Bat Masterson. [21] When they were later enumerated in the 1910 U.S. Census, Bat and Emma claimed that they had been married for 17 years, suggesting a marriage date of 1893. For the remaining 12 years of his life, Masterson covered the major boxing events of that era for the New York Morning Telegraph. [9], Masterson was appointed city marshal of Trinidad, Colorado, on April 17, 1882. teacher who pines for Miss Brooks. [citation needed], On October 25, 1921, at age 67, Masterson died at his desk from a massive heart attack after writing what became his final column for the Morning Telegraph. By the mid-1880s, Masterson moved to Denver, Colorado and established himself as a "sporting man" or gambler. [2] He was always stretching out his hand to some down-and-outer. He was attacked by a soldier, Corporal Melvin A. [19] In 1888, he managed and then purchased the Palace Variety Theater. Bat Masterson was born on November 26, 1853 and died on October 25, 1921. City Marshal James Masterson, Bat's younger brother, was listed on the same census as living with Minnie Roberts, age 16. Ed Masterson walked across the street and collapsed, he died less than a half an hour later. He is remembered today for his connection to many of the Wild West's most iconic people, places, and events, and his life and likeness are frequently depicted in American popular culture. The sisters were part of a family that had been attacked outside of Ellis, Kansas, on September 11, 1874, while migrating to Colorado Territory. Bat Masterson and the love of his life Emma Walter, to whom he was married for over 30 years.This photo was taken in 1921, shortly before Bat’s death, and presented to Billy Thompson (no relation to the famous Ben Thompson), an old friend from Denver. Masterson was quick on the trigger, and outlaws feared him. Wyatt Earp, seated second from the left, and Bat Masterson, back row third from the left, in a photo taken around June 10, 1883 after Masterson, Earp, Charlie Bassett (front row far left) and Neal Brown (front row far right) returned to the city to restore their friend Luke Short (standing second from left) to his position as owner of the Long Branch Saloon. [4]:210, Bat Masterson became more widely known as a gunfighter as a result of a practical joke played on a gullible newspaper reporter in August 1881. 143–145. "Between Pals: A Missive Between Presidential Gunfighters. A 1930s sketch of Bat Masterson in the Dictionary of American Biography stated that he and Emma were married in Denver on November 21, 1891. He had hardly settled into his $75-a-month marshal's job when Wyatt Earp requested his help to prevent the extradition of Doc Holliday from Colorado to Arizona. After "Bat Masterson" ended its run on NBC in 1961, Barry moved to ABC to star as an LA detective in "Burke's Law," which lasted until 1966. According to Trend Celeb Now, Bat Masterson's estimated Net Worth, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & much more details has been updated below. Bassett was prohibited by the Kansas State Constitution from seeking a third consecutive term. [4]:361–363 Two conflicting versions are given for what caused his final departure from Denver. Bat wrote most of his last columns for the New York Morning Telegraph. In August 1884 as Bat stops for a drink his horse warns him when an Indian tries to sneak up behind Bat to kill him but Bat is able to kill him with his own knife. Among his contemporaries, he was famous as a buffalo hunter, Indian fighter, scout for the U.S. Army, and a renowned lawman in Dodge City Kansas where he and Wyatt Earp worked together as deputy sheriffs of Ford County, KS. Masterson and his companions were accused of fleecing George H. Snow, a Mormon elder, out of $17,000. An alternate version states that Masterson had become a dangerous drunk who was run out of Denver for being a public nuisance. [18]:40–41 Emma was not divorced from her first husband, Edwin Winford Moulton, until November 9, 1893. [30], Lewis encouraged Masterson to write a series of sketches about his adventures, which were published by Lewis in Human Life magazine. President Taft had his attorney general conduct an investigation of Masterson's employment as a deputy U.S. Died: October 25, 1921 in New York City, New York, USA: Nicknames: Bat Bat Masterson : Mini Bio (1) Born in Illinois in 1855, William Barclay Masterson, nicknamed "Bat", drifted westward as a teenager and tried his hand at such professions as buffalo hunter, army scout and gunfighter. Bio. As Ed stumbled away from the scene, Bat Masterson responded from across the street, firing on both Wagner and Wagner's boss, Alf Walker—who was holding a gun. Masterson's Colorado activities did not go over well with the voters of Ford County, Kansas. The only known source for that date was given by Masterson's brother, Thomas Masterson, years after Bat had died. On February 8, 1881, he left Dodge City and joined Wyatt Earp in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, where he met Luke Short for the first time. His full name, William Barclay Masterson, appears above his epitaph on the large granite grave marker. "Gentleman Jim" Corbett to Jack Johnson and Jack Dempsey. In the movies, Masterson has been played by Randolph Scott in Trail Street (1947), George Montgomery in Masterson of Kansas (1954), Joel McCrea in The Gunfight at Dodge City (1959), and Tom Sizemore in Wyatt Earp (1994). Openly in awe of Masterson, Hart told Louella Parsons: ‘I play the hero that Bat Masterson inspired. Masterson was one of just 28 hunters who defended the outpost during the attack. The sports-minded Masterson was ringside during the John L. Sullivan – Jake Kilrain heavyweight championship fight at Richburg, Mississippi, on July 8, 1889. Bat