Masterson, Bat, 1853-1921

Bat Masterson (born William Barclay Masterson, Nov. 26, 1853, Henryville, Quebec–d. Oct. 25, 1921, New York City, NY) moved to the Grait Plains as a teen to hunt buffalo. In 1874 he was involved in a five-day siege by several hundred Comanche Indian warriors at Adobe Walls, Texas; Masterson was one of just 28 hunters who defended the outpost during the attack. He then signed on as a U.S. Army scout with Colonel Nelson Miles. Masterson moved to Dodge City, Kansas and became sheriff in 1877. In 1886 he relocated to Denver, Colorado and was known as a gambler and prizefighter. He then became a well known reporter and columnist for the New York Morning Telegraph after a move to New York City in 1902. Masterson was a close friend of President Theodore Roosevelt and became one of the "White House Gunfighters" who received federal appointments from Roosevelt.