The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19

There are many other incidents in
Masterson'S career that would make
interesting reading, but one or two will
serve to illustrate the peculiar traits
of character which made him famous
and without which he could hardly
have carried his points as successfully
as he always did. In 1884 Attorney
General Whetmore decided to enforce
throughout Kansas the prohibition act
which went into effect in 81. Dodge
City didn't want it, among other places,
and the attorney general made a tour
of these towns to endeavor to close up
the saloons. When he visited Dodge
he was accompanied by Albert Griffin,
the president of the State Temperance
Union.
Patrick sughrue. who was then sher-
if. was called away from Dodge on
official business. which kept him away
some time, and MaSterson, who was
back on q visit, was appointed under
sheriff. to serve during Sughrue's alb
sence. 1t was during this time that
Attorney General Whetmore decided To
make his crusade against the Dodge
City saloons. Word was sent ahead
that Whetmore and Griffin We're COM
ing to close up the gin mills and a
warm reception awaited them. Had it
not been for Masterson. who placed
himself between the crusaders and the
angry mob, Whetmore and Griffin
would doubtless have been lynched.
Inundated, they went back to Topeka
and asked the governor to call out the
militia and send troops to Dodge City
to quell the riot and enforce the law.
Masterson. representing Sheriff Sugh-
rue, wired the governor that no troops
were needed, as the local authorities
were capable of handling the situation.
The governor sent back a sharp reply
and intimated that he would send the
troops. This fired Masterson and he
telegraphed:
IF you send troops to Dodge City |
will disarm them and put them in jail
or in the morgue.
The governor knew the man he was
dealing with and the troops were not
sent.
At another time while Masterson was
a resident of Trinidad Colorado, Luke
Short, who conducted the leading gam
bling house in Dodge City, was eX-
PEELED from town at the instigation of
the mayor. who was in the game bust
ness, and as Short had the trade. TO
get rid of him. the mayor had him
arrested and he was forced to leave
town. He went to Kansas City and
wired to Masterson. who in turn en-
listed the services of Wyatt Erp. Henry
johnson and Ben Walker, the then
city marshal and his assistant. of
Caldwell. Kansas, John Green and
Jack Vermillion. all characters noted
for their nerve and Willingness 10 shoot,
and going to Dodge, rallied snort
friends and held up the entire admin
istration. So thoroughly frightened
were the authorities that Luke was not
only allowed to come back. but dictat-
ed the terms upon which he should
come which were that he should he
given assurance that he would not be
again molested and that the city coun-
ell should remove the mayor and city
marshal. who had been the prime NOV
ers in having Luke expelled.
After Masterson's removal TO Den
yer. he married and settled down and
for more than 10 years has not had
a gun fight of any serious Importance.
Although he rarely has occasion to use
il. he rarely goes about without
trusty six-shooter in his pocket. IL
YOU ask him why he will say; We'll,
there was a time when a gun was
heap of company to me and I've car
ried one so long ! sort of feel lone
some without il"