Masterson Net Worth. His wife is listed as Emma Masterson, married for 10 years. He moved to New York City in 1902 and spent the rest of his life there as a reporter and columnist for the The Morning Telegraph. "[29] No sooner had these charges been dropped than on June 15, 1902, Masterson was arrested again for carrying a concealed weapon. / CBS/AP. A newsreel featuring the then 61-year-old Masterson's introduction in that role was included in a documentary called Legendary Champions 1882–1929. Masterson's first gunfight took place on January 24, 1876, in Sweetwater, Texas (later Mobeetie in Wheeler County). DeArment, Robert K. (1982) "Knights of the Green Cloth: The Saga of the Frontier Gamblers". On April 5, 1915, the 61-year-old Masterson was in Havana, Cuba, attending the heavyweight championship fight between Jack Johnson and Jess Willard. [8] Ed Masterson was mortally wounded by a cowboy named Jack Wagner, who was unaware that Bat Masterson was in the vicinity. "William Barclay Masterson: An Adventure Story with a Live Hero. Dec 1, 2016 - Explore Darlene Britzius-Nelson's board "Bat Masterson photos and history", followed by 109 people on Pinterest. Masterson retaliated on April 18 by founding a rival club, the Olympic, with himself as president. "Those Guns of Bat Masterson,", DeMattos, Jack. Bat Masterson, who was nearby, responded, ran across the street, and shot at both Wagner, and his boss Alf Walker, who was holding a gun. About 500 people attended Masterson's service at Frank E. Campbell's Funeral Church at Broadway and 66th Street. He sang in such musicals as "Kismet" and "Destry Rides Again," and created the Broadway role of Georges, the gay night club owner in Jerry Herman's hit musical "La Cage aux Folles." Before disbanding on June 10, 1883, Short, Masterson, Earp, and five other notable men from frontier history posed for a group portrait that was soon labeled "The Dodge City Peace Commission." Masterson managed to wrap his arms about the girth of the 315 pound city marshal, Lawrence Edward "Larry" Deger, thereby permitting Gill to escape. [4]:247, Masterson's term as city marshal of Trinidad ended just in time for him to come to the aid of his friend, Luke Short, who had been run out of Dodge City by the mayor and Masterson's long-time enemy, Larry Deger. He had starred in the science-fiction classic "War of the Worlds" in 1953 and opposite Clark Gable in "Soldier of Fortune" in 1955. When the series ended, Barry filmed a syndicated show, "The Adventurer," in England. In Denver, in April 1897, Masterson wounded a man in a “polling place altercation,” the writer said. He moved to the Western Frontier as a young man and he quickly earned distinction as a buffalo hunter, civilian scout and an Indian fighter on the great Plains. Their disagreement grew until threats were made, prompting the telegram. The force was eventually engaged to recover four sisters—ranging in age from 9 to 15—who had been captured by a group of Cheyenne Dog Soldiers. Both have a large number of depositors – one of time depositors and the other receives his deposits for keeps. Bat Masterson spent the first half of his life in what is remembered as the "Wild West" ; During that period, he distinguished himself as a buffalo hunter, Indian fighter during the celebrated Second Battle of Adobe Walls, civilian scout for the US Army, and gunfighter and lawman in Dodge City, Kansas and elsewhere His column, "Masterson's Views on Timely Topics," concerned sports in general and boxing in particular. "Gentleman Jim" Corbett. Masterson's epitaph states that he was "Loved by Everyone".[42][43]. "Gunfighters of the Real West: Bat Masterson,", DeMattos, Jack. In April 1881, in a shootout on the Dodge City plaza, Masterson wounded a “saloon man” as DeArment called him. [23], Masterson maintained an interest in prizefighting and other sports, and was known as a frequent attendee at boxing matches across the country. "Gunfire in Dodge City: The Night Ed Masterson Was Killed". In September 1900, Masterson sold his interest in the Olympic Athletic Club and made another visit to New York City. In April 1878, after cowboys Jack Wagner and Alf Walker shot and killed Ed Masterson. [11], Santa Fe Railroad officials had wired Sheriff Bat Masterson asking him to recruit men to battle the forces of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, which were contesting the right-of-way through the Royal Gorge near Pueblo, Colorado. [7], On February 1, 1878, Sheriff Masterson captured the notorious outlaws Dave Rudabaugh and Ed West, who were wanted for an attempted train robbery. King died of his wounds. On the streets of Dodge City, famous western lawman and gunfighter Bat Masterson fights the last gun battle of his life. The news and statements it contains seem to be of a somewhat personal nature. [4]:342–343, Masterson moved to New York City in 1895 to briefly serve as a bodyguard for millionaire George Gould. ", This page was last edited on 7 January 2021, at 14:29. Among Masterson's recruits were such noted gunmen as Ben Thompson, "Mysterious Dave" Mather, John Joshua Webb,[citation needed] and possibly Doc Holliday. It took Masterson nearly a year, but he finally collected his overdue wages from Ritter, at gunpoint. Always dapper, Gene Barry overcame his reluctance to take the starring role in the TV series "Bat Masterson" when he found out the Western lawman had worn a derby and carried a gold-handled cane in real life. He was a better gunfighter than almost anyone. References [40], On July 2, 1921, Masterson attended his last heavyweight championship fight, the so-called "Million Dollar Gate", promoted by George "Tex" Rickard, in which Jack Dempsey defended (and retained) his title of heavyweight champion of the world.