Chalkley Beeson
Encyclopedia
Chalkley McArtor "Chalk" Beeson (April 24, 1848 – August 8, 1912) was a well known businessman, lawman, cattleman, saloon owner, manager and keeper of the Old West, best known as being one of the many owners of the famous Long Branch Saloon
in Dodge City, Kansas
.
, Beeson was the seventh born child of Samuel and Martha Beeson. The family moved to Iowa
, and at 19 Beeson left home, moving to Denver, Colorado
. He worked, for a time, as a guide to buffalo
hunters, with his clients including Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia
, Phil Sheridan, and George Custer.
By the mid-1870s he was living in Dodge City, Kansas, becoming involved in many citizen organizations, and becoming wealthy in the cattle
business. He married Ida Gause on July 17, 1876. He later, in 1878, became an owner of the Long Branch Saloon
with partner William Harris, which led to his becoming associated with noted lawmen, outlaws, and gunmen of the time, to include Luke Short
, Wyatt Earp
, Bat Masterson
, James Masterson
and Ed Masterson
, Charlie Bassett and others. Under Beeson's leadership, the Long Branch Saloon
boasted a 5-piece orchestra and Beeson also formed the Dodge City Cowboy Band which still exists today. Entertainment was a big part of the offerings at the Long Branch Saloon
and today, a recreation of that entertainment (the Long Branch Variety Show
) is presented in the reconstructed saloon at Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City, Kansas
. During this period he once helped to defuse a confrontation by convincing a group of cowboys led by noted gunman Clay Allison
to leave town to prevent trouble. That incident was witnessed by well known Pinkerton Detective
Charlie Siringo
, who at the time was a young cowboy. Siringo later wrote an account of the event, discounting Wyatt Earp's claim, made years after Allison's death, that he had "backed Allison down".
Beeson served for two terms as the Ford County
sheriff
, serving from 1892 to 1896. His most notable accomplishment while serving as sheriff was when he and Deputy US Marshal, Tom Hueston, killed Doolin Dalton
gang member Oliver "Ol" Yantis
, on November 30, 1892. Deputy Marshal Hueston was later killed during the Battle of Ingalls
, a shootout between US Marshals and other members of the gang. Beeson was later twice elected to the State Legislature. He has been said to have been one of the most respected members of Dodge City during its wildest times. Beeson died on August 12, 1912. His wife, Ida, lived until June 15, 1928.
Long Branch Saloon
The Long Branch Saloon is a famous saloon that existed during the Old West days of Dodge City, Kansas. It had numerous owners, most notably Chalk Beeson and gunfighter Luke Short...
in Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City is a city in, and the county seat of, Ford County, Kansas, United States. Named after nearby Fort Dodge, the city is famous in American culture for its history as a wild frontier town of the Old West. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,340.-History:The first settlement of...
.
Biography
Originally from Salem, OhioSalem, Ohio
Salem is a city in northern Columbiana County and extreme southern Mahoning County, Ohio, United States. At the 2000 census, the city's population was 12,197....
, Beeson was the seventh born child of Samuel and Martha Beeson. The family moved to Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, and at 19 Beeson left home, moving to Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. He worked, for a time, as a guide to buffalo
American Bison
The American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
hunters, with his clients including Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia
Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia
Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia was the sixth child and the fourth son of Alexander II of Russia and his first wife Maria Alexandrovna . Destined to a naval career, Alexei Alexandrovich started his military training at the age of 7...
, Phil Sheridan, and George Custer.
By the mid-1870s he was living in Dodge City, Kansas, becoming involved in many citizen organizations, and becoming wealthy in the cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
business. He married Ida Gause on July 17, 1876. He later, in 1878, became an owner of the Long Branch Saloon
Long Branch Saloon
The Long Branch Saloon is a famous saloon that existed during the Old West days of Dodge City, Kansas. It had numerous owners, most notably Chalk Beeson and gunfighter Luke Short...
with partner William Harris, which led to his becoming associated with noted lawmen, outlaws, and gunmen of the time, to include Luke Short
Luke Short
Western frontiersman Luke L. Short was a noted gunfighter, who had worked as a farmer, cowboy, whiskey peddler, army scout, dispatch rider, gambler and saloon keeper at various times during the four decades of his life.- Early life :...
, Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an American gambler, investor, and law enforcement officer who served in several Western frontier towns. He was also at different times a farmer, teamster, bouncer, saloon-keeper, miner and boxing referee. However, he was never a drover or cowboy. He is most well known...
