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Lot 124
Masterson, William Barclay "Bat" (1855-1921) Buffalo hunter, U.S. Army scout, sheriff and U.S. Marshal, gambler, and newspaperman. Autograph Note Signed "Bat," twice, once at the end and once on Page 2 in a holograph correction, one-half page on page 3 of a typescript copy of Masterson's biography, with several holograph annotations, n.p., n.d. (circa 1912). Light wear and folding creases, else fine. The biography was written by Robert M. Wright and was intended for use in his forthcoming book, Dodge City, the Cowbow Capital. Wright sent the typescript to Masterson for review. Masterson made several corrections and wrote the following note:
"My Dear Bob, You have certainly paid a fine tribute to me and my brother Ed for which I thank you ever so much. Ed and I arrived at Tom Nixons ranch just west of where Dodge City now stands in the fall of 1871 and worked for Nixon as buffalo skinners until the following spring. It was during July and August of 1872 that I filled the R.R. contract for which I drew a blank. Ed and I again skinned buffalo for Nixon during the fall and winter of 1872-3. After that I hunted for myself. (Bat)."
The railroad contract for which he "drew a blank" refers to a grading job for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad which Bat and his brother Ed did but the contractor skipped town with their $300. The next April Bat ran into the contractor in Dodge City and "convinced" him to pay their $300.
Among the holograph corrections Masterson made are the following: He crossed out the name "Kinch Riley" and added "Charlie Bassett" as being a member of the posse he organized to hunt down the train robber Dave Rudebaugh. After William Cody's name, who is mentioned as having helped Bat shelter Billy Thompson (who was shot up in a gunfight), Bat inserted "(Buffalo Bill)" and added that Cody's home was "in North Platte." In Ramon F. Adams' book, Six Guns and Saddle Leather: a Bibliography of Books and Pamphlets on Western Outlaws and Gumnen, he cites as errors in Wright's book the inclusion of Charlie Basset's name in the posse, as well as the year 1877 being the date of Masterson's run for sheriff; however, as evidenced in this manuscript, it was Masterson himself who gave this information to Wright.
Wright quotes Masterson's announcement as a candidate for sheriff of Ford County, which was published in the Dodge City Times in 1877. Incidentally, Masterson and Wyatt Earp served as sheriff's deputies at the same time; they had met and become friends years earlier when they were both skinning buffaloes. Wright also describes the death of Bat's brother, Edward Masterson, who was marshall of Dodge City at the same time Bat was sheriff of Ford County.
This is the only known Autograph Letter Signed by Bat Masterson, one of the most famous figures to come out of the American West.
Estimated Value $50,000-UP.
Bonham's, June 28, 2005, lot 3337, sold for $68,000.
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