Dodge City in 1872 (An Eyewitness Account)

In 1872, Dodge City, one of the most famous towns of the wild west, was born. But what was Dodge City like in 1872? Learn from an eyewitness account what it was like to visit this growing frontier community. Frank Hopper, who used the alias "Knarf", was a correspondent with the Leavenworth Daily Commercial newspaper and visited Dodge City in November of 1872.

[@allanbeamer7110]

I'm a trucker by trade (Now retired due to health). A few years ago, I had occasion to live & work some months in the Dodge City area building roads for some new wind farms just south of town. I lived out of my truck. As a young boy growing up in Southern California, I always heard a story from my paternal grandma about how my great grandpa had decked Wyatt Earp in Dodge City. A terrible ice storm blew through the area and shut down the whole wind farm project for almost a month. So one afternoon, I found where the historical society was and within 5 minutes, had quite a handful of articles from local papers of those days (1870's and '80's) talking about P.W. Beamer. Peter Walter was a black smith. He was been born in 1842 in Ohio and served in the civil war under Gen. Sherman as a First Sargent. Not sure of his training and how he came to come to Kansas. but in around this same time period of the video, he began to ply his trade. At some point, he partnered up with a man named White. We found an old photo of Front Street looking east and in about the middle of the block is the name White clearly visible. Some point along the way, the mayor asked P.W. to be sheriff. I don't know why, but he only did it for about a month. May have had something to do with the city council outlawing having a city job at the same time having another line of work. I'm pretty sure swinging a hammer paid better! One day, Wyatt Earp came in to a saloon, but refused to hang up his guns with the bartender. The bars north of the railroad required this, whereas those south of it, did not. So off they went to fetch the sheriff, Peter Walter. When Wyatt refused P.W.'s request, the black smith knocked him to the ground. And then, helped him back to his feet. At this point, they became friends, I was always told. Not a word of it in any of those papers. Just a family story passed down through the years. His son, my grandfather, died in '61 when I was 2. After my time in Dodge City, I actually know more about my great grandpa and his wife Julia than I ever did about grandpa. Julia had a boarding his which is still there. Across the street from Applebee's. The block where the forge was was torn down in the '70's to widen the state highway, I was told. Peter Walter Beamer took his family by way of northern Arizona to San Diego eventually. My great aunt told me how frightened she was by the Indians as a young girl in Arizona. I was 10 in '69 when she shared that with me. I wish I could have known her later to ask more questions. Anyway, I loved hearing this tale of that era and area. We'll never see another time like it.

[@donwarren76]

Wonderful (and credible) addition to Dodge City history. Thank you.

[@elhijodelchupacabra]

Awesome stories Allan. Thank you for sharing them

[@timothyhowie6171]

Obviously a sincere true story. A blessing thank you

[@cynthiacarter514]

Awesome story!

[@truthadvocacy]

"my great grandpa and his wife Julia"?

[@legacyofthewest]

I forgot to add this-Frank Hopper, alias "Knarf" (Frank spelled backwards) enjoyed play on words-when he described H.P. Neiss being a boot and shoe seller he really used as many shoe puns as possible. When he was talking about Fringer and Peacock playing "freeze out", it was in November-so it would have been cold in Dodge City-so "freeze out" was another play on words, referring to the weather and them playing cards at the same time. Hope you liked the video!

[@aronraygetchapull42071]

Sir I've been subbed to your Channel for a good little bit now, and just wanted real quick to say thanks for putting these out there! I have always been fascinated with the "old west" and truly enjoy your videos! You're doing these the way they should be done... the right way! I could watch these non stop...... fascinating stuff!!👌 Keep em comin'!! Btw.....Those "old west" Ghost videos, and anything related to Tombstone, the Earps, and Doc holiday are my favorites so far...... 😎👍

[@legacyofthewest]

@@aronraygetchapull42071 Thank you! I love it when my subscribers comment-that way they are more than just numbers on a screen. Yep, I love Tombstone history and studying Wyatt and Doc-the ghost videos weren't as popular but they sure are fun to do, so I think I'll do some more. Glad you are liking the content! Thanks!

[@douglashall2141]

Legacy of the West. Thank you for this article this was highly informative and very entertaining. And something I did not know about. It would be cool to hear more about what happened to Mr McDonald.

[@legacyofthewest]

@@douglashall2141 Tell you the truth I'm not sure what happened to John McDonald. I don't know of any photos of him and he's barely mentioned in books on Dodge City.

[@douglashall2141]

@@legacyofthewest that's a shame. But thank you nonetheless. Always entertained and always enlightened. Keep up the great work everyone needs to know these things. Keep the wind to your back and the sun to your face.

