just rife with horse thieves at this point. And That became very well known as the bane of horse thieves across the West. In February 1878, Bat captures two notorious train robbers.
And in March, Bat and Ed together capture two more. The Mastersons are taming county and city. But in April, Ed is shot and mortally wounded by an inebriated cowboy he's trying to subdue. Before it goes down, He's able to draw his revolver. and mortally wound the cowboy.
as well as wounding the cowboy's trail boss. In October. 1878. Bat leads a posse. whose members make it legendary.
It all starts when Jim Kennedy The wild son of powerful Texas cattleman Mifflin Kennedy. makes a nuisance of himself again and again in Dodge City. After being roughed up by deputies for the third or fourth time, Kennedy goes to Dodge Mayor Jim Kelly to complain. Kelly Tales Kennedy. He got only what he deserved.
Kennedy explodes and attacks Kelly. But the mayor thoroughly puffed. Yeah, I think it's a very good idea. battered and bruised. Kennedy leaves town.
Swear in vengeance. Several weeks later, In the middle of the night, Kennedy returns to Dodge City. riding a racehorse. He streaks by Mira Kelly's house. firing his six shooter into Kelly's bedroom.
and the cowboy gallops out of dodge. Unbeknownst to Kennedy, Kelly's out of town. and he's allowing two actresses to use his house. Kennedy's bullets hit Dora Hand. She dies instantly.
Word spreads quickly, and dozens of men volunteer for posse duties. Matt Masterson. as county sheriff. is responsible for organizing the posse. He decides the situation calls for quality, not quantity.
He picks former Ford County Sheriff Charlie Bassett. and Dodge sitting deputies Why it herp? Bill Duffy, and Bill Tillman. The local newspaper calls it as intrepid aposse, as ever pulled a trigger. Here's Brad Smalley.
Legends of the American West, all of them, and all of them tracking down one man. I would not want to be in his shoes with names like that. tracking down after me, I can tell you that. By the time the possib leaves Dodge, Kennedy has a nearly 10-hour head start. Bat reckons that Kennedy will be racing home to his father's ranch in Texas.
but will be taking a circuitous route to avoid detection. This means the posse can catch up with Kennedy at the Cimarron River crossing. that bat thinks the cowboy will take. The chase unfolds as Bat anticipates. and the posse is waiting at the crossing when Kennedy arrives.
Bat shouts at him to surrender. Instead, Kennedy takes off at a gallop. A bullet from Bat's sharp trifle. shatters Kennedy's arm. and bullets from the posse men, Slam into the horse.
Horse and rider crashed to the earth. When Batt and the others reached Kennedy, the first words out of his mouth are Did I get that best? Get weight. When they told him that it was, in fact, Dora that he had killed, his remorse was so great. That He told Bat, you should have just killed me.
Shot and killed me here. Bad then replied, Well, I was doing the best that I could. With the days of the Buffalo Hunter over. and little need for army scouts. Bat decides to try his luck at gambling for a living.
He's successful at his new profession. in Dodge City, in Kansas City, and by 1881 in Tombstone, Arizona. And you've been listening to Roger McGrath. and a whole posse of storytellers talking about a an incredible posse. Roger McGrath and Greg Hengler, who does such great production work here.
Always give you the best. of all the historians in the time period, and this American Western life, the frontier life. My goodness. You can paint a picture in your head. It's different than just the movies, right?
It's what life looked like without rule of law, folks. And my goodness, to have lived like this and to try and turn a town. like this into a place where you can raise a family. That's no small task. And this was the commission.
This was the purpose. But Bat Masterson's actual appearance on the scene. to make this a place. Where families could live, as opposed to. The stop.
closest to hell in America. When we come back. More of this remarkable life story, Bat Masterson's story. Here on our American stories. When you're a pro, you need a project partner who delivers results.
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And we continue with our American stories and Bat Masterson's story. And my goodness, what a story it is. Let's return. To Roger McGrath. But the final portion.