, Bat Masterson
Bat Masterson
William Barclay "Bat" Masterson was a figure of the American Old West known as a buffalo hunter, U.S. Marshal and Army scout, avid fisherman, gambler, frontier lawman, and sports editor and columnist for the New York Morning Telegraph...
, James Masterson
James Masterson
James Masterson, also known as Jim Masterson, was a lawman of the American West and the brother of gunfighters and lawmen Bat Masterson and Ed Masterson.-Lawman career:...
and Ed Masterson
Ed Masterson
Ed Masterson was a lawman and the brother of the American West gunfighters Bat Masterson and James Masterson.-Lawman career:...
, Charlie Bassett and others. Under Beeson's leadership, the Long Branch Saloon
Long Branch Saloon
The Long Branch Saloon is a famous saloon that existed during the Old West days of Dodge City, Kansas. It had numerous owners, most notably Chalk Beeson and gunfighter Luke Short...
boasted a 5-piece orchestra and Beeson also formed the Dodge City Cowboy Band which still exists today. Entertainment was a big part of the offerings at the Long Branch Saloon
Long Branch Saloon
The Long Branch Saloon is a famous saloon that existed during the Old West days of Dodge City, Kansas. It had numerous owners, most notably Chalk Beeson and gunfighter Luke Short...
and today, a recreation of that entertainment (the Long Branch Variety Show
Long Branch Variety Show
The Long Branch Variety Show is a western saloon show presented in the Long Branch Saloon located at Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City, Kansas. It features Miss Kitty, the "Queen of Dodge City" and Chalkley Beeson, the owner of the saloon...
) is presented in the reconstructed saloon at Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. During this period he once helped to defuse a confrontation by convincing a group of cowboys led by noted gunman Clay Allison
Clay Allison
Clay Allison was a Texas cattle rancher and gunfighter. He is one of the best known historic figures of the American Old West.-Early life:...
to leave town to prevent trouble. That incident was witnessed by well known Pinkerton Detective
Pinkerton National Detective Agency
The Pinkerton National Detective Agency, usually shortened to the Pinkertons, is a private U.S. security guard and detective agency established by Allan Pinkerton in 1850. Pinkerton became famous when he claimed to have foiled a plot to assassinate president-elect Abraham Lincoln, who later hired...
Charlie Siringo
Charlie Siringo
Charles Angelo Siringo , was an American lawman, detective, and agent for the Pinkerton National Detective Agency during the late 19th century and early 20th century.-Early life:...
, who at the time was a young cowboy. Siringo later wrote an account of the event, discounting Wyatt Earp's claim, made years after Allison's death, that he had "backed Allison down".
Beeson served for two terms as the Ford County
Ford County, Kansas
Ford County is a county located in southwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 33,848. The Dodge City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Ford County. Its county seat and most populous city is Dodge City. The county is named in...
sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
, serving from 1892 to 1896. His most notable accomplishment while serving as sheriff was when he and Deputy US Marshal, Tom Hueston, killed Doolin Dalton
Wild Bunch
The Wild Bunch, also known as the Doolin–Dalton Gang or the Oklahombres, was a gang of outlaws based in the Indian Territory that terrorized Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma Territory during the 1890s—robbing banks and stores, holding up trains, and killing lawmen. They were...
gang member Oliver "Ol" Yantis
Oliver Yantis
Oliver Yantis, known as Oliver "Ol" Yantis was an outlaw of the Old West, best known for being a member of the Doolin Dalton Gang....
, on November 30, 1892. Deputy Marshal Hueston was later killed during the Battle of Ingalls
Battle of Ingalls
The Battle of Ingalls was a gunfight on September 1, 1893 between United States Marshals and the Doolin-Dalton Gang, during the closing years of the Old West era, in Ingalls, Oklahoma. The Doolin-Dalton Gang had been involved in a number of train robberies and bank robberies, beginning around 1891...
, a shootout between US Marshals and other members of the gang. Beeson was later twice elected to the State Legislature. He has been said to have been one of the most respected members of Dodge City during its wildest times. Beeson died on August 12, 1912. His wife, Ida, lived until June 15, 1928.
External links
- Beeson, Steve, - "A Brief Biography of Chalkley Beeson" - (excerpt Beeson/Beason family) - Family History Center microfilm #1035659, Item #9
- Vertical File Biographies: Chalkley M. Beeson - Kansas State Historical Society
- Story of Chalkley Beeson’s participation in the Royal Buffalo Hunt of January, 1872 (extracted from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans)
- The Long Branch Saloon - Boot Hill Museum
- Story of The Long Branch Saloon - Legends of America.com
- Story of the Dodge City Cow-Boy Band - American Brass Band
- Inductees - Dodge City Trail of Fame