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The Famous Dodge City Peace Commission.
(Conkling Studio,Dodge City, June 1883)
Front Row: Charlie E. Bassett, Wyatt Earp, M. F. McLain, Neal Brown.
Back Row: William H. Harris, Luke Short, Bat Masterson, W. F. Petillon.
I found that Jay Robert Nash, in his book, Encyclopedia of Western Lawman & Outlaws shows the Peace Commission photo
on page 434 and indicates that the man seated front row, third from left is M. C. Clark. A check of the 1880 Federal census
reveals an M. C. Clark, age 23, living Blue Rapids, Marshall, Kansas with parents and sibling. So is it Frank McLain or M.
C. Clark ?
Well, I have found a second source that reports that the man seated between Wyatt Earp and Neal Brown, in the famous Dodge
City Peace Commission photo, is M. C. Clark.
James D. Horan and Paul Sann, in their book, " Pictorial History of the Wild West", pg. 105 presents the photo
and caption. On page 247, Picture Credits, they indicate the photo came from the Kansas State Historical Society. That is
not to say that the Historical Society provided the names, just the photo.
Other members of the Peace Commission who chose not to be photographed include: Milsap (Johnny Millsap), Shotgun (John) Collins,
Shoot-your-eye-out Jack (Jack Vermillion ), Crooked-mouth(Johnny) Green, Rowdy Joe Lowe, W. J. Mason and some say Doc Holliday.
It has also been written that Petillion was not a member of the Peace Commission but just wanted to be photographed with this
group of men.
The Dodge City Times reported that there was an influx of noted men in town including: Black Jack Bill, Cold Chuck Johnny,
Dynamite Sam, Dark Alley Jim, Dirty Sock Jim, Six-Toed Pete and Three Finger Dave. Lawman Bill Tilghman also appears in one
of the photos. Lastly, it should also be noted that Constable, Prairie Dog Dave ( Dave Morrow ), had sworn in all members
of the Commission making it possible for them to carry guns.
An article from Wild West Magazine reported that four men were with Wyatt when he stepped off the train. They were:
Dan Tipton, Johnny Green, Texas Jack Vermillion and Johnny Millsap.
The Daily Kansas City Journal,May 13, 1883 reported the presents of :
Masterson precedes by twenty-four hours a few other pleasant gentlemen who are on their way to the tea party at Dodge.
One of them is Wyatt Earp, the famous marshal of Dodge, another is Joe Lowe, otherwise known as "Rowdy Joe;" and
still another is "Shotgun" Collins; but worse than all is another ex-citizen and officer of Dodge, the famous Doc
Halliday.
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The Dodge City Peace Commission was formed as a direct result of the actions taken by the Powers-To-Be, namely former Mayor
Alonzo Webster and his 300 pound whipping boy newly elected Mayor Larry Deger. Webster, owner of the Old House Saloon, wasn't
able to attract the business Luke Short was because of Luke's Texas roots. Webster devised a plan whereby Deger would have
Luke's girls arrested but Webster's girls were left alone. Luke took exception to this and went looking for those responsible.
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Louis Hartman, City Court Clerk and special Policeman saw Luke coming in his direction and knew it meant trouble. Hartman
decided to get off the first shot so he took aim and let go a round missing Luke. Now think about this for a minute. Luke
was not a criminal. He was not wanted for anything. Yet here is a policeman shooting at him because he knew Luke had been
wronged and Luke wasn't going to put up with that type of treatment. Luke returned fire as Hartman was in full retreat. As
Luke fired Hartman stumbled and fell. Luke, believing he had just killed Hartman headed for the Long Branch.
The next day Luke learned he had not killed Hartman and submitted to arrest. Webster and his cronnies decided to run Luke
out of town instead of allowing the legal process to run its course. So much for the Law and Order platform Deger ran on when
elected. Luke was put on an eastbound train which stopped at Larned, Kansas. Luke got off and telegraphed Bat Masterson.
This was the beginning of the Dodge City Wars. A war in which a shot was never fired.
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Own this drawing of Luke (dealing)and the boys. Contact Phil Gessert at: cybermind@excite.com
Front Street, Dodge City, 1874, with (from left) Rath and Wright's General Outfitting Store, Beeson and Harris' Long Branch
saloon, and Hoover's cigar and liquor Store. All rights reserved, FCHS.
Front Street, Dodge City 1880
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