Batt's arrival in Tombstone is celebrated by the Irk brothers, Doc Holiday, and other old friends from Dodge City. Batt immediately goes to work as a ferro dealer at the Oriental saloon. Here again are Kathy Alexander, Bill O'Neill, and Brad Smalley. Bat received a telegram from an unsigned person that told him that his brother Jim was in grave danger. At this point, Jim Masterson and AJ Peacock are partners in the Lady Gay Dance Hall and Saloon in Dodge City.
And they got crossways, particularly over a bartender that was hired by a peacock named Al Updegraff. And UpdeGraaff, well he didn't like Masterson either and they traded shots. And after that, that's when Jim Masterson telegraphed Bat and said, hey, come join me. Man, I'm having trouble. Out of here.
Bat received that telegram. Immediately hopped on a train and traveled about 1,100 miles back to Dodge City. He had already lost one brother in Dodge City, and despite the fact that he and Jim were not generally on the best of terms. By this point, they were somewhat estranged from each other. That was not about to lose another brother.
He arrived on the noon train, April 16th, 1881, at Dodge City. He stepped off the train. And he immediately spied Peacock and Uctograph walking together.
Now the street was crowded, but Bat, boy, he went at it battling bat. He said, I have come over a thousand miles to settle this. I know you're healed.
Now fight.
Well, all three men drew guns and opened fire and everybody scattered. And in fact, one bystander caught a bullet ricochet in the back. Bat hides out on that rail bed. uses that for a kind of a trench and the two opponents. They took cover behind the jail.
Yeah. And then joining in the fight are two guys on bat site, Jim Masterson. and then a friend of his and they opened fire too and analognograph caught a bullet. In the right lung, and he did not die, but nobody knows if that shot him or what. But he did survive.
After three or four minutes of this firefight, Mayor the mayor of Dodge City and the county sheriff. marched on to the scene brandishing shotguns. That stopped the fight. Bat paid a fine of $8 for carrying a weapon. And he caught train and left town.
And that was his last gunfight.
Well, Jim, I say it's about time we get the hell out of Dodge. Bat, like that very hard. Because of his code of conduct, it was important to him that people respected him and they respected him for the right reasons, not so much because he was a good gunfighter, but because he was an honest man. Bat spends most of the next decade as a professional gambler in Denver. It's in Denver in 1888 that Bat buys the Palace Theater.
which features a variety of acts and high stakes gambling. One of the performers at the palace is singer and dancer Emma Walters. After many girlfriends, Bat ties the knot with Emma and remains married to her for the rest of his life. Here's Bill O'Neill. About a decade or so later, he's getting, his reputation has become unsavory in Denver.
And he decides. in 1902 to move to New York City. He had already visited there a time or two, long enough to get arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. You know, he was looked on with a sharp eye by law enforcement officials. That's almost 50 years old, and the old west is gone.
He goes to work writing a column called Masterson's Views on timely topics. for the New York Morning Telegraph. Here again is Tom Cleveland. Hearing the rest of Batmasters' story, Many people wonder how in the world did he end up in New York City as a reporter the last 15 years of his life. What happened was during the 1880s while Bat was a federal marshal he had encountered a young man named Theodore Roosevelt who was trying to be a cowboy in the Dakotas.
And during the two years that Roosevelt was there, unsuccessfully being a rancher, uh he and Batmaster became friends. Years later, Bat Madison was turning 50 and Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House as President of the United States. And Masterson wrote to Roosevelt expressing his concerns that somebody might come along who's only half his age and with a gun and decide, I'm going to make my reputation as a gunfighter by killing one of the most legendary figures of the Wild West.
So that said basically, I've got to find a new line of work. Roosevelt suggested, Why don't you come to New York? I'll make you the Deputy U. S. Marshal for Manhattan.
Bat packed up his wife and his other belongings, got on a train, and off they went to New York City, where he was a gun-toting federal marshal in New York. Walbat was in New York as a U.S. Deputy Marshal. He was contributing to some of the local newspapers there, and one publisher of the New York Tribune came to Bat and said, you're so good at this. Why don't you write for me on a regular basis?