[@reneethornton9228]

History has always been one of my top three subjects when I was in school. It is always interesting to know who was first to plant a stake in open land. I enjoy trivia questions so I will take away at least three from this video and ask them at work. I hope that you never tire of recapturing the old Wild Wild West for your Legacy of the West family 🥰!

[@legacyofthewest]

Always good to hear from you Renee!

[@AIRRAID2]

Probably my favorite historical period of time. Thanks for real ❤️

[@thecw301]

Very nice content! One note: Frank Hopper would have pronounced "Arkansas River" as "Ar-Kansas in 1872.

[@JanicefromKansas]

Hello from Kansas 🇺🇸 Happy 150th Dodge City

[@Go4Corvette]

History is always interesting and should never be forgotten. Thanks for your videos and time, good luck, Mike

[@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808]

This is amazing information. Thank you sir for your efforts ! I wish I could have lived back then as to keep the peace ! 💪👍

[@legacyofthewest]

Thank you!

[@LewisSkeeter]

Great video as usual. Thanks.

[@SmokeyTreats]

I lived at Fort Dodge for a year in Y2k. I was amazed at the vibe of the locals. The vestiges of early Dodge still run through those folks as if it wasn't but a few decades ago. The looks in their eyes, their mannerisms & ways are still of that era. It was very cool. The practically lost art of storytelling was still going strong then, & what a joy it was to attend those gatherings. One was about a half-hour long & was about a guy who was mad as can be, accusing someone he finally caught up with of stealing his brand new long johns about a year prior. As it turned out, they were never stolen. He had them on all this time but couldn't tell because they were under a thick layer of dirt...

[@legacyofthewest]

Lol-good story! Story telling was such an important part of the 19th century-people entertained themselves and good story tellers were popular. Ben Hodges, a noted conman in Dodge City was well liked because he made people laugh

[@meltz911]

I look forward to your videos, they are always informative and interesting. Keep up the great work.

[@bobwallace9814]

Great video! One thing I think most don't realize is that poker was not the big game in western towns. Faro was.

[@baldeagle5297]

I love these old newspaper accounts of the old west. Thank you for bringing them to life. Thanks, by the way, for the links to the maps. It may be a few months before I can get started on that project, I'm busy rebuilding my pontoon boat's helm and control box.

[@legacyofthewest]

Good luck on the project! Everything always takes longer it seems-big projects especially but they're worth it

[@baldeagle5297]

@@legacyofthewest Yeah I was wanting to get her in the water by the fourth, but parts won't be in until after. I did get some minor damage fixed that the previous owner had done. Tomorrow I'll cut and braze a top rail to replace the missing one.

[@fredcloud9668]

Very well done.

[@charlescomly1]

As always, another well made informative video that couldnte hound anywhere else.

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

What about Matt Dillion, the marshall, Miss Kitty from the Long Branch saloon, Chester or Cestus, and Doc?

[@truthadvocacy]

All Hollywood characters!😂😂😂

[@PulpFreePress]

Great video!

[@andrewblake2254]

Most excellent. From an Australian history fan.. And a railfan.

[@Belinda-lm3ol]

Very interesting and entertaining 👍

[@gotti5472]

I really enjoyed this it was very interesting

[@markcummings1319]

Fantastic clip. Hear Hear!

[@glenrobinson916]

A good story and some interesting comments!

[@needsaride15126]

The ending was a really nice version of Leaning On the Everlasting Arms. I could listen to that style of music for hours.

[@legacyofthewest]

Thank you! The song is performed by Zachariah Hickman

[@thecleanbees.acleaningserv5606]

Beautiful

[@petersack5074]

JUST GOTTA MENTION.....LOVE YOUR MUSIC, FIDDLE.....VERY VERY DESCRIPTIVE, OF THE ERA......good boys ! AND GIRLS/WIVES ! GO , TEAM GO. but with 'moderation' !

[@ohmeowzer1]

Very interesting...new subscriber…will you be doing Utah? I would like to hear about Provo

[@legacyofthewest]

I don't have much background with Utah history, I would like to learn more about it though

[@stephanieearp1760]

I think my people might have come there around that time down from near Kearney, Nebraska.

