Army scout, lawman, professional gambler, and journalist (1853-1921) known for his exploits in the 19th and early 20th-century Old West; a good friend and associate of the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp in both Dodge City and Tombstone, Arizona. Remarkable hand-corrected typed manuscript, signed "Wiliam Barclay (Bat) Masterson," six pages bound at the head with a needle, 8.5 x 11, no date, with four ink corrections in Masterson's hand on the first page. Masterson amends the title, striking through 'W.B. Masterson (Bat)' and spelling out his full name in the upper margin, "Wiliam Barclay (Bat) Masterson," and changes the 'W.B.' beginning the piece to "William Barclay." He goes on to correct a date two times, changing the '7' in '1877' to a "6." This extraordinary document is a short biography of Masterson written by Robert M. Wright for his book Dodge City, The Cowboy Capital (1913). Wright, a former mayor of Dodge City, Kansas sent this manuscript to Masterson, a former deputy in Dodge City, for his review.
According to Wright, Masterson was "one of the most notable characters of the West, was one of the Dodge City's first citizens, and for this reason if no other, deserves a space in my book." The text concerns itself with anecdotes from the lives of Masterson and his brother Ed. Wright describes Masterson's partner in grading railroad lines having run off with their money, and then praises his character: "There is nothing low-down about him. He is high-toned and broad-minded, cool and brave. In 1876 he became a candidate for sheriff of Ford County, of which Dodge is the county seat."
He continues: "There was a train robbery committed at Kinsley, Kansas and one Dave Rudebaugh was the main guy…[Bat] gathered a posse…and took the trail. He caught onto a scent that led him to Henry Lovell's cattle camp…Bat was certain the robbers would seek this camp for shelter which they did…they were captured without a shot being fired…Bat was a man most loyal to his friends…exemplified in his action saving Billy Thompson. Billy and Ben Thompson were brothers, high rollers and desperate men as well as gamblers. Billy was shot all to pieces in a gun play…Bat promised Billy to bring him out…Ben Thompson was at the only hotel there desperately wounded…friends of Thompson were to commence a sham battle at the big dance hall…by a perfect fusillade of shots…everyone ran out of the hotel…Bat landed Billy in a sleeper and locked the door…they landed next morning at William Cody's."
The text also sets forth details of the killing of Ed Masterson. Masterson would later make every effort to promote Wright's book, often quoting passages in his column in the New York Morning Telegraph. A few pencil notations have been made to the text in an unknown hand. In fine condition, with light creasing, soiling, and tiny edge tears.
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