So Bat Masterson became a New York City journalist, a newspaper reporter, and columnist. He wrote about the three things he cared about the most in New York, boxing, baseball, and Broadway. He wrote his columns that became very popular. I mean, Bat Masterson had a whole second life of fame as a newspaper columnist in New York City. And he was quite the bon vivant man about town, too, because he liked to go to the ball games, New York Giants, baseball, see a Broadway play, go to the horse track, cover a boxing match.
And then he would bang out his column. And then hold court at one of his favorite saloons, which is on 44th Street in Broadway. And by holding court, I mean, people enjoyed asking him questions, buying him drinks. He would tell stories.
Now, of course, by this point in his life, now we're talking about the period essentially 1906, 07 to 1921. And by that point in his life, many of the stories about Bat had been fictionalized, embellished, exaggerated. For example, the gun he carried supposedly had somewhere between 22 and 26 notches on it, each one representing an outlaw he had dispatched. Inevitably, every so often when Bat was holding court at his favorite saloon, some out-of-town rube would show up. He'd encounter, oh my goodness, it's the famous legendary Bat Masterson from the Wild West.
And he would ask, can I see your gun? And Bat would reluctantly produce the gun. Sure enough, there's a whole bunch of notches in it. And almost without fail, the topic would turn to, can I buy the gun? You know, Mr.
Masterson, if I headed back to where I came from in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, wherever, and I had the gun that helped tame the West, I would become the big man in my town. I would become famous. And Bat would say, no, no, of course not. This gun, you know, obviously it's a very important gun. I can't just give it away even for a few dollars.
But negotiations would take place and eventually the price got to one that bat Would approve of, and he would sell the gun, but he would tell the guy, Listen, you have to leave town right away, whatever the first train is out of New York. You take it and go home because it would get me in a lot of trouble if you're staying around here telling people you bought my gun. All right, I wouldn't sell it to anybody else. I sold it to you. Be happy, leave town.
And the guy would leave town. And then Bat the next day would go to his favorite pawn shop, buy a similar gun, cut some notches in it, put it back in his holster, and he's ready for the next fella from out of town to come to his saloon. He became a father figure to some of the young reporters, some of the up-and-coming people. Damon Runyon, he was a young man who was a reporter for the New York Tribune, and he really worshipped Bat Masterson. And years later, he paid homage to Bat when he wrote a series of stories about New York life and characters and show business and Broadway.
gamblers and uh eventually became guys and dolls. And some people might recall that uh of the two main characters, one of them was called Sky Masterson, and that was a direct tribute to his his uh his mentor, Bat Masterson. late in October nineteen twenty one, Bat is at his desk writing his newspaper column when he dies of a heart attack. He's a month shy of his sixty eighth birthday. He died a journalist's death, or what maybe a kind of death many journalists would like to have.
It was in 1921, and he was sitting at his desk at the New York Tribune building, and he had just banged out his last column, and he typed 30 at the bottom, which, for those not in the journalism business, 30 means you're done. That's it. And he was indeed done. Bat had a sudden massive heart attack, slumped over his typewriter, and died at his desk. More than 500 people attend his funeral.
One of those eulogizing Bat is Damon Runyon. Who says He was Oh, 100%. 22 karat Rio Man. That was a good hater. and a wonderful friend.
He was always stretching out his hand to some down and outer. and was one of the most entertaining companions we have ever known. There are only too few men in the world like Batmasterson. And his death is a genuine loss. And a special thanks to Greg Hengler for the production on that piece.
And it's like Always to Roger McGrath. for the unique and excellent work he does for us. The remarkable story of Bat Masterson. the man who forever changed the American West. Here.
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Visit washable sofas.com today and save. That's washable sofas.com. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply. The day begins at the Chase Sapphire Lounge by the club at Boston Logan Airport. You get the clam chowder.
In San Diego, it's tostadas. New York, espresso martini. It's 10 a.m. Why not? It's the quiet before your next flight, the shower that resets your day, the menu that lets you know where you are.
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