[@gio1985s]

alright you're gonna have to make more content asap jst went through ur entire channel over the last week at work

[@legacyofthewest]

Thanks! Maybe in the future I can do this full time and upload more regularly-

[@MrBornfisher]

Those words from that song were used in "The Streets of Loredo"

[@janetjones3129]

Wow! Kind of makes me wish I could go back to this time. 🙋😍😃

[@stevemccarty6384]

I lived out there just after the War. The prairie has a smell and the wind is bone dry! I farmed, driving an old red tractor for my grandfather. Twelve hours, all day long. The day was divided by my grandparents who'd drive out to the field with lunch. My grandmother would spread out a table cloth and we'd gather round. We'd feast on her fried chicken, mashed potatoes w chicken gravy, string beans, biscuits and pie. Ice tea. Just a little slice of Heaven....no, a big slice! After that it was back to work!

[@russcd1]

What about the Longbranch, and Miss Kitty.

[@ms.annthrope415]

Been reading Tom Clavin's book on Dodge City. Interesting history. Once the most wicked town in the west. I had wanted to drive through Dodge City to see it. Ut upon further research it only has a small block of new fake false front buildings and a small grassy dirt quad with candy stores and trinket shops in those fake false front buildings. Didn't find any authentic parts left. So I crossed it off my list. It woukd have been a long drive just to go to a tourist trap. The Buffalo hunters killed tens of thousands of Buffalo. Only the hides will pay off and thr carcass left to rot in the sun. When thr railroads came through and a herd came close to the tracks, the train will stop and allow th4 passengers to just shoot them indiscriminately. If yiu didn't have a gun, thr railroad will lend you a rifle to just slaughter these noble animals. Ine, the railroads want to clear out thr millions of heads of Buffalo from roaming across the tracks. Two, the army supported this slaughter to starve out the plains Indians and force them to move to barren plains.

[@nick-un9pk]

Ann, before you criticize those who lived 150 years ago... Please learn how to spell.

[@truthadvocacy]

European colonizing hordes started by destroying nature in America, while Native Americans had been living in perfect harmony with it; the so-called "savages".😂😂😂 Thanks for the reminder!

[@porcine83]

@@truthadvocacy 🙄running entire herds of buffalo off of cliffs and clear burning off huge tracts of land for your purposes is not "living in perfect harmony" with nature. Indians were simply (a primitive) people, with all the positives and drawbacks that brings. They had no issues killing each other and don't belong on a pedestal.

[@stevemccarty6384]

I'm an old man now, but when I was a boy my grandfather would take me to Dodge City and we'd walk along old Front Street, searching the old storefronts for bullet holes. In the 40s and early 50s a lot of old Dodge City was still there. Eccles department store was there and any old Dodge Cityite will recall that store with a smile. It was high-class west of the Mississippi. The attractive sales girls wore white gloves.

[@LarsLawson]

Where was Delmonico's restaurant? How about the Longbranch bar? Where?

[@legacyofthewest]

The Longbranch Saloon and the Delmonico were both on the same block, between 1st and 2nd, on the north side of the original Front Street, which is now Wyatt Earp Blvd. As to the exact locations you would need to measure off the distance between 1st and 2nd, use one of the Sanborn fire insurance maps to know the exact widths of the original buildings, and then measure it. The book "Dodge City: Up Through a Century In Story and Pictures" by Frederic Young contains maps of early Dodge City if you are interested. I roughly know where the buildings would have been, but I have never measured it to know the exact spots.

[@gregpenner2876]

I spent a lot of time in that town.

[@veronicahurtado366]

See you soon dodge city❤

[@jamesbuddy3485]

thanks love the back work

[@kendallkahl8725]

I read accounts where you could smell Dodge city from a half mile before you got to it. Because of the lack of dogs and cats Skunks took their place eating up food scrap and tidbits of buffalo that they could find and they had to be driven off to keep them from chewing on hides. They had the advantage of nobody wanting to shoot them unless it was from a safe distance which ruled out using handguns in allies and crawl spaces. Eventually as the population of dogs, and cats went up skunks went down but they were missed as they were better at eating rodents than pampered house cats. As the population of cats went up stray cats eventually plugged the rodent control gap.

[@altarique123]

I shall visit dodge city one day . I live in Buffalo New York .

[@legacyofthewest]

You'll have to visit Boot Hill Museum there-a lot of artifacts and history from the wild west!

[@altarique123]

@@legacyofthewest okie dokie. Thanks

[@liberty6380]

When I was a girl we lived in an old house in Kansas. We used to say, 'knarf, knarf' on the school playground to make fun of some one after making a snarky comment at them in fun. I had no idea it was a historical word akin to Kansas folk!

[@legacyofthewest]

Interesting! I tried to research the word but not a lot came up

[@normanriggs848]

Whole lot different than "Gunsmoke!" lol

[@gregdavis19]

At 4:04 I believe you are looking East of old Dodge City. None of these buildings remain standing. What was the town is now Highway 54.

