The Swede Who Built Dodge City

Story by Michael King

​"Why did Andrew the Swede always carry a toolbox to the saloon? Because in Dodge City, he knew you always had to be ready to 'build' a good time!"

Photograph of Andrew Johnson provided by Dr. Joel Vinson of the Kansas Heritage Center.

When one thinks of "Dodge City," images of gunfights, saloons, and legendary figures like Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and Doc Holliday often come to mind. This storied town, known as the "Cowboy Capital," earned its wild reputation through tales of gunslingers and outlaws. Yet, beneath this rough exterior lay a different story — one of industrious men wielding hammers and tools, tirelessly constructing the very fabric of the settlement. Among these unsung pioneers was Andrew H. Johnson, affectionately known as "Andy the Swede." His tale is not one of duels and daring escapes but rather one of unwavering resolve and craftsmanship that helped forge the American West.

​Born in Engelholm, Sweden, in 1845, Andrew Johnson was swept up in the great tide of Scandinavian immigration destined for a new life in America. He arrived on these shores in 1869, at the age of 24, with dreams of opportunity. Settling in Sweetwine, Ohio, he crossed paths with Charles Rath, an ambitious merchant who recognized the immense potential of the uncharted frontier. In 1870, Rath persuaded Johnson to join him on a westward journey, sensing a burgeoning market ripe for cultivation.

As Rath's steadfast "right-hand man," Johnson followed the advancing tracks of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, assisting in supplying the influx of hunters and settlers streaming onto the plains. Though he was not a hunter himself, his vital contributions to the booming buffalo hide trade were invaluable. He expertly managed the transportation of precious buffalo hides from remote hunting grounds to bustling markets, bringing him to the very location where Dodge City would soon flourish.

In the spring of 1874, Johnson's formidable skills as a builder were put to the ultimate test. Rath dispatched him to the Texas Panhandle to oversee the construction of a crucial trading post known as Adobe Walls. Employing locally sourced materials like sod and picket poles, Johnson erected not only the Rath and Company store but also a saloon owned by James Hanrahan.

However, chaos erupted on June 27, 1874, as approximately 700 warriors from the Comanche, Cheyenne, and Kiowa tribes, led by the renowned war chief Quanah Parker, launched a surprise assault on the settlement. Outnumbered and outgunned, Johnson found himself among only 28 defenders, including one woman, charged with protecting this remote stronghold. As the attackers attempted to breach the doors of the Rath store, Johnson's craftsmanship truly shone. The heavy cross planks he skillfully fitted into the doors resisted all efforts to break through, showcasing that his building skills were as pivotal to their defense as any rifle in fending off the attackers and preserving the lives of the besieged.

Photograph of the Adobe Walls Monument Stone provided by Brad Smalley

Following the battle, Johnson endured over a month amid the besieged post before returning to Dodge City. He arrived not empty-handed but with an astonishing collection of battlefield artifacts — war bonnets, shields, bows and arrows, spears, and even scalps taken from the deceased. This collection represented a tangible connection to one of the most consequential conflicts on the Southern Plains, each piece telling a fragment of a larger story.

Tragically, the weight of history proved fleeting. In late 1885, a series of calamitous fires swept through Dodge City's Front Street, obliterating nearly all of Johnson's irreplaceable collection. Although a few artifacts were later preserved in various museums, the fires consumed a vital piece of both his personal history and the broader saga of the frontier.

Once back in Dodge City, Johnson's influence was visible throughout the burgeoning town. In the spring of 1874, he and his brother John established the first blacksmith shop in Western Kansas, laying the groundwork for many local enterprises. While his brother chose to pursue a homestead, Andy adapted to the evolving economic landscape, becoming the "gentlemanly stock agent" for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway — a prestigious role that positioned him at the heart of the booming cattle industry.

Perhaps Johnson's most lasting imprint on the city was his involvement in its infrastructure. As a public contractor, he was responsible for laying many of the town's sidewalks, pressing his initials into the concrete of each one as a signature. For decades, residents knew that any sidewalk marked "A. J." was a testament to the high quality of craft that Andy Johnson represented. As he aged, he embraced the life of a local businessman, owning both a restaurant and a liquor store, further establishing his presence in the community.

Johnson stood out for his unwavering integrity in a town notorious for its vices and lawlessness. This became particularly evident in 1892 when he was called to testify in a lawsuit filed by his former employer, Charles Rath, concerning lost hides from the Adobe Walls conflict. While many might have exaggerated details to benefit a friend, Johnson stood unwaveringly by the truth, steadfastly recounting his experiences without embellishment. His commitment to honesty was a rare virtue in an era rife with opportunism and deceit.

As the Old West faded into myth, Johnson emerged as a custodian of its authentic narrative. In his twilight years, he became well-regarded for his reliable and detailed firsthand accounts of the Battle of Adobe Walls. In 1922, alongside another veteran, he revisited the site of the battle, meticulously drawing a detailed map of the post from memory to aid historians in accurately recording events. Two years later, as one of the last surviving defenders, he was the honored speaker at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Battle of Adobe Walls.

Andrew "Andy the Swede" Johnson passed away in June 1925, and he now rests in Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City, a plot he had carefully purchased and marked with his own intention, ensuring that his lifelong contributions would not be forgotten. His story embodies the spirit of the American West, reminding us that behind the legends of the gunslingers were everyday heroes whose labor and integrity built the communities we cherish today.

Photograph, Grave of Andrew Johnson in Dodge City, Kansas. Image available on the Internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.

​As the Old West faded into myth, Johnson emerged as a custodian of its authentic narrative. In his twilight years, he became well-regarded for his reliable and detailed firsthand accounts of the Battle of Adobe Walls. In 1922, alongside another veteran, he revisited the site of the battle, meticulously drawing a detailed map of the post from memory to aid historians in accurately recording events. Two years later, as one of the last surviving defenders, he was the honored speaker at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Battle of Adobe Walls.
Andrew "Andy the Swede" Johnson passed away in June 1925, and he now rests in Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City, a plot he had carefully purchased and marked with his own intention, ensuring that his lifelong contributions would not be forgotten. ​

His story embodies the spirit of the American West, reminding us that behind the legends of the gunslingers were everyday heroes whose labor and integrity built the communities we cherish today.