The Great Bullfight of 1884

Before settling down to a typical small-town life, Dodge wanted to have one last extravagant and scandalous event. What could be more outrageous than a bullfight? Former mayor A. B. Webster suggested holding a Mexican bullfight to celebrate the Fourth of July and bring Dodge back into the national spotlight. Webster later claimed that he didn't know how he came up with the idea, but as soon as Webster did, he looked into the laws and, finding none against it, pursued the idea with all his might.

Most of the businessmen thought Webster's idea a good one. It would rescue businesses suffering from a slowing down of the cattle trade. Also, Dodge had always been a sporting town and a bullfight certainly would be different from the usual parade, races, prize fights, and hose-cart team competition. The Dodge City Democrat wrote of the event on June 28, 1884

A number of so-called good and moral people of the city have attempted to convey the impression... that there will be no bullfight... The reports were started by the same class of fanatical agitators who are eternally opposing every enterprise calculated to advertise Dodge and promote its growth and prosperity ... It is the same class of men who have for years done nothing but howl and kick and at the same time grow wealthy and fat.

​    Webster collected $10,000 from the merchants in two days to pay for the festivities. The investors formed the Dodge City Driving Park and Fair Association and elected Ham Bell as president and Webster as general manager. Webster started immediately making arrangements. He contacted W. K. Moore, an attorney in Mexico, who would secure the matadors. D. W. "Doc" Barton, who had driven the first trail herd to Dodge, agreed to scout the ranges and select the most ferocious Longhorn bulls. With his extensive knowledge of cattle, Barton spent days on the range, carefully observing and selecting the bulls that would provide the most thrilling and authentic bullfight experience. The Association bought forty acres of land at the city's west edge.
   With a sense of urgency and commitment, they put up high wooden fences, planted trees, built corrals, chutes, a half-mile racetrack, and an amphitheater that would seat 2,500 spectators - all in less than two months. The speed and efficiency of the preparations were a testament to the town's unwavering determination to make the bullfight a reality, showcasing their resilience and commitment.
   As the news stories began to circulate, the determination of the Dodge City officials became evident. Reporters from New York, Chicago, St. Louis, San Franciso, Denver, and a dozen country newspapers booked rooms in the local hotels. The Santa Fe railroad announced it would run excursion trains from the East and the West to bring spectators to the Dodge City bullfight. Despite protests from groups concerned with the prevention of cruelty to animals and rumors that state authorities would stop the fight, the officials remained resolute. Governor Glick even expressed his interest in attending if the fight were held two days earlier.
   Townspeople at the time claimed that Webster received a telegram from the United States Attorney saying that bullfighting was against the law in the United States, to which the ex-mayor retorted, "Hell! Dodge City ain't in the United States." This bold and determined response highlighted the town's defiance in the face of potential legal issues.
    As the days before the fight dwindled, Barton rounded up the bulls and drove them into the new pens. The five bullfighters arrived with Attorney Moore, their sponsor. The town was buzzing with anticipation, taking on a festive air as the event drew closer, filling the air with a palpable sense of excitement and energy.

    On July 4, 1884, the town was alive with the excitement of the Mexican bullfight. The dusty streets, the weathered clapboard houses, and the rowdy saloons all contributed to the allure of this wild western town. The arrival of the Mexican bullfighters added an exotic touch, and the preparations for the bullfight were a spectacle in their own right.
     The bullfight held the entire town in its grip. Thousands of spectators, including cowboys, ladies, and children, filled the stands, eager for the thrilling spectacle. The matadors, adorned in flamboyant costumes, showcased their skills against the fierce bulls. The pinnacle of the event was the face-off between the slender Mexican matador, Gregorio Galardo, and the meanest bull in the West. The memory of this epic encounter, with its breathtaking display of courage and skill, still reverberates today among the citizens of Dodge City, connecting them to their rich history.

    After the thrilling bullfight, Dodge City became even more unforgettable. The wild night that followed was filled with fights and gunplay, keeping the marshal and his deputies busy trying to maintain order. The marshal, a seasoned lawman with a reputation for fairness and quick action, and his deputies, a group of brave men who had seen their fair share of gunfights, were constantly on the move, breaking up fights and apprehending troublemakers. Despite the chaos, the town remained excited, the air crackling with the night's energy.
    Yet, like all good things, the excitement eventually died down. The influx of visitors, while a boon for the local economy, also brought with it a wave of lawlessness and disorder. Having spent their money and nursed their hangovers, the cowhands left town. The painted ladies, who had been a colorful presence during the bullfight and the revelry that followed, also departed. The dust settled, and the town returned to its usual quiet state. In all its glory, the bullfight had left a lasting mark on Dodge City, a mark that would change the town's history forever.