[@legacyofthewest]

There are very few original buildings left in Dodge City, none are left from 1872

[@gregdavis19]

@@legacyofthewest that’s right. I went to college in Dodge City. I cherish those memories. Thank you for sharing this video. I love the old photos you added!

[@legacyofthewest]

Thanks! I've got some other videos on the channel that include Dodge City that you might like@@gregdavis19

[@gregdavis19]

Thanks, I intend to watch them. I just subscribed to your KZbin channel.

[@michaelwhisman]

My Great-Grandfather, James Richard Daniels, was from Ohio. He and his friend started west in 1876. They got jobs as bullwhackers in Des Moines, Iowa. They went as far as Dodge City. I was told that they left so my Great-Grandfather could play fiddle at dances because the money was much better. Wyatt Earp was in Dodge City at the time but I don't know if he ever met him. He ended up in SE Idaho. How he got there, I don't know. He was not LDS.

[@legacyofthewest]

Interesting story!

[@liberty6380]

Whiskey 🥃good money 💰

[@billlawrence1899]

A good many famous old west names passed though Dodge City and spent time there. The Earp brothers, Doc Holliday, James ( Wild Bill ) Hickock. Bat Masterson was marshall there for awhile, his brother Jim killed while trying to arrest a drunk cowboy. However, there was not ever a Matt Dillon, and the closest thing to "Miss Kitty" and the girls who worked for her were not young, pretty, or virtuous.

[@MrTopgun624]

There had to be. I see it in those old reruns every day!

[@terryallen3141]

It was Ed Masterson killed in the line of Duty

[@billlawrence1899]

@@terryallen3141 Thanks, I thought I had recalled the name "Jim".

[@truthadvocacy]

"...the girls who worked for her were not young, pretty, or virtuous." Hollywood vs the real West.😁😁😁

[@nothingmuch8865]

Hail Knarf! Thanks for the reading of this inrepid reporter!

[@lllordllloyd]

Obviously there will be an endless supply of buffalo.

[@legacyofthewest]

Some of the buffalo hunters thought so

[@benmiller9854]

I don't understand why people talk crap on Kansas it has a very rich history.

[@larry1824]

Billy Brooks hid behind barrels while Kirk Jordin expressed his dismay by.using.a buffalo gun

[@procouswest20]

Miss Kitty and Matt Dillon

[@bobwhite2]

Any city 2023.

[@jimtussing]

This is exactly what Mars will be like.

[@legacyofthewest]

lol!

[@Snap-Anzahl]

@2:36 The pronunciation of the Arkansas River is....ar-KAN-zəs. Its not pronounced like the State of Arkansas

[@legacyofthewest]

I'm from Kansas, I grew up pronouncing the river like you said, however if I pronounced it that way I'd get a lot more people saying I'm mispronouncing it, so I decided to go the other way

[@jamesorth6460]

Pinky and the Brain Knarf

[@daviddigital6887]

They were making better money than some people in this day and time. Sounds like nobody had any morals, when the most respected man and mayor is the guy that mixed the best cocktail.

[@RobertJamesChinneryH]

As the comedian said "What a dump"

[@jimclarke1108]

Dodgem city

[@SofaKingShit]

50 buffaloes a day killed? How would anyone possibly process the hides so fast?

[@legacyofthewest]

One person shoots and a bunch more are the skinners

[@59dstorm]

They paid skinners

[@scaredy-cat]

So called wind farms are liberal destructive edifices to the land

[@stevewheatley243]

I resent liberals breathing our air.

[@gio1985s]

whatta waste killing 50 Buffalo/day to get drunk and play cards

[@truthadvocacy]

European colonizing hordes started by destroying nature in America, while Native Americans had been living in perfect harmony with it; the so-called "savages".😂😂😂

[@larry1824]

Any churches yet pards?😅😅😅😅😅

[@billythedog-309]

lt seems quite presumptuous to refer to a hamlet as a city.

[@leroyfisher9768]

Were there any black people living in Dodge City 🏙️

[@legacyofthewest]

There was a good sized population of black people in Dodge City, I don't know the exact numbers-one day when I have time I want to go through the census records and see who all exactly lived in Dodge. There was a black dancehall, ran by a black owner-he was involved in a fight to the death with one of his patrons and they found both of them dead the next day. The most famous black person in Dodge was probably Ben Hodges, he was a cowboy that came up the trail and decided to stay in the area, he's an interesting person. Basically Hodges was a con artist but was much beloved by the people in Dodge because he was really funny.